National Security
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.
Today, House Democrats and Republicans came together to pass legislation that will protect Americans’ civil liberties while ensuring that law enforcement and homeland security agencies have the tools they need to keep our country safe.
I want to thank Rep. Gallego for working to include an amendment in the defense authorization bill to encourage the Secretary of Defense to consider allowing DREAMers to serve in the military – and I want to thank him for his service to our nation as a Marine as well.
Victory in Europe on May 8, 1945, fulfilled the hopes and prayers of so many people and nations who had struggled under the yoke of fascism and the Nazis’ brutal, genocidal regime.
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on President Obama's nomination of General Joseph Dunford to serve as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff:
I joined with many other Members to oppose this year’s Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill out of a deep concern that it does not adequately fund the needs of our nation’s veterans, while using a budget gimmick to get around the sequester cuts imposed by the Republican budget strategy.
I was saddened to learn of the tragic deaths of Dr. Warren Weinstein and Giovanni Lo Porto while they were being held as hostages by al Qaeda.
I am pleased that the House has taken bipartisan action to address the issue of enhancing cybersecurity.
The action taken by forty-seven Republican Senators in sending a letter to the leaders of Iran was ill-advised, inappropriate, and partisan, and it weakens America's position in the world while undermining critical negotiations.
I think [Senate Republicans’ letter to Iran] was ill-advised. It was sophomoric in many ways, and I that think it gave comfort to our enemies and pause to our allies.
Yesterday, the House finally acted to fund the Department of Homeland Security for the rest of the year and provide the agency with the resources it needs to keep Americans safe. Sounds like a great thing, right? Well, not to Republicans. Take a look at their continued infighting:
New York Times: House Approves Homeland Security Budget, Without Strings