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Thank you , Senator Warren . Let me 

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recognize Senator Tillis , please . 

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Thank you , Mr Chairman . And Admiral . 

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Congratulations to you and to your 

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family and your team for your 

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nomination . I'd like to start just by 

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asking a general question about a week 

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ago , maybe a week and a half ago . We 

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got an update from , uh , north and 

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South , Um , on China's 

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engagement primarily in Latin and South 

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America . Can you give me a quick 

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rundown within your area or your future 

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area of responsibility in terms of 

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China's relationships , say , today as 

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compared to five or 10 years ago , 

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ostensibly economic or non military 

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engagement . But we all know that 

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there's a military dimension to almost 

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everything that China does . So just a 

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quick rundown of the areas of greatest 

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concern . Yes , Senator . Uh , I spoke 

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to Admiral Fowler last week after after 

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he testified , uh , I think the main 

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point that comes out is China is a 

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global problem when you talk about 

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their areas of influence and what does 

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it mean globally ? Uh , there are 

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economic efforts that are underway by 

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China across the globe . 

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There are military efforts underway 

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and , you know it furthers their reach 

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it would allow access logistic support 

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in time of crisis . So all of those 

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things are a bit concerning . And for 

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allies and partners across the globe , 

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they have to understand what that means . 

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Um , thank you . A number of my 

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colleagues have covered the , uh , 

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fifth generation F 22 f 35 the 

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importance of those programs . Um , 

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the one question I had , I think with , 

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uh , General Burger . There's some 

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thought in the future of the Marine 

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Corps force design of reducing 

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squadrons from , uh , 16 to 10 

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aircraft . I think , uh , what's the 

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rationale behind that within your and 

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what impact could that possibly have in 

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your area of operation ? Thanks , 

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Senator . I think General Burger is , 

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uh , you know , in his former position 

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as the commander of Marine Forces 

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Pacific , he got a front line view , uh , 

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of the main concern for the next 

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generation , if you will . And I 

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appreciate his efforts to restructure 

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to take on adjusted mission sets , Uh , 

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and to ensure that his forces are 

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contributing to deterrence . Uh , I 

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would like to highlight that all of the 

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service chiefs are on board with the 

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same a set of concerns , so I 

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appreciate and admire the work done by 

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saying , Oh , Gilda by chief CQ Brown 

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by General McConville And by General 

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Clark , they , 

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uh , actually may have time for two 

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questions , but the 3 . 60 ah 

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missile defense system in Guam has been 

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raised as the top unfunded priority . 

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Um , do we have our priorities in order ? 

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Do we just simply not have the 

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resources to do it ? In your opinion , 

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why is it that we have this unfunded 

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priority and what should we do about it ? 

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Uh , thanks . Center , I think . 

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Admiral Davidson , I highlighted the 

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right priority order as needed . Uh , 

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two foundational begin to identify and 

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show that credible deterrence that's 

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needed inside or west of the 

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international date line . Uh , there 

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are a variety of opinions that there 

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may be a better system . Uh , that , uh , 

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there's an integrated air missile 

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defense problem . Vice just a ballistic 

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missile defense problem . Uh , so I 

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think those are the different 

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competition voices . Uh , what I 

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believe is there is a need in the near 

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term to defend against all of those 

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threats from a 360 degrees standpoint . 

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Uh , and if that answer is ages , I'm 

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absolutely supportive . If there's a 

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better answer that can be delivered in 

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the near term , I'm I would be ready to 

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listen to that if confirmed . But 

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that's how I see it . Um , the 

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one other question just on the the F 35 

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program , several several of our allies 

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or participating in that program . We 

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understand the military significance of 

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it . But to what extent has that 

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engagement been helpful From a 

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diplomatic perspective , 

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senators always helpful when our allies 

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and partners are operating with the 

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same stuff we are , it absolutely makes 

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us more interoperable . It opens up 

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opportunities for logistic site 

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supply cooperation and other , 

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uh , events like that that just 

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continue to expand the relationship and 

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make us more effective in operations . 

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Uh , thank you , Admiral . Mr Mr Cherif , 

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I had more time . I would ask the 

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Admiral if the Aqualung nickname was 

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inspired by the breathing apparatus or 

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the Jethro Tull album . But I'll leave 

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that for the record . Thank you . Thank 

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you very much . Senator Tillis , let me 

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now recognize Senator Peters . Thank 

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you , Mr Chairman . Admiral , Thank you 

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for your service . Good to see you here 

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with us today , Admiral . The Marine 

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Corps has been implementing its force 

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designed 2030 plan to support littoral 

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operations , uh , as a lighter , much 

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more maneuverable force . As you're 

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well aware . For example , they've 

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talked about divestment of tanks in 

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favor of joint light tactical vehicle 

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equipped with some long range precision 

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munitions . Have you been monitoring 

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the Marine course Progress And and if 

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so , what ? What are your thoughts 

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about this About this approach . Thanks , 

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Senator . Comment on burgers , 

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extremely thoughtful . And , uh , as 

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the former head of the Marine Corps in 

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the Pacific , like he's seen firsthand , 

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Uh , I think his structure and approach , 

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uh , is correct . It will really help 

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to generate deterrence that we continue 

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to talk about today in the form of 

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whether it be surfaced air capability 

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and the ship capability and the ability 

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to expand a competitive space from the 

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land domain into a mostly maritime 

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domain . So his sight picture is 

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correct , and hopefully you can keep 

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that plan on track . It would be better 

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under the sense of urgency needed to 

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deliver sooner rather than later . Very 

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good , Admiral . Thank you . What ? 

