Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander, a former intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserve for over a decade, questioned U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General John D. Caine during a hearing in the House Armed Services Committee. Goodlander questioned Mr. Hegseth on his failure to submit the Department of Defense budget, the harm President Trump’s trade wars have caused for small defense companies in New Hampshire, and American AI dominance over China. She also questioned Mr. Hegseth on his stunning refusal to follow the rulings of the United States Supreme Court. Watch Goodlander’s full line of questioning here.

Key Portions of Congresswoman Goodlander’s Questioning:

• “You’re required, under law, to submit this budget to Congress, because we’ve got the power of the purse, after all, no later than the first Monday in February. Here we are on the second Thursday in June. We don’t have your budget, as the Chairman, the Ranking Member, and many of my colleagues on this committee have pointed out. You have testified that you want to be accountable for every dollar, every taxpayer dollar, and where it goes. We can’t do our job without your budget. When can we expect your budget, Mr. Hegseth?”
• “You’re also required by law to pass an audit. That’s been true since the 1990s. The Department of Defense is the only department that has continually failed an audit. You’ve committed to passing an audit in 2028, but we expect you to pass an audit and hope you will work with us to achieve that goal.”
• “American AI dominance is extremely important. Mr. Hegseth, should American AI dominance be up for negotiation with China, and any trade talks that are underway?”
• “I’d point out that 40% of small businesses have left our defense industrial base supply chain in the past decade, and trade wars that have caused unprecedented uncertainty are going to drive more small businesses out of business, and that’s something I hope we can work together to try to prevent, because it’s very real in my home state of New Hampshire.”
• “Mr. Hegseth, did you order a pause in offensive cyber operations against Russia?”
• “Mr. Hegseth, I want to give you the opportunity to correct the record and make clear that you will abide by a ruling of the United States Supreme Court.”

Congresswoman Goodlander has dedicated her life to serving our country and the people of New Hampshire. She led her colleagues in demanding answers from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on the chaos and disregard for national security at the Department of Defense. Goodlander has repeatedly called on Hegseth to resign or be removed from his role.

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