NATIONAL DEFENSE
As a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, and Ranking Member of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, Susan fully understands America’s need for a strong military and the critical role our servicemembers play in our national security. In Congress, she has been a consistent advocate for improving the lives of the brave men and women and their families. Susan’s role on the House Armed Services Committee provides San Diego with a strong voice on military issues that will most affect our community.
Click here for information about the Armed Services Committee and for a schedule of the committee’s upcoming hearings.
Military Personnel Subcommittee
Susan’s passion for improving the lives of military families made her the ideal candidate for Ranking Member the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel Healthcare, recruitment and retention, education, transition and pay are just a few of the issues that fall under the subcommittee’s jurisdiction. A leading advocate for military families in San Diego and around the world, Susan joins her colleagues in conducting thoughtful hearings focused on the needs of our service members and their families.
Sexual assault, women in combat, the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and the rebuilding of the foundation at Arlington Cemetery are only a couple of the issues that Susan has delved into wholeheartedly this year. Her passion for our service men and women is what drives Susan to fight for their rights, and create an equal and fair environment for anyone who chooses to succeed in the military. Suicide prevention is also another issue near and dear to Susan’s heart. With the number of suicides and attempted suicides of our returning warriors increasing, Susan has been working hard with her colleagues and the Department of Defense, to ensure that every resource necessary is available to our brave men and women.
Seapower and Projections Forces Subcommittee
With San Diego being home to most of the Pacific Fleet, the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee was an obvious choice for Susan. With oversight on Navy and Marine Corps programs, this subcommittee allows Susan the ability to help guide the discussion regarding San Diego assets, especially with renewed focus on the Pacific theater.
Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee
As home to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, it was only natural for Susan to serve as one of the most senior Members of the Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, which oversees US Special Operations Forces, as well as counter-terrorism programs, counterproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and information technology programs. The Pentagon is the target of the most cyberattacks of any organization in our country, and for this reason, cyber security is crucial. As a member of this subcommittee, Susan is able to not only advocate for San Diego’s special operations community, but also for those who are standing behind the front lines, ensuring that critical and crucial security information is not accessed by our enemies.
SUPPORTING DEFENSE JOBS
As the home to one of the largest concentrations of naval forces in the world, the regional economy of San Diego benefits significantly from federal defense spending. In fact, defense spending impacts more than 300,000 jobs, a number which has grown steadily over the past decade. Susan works hard to maintain the unique economic role played by San Diego’s defense community, especially small businesses.
- Unbundling Contracts - Small businesses in San Diego have so much to offer the defense industry in the form of quality products and efficient services. Which is why Susan has been frustrated to hear they continually run into barriers, such as contract bundling. This is when multiple requirements are combined into a single contract, forcing out small businesses that cannot compete for large contracts. The government needs to ensure that more businesses are allowed to compete in the Department of Defense procurement system, not less. Click here for information about legislation Susan has authored to reduce contract bundling.
- Important Shipbuilding Jobs - The Navy recently announced that General Dynamics NASSCO had been awarded a shipbuilding contract that will preserve3,600 San Diego jobs. The $744 million contract will build two Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) ships, with a significant amount of the work to be done in San Diego. Susan has been a strong and vocal supporter of the MLP program and the need to bring more shipbuilding contracts to San Diego’s “working waterfront.”