Issue Position: National Security

Issue Position

My views on national security and foreign policy are shaped by my experience as a military officer. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am working to provide our troops with the tools they need to succeed in our pursuit of ISIS, Al-Qaeda or any group that threatens our nation.

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am also committed to working to ensure that our nation never again goes to war without fully considering and understanding the true costs. The effects of war need to be taken into serious consideration before putting our troops at risk. With that said, when our troops are called to action, it is important that they have the best equipment in the world. In Congress, I am focused on ensuring that our military remains the strongest in the world, with the most technologically advanced equipment, while simultaneously cutting wasteful spending. I've met with defense firms like Northrop Grumman and AAR Corporation in the District to discuss research and development and how to best protect our troops on the battlefield.

It is clear that ISIS poses a real and immediate threat to U.S. interests, and potentially, our homeland. I support targeted military action in Iraq and think that in order to destroy ISIS we will ultimately have to follow them into Syria. However, I have serious reservations about the long term commitment of military force in the region without a long term plan. The situation with ISIS is fluid and any action that the U.S. takes must be thought-out and take into account the costs of military action.

As a Member of Congress, it's my responsibility to make sure we don't commit resources, the most precious of which are our men and women in uniform, with no comprehensive plan for U.S. involvement. As they have done for three hundred years, the men and women who wear our country's uniform will execute our plans though it may cost them the last full measure. I strongly believe that Congress always owes them an honest debate and a clear plan.

Source