Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Inhofe
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), today delivered opening remarks at a hearing to receive testimony on the posture of United States Northern Command and United States Southern Command.
As Prepared for Delivery:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for calling today’s hearing, and thanks to our witnesses for their many decades of service.
Our attention is rightly focused on Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the Chinese Communist Party’s constant march toward dominance in the Pacific. But the fact is, we also face dangers from these actors – and others – right here in our own hemisphere.
Gen. VanHerck, you are responsible for defense of the homeland, no small task.
Given Putin’s threats against our homeland during the Ukraine war and China’s threats of a “military conflict” with the United States over Taiwan, I hope you will candidly explain your requirements for keeping the American people safe.
I am also concerned about the situation on the southwest border, where we’ve seen 12 straight months of 150,000-plus illegal immigrants being stopped at the border.
Last month, CBP encountered nearly 165,000 illegal immigrants at the border, which is the highest total for February in the Department of Homeland Security’s history.
Many of my Democrats strongly opposed President Trump when he deployed troops to assist CBP at the border in 2018. But given the scale of the current crisis, Gen. VanHerck, I wonder whether more border support would be helpful to you.
Gen. Richardson, as we discussed in my office, I’m concerned about the growing Chinese threat in your area of responsibility and its national security implications.
What China is doing in SOUTHCOM reminds me of what they were doing in Africa 15 years ago.
They’re using predatory economic and diplomatic practices to bribe and bully countries, while they set conditions to build up their military presence and limit U.S. access and influence.
I hope you’ll explain your strategy for strengthening our relationships in the region and countering Chinese efforts.
I thank you both again for your testimony today. Mr. Chairman.