East Michigan News

Chairman John Moolenaar and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi from the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party appeared on Fox News' Special Report with Bret Baier last Wednesday. They discussed concerns about the U.S. defense industrial base and potential vulnerabilities in a conflict with China.

Moolenaar shared insights from a war simulation involving China, stating, "What we learned is that in a protracted war, our defense industrial base does not have the resources it needs to win that war. It's stretched thin with different regional conflicts around the world. We need to make sure we shore up [our defense industrial base] so that we can win a war if it were ever necessary."

Krishnamoorthi highlighted disparities between U.S. and Chinese industrial capabilities: "Right now, our defense industrial base is in such disrepair that it shows weakness and that invites aggression." He noted significant differences in shipbuilding capacity, explaining, "For every one ocean-going vessel that we can produce, China can produce 359 in one single year." Additionally, he pointed out gaps concerning long-range anti-ship missiles and manpower shortages within the U.S. defense sector.

The leaders emphasized the importance of strengthening America's industrial capabilities to prevent potential threats.