As a 20-year combat aviator, I flew missions around the world supporting America’s troops. One lesson stood out every time we took off: success on the battlefield starts with strength here at home.
During World War II, America didn’t just outfight the Axis powers — it outbuilt them. Shipyards, factories, and innovators across the country worked around the clock to supply our troops with the ships, planes, and equipment needed to win.
In 1950, Congress turned that lesson into law with the Defense Production Act (DPA), giving the federal government the authority to ramp up American manufacturing when national security is on the line.
The problem: While the law still exists, it hasn’t been meaningfully updated in decades. Meanwhile, the threats we face today — cyberattacks, critical mineral shortages, and foreign supply chain chokeholds — move faster and hit harder than anything Cold War planners imagined.
The good news: This week, we moved bipartisan legislation forward to bring the DPA into the 21st century. ⬇️
Three bills passed. Three major gaps closed:
⚙️ FORCE Act — Brings industry experts to the table so government and private-sector leaders can plan ahead before a crisis hits.
🛠️ ARSENAL Act — Creates a real-time dashboard so agencies can see what’s being produced and coordinate better.
📋 CLEAR Act — Establishes a centralized system to track how emergency production powers are being used.
Why it matters: When national security is on the line, America has to be able to move fast — building the equipment, technology, and supplies our troops depend on. These reforms help make sure the government can work faster and smarter with American companies to get the job done.
Bottom Line: As a combat veteran, I’ve relied on American innovation to defend our troops on the front lines. In Congress, I’ll keep fighting to make sure the supplies backing them up never fall short.