[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 90 (Thursday, May 23, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3864-S3865]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                  Nomination of Melissa Griffin Dalton

  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise to express my support for Ms. Melissa 
Dalton's nomination to be Under Secretary of the Air Force.
  Ms. Dalton is an exceptionally qualified leader with a long and 
distinguished career in service to the United States. She has more than 
two decades of experience in defense and intelligence policy, including 
an extensive background in Department of Defense strategy, policy, 
operations, processes, and workforce issues. Ms. Dalton currently 
serves as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and 
Hemispheric Affairs and served previously by performing the duties of 
the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and 
Capabilities.
  The Armed Services Committee held a nomination hearing for Ms. Dalton 
4 months ago, on January 23, and it is critical that we approve her 
nomination now.
  If confirmed, Ms. Dalton will face a number of pressing challenges 
for the Air Force. The service has operated at a high tempo for the 
past two decades, supporting around-the-clock operations in the Middle 
East and around the world. This mission has strained Air Force 
personnel and aged the combat aircraft fleet more quickly than 
anticipated. This high ``op-tempo'' also challenged Air Force leaders 
to adequately invest in modernization efforts. With China posing new, 
unprecedented challenges to our airpower in the Indo-Pacific and with 
emerging technologies like hypersonic weapons and uncrewed aerial 
systems, or UAS, creating new threats around the world, the Air Force 
must adapt quickly to stay ahead.
  In particular, the Air Force must continue to strengthen and improve 
its acquisition system. In order to field new capabilities to match the 
speed of technological change, the next Under Secretary will need to 
take steps to ensure that the Air Force has a secure and reliable 
industrial base and a trained and qualified workforce. At her 
confirmation hearing, Ms. Dalton pledged her immediate, unwavering 
attention to these issues. This was an important commitment and one 
that I support.
  If confirmed, Ms. Dalton will help lead the Air Force at a critical 
moment as we continue our long-term strategic competition with China 
and Russia. This will require thoughtful, resolute leadership with a 
deep understanding of the issues. Throughout her career, Ms. Dalton has 
developed and implemented just these sorts of leading-edge defense 
policies, and she reemphasized her commitment to them during her 
confirmation hearing.
  Ms. Dalton is an outstanding nominee to serve as Under Secretary of 
the

[[Page S3865]]

Air Force, and I am proud to support her nomination.
  I urge my colleagues to vote yes and confirm this great leader.
  With that, I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.