Congressman John Moolenaar Chairman of the Select Committee on the CCP | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman John Moolenaar Chairman of the Select Committee on the CCP | Official U.S. House headshot
Chairman John Moolenaar of the House Select Committee on China recently led a roundtable discussion in Huntsville, Alabama, focusing on the United States Defense Industrial Base (DIB). The event, hosted by Auburn University’s Applied Research Center, gathered leaders from major defense firms to discuss expanding production capacity, innovation scaling, and securing supply chains.
The roundtable featured participation from representatives including Rep. Carlos Gimenez of Florida and Alabama's Reps. Dale Strong and Robert Aderholt. Industry leaders from companies such as RTX, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, and the Aerospace Industries Association shared their insights on challenges faced in ramping up production and reducing foreign dependencies.
Chairman Moolenaar remarked on the significance of Huntsville's role in missile defense and hypersonic technologies for U.S. security. He stated: "It was a privilege to visit Huntsville and engage with local leaders and industry experts on the pressing challenges facing our nation's defense capabilities... I look forward to continuing to work with these dedicated professionals to ensure that our national security remains strong."
Key themes included bolstering production capacity by moving away from 'just-in-time' models; scaling innovation by addressing regulatory burdens; and securing supply chains by reducing reliance on Chinese sources for critical materials.
The committee plans to continue engaging with stakeholders to remove barriers to innovation and strengthen supply chain resilience. This effort aims at ensuring America's military readiness against potential threats posed by China's military ambitions.
Industry participants included executives such as Jonathan Pettus from Auburn University’s Applied Research Center; Parker Chapman from AIA; Alan Zimmerer from BAE Systems; Pierce Lehr from Boeing; Kevin Wilson from General Dynamics; Brian O’Connor from Lockheed Martin; Raymond Sharp from Northrop Grumman; and Kurt Wuest from RTX.
The House Select Committee on China is committed to enhancing U.S. national security through a robust industrial base prepared for current threats and future challenges.
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