Texas GOP Vote

The Obama Administration's lack of leadership on the threats from North Korea proves a pivotal point that has been recognized by political observers dating back to Thucydides: domestic politics influence foreign affairs. One of the reasons why Obama will not take a hardline stance on North Korea is because our economy is so dependent upon China. This is an inexcusable arrangement that can only be overcome if those in Washington put an end to irresponsible spending and if the Democrats quit pushing for the debt ceiling to be raised.

Whether or not Chuck Hagel is confirmed as our next defense secretary, his nomination has already done serious damage to U.S. credibility on Iran, thereby emboldening the most dangerous regime in the Middle East. To limit the damage, President Obama should choose someone else to lead the Pentagon.   Read more »

I issued the following statement today regarding reports President Obama will nominate former Sen. Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense:

I will not support Chuck Hagel’s nomination to the Department of Defense. His record and past statements, particularly with respect to rogue nations like Iran, are extremely concerning to me.

His opposition to Iranian sanctions and support for direct, unconditional talks with its leaders is both at odds with current U.S. policy and a threat to global security. To make matters worse, he has called for direct negotiations with Hamas.   Read more »

As Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, I released the following statement as the FY13 National Defense Authorization Act Conference Report was signed by conferees:

Throughout this Congress, my subcommittee has highlighted the need for increased missile defense for the homeland. In spite of the concerns raised by my subcommittee, and the full House Armed Services Committee, the Administration has continuously cut funding to counter the threat of ballistic missile attack on the United States. The planning and study for an additional U.S. missile defense

My name is John Griffing. I'm an average patriotic American citizen, and I’m alarmed. I’m alarmed at the speed with which our country is giving away its precious freedoms, and I’m alarmed at the role our own president has played in this process. But, above all, I’m alarmed at how little is being done, that could and should be done, to STOP it.

Early on, our president told us he wanted to fundamentally change the United States of America. True to his word, he has worked tirelessly to undermine American sovereignty and economic strength, and to bring his own country to the brink of disaster. There’s no longer any need to build this case....the volume of evidence is

Today I sent a letter to President Barack Obama requesting that seven senior Administration officials be made available for interviews with the Committee about recent national security leaks.   Read more »

Today, I questioned Deputy Attorney General James Cole on possible coordinated, politically motivated leaks of classified information by the Obama Administration. In response to my questions, and just hours after Republicans called for a Special Prosecutor, Deputy Attorney General Cole ruled it out.

Cole Acknowledges Leaking Classified Information is a Crime:   Read more »

When History is finally written about the Obama Administration, it may record how a President managed to lose two wars after inheriting one winning war and a strategy to win the other. Obama has one accomplishment, killing Osama Bin Laden, but that will be forgotten as American soldiers pull out amidst two countries in crisis and sacrifices made wasted with inept diplomacy abroad and a failure of the Obama Administration to make a case for his foreign policy at home. Obama never spent any of his political capital to defend his Afghanistan policy, and the American people have now abandoned their own support for a war that even President has given up on.   Read more »

What if the Economy should improve between now and November?

All of the Republicans and Obama agree that jobs need to be created. They just differ on HOW to create the jobs—the private sector or the government.

If per chance the unemployment figures should dramatically decrease between now and November, where will that leave the Republicans if that is all they have talked about?   Read more »

Iran has stepped up its threats against the United States by issuing a "double" warning. According to the state-run Fars news agency, Atalooah Salehi said, "We usually don't repeat our warning, and we only warn once. We recommend and emphasize to the American carrier not to return to the Persian Gulf".   Read more »