House Armed Services Ranking Member Signals Possible Subpoenas if Democrats Retake Chamber

Rep. Adam Smith, the ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, said the panel may issue subpoenas if Democrats regain control of the House. He stated that the committee has not used subpoenas in the past but may need them to obtain information from the Pentagon.

He said the episode showed Congress asserting itself on national security matters and questioned whether similar bipartisan action would occur now.

Smith said a Democratic majority would examine civilian casualties in the Iran conflict, including a February strike on a school in Minab that Iranian authorities said killed more than 150 people. He added that the committee would review the military's campaign against suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, which has killed over 200 people.

Smith stated that the Pentagon has not provided execute orders for the boat strikes within the 15-day period required by federal law. He said greater transparency is needed on these operations.

Smith said the committee has traditionally focused on budgets, weapons systems, and military readiness. He indicated that its role may expand to forcing disclosure of information from the current administration. Smith has served on the committee for 30 years and was first elected to Congress in 1996.

He recently joined Republicans and about half of the committee's Democrats in advancing a $1.15 trillion defense policy bill.