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National Security

Keeping America safe is Congress’ most important duty. Democrats are focused on strengthening U.S. national security, defending democracy, and restoring America’s leadership in the world.

Democrats are committed to enhancing our national security and advancing key American interests, while supporting human rights and democratic values at home and abroad.

In the 117th Congress, Democrats passed a bipartisan defense authorization bill that strengthened our national security, ensured our military personnel have the resources they need to defend our country, and bolstered our allies and international interests. In the 118th Congress, Democrats will build on these gains by continuing to help President Biden keep Americans safe.

We will continue to work with the Administration to provide our diplomats and our troops with the tools needed to carry out their missions abroad safely and effectively. This will include continuing to work with our allies to ensure Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine ends in defeat for Putin, that America maintains its competitiveness against China’s authoritarian challenges, and that the world is free from threats posed by Iran.


National Security Related

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is taking strong steps to ensure that Russia is held accountable for its interference in our electionsits cyberattacks of American systems, and other malign activities.
WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement this evening on Israel’s Independence Day, Yom Ha’Atzmaut: 
WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on reports that President Biden will announce a plan to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan this year: 
The murder of Jamal Khashoggi was a reprehensible act, targeting a U.S. resident for doing his job as a journalist. 
Today’s airstrike demonstrates President Biden’s resolve to prevent Iran from targeting America’s personnel and allies with impunity.
I am encouraged that President Biden is taking steps to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, exacerbated by Iran’s actions, by rebalancing our engagement in a way that, hopefully, will lead to dialogue and a cease fire so relief aid can make it to suffering civilians. 
No Americans should be turned away from serving in defense of their country simply because they are transgender.  The Trump Administration's ban on transgender Americans serving in uniform not only ran counter to the values and principles of our nation and our democracy but also shortchanged our national security by denying the military the full talent and experience available to serve.
This is not a moment for our country to be without a Secretary of Defense. Secretary-Designate Austin is a highly qualified nominee, spoken to by the bipartisan support that this waiver will garner this day in the Congress of the United States...
I was pleased to meet today with General Lloyd Austin, President-elect Biden’s nominee for Secretary of Defense. I congratulated General Austin on the historic nature of his nomination and expressed my strong support for granting the waiver necessary for him to be confirmed as Secretary once the House Armed Services Committee has held a hearing to review the issue of civilian control of the military.
The House has now voted in a bipartisan fashion to override President Trump’s reckless and irresponsible veto of the 2021 defense authorization bill.