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
House Democrats Reject Telecom Immunity
Locked in a standoff with the White House, House Democrats on Tuesday maintained their refusal to shield from civil lawsuits telecommunications companies that helped the government eavesdrop on their customers without a secret court's permission.
THE WEEKLY LEADER: WEEK OF MARCH 10, 2008
Budget, Ethics, Intelligence and Suspensions.
Majority Leader Hoyer Calls Veto of Intelligence Bill "Deeply Misguided"
The President's veto of this critical legislation is a deeply misguided and harmful mistake that threatens to further undermine our credibility in the international community and to expose our military and intelligence personnel to the very same tactics and treatment.
THE DAILY LEADER: TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2008
Ethics, Intelligence, Suspensions.
Hoyer Statement on Override Vote on President’s Veto of Intelligence Authorization Bill
WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD) spoke on the House Floor this evening in support of overriding the President’s misguided veto of the Intelligence Authorization Conference Report.  Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:
 
“Mr.
THE DAILY LEADER: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2008
Mental Health Parity, Intelligence Authorization Act and Suspensions.
Scare Tactics and Our Surveillance Bill
Nothing is more important to the American people than our safety and our freedom. As the chairmen of the House and Senate intelligence and judiciary committees, we have an enormous responsibility to protect both.
Hoyer Disappointed White House, Republicans Refuse to Work on New FISA Law
Democrats continued today to work hard on crafting a new FISA bill that will keep our nation safe and protect our civil liberties.
Hoyer Statement on Important FISA Meeting
I am disappointed that House and Senate Republicans apparently instructed their staffs not to participate in today’s bicameral meeting on modernizing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Majority Leader Hoyer on FISA Meeting: Democrats Working Quickly to Craft Strong, Bipartisan Legislation
Now, earlier today, I met with the Chairmen of the House and Senate Intelligence and Judiciary Committees to discuss our process for moving forward with legislation to modernize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.