In the 21st Century, America needs a flexible military that is able to confront emerging threats, such as terrorism, growing regional instability, the spread of nuclear weapons, and the emergence of cyber warfare.
Support a flexible military that can confront emerging threats, including terrorism, regional instability, nuclear proliferation, and cyber warfare.
Occurrences
supports responsible, accountable investments to ensure a strong and smart approach to deterring adversaries and supporting our allies and service members
Evidence
"In the 21st Century, America needs a flexible military that is able to confront emerging threats, such as terrorism, growing regional instability, the spread of nuclear weapons, and the emergence of cyber warfare."
McCollum says she serves as the top Democrat on the Defense Subcommittee and that national security means an Armed Forces that are "the most skilled and best trained and equipped."
The committee approved the FY2023 defense bill; McCollum said it funds DoD and Intelligence Community programs and provides security assistance to Ukraine.
"Congress needs to fund FEMA, disaster relief, cybersecurity, and other functions of the Department of Homeland Security that keep Americans safe."
Assessments
McCollum promised to support a flexible military posture against emerging threats. The evidence shows she held a relevant federal legislative role on defense appropriations and helped advance defense funding covering DoD, intelligence programs, Ukraine security assistance, cybersecurity, and related homeland security functions while serving in Congress. Because this was a broad support/appropriations promise rather than a discrete enactment pledge, sustained committee leadership and concrete funding actions during her tenure are sufficient for delivery.
The promise was broad: to support a flexible military capable of addressing emerging threats such as terrorism, regional instability, nuclear proliferation, and cyber warfare. The evidence shows McCollum publicly maintained that position while in office and, more importantly, used her Defense Appropriations role to support defense and intelligence funding, Ukraine security assistance, and cybersecurity-related national security funding. Because the claim is framed as a support/advocacy promise rather than a specific measurable statutory endpoint, these legislative and appropriations actions are sufficient to count as delivered in the same term. The effort badge is warranted because the strongest evidence is active legislative and appropriations work rather than merely rhetorical support.