Defense and Foreign Affairs
The primary duty of our government is to protect the American people from all enemies, foreign and domestic. In the era of global terrorism and nuclear weaponry, strengthening our military and intelligence communities is the key to ensuring our nation's safety. As a veteran, I value the hard work and sacrifices our servicemen and women make to protect our country, but I also understand that the use of military force is not something that should be taken lightly.
The safety of Americans should be our government's top priority, and as a member of the Appropriations Committee, I believe Congress is obligated to provide our military with all of the tools they need to protect the American people.
More on Defense and Foreign Affairs
The House has passed a $717 billion defense policy bill that would give the military a 2.6 percent pay hike, the largest in nine years.
The bipartisan 351-66 vote sends the measure to the Senate, where a key panel completed a companion measure in a closed-door session on Wednesday.
The annual measure sets policies and a budget outline for the Pentagon that are funded by a subsequent appropriations bill that typically follows its parameters fairly closely.
WASHINGTON, DC: On May 24, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5515, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) issued the following statement lauding the bill's passage:
WASHINGTON, DC: On May 8, President Trump announced his intention to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly referred to as the Iran nuclear deal, and seek a new agreement. Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) released the following statement in support of President Trump's decision:
Given the outcry over alleged Russian interference in the last U.S. presidential election it's a wonder more people on Capitol Hill are not up in arms over efforts by the United States government to underwrite active measures to influence the outcome of the upcoming parliamentary elections in Hungary.
WASHINGTON, DC: On January 12, Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) released the following statement regarding President Trump's new Iran sanctions and call to reform the Iran Nuclear Deal:
"The President is right in deciding that the Iran deal must be fixed if it is to remain in force. Verification of compliance has always been a problem, ballistic missile testing cannot be allowed to continue, and the sunset clause must be removed-keeping the limitations on Iran's ability to develop a nuclear weapon in effect indefinitely."
WASHINGTON, DC: On October 24, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3898, the Otto Warmbier North Korea Nuclear Sanctions Act. Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01) released the following statement supporting its passage:
WASHINGTON, DC: On Friday, October 13, Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01) issued the following statement in support of President Trump's Iran strategy:
CAMBRIDGE — The Cambridge Rotary Club hosted U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, R-1st, Thursday, Aug. 10, during his visit to the county.
Harris discussed several topics, including tax reform, health care and foreign policy. He said he believes President Donald Trump will unite the country and help the country grow by packaging several key reforms together in a "Big Deal" to allow for greater bipartisan support so everyone gets something that will benefit them.