Issue Position: Defense and National Security

Issue Position

As a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, and Ranking Member of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, Susan fully understands America's need for a strong military and the critical role our service members play in our national security. In Congress, she has been a consistent advocate for improving the lives of our service men and women and their families. Susan's role on the House Armed Services Committee provides San Diego with a strong voice on military issues that most affect our community.

Click here for information about the Armed Services Committee and for a schedule of upcoming hearings.

Military Personnel Subcommittee

Susan's passion for improving the lives of military families made her the ideal candidate for Ranking Member on the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Healthcare, recruitment and retention, education, transition, and pay are just a few of the issues that fall under the subcommittee's jurisdiction. A leading advocate for military families in San Diego and around the world, Susan joins her colleagues in conducting thoughtful hearings.

Sexual assault, women in combat, a harsh fiscal environment, the drawdown, and TBI/PTSD are only a few of the issues that Susan has devoted countless hours to recently. Susan's passion for our service men and women drives her to fight for their rights and create an equal and fair environment for anyone who desires to succeed in the military. Suicide prevention is another issue near and dear to Susan's heart. With the number of suicides and attempted suicides of our returning warriors at alarming rates, Susan has been working hard with her colleagues and the Department of Defense to ensure that every resource is available for our brave men and women.

Supporting the Naval Fleet

As the home to one of the largest concentrations of naval forces in the world, the regional economy of San Diego benefits significantly from federal defense spending. In fact, defense spending impacts more than 300,000 jobs, a number which has grown steadily over the past decade. Susan works hard to maintain the unique economic role played by San Diego's defense community, especially small businesses.

Important Shipbuilding Jobs -- Just this past November, General Dynamics NASSCO laid down the keep of the third Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) ship, the USNS Lewis B. Puller. This contract helped preserve 3,600 San Diego jobs. Susan has long been a strong and vocal supporter of the MLP program and the need to bring more shipbuilding contracts to San Diego's "working waterfront."
Susan co-signed a letter, along with the rest of the San Diego delegation, to Secretary Mabus reaffirming her support for an eleven carrier naval fleet, as well as the national security need for stationing three carriers in San Diego.
Susan co-signed a letter asking the Navy to continue multi-ship multi-option (MSMO) contracts for naval ships, thereby guaranteeing that ship maintenance of six months or less can be accomplished at its home port, increasing jobs for the hardworking people of San Diego.

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