As a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, my priorities include modernizing our military and investing in tomorrow's technology, as well ensuring that Department of Defense (DOD) resources are used efficiently and that America's fighting men and women have the tools and equipment they need to fulfill their missions.

I am proud to represent two bases, the Fort Lewis Army Base and the McChord Air Force Base, as well as thousands of military retirees, veterans, military families, and reservists. I understand how important it is to recruit and retain the best and brightest for our Armed Services, and to do so, we must work to make serving an attractive career option. Towards that end, we must provide better housing and health care benefits, competitive pay, and consideration of spouses and children.

We must also be smart and prepared when we ask our forces to go into combat. We must have a clear mission and give them the tools they need to win. I believe the execution of the war against terrorism has clearly met these criteria, and the men and women serving our country, especially those from Fort Lewis and McChord, have made me incredibly proud.