Tag Archives: Rep. Mac Thornberry

Thornberry: Final NDAA Bill Won’t Be Ready Until After Election

Thornberry: Final NDAA Bill Won’t Be Ready Until After Election

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Rep. Mac Thornberry, ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, met with journalists from the Defense Writers Group, an association of news outlets with reporters that cover national security issues, at the George Washington University on Tuesday, June 11, 2019. GWU Photo

The final conference report on the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act won’t be ready until after the Nov. 3 election, the outgoing ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee said on Wednesday. Read More →

House Armed Services Committee Adds Money for EPF, Footstomps Need for Second Virginia SSN

House Armed Services Committee Adds Money for EPF, Footstomps Need for Second Virginia SSN

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Moon over U.S. Capitol on Nov. 13, 2016. NASA Photo

This post has been updated to note the markup ended and the bill will next be heading to a House floor vote. 

The House Armed Services Committee reiterated its support for Navy shipbuilding today in an all-day markup of its annual defense bill, voting to include money for an additional Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) and issuing an opening argument to the Senate for an additional Virginia-class attack submarine. Read More →

House, Senate Defense Bills Differ In Approach to Indo-Pacific Security, But Stress Region's Importance

House, Senate Defense Bills Differ In Approach to Indo-Pacific Security, But Stress Region’s Importance

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The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) training ships JS Kashima (TV 3508), left, and JS Shimayuki (TV 3513), right, sail alongside the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) during an exercise, June 23, 2020. Gabrielle Giffords, part of Destroyer Squadron Seven, is on a rotational deployment, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force. US Navy photo.

The House and the Senate agree they need to prioritize the Indo-Pacific region in their annual defense policy and spending bills. They don’t quite agree on how far to go in doing that, but an overriding sense that they need to start somewhere this year will likely get them to the creation of a Indo-Pacific fund to counter China, akin to the European Deterrence Initiative created in 2014 to push back against Russia. Read More →

House Considers Bill Halting Reprogramming Defense Funds for Border Barrier

House Considers Bill Halting Reprogramming Defense Funds for Border Barrier

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U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, Chairman of the House Armed Service Committee, is briefed on the capabilities of the F-35A Lightning II during his visit at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Air Force photo

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Armed Services Committee is considering clawing back into the Pentagon the money for shipbuilding and aircraft President Donald Trump is redirecting this year to fund border barrier construction.

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SECNAV Modly: Navy Needs Additional $120 Billion To Build 355-Ship Fleet By 2030

SECNAV Modly: Navy Needs Additional $120 Billion To Build 355-Ship Fleet By 2030

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Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly, center, receives a briefing on the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) on Jan. 31, 2020. US Navy Photo

The Navy could build a 355-ship fleet by 2030, but paying for such a force will require adding between $120 billion and $130 billion to the service’s funding over the next decade, Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly told lawmakers Thursday.

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SECDEF Esper Faced Bipartisan Criticism Over 'Anemic' Shipbuilding Plan

SECDEF Esper Faced Bipartisan Criticism Over ‘Anemic’ Shipbuilding Plan

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Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper is briefed on USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) advanced weapons elevators (AWE) by Capt. John J. Cummings, Ford’s commanding officer. Navy photo

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper faced sustained bipartisan criticism from the House Armed Services Committee over the Pentagon’s proposed shipbuilding plan during a Wednesday hearing on the Fiscal Year 2021 Pentagon budget.

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Thornberry Uneasy With Pentagon Shipbuilding Plan, Supports Fully Funding Nuclear Triad

Thornberry Uneasy With Pentagon Shipbuilding Plan, Supports Fully Funding Nuclear Triad

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Rep. Mac Thornberry (R=Texas), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), center, speaks with Rear Adm. Michael E. Boyle, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea (CNFK) in 2018. US Navy Photo

The House Armed Services Committee’s top Republican has “heartburn” over the proposed shipbuilding budget for Fiscal Year 2021 but is also committed to fully funding the modernization of the nuclear triad and is acutely aware of a congressionally imposed topline for defense spending next year. Read More →

House Committee Votes to Prohibit Low-Yield Nuclear Weapons on Submarines

House Committee Votes to Prohibit Low-Yield Nuclear Weapons on Submarines

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The Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Michigan (SSGN-727) arrives in Busan for a regularly scheduled port visit while conducting routine patrols throughout the Western Pacific. US Navy Photo

This post was updated to show the committee passed the draft version of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act.

The House Armed Services Committee added several provisions to its annual defense authorization bill, but the among most contentious was if the Pentagon should develop a low-yield nuclear weapon to deploy on nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). Read More →

Funding For Low-Yield Nukes Could be Sticking Point in Budget Bill Debate

Funding For Low-Yield Nukes Could be Sticking Point in Budget Bill Debate

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An unarmed Trident II D5 missile launches from the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Nebraska (SSBN-739) off the coast of California. US Navy Photo

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Armed Services Committee members on both sides of the aisle have different defense spending priorities but there’s not much daylight between Republicans and Democrats on the final topline spending number. Read More →

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