Opening Statement (As Prepared)

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Thank you, Chairman Bergman.

This annual hearing is one of the most important events we have in the Readiness Subcommittee. The witnesses before us are responsible for the foundation of the Department of Defense — the installations that support operations, the housing for our service members and their families, the energy that powers our bases, and the land that allows our forces to train and fight.
For too long, this foundation has been overlooked and underfunded.

This subcommittee has made it a priority to shine a light on aging infrastructure — dilapidated barracks, leaking ceilings at our premier laboratories, and World War II–era facilities where we maintain some of our most exquisite assets. I’m proud that we’ve worked in a bipartisan way to increase funding for these accounts, create new authorities to streamline military construction, and hold the Department accountable for improving quality of life infrastructure for our service members.

But there is always more work to be done.

This fiscal year, the Department of the Navy is in the process of executing the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program, or SIOP. SIOP is essential to maintaining our aircraft carriers and submarines today and into the future. However, SIOP must not become another example of cost overruns, construction delays, and shifting timelines. As Ranking Member, strong oversight of SIOP will remain a top priority for me and for this subcommittee for the next few years.

This year, this subcommittee will also address how emerging technologies are integrated onto our installations. The Administration has directed the Department to accelerate the use of artificial intelligence on DoD installations. AI may offer real benefits in logistics and sustainment, but we must proceed thoughtfully. Data centers cannot be placed on installations without ensuring there is sufficient energy capacity. We also cannot allow AI to strain base operations or the resources of its surrounding communities.

That brings us to energy resilience — including advanced nuclear technology. I am encouraged by the Department’s efforts to invest in unique fuels and technologies that are safe, efficient, and can protect the Department from risks presented by the electrical grid. Energy security is national security. But I have concerns about consolidating nuclear development under a single service rather than maintaining strong oversight at the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Each installation has unique needs. We must ensure these efforts strengthen — not distract from — service core missions, and that we execute responsibly on the nuclear authorities provided in the Fiscal Year 2026 NDAA.

Energy resilience has been a bipartisan focus of this subcommittee for years. We have worked to diversify installation energy sources — whether through batteries, microgrids, or nuclear technologies — while protecting operational readiness.

The DoD Siting Clearinghouse, created by this committee in 2011, is a great example of how the DoD has balanced the use of alternate energies with DoD operations. It has successfully protected military testing, training, and radar systems while working constructively with energy developers to mitigate conflicts. That process has provided predictability for both the Department and industry.  That is why I was so disappointed to see the Office of the Secretary of Defense halt the construction of numerous offshore wind projects; all projects had been previously approved by the DoD Siting Clearinghouse and in some cases, were over 90% complete. While I understand there is ongoing litigation regarding these projects, we must ensure that the longstanding, transparent processes of the DoD Siting Clearinghouse are not undermined. The Department should be working collaboratively with industry to protect readiness while supporting responsible development that can benefit installations and energy security. 

In the year ahead, this subcommittee will continue its oversight of infrastructure modernization, quality of life improvements, and energy resilience. I look forward to working with each of you to strengthen the foundation that supports our warfighters and their families.

With that, I yield back Mr. Chairman.