Senators Cramer, Kelly Launch Senate Defense Modernization Caucus

Panel at Global Aerospace Summit highlights the importance of policy solutions to invest in defense capabilities, foster American innovation

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce hosts the Global Aerospace Summit annually, bringing industry and government leaders from across the world to discuss issues unique to the space and aviation industries. This year's summit is focused on the consequential issues facing the future of flight.

U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), participated in a panel discussion on defense modernization and announced the launch of the bipartisan Senate Defense Modernization Caucus. The mission of the caucus is to foster defense investments and innovative capabilities to deter and counter foreign adversaries.

The Senate Caucus will work closely with U.S. Representatives Rob Wittman (R-VA-01) and Pat Ryan (D-NY-18), who serve as co-chairs of the House Defense Modernization Caucus.

"The security of the United States is dependent on a modern, lethal, and nimble national defense," said Cramer. "We can't just keep pace with our adversaries, we must beat them. We established the Defense Modernization Caucus to spur real investment in our capabilities and foster a culture of innovation and ingenuity to meet the threats we face. I look forward to working with my co-chairs to drive the necessary modernization of the joint force."

"Ensuring that our military remains the most capable force in the world requires more than just maintaining current capabilities-it demands constant innovation," said Kelly. "The Senate Defense Modernization Caucus is a critical step toward adopting the cutting-edge technologies needed to meet emerging threats. This bipartisan effort will help equip our servicemembers with the tools and strategies they need to protect our nation and stay ahead of our adversaries."

The senators' conversation also highlighted the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), how Congress can support U.S. air dominance, the importance of defense technology and modernization, and their views on respective investment strategies. During the moderated discussion, Cramer highlighted the highest priority of the national defense strategy: modernization of the nuclear triad.

He emphasized the strategic importance and the critical nature of modernization efforts, including replacing the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with new Sentinel ICBMs, B-52 bomber engines, and air-launched cruise missiles (ALCM) with Long Range Stand Off (LRSO) weapons. Cramer stressed that modernization is not just about exquisite weapon systems and aircraft, it's about promoting policies to recruit and maintain a modern workforce.

"This caucus is an example of how without all of us, none of us can do what we need to," said Cramer. "Together we can do twice as much, if not more. This moment and the demand for modernization being created not by us, but by our adversaries, makes it the perfect moment for caucuses like ours. Kudos to Representatives Rob Wittman and Pat Ryan for leading the caucus in the House. The moment is right to convene members from both parties, from both chambers, and from multiple jurisdictions."

Through his position on SASC, Cramer is a leader in legislative efforts to support initiatives advancing space-based capabilities and missions. He was instrumental in creating the Space Force, securing its inclusion in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, which President Donald Trump signed in December 2019. Since then, Cramer has worked with space leaders and has brought them to North Dakota to see the state's space potential.

In August, Cramer flipped the switch to bring the Space Development Agency (SDA) Operations Center North online at Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB) and toured the University of North Dakota (UND) National Security Corridor.

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