My top priority for our nation’s foreign policy is to ensure the safety and security of the American people. With ever-increasing challenges to our national security and interests, it is imperative that the United States promote peace through strength as the leader of the free world. Serving on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee gives me a voice on these policy decisions.
China’s quest to become the world’s leading power—economically, militarily, and geopolitically—is the central challenge of the 21st Century. As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on East Asia, I’m working on solutions to address the threat China poses to our fundamental values of freedom, human rights, and free enterprise.
We must link arms with our friends and allies to confront China, to push the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to abandon its predatory policies, and demand that China abide by international norms and rules. Ensuring that our businesses are more competitive and successful, especially through continued investment in emerging technologies, will help the U.S. maintain its position on the world stage. We must enact policies which support the cause of freedom around the world—including holding the CCP accountable for the atrocities they commit against the Uyghur people and other ethnic minorities. Importantly, the U.S. must develop and implement a comprehensive China strategy.
We must also confront weaknesses in our cyber capabilities to protect our national security interests and reduce vulnerability from attacks.
Modernizing our military must be a top priority because a military that is second to none is critical to deterring emerging threats. A robust, modernized military, coupled with the greatest service members a country has ever produced, sends a clear message to our adversaries that any benefit they may gain from aggression will not be without cost.
With our adversaries continuing to pursue their nuclear ambitions, efforts to modernize our nuclear deterrent must remain a high priority. The Air Force is currently upgrading the U.S. land-based ballistic missile force through the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) program. As home to the GBSD program, Utah’s Hill Air Force Base is vital to our country’s military readiness and capacity to deter aggression from other nations. Hill also houses the Consolidated Mission Control Center (CMCC), which provides real-time air and ground monitoring and test functions for 5th generation aircraft. In the Fiscal Year 2020 NDAA and related appropriations bill, I fought for $1.87 billion in funding for at least 98 F-35s, with repairs and maintenance occurring at Hill Air Force Base. The legislation also included $557 million for the GBSD program. I will keep fighting to ensure Hill receives the resources it needs to prepare our Air Force to face any threat against the United States.
Our international objectives are further enhanced through our diplomacy, alliances, foreign assistance, and other soft power tools. I will continue to elevate diplomacy in our foreign relations around the world to protect the safety and security of Americans at home and abroad.
I also serve on the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation and on the Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism, which I chaired last Congress. These subcommittees oversee vast regions where I work to protect U.S. interests and strengthen relationships with our friends and allies.