Chris Coons
23:19 - 24:14
“The request places critical resources, multi-year munitions procurements, spare parts for the F-35 program, key missile defense space programs into a reconciliation package that I doubt will ever be enacted.”
- Speaker
- Chris Coons
- Timestamp
- 23:19 – 24:14
- Community
- Alaska News
- Captured at
- June 9, 2026
From the transcript
Reflecting the number of key missions you're tasked with, but I'd note for my colleagues, this request is challenging to defend in, in the face of steep reductions agencies across the government are facing this fiscal year. The department put forward yet another bifurcated request, as the chairman also reflected, counting on reconciliation that has proven to be an unworkable way to sustainably budget for base needs for a military. The request places critical resources, multi-year munitions procurements, spare parts for the F-35 program, key missile defense space programs into a reconciliation package that I doubt will ever be enacted. I look forward to a better understanding how this request supports the Air Force and what adjustments you would recommend if that funding does not come through. Turning to the space domain, as we've discussed, General Saltzman, the Space Force is in the process of standing up each of the pillars it needs in its approach.
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