WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air And Land Forces, made the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, ahead of the Subcommittee's markup of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021:
"Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
"I want to thank you for your leadership and cooperation in building this mark in a very open and bipartisan manner that continues the long-standing tradition of this subcommittee.
"I’d also like to express my thanks to the subcommittee staff for their support and hard work throughout this process to include Bill Sutey, Heath Bope, Carla Zeppieri, Liz Griffin, Caroline Kehrli, and Jesse Tolleson. We have a true bi-partisan staff.
"Additionally I want to associate myself with the Chairman’s comments in thanking all of the Members of the subcommittee for their active participation this year and for providing valuable input that directly informed the subcommittee’s Mark.
"The Chairman has already provided a detailed overview of the subcommittee’s mark and I will just briefly cover a few specific areas of interest.
"In building the Mark, the Subcommittee conducted oversight on approximately $118.0 billion in program budget authority for fiscal year 2021 covering almost every domain of combat capability.
"Our goal with this mark was to build off the framework we had previously set and the progress we have made over the last several years in restoring readiness and work to continue to ensure timely modernization consistent with the objectives of the National Defense Strategy.
"I am particularly pleased with how this mark rightfully manages operational risk in fighter force structure requirements and strongly supports the need for the right mix of 4th and 5th generation fighters.
"Specifically, the mark through oversight, will set better conditions going forward to mitigate shortfalls in the Navy Strike Fighter inventory.
"It remains clear to me we will need a highly capable mix of 4th generation and 5th generation aircraft, complementing one another, in order to meet the objectives of the National Defense Strategy.
"We all recognize the need for 5th generation aircraft given the threats we face.
"And, regarding the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, the mark through appropriate levels of oversight builds off previous committee action and works to ensure the F-35 will have a successful full rate production decision as well as a fully reliable and affordable plane for the future.
"I’m also pleased this mark takes appropriate steps to manage risk in airborne ISR [eye-s-are] capability and capacity and requires more detailed certifications and justification for decisions related to retiring these critical platforms without a suitable replacement.
"In summary, this is a good mark that provides appropriate levels of oversight on the major programs in our jurisdiction while also fully supports the critical capabilities needed by our warfighters to maintain credible deterrence and to fight and win decisively in any situation.
"And in closing, while we would have liked to have had a higher top line to allow for more needed growth in the defense budget overall, the bipartisan budget agreement has provided us with the opportunity to pass a bill on time and avoid the consequences of another continuing resolution.
"Even a short CR has the effect of cutting billions in military resources at a moment when the Pentagon budget is already under stress.
"The Subcommittee’s mark is a good step in the right direction.
"I encourage everyone's support and yield back."