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Admiral Davidson appeared here two 

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weeks ago . I questioned him on a 

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strategy focused heavily on 

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conventional deterrence would fare 

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against China's three pronged strategy 

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of unrestricted warfare , given it that 

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its efforts are undertaken below the 

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threshold of armed conflict . And I 

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think this also applies to our 

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partnerships . The type and caliber of 

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security assistance we're providing 

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should certainly reflect our our mutual 

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threats that we all have . So my 

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question is to what to use our is to 

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what extent do you believe our security 

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assistance should include cyber 

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security assistance or measures to 

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enhance resiliency against information 

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warfare ? Senators should absolutely 

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included first , a strong defense 

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against the cyber problems that that 

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exists . Uh , without a doubt , 

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resiliency , uh , and I would go one 

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step further . The potential for 

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reconstitution Admiral . On March 

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4th , Admiral Davidson introduced his 

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investment plan of needed capabilities 

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for Indo Pak com . This plan includes 

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over $2 billion for space based 

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radars and as you know , the Chinese 

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are rapidly launching s our satellites 

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to better monitor the Indo Pak calm and 

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last week they launched another trio of 

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yoga on 31 satellites . I think this is 

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the third launch since January 29th of 

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this year . Uh , it's clear that we 

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must improve our capability and 

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capacity to monitor the region from 

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space . And there's certainly a number 

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of innovative commercial companies out 

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there , such as orbital effects of Ann 

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Arbor , Michigan , which is quickly 

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launching radar satellites with the 

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necessary capabilities . And , quite 

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frankly , they're doing it at a 

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fraction of the cost of traditional 

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government efforts to address national 

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security threats . Uh , do you support 

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the use of these capabilities to more 

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quickly and cost effectively address 

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this challenge ? Yes , and are you 

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highlighted the extreme build up in the 

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space domain ? And that is certainly 

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concerning , uh , any ability 

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to increase capability . Capacity ? 

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Resiliency , uh , in the space domain 

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would be of benefit . And if confirmed , 

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I would support that right Admiral . 

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The Department of Defense is currently 

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developing a training program to enable 

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service members and civilian employees 

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to better understand and better 

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identify foreign malign influence 

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campaigns and cyber exploitation 

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generally as its target members as it's 

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targeting members and their families . 

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So my question to you , sir , is to 

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what extent have you contended with 

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these issues at the Pacific Fleet and 

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how will you perform ? Inform your 

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approach to Indo Pak Com personnel 

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related to this issue , 

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Senator , my team reviews my profile , 

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uh , in the cyber domain . And over the 

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past six months , they've removed over 

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250 false , 

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uh , sites that are claiming to be me . 

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I think that gets to the indication 

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that this is a persistent threat , as 

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was mentioned before low cost . Uh , 

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and we have to be on our game . We have 

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to understand what it means and 

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continue to defend against it . Thank 

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you . Thank you , Mr Chairman . Thank 

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you . Senator Peters . Uh , let me 

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recognize . Senator Scott , please . 

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Thank you . Mr . Chairman . Thank you 

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for your service . I had the 

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opportunity to serve in the Navy , and 

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it was a great experience . They didn't 

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pay me much , though . Um , do you , uh , 

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of course . I was 18 . Had no 

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experience to They shouldn't have . Uh , 

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do you believe that it's clear that 

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we've got to prevent Communist China 

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from controlling Taiwan ? It would be a 

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strategic necessity for the United 

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States to make sure Taiwan remains not 

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controlled by communist China . And the 

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loss of Taiwan would devastate our 

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ability to counter , uh , the 

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aggressive actions of communist China . 

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Yes , Senator . Again as the the the 

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policy identifies that through the 

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Taiwan Relations Act we support the 

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defense of Taiwan . Three communicates 

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and six assurances it's it would 

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negatively impact our standing in the 

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region If that were to happen , Uh , 

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and it would challenge the rest of our 

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allies and partners and the US 

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negatively impacting our ability to 

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operate freely in that area . When you 

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look at what common shine has done with 

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Hong Kong , why haven't they done done 

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even more aggressive with Taiwan ? Do 

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you think , 

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uh , I don't know how to answer that 

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one , Senator , Uh , judging from 

276
00:11:39,060 --> 00:11:40,727
intent , I think what I would 

277
00:11:40,727 --> 00:11:42,950
articulate is we've seen aggressive 

278
00:11:42,950 --> 00:11:45,590
actions earlier than we anticipated , 

279
00:11:45,590 --> 00:11:48,950
whether it be on the Indian border or 

280
00:11:48,950 --> 00:11:52,620
whether it be in Hong Kong or whether 

281
00:11:52,620 --> 00:11:55,270
it be against the wingers . We've seen 

282
00:11:55,270 --> 00:11:57,492
things that I don't think we expected . 

