The Pentagon Owes the Senate Armed Services Committee a Defense Strategy Update and Elbridge Colby Arrives Without One — a Republican Says He Would "Just Sort of Dodge and Punt," Another Says "They Owe Us a Report, and We Did Not Get the Report," and Asked About Troops at the Polls He "Never Once Said 'Yes' or 'No'"
Under the annual National Defense Authorization Act, the Pentagon owed the Senate Armed Services Committee a classified briefing and implementation report on the Trump administration's National Defense Strategy by September 15, 2026. On Thursday, September 17, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby appeared before the committee in a closed session — and, senators of both parties said afterward, did not deliver it. Lawmakers said Colby gave unsatisfying answers on the Iran war, depleted munitions stockpiles and whether the administration has discussed deploying the National Guard to polling places during November's midterm elections. According to Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer, Colby acknowledged he "had heard about some of those discussions taking place" but said he was not leading on the issue and never answered yes or no. Republicans Cramer and Mike Rounds joined Democrats Jacky Rosen and Mark Kelly in criticizing the session. Republican Jim Banks dissented, calling it "constructive" and "substantive." Committee Chairman Roger Wicker declined to comment on the classified briefing. The session came days after the Pentagon Inspector General reported "strategic inventory shortfalls" from munitions spent in the Iran war, and amid a broader fight over the flow of information from the Pentagon to Congress.
“It's very peculiar to have somebody come in for a congressionally mandated update and not have a statement.”