Rep. Doug Lamborn | Rep. Doug Lamborn Official Website
Rep. Doug Lamborn | Rep. Doug Lamborn Official Website
Congressman Doug Lamborn’s remarks as prepared for the 2023 Western Conservative Summit:
“Good morning. It is great to see you all today and be back in the Denver Convention Center for the Western Conservative Summit again. Today we convene to recognize the strength and fortitude of the American west. It is my privilege to represent Colorado’s fifth congressional district, and I work daily to advance the defense of our nation and preserve our personal liberties.
"As Chairman of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee, my role is to ensure that our nation is prepared to deter, defend against, and respond to any attack. My subcommittee is charged with managing the nuclear, missile defense, hypersonics, and military space programs. These all underpin the ability of the United States to lead in world events and defend from global threats.
"Today, the most significant challenge to the United States and our most serious threat is the Chinese Communist Party. The Chinese are relentlessly seeking to undermine and supplant the United States, and are actively planning aggressive action against Taiwan. I am particularly concerned about their unprecedented nuclear breakout and buildup. China now has more intercontinental ballistic missile launchers than the U.S. At its current rate of production, it will have well over 1000 nuclear warheads in the near future. The Chinese struggle against us and the western world includes collaboration with Russia to accelerate their warhead production.
"Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine last year, the first ground war in Europe since World War II, shifted public opinion about the world we live in. The threats many of us have been discussing hypothetically for years have become a reality in the past two years. What has changed to make our adversaries more aggressive?
"The occupant in the White House.
"During President Trump’s Administration, the United States applied serious and deliberate focus to America’s role in the world and deterring our adversaries. President Trump held China accountable for its malign actions, kept Vladimir Putin at bay, eliminated the Iranian terrorist Soleimani and withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal. At the end of his Administration, America was stronger and taken more seriously throughout the world.
"The beginning of the Biden Administration marked a rapid reversal of this strong, America-first position. There is a pattern to the Biden Administration’s national security choices to date – a pattern of failure and weakness.
"For the first time, the United States faces two near-peer competitors, and there are signs they are collaborating. As China is engaged in a nuclear breakout the likes of which we have not seen since the beginning of the Cold War, Joe Biden is attempting to reduce American nuclear weapons programs like the nuclear sea launched cruise missile, or SLCM-N, and the B83 gravity bomb. These capabilities supplement our nuclear triad by deterring non-strategic nuclear threats, and holding at risk unique and difficult targets.
"Joe Biden has similarly decided to ignore Russia’s suspension of the New START Treaty, and continued to provide information on America’s nuclear arsenal as if reciprocation is coming. When Russia postured to invade Ukraine he failed to deter Vladimir Putin, and in the initial stages of the invasion Biden was perilously slow in providing Ukraine with the capabilities necessary to repel Russian forces.
"Moscow and Beijing are developing and fielding hypersonic systems and testing anti-satellite weapons. Meanwhile, the Biden Administration is years behind China in hypersonic testing and fielding. Rather than ensure we have the missile defense capabilities to defend our citizens, homeland, and forces abroad, the Biden Administration in the face of a novel two nation near peer nuclear threat, continues to insist that we cut our nuclear arsenal and use old capabilities against new threats. This is beyond insufficient – it is dangerous.
"Furthermore, his Administration has naively continued attempts to revive the Iran nuclear deal while Iran continues to enrich uranium, and according to reports has reached 84% enrichment which puts them close to achieving a nuclear weapon. Biden’s Administration is currently seeking to negotiate a nuclear and hostage deal with Iran in which sanctions will be relieved, but does not take into account the serious concerns posed by Iran’s record number of executions of their own citizens, continued evasion of sanctions, and ongoing funding of terrorist proxy groups. By not taking these threats seriously, Joe Biden is endangering the world.
"A notable cornerstone of his climate agenda has included begging Venezuela for oil. All while failing to address the crisis at the border which is overrun and ruled by Mexican cartels.
"We cannot forget the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan directed by Joe Biden that resulted in the death of American servicemembers, and the abandonment of thousands of Afghani interpreters and their families who are now subject to oppressive Taliban rule.
"As he has cowered before our adversaries, Joe Biden has simultaneously undermined our relations with America’s closest allies.
'When he first came into office, he swore to re-evaluate America’s relationship with Saudi Arabia. This resulted in high oil prices that drove gas prices to an unprecedented high. In addition, an increasing number of U.S. partner nations are choosing to cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of China.
"These diplomatic missteps have been most apparent in the U.S. relationship with Israel, one of our closest allies who the Biden Administration seems to view as non-essential.
"However, I believe that the relationship between the United States and Israel has only grown deeper and more significant over the years. I anticipate it will continue to flourish long into the future.
"I have been honored to visit Israel eight times and look forward to doing so once again in just a few weeks. The holy sites in Israel are cherished by people of many faiths across the world, and support of the state that has sovereignty over them is fundamental.
"In stark contrast, Vice President Harris this week expressed her belief that the U.S. should encroach upon Israel’s sovereignty. Apparently, the Biden administration believes it has a right to interfere in the internal politics of one of our closest allies. In addition, President Biden has still not met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, a deliberate snub.
"I believe we should support our allies instead of undermining them.
"I have a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, that if successful, will invest $50 million dollars per year in cutting-edge joint defense technologies for U.S. and Israel.
"Providing for the common defense of our nation is the Constitutional duty of the United States Congress.
"In the absence of the Biden administration we are taking a serious look at the programs and policies that our military needs. This year in the NDAA my subcommittee will:
- accelerate the development of hypersonics,
- keep nuclear modernization on track,
- streamline space acquisition and address overclassification,
- and create a more comprehensive missile defense strategy.
"Now is not the time for the Biden administration to talk about cutting our deterrence platforms. Congress will robustly invest in the acquisition of these platforms as well as their associated warheads. We must project strength where and when needed.
"In addition to the damage Joe Biden and his administration have caused with our adversaries and allies, his social policies are wreaking havoc on our society in America.
"The Biden administration has also proudly declared its plans to spend $1.5 billion to develop an abortion “hotline.”
"This is a complete misuse of taxpayer dollars. The administration plans to turn the Department of Health and Human Services into the Department of Health and Abortion Services.
"I am deeply concerned about the abortion hotline and the administration’s plans to promote abortions. We should instead empower women and families across America to choose life.
"We have a responsibility to help expectant mothers and protect the unborn.
"This week I introduced the Recognizing Life Resolution. It acknowledges that unborn children are entitled to the protection of life and liberty as established by the 14th Amendment.
"By recognizing this fundamental right, we in Congress can steadily change abortion laws around the nation and end this cruel and unjust procedure.
"Soon I will introduce the Protecting Kids from Fentanyl Act. This bill will educate children and provide training and Narcan to teachers and school employees to save lives. Fentanyl killed more than 70,000 people last year. We must combat the Fentanyl crisis in our own community.
"Earlier this year we passed the Protecting Women and Girls Act which makes sure girls are not forced to compete against biological males in sports funded through Title IX.
"We are seeing now that those claiming to advocate for women's equality are actively trying to tilt the playing field against young women and girls in school sports.
"Because of the left, legislation like these bills have unfortunately become a necessary weapon in the defense of our personal freedoms and religious liberties.
"Whether it is for national security or traditional values, I will continue to fight for Coloradans and citizens of the American west like all of you gathered here today who seek to preserve our right to life and liberty.
"Thank you to the Centennial Institute for hosting me today."
To watch Congressman Lamborn's speech in its entirety, click here.
Original source can be found here
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