283
00:11:57,640 --> 00:12:00,200
And that's why I continue to talk about 

284
00:12:00,200 --> 00:12:02,200
a sense of urgency . We ought to be 

285
00:12:02,200 --> 00:12:05,960
prepared . Uh , today , Thank 

286
00:12:05,960 --> 00:12:08,330
you . I I introduced the Taiwan 

287
00:12:08,330 --> 00:12:10,510
Invasion Prevention Act to end the U . 

288
00:12:10,510 --> 00:12:13,450
S . Strategic ambiguity about Taiwan . 

289
00:12:13,840 --> 00:12:15,951
I believe it's time for the US to say 

290
00:12:15,951 --> 00:12:18,173
clearly that we will not absolutely not 

291
00:12:18,173 --> 00:12:20,173
allow communist China to invade and 

292
00:12:20,173 --> 00:12:22,340
subdue Taiwan and that both of us need 

293
00:12:22,340 --> 00:12:24,396
to . Both Taiwan , The United States 

294
00:12:24,396 --> 00:12:26,284
need to invest in the resources , 

295
00:12:26,284 --> 00:12:28,507
weapons , training , strategic dialogue 

296
00:12:28,507 --> 00:12:30,673
to ensure that she understands that he 

297
00:12:30,673 --> 00:12:32,729
has nothing to gain from using force 

298
00:12:32,729 --> 00:12:34,840
against Taiwan . It's not calling for 

299
00:12:34,840 --> 00:12:36,951
their independence owing that we need 

300
00:12:36,951 --> 00:12:38,729
to meet the threat that she has 

301
00:12:38,729 --> 00:12:40,562
announced through his aggressive 

302
00:12:40,562 --> 00:12:42,562
actions . What are your thoughts on 

303
00:12:42,562 --> 00:12:46,070
this , Senator ? The current policies 

304
00:12:46,070 --> 00:12:48,960
have , uh , been able to keep the 

305
00:12:48,960 --> 00:12:51,127
status quo in place . Now for a number 

306
00:12:51,127 --> 00:12:55,040
of years . Uh , I would be open 

307
00:12:55,040 --> 00:12:57,440
to and hope to be , if confirmed 

308
00:12:57,440 --> 00:12:59,551
included in any conversation . Should 

309
00:12:59,551 --> 00:13:03,280
we decide to change or just that 

310
00:13:03,280 --> 00:13:05,400
policy , we would have to ensure we 

311
00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:09,230
understand the risk and be extremely 

312
00:13:09,230 --> 00:13:11,452
thoughtful . If we were to go down that 

313
00:13:11,452 --> 00:13:13,674
path , what ? What else do you think we 

314
00:13:13,674 --> 00:13:16,040
need to do to make sure that , uh , she 

315
00:13:16,040 --> 00:13:18,207
doesn't decide to invade Taiwan ? What 

316
00:13:18,207 --> 00:13:20,262
should be doing that we're not doing 

317
00:13:20,262 --> 00:13:23,210
right now , Senator , I think an 

318
00:13:23,220 --> 00:13:25,340
increase in our forward deterrent 

319
00:13:25,350 --> 00:13:27,620
posture , as identified by Admiral 

320
00:13:27,620 --> 00:13:29,620
Davidson and the Pacific Deterrence 

321
00:13:29,620 --> 00:13:32,680
Initiative is a great first start , but 

322
00:13:32,690 --> 00:13:35,570
capable lethal forces west of the 

323
00:13:35,570 --> 00:13:37,459
Dateline to be able to respond on 

324
00:13:37,459 --> 00:13:40,320
extremely short notice , combined with 

325
00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:42,460
synchronization with our allies and 

