Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Inhofe
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today delivered opening remarks at a SASC hearing to consider the nomination of Admiral Christopher W. Grady to serve as Vice Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
As Prepared For Delivery:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Admiral Grady, thank you for your decades of standing watch over our security, and for your continued willingness, as well as your family’s willingness, to serve our country.
For the past three years, this committee has used the 2018 National Defense Strategy to help guide our oversight and legislative direction.
Unfortunately, the world has only become more dangerous since then.
China continues to modernize its military at an alarming pace.
The STRATCOM Commander, Admiral Richard, called China’s massive nuclear expansion a “strategic breakout.”
This summer, China tested a hypersonic missile that circled the globe.
In the field of hypersonics, the Obama administration decided to put our research and development efforts on pause, just as the Chinese and Russians hit the gas pedal — putting us behind our pacing threats.
On November 15, Russia tested an anti-satellite missile, shattering a satellite into 1,500 pieces of lethal debris that made astronauts scramble for safety.
Even more dangerously, Russia is postured to attack Ukraine in what could be the largest invasion we’ve seen since World War II.
We must provide lethal assistance to Ukraine now to deter a Russian attack. Every day President Biden waits, he makes an attack more likely.
Finally, the Biden administration doesn’t think the world is dangerous enough, so it added to the problem with a botched evacuation of American citizens and allies from Afghanistan.
This disaster shatters U.S. credibility and undermines the trust of partners and allies — the same partners and allies who are supposed to be our biggest advantage over adversaries.
And while the world gets more dangerous, the Biden administration foolishly wants to cut defense spending. Thankfully, this year’s NDAA adds $25 billion to help our military deal with the rising tide of danger.
Admiral Grady, if confirmed, you’ll be critical to helping this nation maintain an effective nuclear deterrent, and accelerate adoption of advanced technology like hypersonic weapons, advanced materials, and artificial intelligence to meet warfighter requirements.
I look forward to your views on these issues and how they can help keep our nation safe.
Thank you again for your willingness to serve. Senator Reed.