The House Armed Services Committee’s new chairman on Wednesday announced the panel’s full slate of subcommittee leaders as well as the GOP members picked to sit on the committee for the new Congress.
“I am excited to have 11 new and dynamic members joining the House Armed Services Committee for the 118th Congress. I am also proud to announce that our subcommittees will be chaired by seven members who are leaders in national security. Our committee has the crucial task of improving our national defense at a time when our nation is faced with unprecedented threats from our adversaries – including an increasingly aggressive China. Our members bring valuable insights and knowledge to the critical decisions made by our committee,” Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), the HASC chair, said in a statement.
Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.), who has been the top Republican on HASC’s Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee but is term-limited from leading that panel, was officially named the chair of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee.
“I will work tirelessly to balance the demands of our immediate threats with the modernization efforts required for the United States to prevail in this era of long-term Great Power Competition – while always putting our service members first,” Wittman said in a statement. Furthermore, in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine and rising tension in the Indo-Pacific as a result of increasing aggression from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), it will be important to urgently replenish our inventories of relevant weapons systems, ammunitions, and assets. I will also focus on opportunities to improve the efficiency of the Department of Defense to ensure that Americans are building the strongest military possible as a result of the investments we make in our national defense.”
Wittman noted his panel is tasked with conducting oversight of “ammunition programs, Army and Air Force acquisition programs, all Navy and Marine Corps tactical aviation programs, and National Guard and Army and Air Force National Guard and Reserve.”
Rogers also noted Wittman has been named the vice-chair of the full HASC committee.
“Rep. Rob Wittman has been a strong leader on the House Armed Services Committee and I am grateful that he will continue his leadership as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces,” Rogers said in a statement. “Rep. Wittman brings a wealth of knowledge on systems and platforms that our warfighters need to win on the battlefield. I know he will push to make sure that our warfighters have access to the weapons and resources they need to continue to be the most lethal and capable force in the world.”
Rep. Trent Kelly (R-Miss.) has moved from his role as top Republican on HASC’s Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee and will now chair the Seapower and Projection Forces Panel, where he’s set to oversee continued debates on Navy shipbuilding priorities.
Rogers also announced that Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) will lead HASC’s Strategic Forces Subcommittee, which has oversight of nuclear weapons, ballistic missile defense, national security space programs and Department of Energy national security programs.
“As China engages in an unprecedented nuclear weapons buildup, Russia continues its unprovoked invasion attempt of Ukraine, North Korea increases missile test cadence, and Iran inches closer to a nuclear weapon, it is fundamental that the United States maintains a robust strategic deterrent. I will work tirelessly to ensure that nuclear modernization remains on track, homeland missile defense receives robust funding, advancements are made in national security space, and we achieve offensive and defensive hypersonic technology breakthroughs,” Lamborn said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) will take helm of the Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies, and Information Systems and Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.) will serve as the new chair of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations.
Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) was also officially named chair of the Military Personnel Subcommittee and Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) will lead the Readiness Subcommittee.
Rogers also noted the following Republican members have been named as new members to sit on HASC: Reps. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.), Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Brad Finstad (R-Minn.), Dale Strong (R-Ala.), Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas), Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.), Mark Alford (R-Mo.), Cory Mills (R-Fla.) Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) and Del. James Moylan (R-Guam).
Navy veteran Kiggans, who ousted Democrat Elaine Luria for Virginia’s 2nd district seat, announced last week she had secured a seat on HASC where she’ll represent a heavy shipbuilding contingent that is in close proximity to Naval Station Norfolk (Defense Daily, Jan. 18).
Rogers also announced the following Republicans are returning to HASC in the new Congress: Reps. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), Mike Turner (R-Ohio), Austin Scott (R-Ga.), Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.), Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Mike Johnson (R-La.), Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) and Pat Fallon (R-Texas).