326
00:13:42,460 --> 00:13:45,630
partners to ensure that all understand 

327
00:13:45,630 --> 00:13:47,408
that that's not within the best 

328
00:13:47,408 --> 00:13:50,610
interests of anyone in the theater . Do 

329
00:13:50,610 --> 00:13:53,490
you think we have the right the right 

330
00:13:53,500 --> 00:13:55,570
resources so Taiwan will not get 

331
00:13:55,570 --> 00:13:58,350
overwhelmed by the aggressive acts of 

332
00:13:58,360 --> 00:14:02,280
Communist China ? Senator , I'm really 

333
00:14:02,280 --> 00:14:05,830
encouraged by the actions of Taiwan in 

334
00:14:05,830 --> 00:14:07,997
accordance with the Taiwan Defense Act 

335
00:14:07,997 --> 00:14:10,052
with regard to the capabilities that 

336
00:14:10,052 --> 00:14:12,860
they are purchasing with regard to the 

337
00:14:12,870 --> 00:14:14,926
indigenous capabilities that they're 

338
00:14:14,926 --> 00:14:18,470
pursuing . Uh , all for the 

339
00:14:18,470 --> 00:14:22,310
defense of where they live and 

340
00:14:22,320 --> 00:14:24,720
that has to continue . Do you think , 

341
00:14:24,730 --> 00:14:27,030
uh , Japan is getting prepared for 

342
00:14:27,030 --> 00:14:29,300
aggressive actions by doing enough to 

343
00:14:29,300 --> 00:14:31,522
get prepared for the aggressive actions 

344
00:14:31,522 --> 00:14:33,244
the Communist China clearly is 

345
00:14:33,244 --> 00:14:35,133
threatening for the region to the 

346
00:14:35,133 --> 00:14:38,460
region is Senator Japan is the 

347
00:14:38,460 --> 00:14:40,404
cornerstone of the alliance in the 

348
00:14:40,404 --> 00:14:42,516
region . Uh , I think they've watched 

349
00:14:42,516 --> 00:14:44,460
all of the events you and I talked 

350
00:14:44,460 --> 00:14:47,040
about a few minutes ago . Uh , and they 

351
00:14:47,050 --> 00:14:49,290
understand . What does that translate 

352
00:14:49,300 --> 00:14:51,467
as it applies to them ? If you were to 

353
00:14:51,467 --> 00:14:55,130
think of the Senkaku Islands , uh , I 

354
00:14:55,130 --> 00:14:58,870
believe that they are concerned . I'm 

355
00:14:58,870 --> 00:15:00,259
extremely happy with the 

356
00:15:00,259 --> 00:15:02,580
interoperability , coordination and 

357
00:15:02,580 --> 00:15:04,858
relationship we have with the Japanese . 

358
00:15:04,858 --> 00:15:07,740
I think it's a strong , as I said , 

359
00:15:07,740 --> 00:15:10,220
cornerstone to the foundation in 

360
00:15:10,230 --> 00:15:12,230
executing the terms in the region . 

361
00:15:12,640 --> 00:15:14,620
Thanks for your service . Thanks . 

362
00:15:14,630 --> 00:15:16,630
Thank you . Senator Scott . Senator 

363
00:15:16,630 --> 00:15:18,519
Manchin , please . Thank you , Mr 

364
00:15:18,519 --> 00:15:20,574
Chairman . And thank you , Admiral . 

365
00:15:20,574 --> 00:15:22,686
And first of all , thank you for your 

366
00:15:22,686 --> 00:15:21,820
service . And I want to thank your 

367
00:15:21,820 --> 00:15:23,987
family for supporting your service . I 

368
00:15:23,987 --> 00:15:26,209
know it's a family event in an affair , 

369
00:15:26,340 --> 00:15:28,340
sir . One of Admiral Davidson's top 

370
00:15:28,340 --> 00:15:30,118
priorities as a mission partner 

371
00:15:30,118 --> 00:15:32,007
environment that would serve as a 

372
00:15:32,007 --> 00:15:34,229
common platform for our partners in the 

373
00:15:34,229 --> 00:15:36,284
Pacific to work collaborative in the 

374
00:15:36,284 --> 00:15:38,507
cyber domain . So you share the urgency 

375
00:15:38,507 --> 00:15:40,562
promoting greater interoperability , 

376
00:15:40,562 --> 00:15:42,229
interoperability of the cyber 

377
00:15:42,229 --> 00:15:44,451
operations with our allies and partners 

378
00:15:44,451 --> 00:15:47,130
in the Pacific . Senator ? Absolutely . 

379
00:15:47,140 --> 00:15:49,850
The mission partner environment , uh , 

380
00:15:50,540 --> 00:15:54,000
generates synchronization ability to 

381
00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:56,000
command and control beyond just the 

382
00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:59,030
cyber domain . So think S r think 

383
00:15:59,030 --> 00:16:02,050
coordination operations of planning all 

384
00:16:02,050 --> 00:16:04,217
the way to execution . It's absolutely 

385
00:16:04,217 --> 00:16:06,439
critical . Have you had to have you had 

386
00:16:06,439 --> 00:16:08,661
to coordinate , uh , with cyber command 

387
00:16:08,661 --> 00:16:10,828
in your past ? If you worked with them 

388
00:16:10,828 --> 00:16:13,640
in the past ? Senator at the Pac fleet 

389
00:16:13,640 --> 00:16:17,040
level , I have a support organization 

390
00:16:17,040 --> 00:16:19,780
and cyber , but I don't personally to 

391
00:16:19,790 --> 00:16:22,068
coordinate directly with cyber command . 

