WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement upon the announcement that he would be the Ranking Member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense for the 119th Congress:
“Around the world today we face real threats to our nation and the post-World War Two international order that has provided us with decades of peace, prosperity, and security. Our security is threatened both by authoritarian adversaries like Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea, and from a rising tide of isolationism here at home.
As the senior Democrat on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I will work every day so that the robust American engagement with the world that has kept us safe for so long continues. I will make sure that our military remains the most capable and lethal fighting force in the world and has the weapons and resources required to project our values and defend our interests from the Arctic to Africa, from the Indo-Pacific to the North Atlantic. Lastly, I will send a clear message to the brave men and women of our armed forces, our intelligence services, and in our foreign services who serve every day without fear or favor: we have your back.
“I look forward to partnering with Senator McConnell who will chair this crucial subcommittee. Senator McConnell has long been dedicated to a strong defense and to ensuring we continue to defend our critical global network of allies and partners.”