Washington, DC — Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) provided a wrap-up of his recent congressional delegation (CODEL) to Indo-Pacific Command and other U.S. military headquarters and installations in Hawaii and Guam.
Given the increasing military threat posed by China, Senator Budd received operational briefings and toured infrastructure projects to ensure the joint force is postured to maintain deterrence in the region.
Additionally, he toured the USS Charlotte (SSN-766), a Los Angeles-class submarine, named for Charlotte, North Carolina, currently stationed in Pearl Harbor.
WATCH VIDEO BELOW:
As a Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Budd led efforts in the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act to improve security cooperation with allies and partners, block cuts to Army special operations force structure, prohibit the Air Force from divesting F-15E Strike Eagles that would cause a critical fighter gap against China, and accelerate development of collaborative combat aircraft.
Additionally, he voted to authorize the full budget request for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, modernization of the U.S. nuclear arsenal, multiyear procurement of 10 Virginia-class submarines, and fully fund the next amphibious transport dock, LPD-33, despite the Biden Administration leaving it out of the budget request.
Each of these efforts is critical to posture the Joint Force to maintain deterrence, peace, and security in the Indo-Pacific.
Sen. Budd said in a statement:
“There is no doubt that the Joint Force retains the strategic advantage and, alongside our allies and partners, is postured to maintain deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. Maintaining deterrence, however, requires constant vigilance and significant investment in our military infrastructure and posture in the region. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I am committed to ensuring our military has the resources and authorities necessary to secure peace through strength for generations to come.”
Details from the CODEL include:
In Hawaii, Senator Budd met the commanders of Indo-Pacific Command and component commands, including Special Operations Command Pacific, to discuss current operations. Additionally, they discussed service modernization efforts, needed infrastructure investments, and security cooperation with allies and partners across the region.
After receiving an operations update from the Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet, Senator Budd toured the USS Charlotte (SSN-766), a Los Angeles-class attack submarine named after Charlotte, North Carolina. Charlotte can support various missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
In Guam, Senator Budd visited the Headquarters of Joint Region Marianas to discuss the significant and growing military presence on the island. Later, Budd viewed damage at Anderson Air Force Base and Naval Base Guam from Super Typhoon Mawar and conducted oversight of major military construction projects at Camp Blaz in anticipation of 5,000 U.S. Marines moving to the strategically located U.S. territory.
Senator Budd also met with the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Guam, as well as the local Chamber of Commerce, to discuss the ongoing construction projects, federal regulatory constraints, logistical issues, and quality of life for military families and other residents of the island.
###