392
00:16:22,068 --> 00:16:24,068
That's Emerald Davidson's role . If 

393
00:16:24,068 --> 00:16:26,790
confirmed , I certainly would . Our 

394
00:16:26,790 --> 00:16:29,012
current major ballistic missile defense 

395
00:16:29,012 --> 00:16:31,090
assets in the end of , uh , com 

396
00:16:31,100 --> 00:16:34,330
includes Todd South Korean , Guam Ages , 

397
00:16:34,330 --> 00:16:36,219
systems and service with US Naval 

398
00:16:36,219 --> 00:16:38,750
assets in the Pacific and the Japanese 

399
00:16:38,750 --> 00:16:40,970
Navy and Patriot missile capability in 

400
00:16:40,970 --> 00:16:43,026
South Korea and Japan . With Japan's 

401
00:16:43,026 --> 00:16:45,150
uncertainty , uncertainty on age is a 

402
00:16:45,150 --> 00:16:47,430
short construction were an even greater 

403
00:16:47,430 --> 00:16:49,374
disadvantage sustaining a credible 

404
00:16:49,374 --> 00:16:51,230
military deterrence against our 

405
00:16:51,230 --> 00:16:53,390
competitors . So where do you assess 

406
00:16:53,390 --> 00:16:55,501
the greater vulnerability exists when 

407
00:16:55,501 --> 00:16:57,446
it comes to missile defense in the 

408
00:16:57,446 --> 00:16:59,501
Pacific ? And how do you plan to fix 

409
00:16:59,501 --> 00:17:02,040
these , Senator The missile defense ? 

410
00:17:02,080 --> 00:17:05,490
Uh , concern is throughout the theater . 

411
00:17:05,500 --> 00:17:08,780
Sure , uh , I think mostly with Japan 

412
00:17:08,780 --> 00:17:11,058
pulling back because of public support , 

413
00:17:11,058 --> 00:17:13,224
pulling out of the ages . Where do you 

414
00:17:13,224 --> 00:17:15,870
see that ? That that that troubled me 

415
00:17:15,880 --> 00:17:17,880
being a great ally , that they have 

416
00:17:17,880 --> 00:17:20,102
been all of a sudden public opinion and 

417
00:17:20,102 --> 00:17:22,102
they pull out of the defense that I 

418
00:17:22,102 --> 00:17:24,324
think is needed for their own country ? 

419
00:17:24,324 --> 00:17:26,547
Yes , Senator . So again , I think what 

420
00:17:26,547 --> 00:17:28,658
they've done is they've decided to re 

421
00:17:28,658 --> 00:17:30,713
look at whether agents assure is the 

422
00:17:30,713 --> 00:17:32,880
right answer . Uh , they certainly are 

423
00:17:32,880 --> 00:17:32,710
partnered with us in the form of their 

424
00:17:32,710 --> 00:17:36,160
ages . Destroyers . Uh , I think we 

425
00:17:36,160 --> 00:17:39,240
have a shared , uh , responsibility and 

426
00:17:39,240 --> 00:17:41,750
requirement to protect forces in Japan . 

427
00:17:41,750 --> 00:17:43,750
I look forward if confirmed to work 

428
00:17:43,750 --> 00:17:45,917
with the Japanese to try to get to the 

429
00:17:45,917 --> 00:17:48,028
right answer for them . Are you aware 

430
00:17:48,028 --> 00:17:50,250
of any assistance being offered by Indo 

431
00:17:50,250 --> 00:17:52,030
Pak , um , to provide community 

432
00:17:52,030 --> 00:17:54,920
engagement in Japan to help to help 

433
00:17:54,920 --> 00:17:57,450
relieve or ease the public concern at 

434
00:17:57,450 --> 00:17:59,617
this point in time ? If not , it might 

435
00:17:59,617 --> 00:18:01,839
be a good good position for you to take 

436
00:18:01,839 --> 00:18:03,894
on that one . Yes , Senator . So I'm 

437
00:18:03,894 --> 00:18:06,172
gonna wanna unaware of my current seat . 

438
00:18:06,172 --> 00:18:08,172
Uh , if confirmed , I would look to 

439
00:18:08,172 --> 00:18:10,650
work with a missile defense agency to 

440
00:18:10,650 --> 00:18:13,130
ensure , and I'd be surprised if 

441
00:18:13,130 --> 00:18:15,241
Admiral Davidson was not having those 

442
00:18:15,241 --> 00:18:17,650
conversations with his counterparts . 

