The incoming chairman of the House Armed Services Committee said conducting “vigorous oversight” of the Department of Defense and the Trump administration will be its top priority when the Democratic-led Congress is sworn in in January.
Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, currently the top Democrat on the committee, said his party will demand public transparency and accountability from senior Pentagon officials through “increased public testimony.”
“I also believe it is important to reestablish an Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee to help support the committee’s work,” he said Wednesday after the blue tsunami gave Democrats comfortable control of both houses of Congress and a majority of governorships.
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The U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran, military strikes in the Caribbean and Latin America, and the deployment of the military to U.S. cities are among the potential topics for oversight investigations, Mr. Smith said in a statement.
“So too are sweetheart deals and favoritism to certain entities and individuals,” he said. “We must dive into any waste, fraud, and abuse by examining contracts and other financial support awarded to private companies.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ousted more than 80 generals and admirals since becoming Pentagon chief. The list includes the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the former Army Chief of Staff and the former Chief of Naval Operations, among others.
SEE ALSO: Hegseth facing scrutiny from White House as possible impeachment looms
“The blatant and corrosive politicization of our armed forces and purging of the ranks based on loyalty and ideology are high on the list” to be investigated, Mr. Smith said.
The incoming Congress will push for a more realistic approach to national security - one that does not require a defense budget in excess of $1 trillion or one paid for with “draconian” cuts to critical domestic programs, Mr. Smith said.
“We also need to reform the way resources are spent and accounted for,” he said. “Investment in new weapon systems must take lessons learned from recent conflicts and provide relevant capabilities in a more cost-effective manner.”
Mr. Smith said he wants the House Armed Services Committee to return to its oversight duties as a coequal branch of government responsible for providing the nation’s security.
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