| “After four embarrassing and miserable years of the Biden administration, America is back. Joe Biden’s presidency left America vulnerable and exposed. He was responsible for the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan where we tragically lost 13 brave service members and left many Americans, as well as allies, behind. Joe Biden’s blatant weakness only emboldened our adversaries. Who could forget about the Chinese spy balloon that he allowed to float across our country for days? In November, the American people said no more. They voted for a leader who would return America to its standing on the world stage, restore our military, bolster our national defense, and keep us safe both at home and abroad. President Trump has delivered on his promises. He nominated, and Senate Republicans confirmed, a great Secretary of Defense and my friend, Pete Hegseth. Together President Trump and Secretary Hegseth have revived our military with sky-high recruiting and record retention numbers. In fact, every branch of the U.S. military has already surpassed their recruitment goals at least three months early this year. It’s clear the Trump administration’s bold mission and high standards have inspired the next generation of soldiers. Our young men and women have answered the call and are ready to serve the greatest nation on Earth. It makes me proud to say that Oklahoma is home to several world-class military installations. With Tinker, Altus, Vance, Ft. Sill, and McAlester, as well as our national guard bases, it is an honor to sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee and fight for our installations and the future of Oklahoma’s defense capabilities. Oklahoma is vital to maintaining readiness and lethality. We have the ability to make ammunition. We have the ability to deploy. We have the planes to deliver, fight, and refuel. And we have the ability to train the pilots and service members to meet the demands of modern warfare. Now that President Trump has signed our OBBB into law, McAlester Army Ammunition Plant will see part of a $250 million expansion to accelerate the assembly of advanced weapons and munitions, including those that were used in the recent Operation Midnight Hammer as well as strikes on Houthis. Low-cost cruise missiles will also be assembled at McAlester. A critical partner in our state, Kratos Valkyrie, also received a monumental investment in the OBBB to begin the development, procurement, and integration of unmanned combat aircraft for the Marine Corps. Additionally, as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, my team and I are working to secure crucial funding for Oklahoma installations in the Senate MilCon-VA bill. The MilCon portion includes a new main gate for Altus, a bomber agile common hangar for Tinker, and an ammunition demo shop for McAlester, among other items. Included in the VA section of the bill is over $300 million in funding to the Office of Rural Health, nearly $700 million for suicide prevention outreach programs, and additional funds for the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. And when the Senate returns to D.C. in September, I look forward to announcing additional wins my team and I have secured for the state in the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act. The United States military is the most lethal fighting force known to man. Our enemies fear us and our adversaries are running scared. They know the era of Joe’s appeasement is over and strength has returned. Those who dare to threaten the United States and our interests will face the full force of our defense capabilities. The ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’ only strengthens our resolve and ensures our warfighters have every resource and weapon they need. I am honored to be in the fight with President Trump and Secretary Hegseth. It has been incredible to witness peace through strength in action and the implementation of a true, America First, agenda. May God continue to protect our troops and the United States of America.” ### |