443
00:18:17,660 --> 00:18:20,570
Okay . And speaking of Admiral Davidson 

444
00:18:20,570 --> 00:18:22,920
back in 2018 during his confirmation 

445
00:18:22,920 --> 00:18:25,031
hearing that China is already capable 

446
00:18:25,031 --> 00:18:27,520
of controlling the South China Sea in 

447
00:18:27,520 --> 00:18:30,400
any scenario short of war with the US 

448
00:18:30,410 --> 00:18:32,730
here we are . Three years later , uh , 

449
00:18:32,740 --> 00:18:35,120
we've heard repeated testimony that 

450
00:18:35,120 --> 00:18:38,110
China has increased its naval forces 

451
00:18:38,110 --> 00:18:40,277
its Coast Guard and other paramilitary 

452
00:18:40,340 --> 00:18:43,100
forces . So what's stopping them right 

453
00:18:43,100 --> 00:18:45,610
now from exercising their capability 

454
00:18:45,610 --> 00:18:48,930
whenever they feel like it of 

455
00:18:48,930 --> 00:18:51,770
controlling the South China Sea ? Uh , 

456
00:18:51,780 --> 00:18:53,860
the U S Joint forces in the region 

457
00:18:54,540 --> 00:18:57,880
Senator , the partner nations stronger , 

458
00:18:57,880 --> 00:18:59,991
and we haven't done anything to deter 

459
00:18:59,991 --> 00:19:01,769
it . They've taken these little 

460
00:19:01,769 --> 00:19:03,658
outcrops and made them into major 

461
00:19:03,690 --> 00:19:06,840
military bases . Yeah , I would . I 

462
00:19:06,840 --> 00:19:09,280
would somewhat disagree with the We 

463
00:19:09,280 --> 00:19:11,391
haven't taken any action . I think if 

464
00:19:11,391 --> 00:19:13,690
you look at the events we've executed 

465
00:19:13,690 --> 00:19:15,857
over the past couple of years and I'll 

466
00:19:15,857 --> 00:19:17,912
speak from my role as a specifically 

467
00:19:17,912 --> 00:19:20,079
commander multiple dual carrier strike 

468
00:19:20,079 --> 00:19:22,301
group operations in the South China Sea 

469
00:19:22,301 --> 00:19:24,490
the most funds in Taiwan Strait 

470
00:19:24,490 --> 00:19:26,490
transits that have been executed in 

471
00:19:26,490 --> 00:19:30,170
recent years uh , multiple 

472
00:19:30,420 --> 00:19:32,760
bilateral and multilateral operations 

473
00:19:32,760 --> 00:19:34,982
with our partners and allies all in the 

474
00:19:34,982 --> 00:19:37,650
South China Sea . Uh , I think would 

475
00:19:37,650 --> 00:19:41,440
highlight that we can and will continue 

476
00:19:41,440 --> 00:19:43,607
to operate . How do you mean that in a 

477
00:19:43,607 --> 00:19:46,360
uh detrimental way ? I meant that in 

478
00:19:46,360 --> 00:19:48,800
saying that they have taken small 

479
00:19:48,800 --> 00:19:50,967
outcrops and continually enlarge those 

480
00:19:50,967 --> 00:19:53,850
into a military confines , if you will . 

481
00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:56,460
We are . No one else seemed to be able 

482
00:19:56,460 --> 00:19:58,516
to stop that or prevent that or took 

483
00:19:58,516 --> 00:20:01,060
any actions before they got to the , uh 

484
00:20:01,070 --> 00:20:02,959
to the size they are now into the 

485
00:20:02,959 --> 00:20:03,959
operability are 

486
00:20:06,540 --> 00:20:08,707
yes . And we certainly haven't changed 

487
00:20:08,707 --> 00:20:10,860
their desire nor intent , nor ability 

488
00:20:10,870 --> 00:20:13,750
to to execute the largest military 

489
00:20:13,750 --> 00:20:15,750
build up we've seen in a while . So 

490
00:20:15,750 --> 00:20:17,639
it's safe to say that basically , 

491
00:20:17,639 --> 00:20:19,583
unless we're going to have a major 

492
00:20:19,583 --> 00:20:21,639
presence as you just outlined in the 

493
00:20:21,639 --> 00:20:23,750
South China Sea , then they will have 

494
00:20:23,750 --> 00:20:25,806
total control of that . I think that 

495
00:20:25,806 --> 00:20:27,806
credible forward presence again not 

496
00:20:27,806 --> 00:20:29,972
just the United States but with allies 

497
00:20:29,972 --> 00:20:32,306
and partners is the best current option , 

498
00:20:32,306 --> 00:20:34,361
uh , to ensure that we can keep that 

499
00:20:34,361 --> 00:20:36,583
space free and open . Thank you , sir . 

500
00:20:36,583 --> 00:20:38,806
And I look forward to your confirmation 

501
00:20:38,806 --> 00:20:40,861
and look forward to voting for you . 

502
00:20:41,240 --> 00:20:43,462
Thank you , Senator . Imagine now , let 

503
00:20:43,462 --> 00:20:45,407
me recognize . Via WebEx , Senator 

504
00:20:45,407 --> 00:20:48,020
Blackburn . Thank you , Mr Chairman . 

