Congressional leaders revealed to DailyMail.com what they believe is the greatest threat the United States currently faces during the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California.
China topped the list, but other bad actors, including Iran and Russia, are a major concern, as is the open southern border.
Representative Ken Calvert, the chairman of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, revealed exclusively to DailyMail.com that China is “our greatest threat.”
“And we must ensure that we focus our resources and capabilities on that threat,” Calvert, California, continued.
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, pointed to the annual Reagan National Defense survey released last week, which found that 51 percent of Americans think China is the “greatest threat to the U.S.”
“There is no direct kinetic action with China on a military level at this point,” she told DailyMail.com, but the poll said China's “global spread – whether military or economic – does concern Americans.”
Representative Ken Calvert, the chairman of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, revealed exclusively to DailyMail.com that China is 'our greatest threat'
Ernst told DailyMail.com that China, like most Americans, is her biggest concern
House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., said there isn't one biggest threat, but rather a combination.
“I think the biggest threat to the United States is the attempt by Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and various terrorist groups to work together to push us out – to reduce American influence and try to push us out of the United States.” to get to the Middle East. , from Asia, from Europe,” he told DailyMail.com.
The top Democrat explained that the threat comes from the “coalition” between the countries trying to “enforce a new world order.”
He called Russia's invasion of Ukraine a top threat that also worries other countries, as well as China's “territorial plans” worldwide.
Furthermore, Iran is “destabilizing” governments throughout the Middle East, which is another major concern for the US
Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., similarly responded that there are “a number” of threats.
“It's a combination of things,” she told DailyMail.com. Obviously when we look at a nation state like China, and the influence they gain militarily and also in trade. That is a huge threat to us.'
She said Russia's “belligerence and aggression” toward Ukraine should worry everyone.
Moreover, the United States' “nuclear competitors” – China and Russia – are its main targets.
“So my focus is a lot on those two countries because of the existential threat they pose to our nation,” she continued.
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said that while there are security concerns abroad, the United States' southern border is becoming “the most immediate” threat.
“I still think the southern border is quickly becoming our greatest threat. It's just too easy to get in. We don't catch many. And we already know it has a devastating effect on our society,” he told DailyMail.com.
But he asserted that the most pressing threat in terms of national defense strategy is “clearly China.”
'China threatens us not only militarily, but also economically, socially and culturally. They pose a major threat that we have not focused our attention on for decades, and now we are laser focused,” the senator added.
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute David Trulio told DailyMail.com that China is a top priority.
He pointed to findings from the sixth annual Reagan National Defense survey showing that Americans are most concerned about China.
An overwhelming number of Americans (77 percent) consider China an enemy, while only 15 percent consider the communist state an “ally.” And 42 percent of respondents consider China a “strong” enemy.
That's a stark difference from 2018 results, which showed that only 55 percent of Americans viewed China as an enemy and 38 percent as an ally.
The survey results are an “important contribution to assessing where the American public stands on critical issues related to peace through strength,” said Trulio, who recently led a delegation to Taiwan.
“And the first conclusion is that Americans firmly support President Reagan's concept of peace through strength, that they support military spending, that they support an engaged America around the world, that they support the United States by supporting allies and partners – or which is now in Ukraine, Israel or Taiwan. .'
“So it's very important to realize that there is the wisdom of the American people in terms of the fundamental understanding that an engaged America, and an America that helps those who are willing to fight for their own freedom, is a good thing. '
The five-day trip to Taiwan was aimed at exploring security issues facing the state, mainly due to increasing Chinese aggression, and strengthening ties between the US and its friend in the Indo-Pacific.
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said that while there are security concerns abroad, the United States' southern border is becoming “the most immediate” threat
Senator Fischer said Russia's “belligerence and aggression” toward Ukraine should be of concern to everyone
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke about the increasing security challenges facing the US during his keynote speech.
'We live in challenging times. This also applies to the major conflicts facing our fellow democracies, Israel and Ukraine; bullying and coercion from an increasingly assertive China; and a global struggle between democracy and autocracy,” he told forum attendees.
He added, “And these are the times when global security depends on American unity and American strength.”