Issue Position: Working to Maintain Our National Security

Issue Position

Representative Derek Kilmer is committed to ensuring the security of the United States and its allies, promoting America's military and economic leadership around the world, supporting our servicemembers and civilian workforce, and enhancing regional economic opportunities through technological innovation. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Representative Kilmer is keenly aware of our nation's security challenges and opportunities for progress.

Representing one of the nation's largest naval bases, Representative Kilmer is focused on supporting the nation's rebalance of resources to better respond to America's Pacific interests. When the House Armed Service Committee considered the FY15 National Defense Authorization Act, Representative Kilmer successfully pushed for funding key priorities to ensure the long-term presence of these essential assets. This includes supporting a fleet of eleven aircraft carriers, fully funding the Ohio Replacement Program, and continued construction of a second explosives handling wharf at Subbase Bangor.

Additionally, Representative Kilmer fought to include in the FY15 NDAA several policy changes to support our local servicemen and women and our national force's readiness writ large. He has worked to advance provisions that would protect jobs at the Bremerton Military Treatment Facility, improve the process for National Guard veterans to access their records, expand 21st century information technology systems such as cloud computing, and improve the DOD's regulatory processes.
Serving on the House Subcommittee on Intelligence, Emerging Threats, and Capabilities Subcommittee, Representative Kilmer is taking a leadership role to ensure our military has the capabilities needed to effectively promote our national interests in cyberspace. Representative Kilmer was a leading voice when the House considered legislation to facilitate cyber threat information-sharing among local, state, and federal actors.

Representative Kilmer introduced legislation that would improve our nation's use of cyber ranges to improve training, development, and security of our cyber forces. Aspects of this legislation were included in the House-passed version of the FY15 NDAA. Representative Kilmer will continue pushing for Congress to take meaningful action on cybersecurity while addressing privacy concerns.

Representative Kilmer is a Co-Chair of the New Democrat Coalition's National Security Taskforce and is actively working as a part of a bipartisan effort to improve the Department of Defense's acquisition system. Our nation's military is currently forced to work with an antiquated and cumbersome acquisition process that rewards short-term solutions to long-term problems. Representative Kilmer has already begun talking to key industry leaders to learn proven methods of incenting acquisition professionals to make prudent decisions and ensure that each acquisition obtains the best value for each penny spent.

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