505
00:20:48,020 --> 00:20:51,260
Thank you so much for allowing , uh , 

506
00:20:56,040 --> 00:20:59,710
for being generous with your time . We 

507
00:20:59,720 --> 00:21:02,970
appreciate that and appreciate your 

508
00:21:02,970 --> 00:21:06,840
service to our country . I want to talk 

509
00:21:06,840 --> 00:21:10,590
with you just a little bit about 

510
00:21:10,600 --> 00:21:14,240
China and our Chinese counterparts . 

511
00:21:14,250 --> 00:21:18,240
You know that , uh , some deterrence 

512
00:21:18,240 --> 00:21:21,580
and the Pacific Deterrence Initiative . 

513
00:21:21,590 --> 00:21:24,160
These are things that are important to 

514
00:21:24,160 --> 00:21:26,960
me . And our diplomats had a 

515
00:21:27,440 --> 00:21:31,390
contentious encounter last week in 

516
00:21:31,390 --> 00:21:35,180
Alaska and Beijing's foreign 

517
00:21:35,190 --> 00:21:38,080
affairs chief director Yang . This was 

518
00:21:38,080 --> 00:21:40,940
his statement . The U . S does not have 

519
00:21:40,940 --> 00:21:43,470
the qualification to say that it wants 

520
00:21:43,470 --> 00:21:46,670
to speak to China from a position of 

521
00:21:46,680 --> 00:21:50,480
strength . And if Congress 

522
00:21:50,490 --> 00:21:53,860
fully funds the Pacific Deterrence 

523
00:21:53,860 --> 00:21:57,750
Initiative at the levels proposed in 

524
00:21:57,760 --> 00:22:00,230
Admiral Davidson's assessment and 

525
00:22:00,230 --> 00:22:02,174
listening to you this morning , it 

526
00:22:02,174 --> 00:22:03,952
sounds as if you're in complete 

527
00:22:03,952 --> 00:22:06,860
agreement with that , um , talk to us 

528
00:22:06,860 --> 00:22:08,670
about how we 

529
00:22:09,640 --> 00:22:12,800
communicate that we believe we 

530
00:22:12,800 --> 00:22:16,190
hold that position of strength in 

531
00:22:16,190 --> 00:22:19,970
communicating with Beijing . Uh , 

532
00:22:19,980 --> 00:22:22,490
thank you , Senator . Uh , I think what 

533
00:22:22,490 --> 00:22:24,712
you described is what competition looks 

534
00:22:24,712 --> 00:22:27,560
like in the future , uh , 

535
00:22:28,340 --> 00:22:30,396
actions that we would take to ensure 

536
00:22:30,396 --> 00:22:33,750
credible deterrence , the desire to not 

537
00:22:33,760 --> 00:22:36,380
have conflict by the actions and 

538
00:22:36,380 --> 00:22:38,102
operations that we execute and 

539
00:22:38,102 --> 00:22:40,520
understanding that there are things 

540
00:22:40,520 --> 00:22:43,240
that we will do that our competitor 

541
00:22:43,240 --> 00:22:46,890
will not find very good for 

542
00:22:46,890 --> 00:22:49,460
them . So I think we have to be ready 

543
00:22:49,460 --> 00:22:51,690
and have to understand what does that 

544
00:22:51,690 --> 00:22:55,270
competition space look like ? Uh , 

545
00:22:56,840 --> 00:23:00,020
and continue to execute those things 

546
00:23:00,020 --> 00:23:02,450
that will allow us to keep the status 

547
00:23:02,450 --> 00:23:06,250
quo . Well , and I think probably 

548
00:23:06,250 --> 00:23:09,140
two . That you would agree that a 

549
00:23:09,150 --> 00:23:12,680
keeping these budgetary top lines that 

550
00:23:12,690 --> 00:23:15,720
are going to give you what you need 

551
00:23:15,730 --> 00:23:19,390
should be a priority as we look at our 

552
00:23:19,400 --> 00:23:22,440
end . Okay . Calm , uh , initiatives . 

553
00:23:22,450 --> 00:23:25,840
Um , let me ask you this , 

554
00:23:25,850 --> 00:23:29,700
okay ? When you look at P . D . 

555
00:23:29,700 --> 00:23:33,160
I combined command control networks 

556
00:23:33,540 --> 00:23:36,810
and , um , the mission partner 

557
00:23:36,820 --> 00:23:40,530
environment , uh , in relation 

558
00:23:40,530 --> 00:23:44,370
to interoperability and the needs 

559
00:23:44,380 --> 00:23:48,360
of our regional security partners . 

560
00:23:48,370 --> 00:23:51,080
And we look at this through the lens of 

561
00:23:51,080 --> 00:23:54,900
cyber through the lens of technology . 

