Issue Position: Defense and the Global War on Terrorism

Issue Position

Providing for the "common defense" is the federal government's most important responsibility as prescribed by the Constitution. It is the cornerstone of our freedom upon which all other liberties and guarantees rely. Our nation's ability to protect its people must remain the foremost priority for the president and Congress.

A strong national defense not only allows the U.S. to react to acts of war quickly and effectively, but it also serves as a deterrent toward those attacks from hostile nations or groups. This requires providing the Department of Defense (DOD) with the necessary resources to do so. That said, to responsibly address our nation's record debt, DOD's budget must be scrutinized and cut where possible, just as with all other federal agencies.

In June of 2013, the House passed the Fiscal Year 2014 DOD National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes the Department of Defense's budget, includes other national security and military related provisions, and includes my military right-to-carry amendment.

This year's NDAA also includes a pay raise for our warfighters, prohibits the transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees to U.S. soil, lends our unwavering support to Israel, and protects servicemembers from the intolerable threat of sexual assault. At the same time, this law protects the right to habeas corpus afforded to our citizens under the Constitution and ensures that our constitutional rights are not violated during wartime operations and guarantees Americans their "day in court."

As a former member of the Armed Services Committee, I believe it is imperative that we cut wasteful and duplicative spending from the Pentagon budget. However, I will work to enact sensible, structured spending cuts that do not jeopardize the safety of our men and women in uniform.

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