East Central Alabama News

U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, delivered opening remarks at a hearing on the findings and recommendations of the Commission on the National Defense Strategy.

Chairman Rogers began by thanking the witnesses for their participation and acknowledging their continued service to the nation. He described the Commission’s report as a "sobering reality check" for the United States, highlighting its stark warning: “The threats the United States faces are the most serious and most challenging the nation has encountered since 1945 and include the potential for near-term major war. The nation was last prepared for such a fight during the Cold War, which ended 35 years ago. It is NOT prepared today.”

Rogers emphasized that current preparations are inadequate, noting that "the current National Defense Strategy, completed just two years ago, does not adequately address the threat environment we currently face." He pointed out that China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea form a growing alliance that poses significant challenges to U.S. national security.

The Commission's findings indicate that China has significantly advanced in military modernization over two decades, effectively negating U.S. military advantages in the Western Pacific. To counter this development, Rogers highlighted recommendations for cultural changes within the Department of Defense (DoD) to overcome bureaucratic risk-aversion and expedite innovation delivery.

He also mentioned discussions from a recent field hearing and expressed eagerness to collaborate with colleagues on these issues. The Commission proposed rejecting current force sizing constructs in favor of leading coalitions capable of simultaneously defeating China and Russia while deterring other adversaries.

Further recommendations included increasing industrial capacity through competition and partnerships with allies to meet military needs more effectively. The report urged leveraging diplomatic and economic power alongside military might in a whole-of-government approach to expand alliances.

Rogers concurred with many of these recommendations but acknowledged their financial implications. The Commission called for an immediate FY24 defense supplemental bill to begin multiyear investments in revitalizing defense capabilities and sustained growth above inflation rates in subsequent years.

In closing, Rogers stressed Congress's responsibility to communicate these needs to constituents: “Everyone needs to understand that sustaining American deterrence against our adversaries... will be very expensive.” He warned that failure would result in catastrophic consequences.

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