Today in Washington, D.C., U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito engaged in a discussion with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General John Caine. The hearing focused on evaluating the president’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request for the U.S. Department of Defense.
During the session, Senator Capito expressed her pride in military recruitment efforts. She noted that while recruiting goals have been falling short, the Marine Corps has exceeded expectations. “I’m very proud of this fact, that the recruiting goals that have been falling short – with the exception of the Marine Corps, I want to give them a shout out – you said that they are higher,” she remarked.
Secretary Hegseth responded to concerns about recruitment challenges by stating: “There was plenty of pre-criticism that certain groups would not be interested in joining the military in this environment, and we’ve seen the exact opposite. Because for us, it’s not about women or men or black or white, it’s about we want the most qualified Americans possible in our ranks.”
Senator Capito also questioned what sets successful recruitment efforts apart. Secretary Hegseth attributed success to leadership: “The difference is a Commander in Chief they believe in.”
The discussion also touched on space superiority and potential threats from China. Senator Capito highlighted concerns over China’s advancements: “I think a powerful, destabilizing force would be if China were to get the superior hand in space.” She referenced General Saltzman’s view on current capabilities and sought clarification on how these concerns align with national defense strategies and budget allocations.
