Top Democrat vows ‘vigorous’ oversight of Pentagon

Top Democrat vows ‘vigorous’ oversight of Pentagon

Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), pledged on Wednesday to conduct “vigorous” oversight of the Pentagon, including seeking testimonies from senior officials and greater transparency from the Defense Department.

Smith is asking his colleagues to support his bid to become the committee’s chair, where he plans to scrutinize the Pentagon’s deployment of the National Guard to American cities, the department’s spending and the war against Iran.

“I also believe it is important to reestablish an Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee to help support the committee’s work,” Smith said in a 2-page letter.

The House Democrat also questioned the need for a Pentagon budget that exceeds $1 billion and vowed to probe the military’s deadly strikes against alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

“ We must also carefully examine contracts and other financial support awarded to private companies to ensure they are in the best interest of the taxpayers, are free from conflicts of interest or favoritism, and were awarded consistent with legal authorities and procedures,” Smith added.

The letter came after Democrats won big in Tuesday midterms, taking majorities in both chambers of Congress and claiming a handful of governor’s mansions.

Smith said he is “committed” to find a way to pass National Defense Authorization Act but warned he would “ never sacrifice important principles just to get a bill done.”

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