Is The US Military Prepared For War?

A top Democrat on the House Armed Services committee, Rep. Adam Smith, recently told FOX News Sunday’s Shannon Bream that the state of American military readiness is “a huge problem.” This comment comes on the heels of four-star Air Force General Mike Minihan suggesting on Friday that the US might face armed conflict with China as soon as 2024. America is heavily invested in helping Ukraine defend itself from Russian forces, but some are flagging the possibility that major investments must now be made in the US military as China menaces Taiwan and military experts see potential for conflict. National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby joins the podcast to explain how the Biden administration is addressing rising tensions with China, how the Pentagon is preparing for a range of potential threats, and why US support for Ukraine sends a key warning to ambitious autocrats around the globe.

President Biden is supposed to meet with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy today to discuss how both parties will approach raising the country’s debt limit. While House Republicans have demanded spending cuts in order to remedy the economic issue at hand, President Biden has been adamant that he will not negotiate with the GOP in order to avoid a looming default in June. As Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) runs the committee responsible for much of the government’s tax, trade, and budget issues. He joins the Rundown to explain what is attached to the Republicans’ plan to raise the debt limit, as well as what’s on the Committee’s agenda in the year ahead.

Plus, commentary by columnist David Marcus.