National Security and Hill Air Force Base

As Utah’s only representative on an armed services committee, I have spent my first term in office collaborating with Hill Air Force Base, Department of Defense leadership, small businesses, and military families to ensure the needs of Utah’s defense community are represented in Washington. Utah’s defense industry has doubled since 2015, contributing over $19 billion to the state’s GDP and supporting 211,000 jobs. My position on the House Armed Services Committee is key to generating economic growth and job opportunities in Northern Utah.

Members of the Armed Services Committee not only perform constitutionally mandated oversight and authorize programs and funding for the Department of Defense, but we are also charged with developing and implementing defense policy. Often considered the most bipartisan committee in Washington, only members of the Armed Services Committee participate in shaping the National Defense Authorization Act before it reaches the House Floor.

I fought to be one of the few freshmen members selected to serve on this committee to best serve Utah. Despite being a freshman member in the minority, the Committee passed the vast majority of my submissions for the most recent defense authorization cycle for Fiscal Year 2023, including Hill Air Force Base modernization, Utah Test and Training Range improvements, full funding of the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program, and better resources and housing for military families.

Before being even sworn into office, I took an immersive tour to understand Hill AFB and its diverse capabilities and mission set. This included visits with the 75th Air Base Wing, Ogden Air Logistics Complex, Landing Gear Center of Excellence, the 649th Munitions Squadron, and the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings.

I’ve maintained rigorous study of Utah’s diverse defense capabilities by visiting the Utah Test and Training Range, the Defense Logistics Agency, the Falcon Hill Enhanced Use Lease and comprehensive visits with the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings — the Air Force’s first fully operational F-35 squadrons to deploy overseas.