Air Force Caucus Remarks

Senator Jon Tester

September 28, 2015

I want to start by thanking everyone for stepping up to the plate and

leading on the issues that are important to the men and women of
the Air Force.
I want to welcome Secretary James and other Air Force leaders to
the Capitol.
I am proud to be a co-chair of the Air Force Caucus.
We all are proud of the brave men and women who serve in the Air
Force and the Air National Guard. They deserve our support and
we must continue to push and ensure they have the resources they
need to carry out their missions at home and abroad.
Like I said, Montana is home to Malmstrom Air Force Base where
the 341st Missile Wing maintains and operates one-third of our
nations ICBMs which serve as our nations most effective
strategic deterrent each and every day.
Their mission is critical to our national security. And as Secretary
James has said, it is the Air Force's top priority.
That is why we must continue to support the implementation of the
Force Improvement Program which is strengthening the nuclear
enterprise and investing in the folks who keep us safe.
The Force Improvement Program is making essential changes to
more properly recognize the airmen and missileers on the ground
and to ensure they have the appropriate tools and resources to do
their jobs.
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And I want to make sure Congress does its part.

As we continue to try to keep the government open, we must be
reminded that we are failing the folks who are serving in the Air
Force and every branch of service -- by continuing to govern from
crisis to crisis.
The threat of a government shutdown and even a short-term
budget bill doesnt provide the men and women in uniform the
certainty they need to carry out their mission.
We must put politics aside - sit down at the table and pass a
budget that eliminates sequestration.
Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Air Force Secretary Deborah
James have both said that sequestration would harm Air Force
readiness.
I know the majority has found a way around these across the board
budget caps for defense spending.
But funding the Pentagon through an off the books account is a
political gimmick. And budgeting through gimmicks rather than
coming up with a long-term budget plan doesnt provide
commanders with the ability to plan and make the choices that will
shape the future of the force.
You all know it better than anyone when the force cant adapt, its
at risk.
We must do better than budget gimmicks, short-term patches and
uncertainty. This caucus exists so we can rise above the politics
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and have a real debate about what our men and women in uniform
need to protect our nation.
We have a responsibility to those who serve them and their
families. And I am ready to work with anyone who is willing to sit
down and roll up their sleeves.
This caucus was formed to tackle these tough issues and ensure
that we are doing everything possible to strengthen the Air Force,
and the communities in Montana and across the country who have
embraced those who serve.
Thanks again. I look forward to working with all of you.

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