Ranking Member McCollum Statement at Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request for the United States Army

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks at the Subcommittee's hearing on the fiscal year 2025 budget request for the United States Army:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Secretary Wormuth, General George, thank you for testifying before us today.

Welcome, General George to your first appearance before the Committee.

The Department of the Army's Fiscal Year 2025 budget request reflects priorities for personnel and procurement.

At $182 billion, the Army is again having to make difficult choices in what is in essence a flat lined budget, when not accounting for inflation.

You are also managing personnel deployed to EUCOM, CENTCOM, and INDOPACOM - keeping our nation safe in the face of threats from abroad.

While the hearing today will cover a range of topics, I want to highlight a few that are important to me.

First is personnel.

The Army continues to strive to meet recruiting goals and we must do all that we can to assist you in this effort.

I'd like to hear an update on what programs and activities the request includes to address the recruitment challenges the Army faces.

Second, the Army has personnel deployed in Europe and the Middle East performing activities in support of Ukraine and to keep our troops safe in Iraq.

But the funding for many of these activities resides in the Supplemental.

Everyone here knows that I am a strong supporter of the Supplemental, but the House continues to struggle with passing it.

I am concerned that in order to cover these deployments, the Army is robbing Peter to pay Paul.

And unless supplemental funds are provided soon, the Army will have to restrict its activities this fiscal year.

Finally, the request for FY 25 includes an increased investment in counter unmanned systems.

I would like to better understand how these investments will advance the Army's position on the battlefield – given that drone technology is constantly evolving at a rapid pace.

Again, thank you to our witnesses for appearing before us today.

We appreciate your testimony and answers to our questions.

With that, I yield back.