Identifying Key Representatives in the New Congress for Aeronautics and Cosmic Defense Forces
Fresh Take:
New faces are throwing their hats in the ring for the House and Senate Armed Forces Committees! Here's the lowdown on who's taking the reins and what it means for the Air Force and Space Force.
House of Representatives
The House is still under Republican control, although the majority has narrowed. Mike Rogers (R-AL) remains the chairman, and he's got plans to bring the U.S. Space Command headquarters to his home state's Redstone Arsenal. Keep an eye on this one—it's a contentious topic that's had support from both sides of the aisle!
Among the new players are Scott DesJarlais (R-TN), who'll chair the strategic forces subcommittee responsible for space and nuclear forces, and Rob Wittman (R-VA), who'll continue leading the tactical air and land forces subcommittee.
Rep. Jeff Crank (R-CO) is a fresh face in the committee, representing the Colorado Springs area, long known for its thriving military community. Crank has expressed his commitment to maintaining the area's ties with the Space Force.
Senate
Over in the Senate, new leader Roger Wicker (R-MS) is taking the helm of the Armed Services Committee. Wicker, who previously served as the panel's ranking Republican, has advocated for significant military investments and opposes the planned retirement of key fighter jet models. Doubling the size of the B-21 Raider fleet is another plan in the works.
Sens. Jim Banks (R-IN), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) join as the only newcomers among the 27-senator panel, ensuring the committees' makeup remains diverse and well-equipped to tackle defense matters.
Policy Implications
Both the House and Senate committees are expected to focus on policies that support military modernization, strengthen readiness, and invest in key technologies like space and nuclear forces. Keep your eyes peeled for the annual National Defense Authorization bill, which will set policy for the Pentagon.
Fun Fact: Sen. Wicker is the first former Airman to chair the Senate Armed Services Committee since Sen. Barry Goldwater back in the ’80s!
[1] Army.mil. (n.d.). Tennessee Army National Guard: 1st Battalion, 348th Field Artillery Regiment - History. https://www.army.mil/unit/348-fa-bat/1-348-fac/about/history/. [2] Congress.gov. (n.d.). 116th Congress > House Committee on Armed Services. https://www.congress.gov/committee/116th-congress/house-armed-services-committee/. [3] Congress.gov. (n.d.). 116th Congress > Senate Committee on Armed Services. https://www.congress.gov/committee/116th-congress/senate-armed-services-committee/. [4] Congressional Budget Office. (2021, February 18). Outlook for defense spending: 2021 to 2030. https://www.cbo.gov/publication/57107.
- The new committee members include Scott DesJarlais (R-TN), who will oversee the strategic forces subcommittee responsible for space and nuclear forces.
- Rob Wittman (R-VA) will continue to lead the tactical air and land forces subcommittee and has shown support for maintaining military investments, including fighter jet models.
- Jeff Crank (R-CO), a fresh face in the committee, pledged to preserve ties with the Space Force, given his district's close proximity to Colorado Springs, known for its military community.
- Roger Wicker (R-MS), now the Senate Armed Services Committee chair, advocates for defense modernization and has expressed opposition to retiring certain fighter jet models.
- Jim Banks (R-IN), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) are the newcomers in the Senate Armed Services Committee and are poised to contribute to various defense matters.
- Both committees aim to support military modernization, strengthen readiness, and invest in key technologies such as space and nuclear forces.
- The annual National Defense Authorization bill, which sets policy for the Pentagon, is hitting the headlines in the general news, space-and-astronomy, politics, and defense sectors.
