(WASHINGTON, D.C.) –Yesterday, Congressman Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04) gaveled in his first hearing as chairman of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee. 

The hearing was a posture review of the U.S. strategic forces’ capabilities.

Members of the subcommittee had the opportunity to hear from and question, Commander of U.S. Strategic Command General Anthony Cotton, Commander of U.S. Space Command General Stephen Whiting, Commander of U.S. Northern Command General Gregory Guillot, and Mr. John Hill, who is currently performing the duties of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, within the Office of the Secretary of Defense

DesJarlais said in his opening statement, “I think it’s worth noting that the three officers in front of us today represent different combatant commands, with different missions, and different priorities, but they each face a common problem. All of you are responsible for mission areas where the United States once enjoyed superiority, but we are now increasingly confronted by adversaries.”

The Tennessee congressman was interested in hearing from witnesses about their assessment of the current threat environment.

“Our adversaries recognized the foundational role that each of these mission areas play in our defense strategy. They cannot compete with our conventional forces, so they have chosen to target our homeland, hold our space systems at risk, and expand their nuclear arsenals to challenge our deterrent. These threats have been building for some time, but the pace is accelerating.” 

DesJarlais concluded his opening statement with saying that he believes the House Armed Services Strategic Forcessubcommittee is the most important committee in Congress. 

“These growing threats and how we as a nation choose to respond to them is why I really do believe this is the most important subcommittee in Congress.”

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The full Strategic Forces Subcommittee hearing on April 9, 2025 can be found HERE.