America's Strategic Defense Priorities

Featuring:
Rep. Adam Smith
Ranking Member
House Armed Services Committee

Moderated by:
Daniel Chiu
Deputy Director
Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security

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Please join the Atlantic Council’s Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security for a special event with United States Representative Adam Smith, Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, to discuss America’s strategic defense priorities for the coming fiscal year. The event will take place on October 21, 2015 at the Atlantic Council from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

Even with a new fiscal year, America’s defense challenges remain the same. Smith, as the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, is at the forefront of helping the United States and its armed forces to prepare for these challenges. Yet, he does not believe that the FY16 National Defense Authorization Act, as currently drafted, helps the United States meet its defense priorities that include defeating the Islamic State, deterring Russia, and balancing against China. To explain how this can be done, Ranking Member Smith will address the Atlantic Council’s audience.

Now in his tenth term, Smith serves as the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, where he is a strong advocate for our military personnel and their families. Having served on the on the House Armed Services Committee since 1997, Smith formerly chaired the subcommittee on Air and Land Forces (ALF), which has jurisdiction over all Army and nearly all Air Force acquisition programs. Prior to serving as Chair of ALF, Smith chaired the Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities subcommittee, which oversees the United States Special Operations Forces and counter-terrorism policy, among other critical areas. He has also previously served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.