Rep. Calvert Statement on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Markup

Today, Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Ken Calvert (CA-42) issued the following statement on the Subcommittee markup of the Fiscal Year 2021 Defense Appropriations bill:

"The primary responsibility of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee is to provide the funding necessary to train and equip the men and women in our Armed Forces for the missions they are asked to carry out. The bill considered by the Subcommittee today meets that responsibility by significantly investing in shipbuilding, aircraft, as well as the research and development needed to ensure America wins the race on hypersonics, AI, quantum computing, and other technological fronts critical for our national security. To ensure we have a clear picture of any threats, the bill includes resources necessary to improve near term intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. I'm also pleased that we were able to give our troops a full 3% pay raise and include robust funding for the health and family care programs that are essential for our military families.

Unfortunately, the bill contains a number of partisan, poison pill policy riders that do not belong in a spending bill and restrict the ability of our national security leaders, including the commander in chief, to respond to emergencies. These provisions only serve political interests and will make it more difficult to pass this important bill through Congress. I believe we owe it to our troops and American taxpayers to drop these poison pill riders from the bill and get our work done on time.

I also want to recognize my friend and partner in this endeavor, Subcommittee Chairman Pete Visclosky, who is shepherding what will be his final Defense Appropriations bill through Congress before he retires at the end of this term. The Chairman has been a true collaborator throughout the process of crafting this bill and is always open to working with anyone interested in advancing our national security efforts. It's been an absolute pleasure to serve and work alongside him on the Committee."