Issue Position: National Security

Issue Position

South Carolina has a long tradition of supporting our nation's military. In the U.S. Senate, Lee will carry on that tradition.

Lee believes one of the core functions of our federal government, as required by the Constitution, is providing America's security. After all, our liberty depends on a strong military. He also knows that the Constitution must be followed and that Congress alone has the power to declare war and commit our troops to war. Our military should never be sent into harm's way without a clear mission authorized by Congress. But when we do send our fighting forces into combat we must be prepared to allow them to fight and win.

A vital part of our national defense commitment is to keep our promises to the men and women who have taken care of us through their service in our nation's armed forces. Currently, combat veterans who have sustained critical wounds are waiting months for necessary treatments from the VA. Lee will work to make sure these heroes move to the front of the line and get the help they deserve.

While Lee believes America must maintain our commitment to protecting our allies, we can no longer afford to be the first-responder for every problem around the world. It is time for our allies to begin shouldering a larger share of their own defense.

No other country in the world has the quality of fighting force and the global reach of the United States Armed Forces and we must be prepared to meet any threat anywhere it affects our national interest.

But our greatest threat is not from hostile nations but from our own misguided economic policies and uncontrollable Federal spending which have rung up unsustainable debts. In order for our nation to remain truly secure, we must get government spending under control and reduce the deficit to a manageable level as quickly as possible.

When our men and women come face to face with the enemy, they need to have the best equipment we can supply them. It is this force multiplier technology that has given them an insurmountable edge. They are willing to risk their lives, but we must make sure they aren't short-changed when it comes to the actual war-fighting technology.

The Obama administration and Congressional liberals have skillfully used the "sequester" to gut critical defense programs and shift that spending to wasteful domestic spending. Lee will work with other conservatives to make sure our military remains second to none. That doesn't mean that the Pentagon should have a free hand to purchase every new technology a defense contractor comes up with. In the U.S. Senate, Lee will be a deficit hawk with every aspect of the Federal budget, encouraging policy-makers to look for efficiencies in defense as in every other government program.

Lee is committed to a strong national defense, both in military strategy, force-multiplying technologies, and a sound economy. Lee Bright will fight to keep our national defense strong and provide the level of treatment our veterans deserve.

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