WASHINGTON, D.C. — House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement regarding remarks made by Vice President J.D. Vance earlier today at the Munich Security Conference.

“At a time when the United States and our allies and partners are facing threats and challenges from nearly every corner of the globe, the Vice President of the United States chose to attack the very countries and people who have stood with America to defend democracy time and time again.

“His ham-fisted attempt to gaslight those fighting for democracy in the face of blatant Russian aggression and Putin’s bloodthirsty desire to break the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and fracture the 50-plus nation coalition that has come to Ukraine’s defense as it fights for survival was an appalling display of cynicism and cowardice.

“Vance’s hollow reiteration of the ‘might makes right’ rhetoric weakens our standing in the world and our national security and defense. It is simply not in the tradition of ‘peace through strength’ that made us the richest, most powerful country in the history of the world.

"The United States cannot meet all the threats and challenges to our country on our own. We must continue to stand strong with our allies and partners whose work strengthens our security, as they have stood by us for decades. It is not only in our own best interests and therefore the best policy, it is also the right thing to do.”