Ranking Member Betty McCollum Statement at the United States Air Force and Space Force Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request Hearing

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks at the Subcommittee's hearing on the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the United States Air Force and Space Force:

**As prepared for delivery**

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would also like to welcome Secretary Kendall, General Brown, and General Saltzman.

For Fiscal Year 2024, the President has proposed $825.3 billion within our subcommittee's jurisdiction for the Department of Defense. The $211.4 billion total, the Air Force and Space Force budgets comprise roughly 30 percent of DOD's overall budget. Each one of these dollars represents an increased effort to remain vigilant in our national defense and ensure that America meets our pacing threats. This budget builds upon the investments of the last Congress to meet the needs of our service men and women, and their families.

The fundamental strength of our nation's defense is derived from the strength of our military personnel and their families. And that requires a whole of government approach to supporting our military families -- not only the Defense bill but the other 11 appropriation bills as well. We will fail to support our service members and military families if we sacrifice our domestic investments in transportation, health care, and education and workforce development.

To maintain our technological superiority in the air and space domain, it is as important as ever to educate and train the next generation of mathematicians, physicists, aeronautical engineers, and of course, computer scientists. Falling behind is not an option in any of these fields because we are one nation that is supported by the entire budget, not a fraction of its parts.

Turning back to the FY24 request, the Air Force has requested a 3 percent increase over the enacted level and the Space Force has a 15 percent increase. I'd like to hear from both witnesses about how the Air Force and Space Force are staying leaner and more efficient while growing. Since the Space Force is relatively new, it's important to get things right and build toward the mission without being weighed down by missteps and excess bureaucracy.

I was encouraged to see the increase for climate change efforts across the Department. Resiliency at our installations is vital to our ability to train to win. From surprise sinkholes on critical roadways at one of our space launch facilities - Vandenberg Space Force Base. To the continued deterioration of runways and early warning radar stations in Alaska impacted by melting permafrost and coastal erosion.

And as space launches continue to proliferate, we also need to be mindful of the impact of those emissions have on our climate. I have one question on this that I will be submitting for the record. Finally, you all know how concerned I am about our efforts in the Arctic and the challenges we face from our adversaries there.

I look forward to hearing how the budget will support the strategies for not only Europe and the Indo-Pacific, but also how threats in the Arctic will be addressed.

Secretary Kendall, General Brown, and General Saltzman, thank you for your service to the country and for appearing here today. With that, I yield back.