News

WASHINGTON, DC - Concluding three days of debate, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, made his closing argument on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020:

“Madam Chair, let me start in a similar way that I started two days ago and that is to express my appreciation to the staff who has done a terrific job of wading through a ton of issues, a lot of paper in bringing this bill to the floor. 

THORNBERRY ON ACTING SECRETARY SHANAHAN 

WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following remarks on the withdrawal of Acting Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan's nomination, the appointment of Mark Esper, Secretary of the Army, as Acting Secretary of Defense, and the urgent need to have a permanent Secretary of Defense nominated and confirmed by the Senate:

WASHINGTON- At the markup of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Democrats will have an opportunity to support an amendment offered by Ranking Member Mac Thornberry (R-TX) that would follow through with the recommendations of two Secretaries of Defense, senior military leadership, and the bipartisan National Defense Strategy Commission to provide 3-5% real growth in the defense budget.

WASHINGTON-- 

The Constitution places upon Congress the responsibility to provide for the common defense, including to “raise and support Armies”, “Provide and maintain a Navy”, and “make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces.”  For 58 years, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) has been the primary way through which Congress executes this obligation.