U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) on Tuesday was appointed to three subcommittees on the Senate Armed Services Committee: Strategic Forces; Emerging Threats and Capabilities; and Personnel.
This comes after his assignment to this influential committee was announced in recent weeks.
Strategic Forces has important responsibilities related to nuclear forces and programs, missile defense, and space systems, among others. This has particular significance to Alabama, especially considering the subcommittee’s oversight of U.S. Space Command and the Missile Defense Agency.
“Alabama is home to some of the finest military installations and bravest servicemen and women in the world,” said Tuberville in a statement. “One of my top priorities in Washington is to be an effective voice for Alabama’s contributions to our national security, especially in missile defense and the incoming Space Command.”
“These subcommittees oversee issues vital to America’s national security, our men and women in uniform, and the people of the Great State of Alabama,” he continued.
The Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities is charged with programs and policies related to science and technology, including those with strong roots in North Alabama. Additional responsibilities of this subcommittee include special operations, intelligence, counterterrorism, security cooperation, strategic communications and information operations, countering weapons of mass destruction, and homeland defense.
Finally, the Subcommittee on Personnel also has added meaning for Alabama, given its jurisdiction over military and Department of Defense civilian personnel policies.
U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK), ranking member of Armed Services, stated, “I’m pleased to welcome Sen. Tuberville to the Armed Services Committee.”
“Through his subcommittee assignments, Sen. Tuberville will help play a meaningful role in three of the committee’s top priorities: protecting our country against emerging threats, especially those from China and Russia; modernizing our nuclear deterrent; and, most importantly, taking care of our men and women in uniform. I look forward to working with him to keep Alabamians and all American families safe,” he added.
In the lower chamber, Alabama is represented on the House Armed Services Committee by Congressmen Mike Rogers (AL-03), Mo Brooks (AL-05) and Jerry Carl (AL-01). This includes Rogers’ powerful new role as ranking member of the committee.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn