House Armed Services Committee examines nuclear threats in first hearing of Congress

The U.S. House Armed Services Committee convened on April 9, 2025, for the first hearing of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee in the 119th Congress. The session, which is expected to face interruptions due to voting, aims to discuss the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act and the evolving threat environment.

The meeting began with the introduction of new majority members, including Representatives Van Orden, Messmer, Crank, Hamadah, Bell, and Whiteside. The subcommittee chair emphasized the importance of the committee's work in preparing for national defense.

Witnesses at the hearing included high-ranking military officials: General Anthony Cotton, Commander of Strategic Command; General Stephen Whiting, Commander of U.S. Space Command; General Gregory Guillot, Commander of U.S. Northern Command; and John Hill, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy. The chair expressed gratitude for their participation and highlighted the significance of their insights into the current security landscape.

A key focus of the discussion was the changing nature of threats faced by the United States. The chair noted that areas once considered secure, such as space and homeland defense, are now increasingly vulnerable to adversaries. The resurgence of nuclear competition, previously thought to be a relic of the Cold War, was underscored as adversaries expand their nuclear capabilities and develop destabilizing systems aimed at undermining U.S. deterrence.

The chair remarked on the strategic shift, stating that while the U.S. once enjoyed superiority in these domains, the current environment presents new challenges as adversaries target U.S. homeland and space systems. The hearing aims to explore how the military is adapting to these developments and what measures are being taken to address the accelerating threats.

As the hearing progresses, the subcommittee will seek to gather insights from the witnesses on their respective areas of responsibility and the strategies being implemented to counter these emerging threats. The outcomes of this meeting will play a crucial role in shaping the U.S. defense posture moving forward.