After eight years of our military’s decline, it is a welcome change to have a commander-in-chief who is willing to fight for our men and women in uniform. During President Trump’s recent address to a joint session of Congress, I appreciated hearing his support for a strong national defense and his desire to begin the long process of rebuilding our military. The president’s newly unveiled budget is a step in the right direction, but more is required.

Since the Budget Control Act was signed into law in 2012, our defense budget has been in constant decline. Over this same period, we have witnessed Russia invade and annex Crimea, China construct islands in the South China Sea, and the Islamic State grow into a significant force in Iraq, Syria, and elsewhere.