Richard Shelby: “Unfortunately, the law that we passed in 2006 did not have time to take root before the problems that they were intended…”

Because the administration has refused to fund the construction of a comprehensive barrier along the border, it has been compelled to send the National Guard to deal with the consequences.

In a fiscal environment with 8.5 percent inflation, the Department's budget request equates to a cut to our national defense at a time of unprecedented security risks.

I remain concerned that the Air Force budget request is insufficient considering the needed modernization across the inventory with a rapidly evolving threat.

We also need a strong Army to deter China and respond to provocations, Iran, North Korea, and radical extremist groups.