WASHINGTON, May 1 -- Rep. Adam Smith, D-Washington, ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following opening statement on April 29, 2026, at a hearing on the U.S. Department of Defense fiscal 2027 budget request: * * * Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate those opening remarks. I want to start by agreeing with you on the last point. Our troops have performed incredibly well in the last 15 months. They have been asked to do more than anyone expected, and they have demonstrated the incredible capability of the U more PR