National Security
I believe in peace through strength, the idea that America's military is essential to our protection against foreign enemies, and projecting power prevents threats from materializing in the first place. On the House Armed Services Committee, I am a proud member of the Subcommittees on Seapower and Projection Forces, as well as Readiness, overseeing many advanced weapons systems and troop preparedness. Tennessee's Aerospace and Defense Technology Corridor, including Fort Campbell, Arnold Air Force Base, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and even Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, is a high-tech research center and important job engine. Making sure brave Tennesseans have the best tools to defend our country is my mission in Congress.
More on National Security
Feb 6, 2020
Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., who voted against President Trump’s impeachment in the House of Representatives, released the following statement after the Senate acquitted him of Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Justice: “In the midst of Democrats’ latest impeachment charade, their fourth since taking the House majority, Donald Trump is experiencing his highest personal approval ratings and highest ratings of any president in the last 20 years for his handling of the economy..."
Jan 13, 2020
Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after voting against a Democrat-led resolution that could prevent the President from protecting American troops and civilians against Iranian aggression: "Today’s non-binding resolution, which will never become law, was another symbolic gesture from the Resistance. Unfortunately, it could be construed as a gesture of support for the Iranian regime which, if it did become law, would prevent the President from acting quickly to protect Americans and our allies, as he did this week, decisively..."
Dec 12, 2019
Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, cheered passage of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), after a long period of negotiations among the House and Senate, Democrats and Republicans, to reverse harmful military cuts under the Obama Administration.
Oct 29, 2019
Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., attended the first hearing of the House Armed Services Committee’s Future of Defense Task Force today. Committee Chairman Adam Smith (WA-09) and Ranking Member Mac Thornberry (TX-13) recently named Rep. DesJarlais (TN-04) to the bipartisan Task Force, which has a renewable three-month charter to investigate long-term Pentagon planning to counter Russian and Chinese military advancements.
Oct 18, 2019
Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., released the following statement describing his vote against House Resolution 625 that attempts to obscure former President Barack Obama's role in creating the humanitarian crisis in Syria and President Donald Trump's successful efforts to defeat ISIS and stabilize the country: "This week’s House resolution essentially blames Barack Obama’s failed foreign policy on Donald Trump, who has made major progress in Syria and elsewhere. Our former president called ISIS the 'J.V. squad' before it took over large portions of Iraq and Syria. He drew a 'red line,' which he refused to enforce, instead inviting to Russia to monitor Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad. President Obama’s 'reset' with Russia and nuclear deal with Iran, meanwhile, provided those countries with more flexibility and resources to expand in the Middle East...."
Aug 22, 2019
Press Release
CLEVELAND, TENN. – Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., calling it an “historic moment” in Cleveland, Bradley County, spoke at the ground-breaking of the new Bradley County Tennessee State Veterans Home today. The modern facility, scheduled for completion in approximately two years, has been sixteen years in the making. It will house more than 100 veterans in need of long-term care.
Aug 21, 2019
Press Release
HUNTSVILLE -- NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine was joined Friday by U.S. Representatives Mo Brooks and Robert Aderholt of Alabama and Scott DesJarlais of Tennessee at the agency’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, to announce the center’s new role leading the agency’s Human Landing System Program for its return to the Moon by 2024.
Jul 15, 2019
Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Democrat infighting nearly prevented passage of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the House of Representatives today. The annual defense policy bill, which for 58 years has passed with bipartisan support, instead passed on a party-line vote, surviving only because of concessions to far-left socialists, insisting on the elimination of programs critical to defending the United States from Russia, China, Iran and other adversaries, said Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D.
Jun 14, 2019
Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tennessee Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, early today voted against the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, citing major flaws in the Democrat-produced legislation. Rep. DesJarlais (TN-04), who has steered nuclear security and other improvements in past authorizations, issued the following statement about the Committee's mark-up: “This legislation would reverse the gains we have made to rebuild the U.S. military after years of neglect. It cuts nuclear and missile defense, hindering modernization programs to secure our country against advanced adversaries, and cuts defense overall, because of some misguided notion that our country’s strength is the source of all the world’s problems..."
Jun 10, 2019
Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Legislation granting amnesty to millions of illegal aliens passed the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives today. Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., voted against the bill, the American Dream and Promise Act, releasing the following the statement: “Already this week, the House passed a disaster aid bill without a single dime to alleviate the disaster at the border. Today, Nancy Pelosi and her caucus passed a bill providing amnesty and a path to citizenship, as well as Medicaid, food stamps, and other welfare benefits, to millions of illegal aliens, but no resources to prevent more than a hundred thousand from crossing the southern border every month. It would encourage legal aliens to break the law, to receive the same preferential treatment, and reward repeat criminals, including gang members..."