As Chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee on National Security,  Stephen Lynch is tackling some of the biggest national security issues our nation has faced. 

With American troops still engaged in active operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Mali and Somalia, Stephen is keeping a close eye on every aspect, conducting oversight hearings on our military and reconstruction operations, and the continued peace talks. His oversight work has brought him to Iraq and Afghanistan 28 times to meet with our troops, military and civil leaders to discuss the situation on the ground and perform oversight duties.  With a strong sense that the American people have a right to know what the plan and progress is pertaining to the war and the reconstruction of Afghanistan, Stephen has introduced legislation requiring that previously public quarterly reports on our progress be once again declassified so we all know the true facts about what is going on on the ground.  

Stephen Lynch has always put the health and safety of our troops first, and as Chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee on National Security, he has reinforced that commitment.  Leading an investigation, Stephen is working to support our veterans who, during their deployment after 9/11 to Karshi-Khanabad (K2) Air Base were reportedly exposed to both chemicals and radiological hazards during their deployment. He co-authored and introduced the K2 Veterans Toxic Exposure Accountability Act to study the hazards that American service members were exposed to while deployed to K2 and to address the health conditions that may have been caused by these exposures. 

Along with his oversight on Afghanistan and supporting our troops, he is focused on ensuring that our most fundamental right- the right to vote and choose our leaders- is protected.  As a result, he is spearheading an investigation on election security and preparedness.  And as part of the investigation, Stephen is also evaluating state and federal preparedness to ensure election security and has introduced legislation to ban the use of deep fake audio, video and photos in U.S. elections. 

Stephen believes that public health and safety are key factors in national security, and has taken swift action to look into our nation’s preparedness in the face of pandemics, such as COVID-19, and biological weapons.  His efforts include leading investigation to examine the readiness of our health care system to handle such events as well as the potential of both drug resistant diseases and antimicrobial resistance as a national security threat.  

In direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Stephen has focused on the need to improve federal response.  He authored and introduced legislation – the Strategic National Stockpile Enhancement and Transparency Act – that would improve federal response by creating a national biodefense stockpile network with real time inventory to ensure health care professionals and first responders have the personal protective equipment and the critical supplies to treat the public. Stephen is focused on ensuring that the almost immediate critical shortages we faced do not happen again. 

As your Congressman, Stephen will continue to ensure Congress is focused on our nation’s security, preparedness and commitment to our troops.