National Security and Servicemembers
After 9/11, Jared answered the call to serve our country and enlisted in the Marines, deploying overseas to both Afghanistan and Iraq. He uses his experience as a Marine combat veteran when confronted with national security decisions in Congress.
As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Jared works across the aisle to create policies that keep America safe and ensure that our service members have the training and tools they need to fight for our country. He deeply respects Maine’s service members and knows many civilian Mainers play an important role in our national defense as well — including by building the finest warships on the planet at Bath Iron Works and researching defense innovations at our universities.
Jared has secured authorization for millions in dedicated funding for Maine stakeholders, including the University of Maine, that research and produce new military innovations to boost power projection and provide talent pipelines to support Maine’s defense workforce. The FY25 National Defense Authorization Act also authorized $5.4 billion for the construction of three Navy destroyers and $150 million for research and development to pave the way for the next generation of Bath-built ships.
Jared uses his position on the Armed Services Committee to support these Maine institutions and their workers at the federal level —– including bringing congressional leaders to Bath —– ensuring they have access to the resources they need and helping create a level playing field to compete for federal contracts.
Jared understands that nation-building is not in America’s best interests, and has worked to reaffirm Congress’ authority — and the executive branch’s limits — over the ability to start wars. He has voted to protect Congress’ responsibilities under the War Powers Resolution and prevent administrations from a military attack on Iran unless authorized by Congress. He also voted to repeal the 2002 Authorized Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iraq, which provided the Bush Administration with authority to attack Iraq during the reign of Saddam Hussein. The Iraq AUMF has been rendered obsolete and is not needed by the Pentagon to conduct current military operations.
However, Jared also knows that standing with our allies in the face of increasing threats from Russia and China is critical. Since Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, Jared has voted to supply Ukraine with the resources it needs to protect itself — bolstering defense manufacturing at home while also preventing a broader conflict that could put America’s servicemembers in the line of fire. In addition, he has provided Israel with support to defend itself from Hamas and other Iranian proxies that also seek harm to the United States. Although these two conflict areas may be far away by distance, Jared understands that events overseas can have direct implications for the safety and security of our own servicemembers and citizens.