562
00:23:54,910 --> 00:23:58,450
Um , tell me what concerns 

563
00:23:58,460 --> 00:24:01,480
you about China's aggressiveness in 

564
00:24:01,490 --> 00:24:04,080
this great power competition when it 

565
00:24:04,080 --> 00:24:07,100
comes to technology to hardware to 

566
00:24:07,100 --> 00:24:10,240
setting standards to infrastructure to 

567
00:24:10,240 --> 00:24:14,080
their cyber capabilities . Uh , thanks , 

568
00:24:14,080 --> 00:24:16,960
Senator . So the key with the mission 

569
00:24:16,960 --> 00:24:19,480
partner environment is that it would 

570
00:24:19,490 --> 00:24:22,630
absolutely must be cyber 

571
00:24:22,630 --> 00:24:24,960
secure . We would not 

572
00:24:25,440 --> 00:24:29,340
benefit from allowing the p 

573
00:24:29,340 --> 00:24:31,790
l . A to be able to infiltrate that 

574
00:24:31,790 --> 00:24:33,901
network . So all the benefits that it 

575
00:24:33,901 --> 00:24:35,790
provides for interoperability for 

576
00:24:35,790 --> 00:24:37,957
command and control for resilience and 

577
00:24:37,957 --> 00:24:41,280
reassurance . Uh , the concern would 

578
00:24:41,280 --> 00:24:43,810
be the cybersecurity of that 

579
00:24:43,810 --> 00:24:46,440
environment , and it would have to be 

580
00:24:46,450 --> 00:24:48,450
top on the list of priorities as it 

581
00:24:48,450 --> 00:24:51,460
were developed well in that regard . 

582
00:24:51,460 --> 00:24:53,682
What about the vulnerabilities that are 

583
00:24:53,682 --> 00:24:56,360
associated with cloud computed 

584
00:24:56,370 --> 00:25:00,270
computing and integrated systems ? Mhm . 

585
00:25:01,140 --> 00:25:02,960
Thanks , Senator . So those 

586
00:25:02,960 --> 00:25:05,127
technological advances , I think while 

587
00:25:05,127 --> 00:25:07,520
they identify vulnerabilities , also 

588
00:25:07,530 --> 00:25:11,380
have opportunities . Uh , So as we 

589
00:25:11,380 --> 00:25:13,269
shift and take advantage of those 

590
00:25:13,269 --> 00:25:15,269
things again , we have to make sure 

591
00:25:15,269 --> 00:25:18,260
that their cyber secure and unable to 

592
00:25:18,260 --> 00:25:19,260
be infiltrated . 

593
00:25:21,040 --> 00:25:24,430
Thank you . Just a quick yes or no from 

594
00:25:24,430 --> 00:25:27,230
you . Should we be increasing our 

595
00:25:27,230 --> 00:25:30,770
bilateral participation in exercises 

596
00:25:30,770 --> 00:25:31,770
with Taiwan ? 

597
00:25:34,840 --> 00:25:37,370
Senator , we should continue to execute 

598
00:25:37,370 --> 00:25:39,481
those things that we do with Taiwan . 

599
00:25:39,481 --> 00:25:42,810
And should there be a policy shift 

600
00:25:42,820 --> 00:25:44,987
again ? If confirmed , I hope to be in 

601
00:25:44,987 --> 00:25:47,360
those conversations . We do exercise 

602
00:25:47,370 --> 00:25:49,870
with Taiwan . We We have visits with 

603
00:25:49,870 --> 00:25:53,700
Taiwan . We have consultations . Uh , 

604
00:25:53,710 --> 00:25:55,543
all of those are contributing to 

605
00:25:55,543 --> 00:25:58,220
Taiwan's defense . Thank you . Thank 

606
00:25:58,220 --> 00:26:00,553
you , Mr Chairman . Thank you , Senator . 

607
00:26:00,553 --> 00:26:02,609
Let me now recognize senator dot org 

608
00:26:02,609 --> 00:26:06,350
via WebEx . Mhm . Thank you , Mr 

609
00:26:06,350 --> 00:26:08,517
Chairman . Admiral . Actually , no , I 

610
00:26:08,517 --> 00:26:10,628
appreciate our call last week , and I 

611
00:26:10,628 --> 00:26:12,850
am glad we were able to discuss some of 

612
00:26:12,850 --> 00:26:14,794
the biggest challenges that you're 

613
00:26:14,794 --> 00:26:16,683
facing your confirmed , including 

614
00:26:16,683 --> 00:26:18,739
improving our logistics capabilities 

615
00:26:18,739 --> 00:26:20,628
and capacity in the Indo Pak calm 

616
00:26:20,628 --> 00:26:22,794
region . In addition to agree that our 

617
00:26:22,794 --> 00:26:24,628
logistics enterprises absolutely 

618
00:26:24,628 --> 00:26:26,710
foundational to having a combat 

619
00:26:26,710 --> 00:26:28,820
credible deterrent , I feel that we 

620
00:26:28,820 --> 00:26:30,931
were very much on the same page about 

621
00:26:30,931 --> 00:26:33,098
the need to strengthen our partnership 

622
00:26:33,098 --> 00:26:35,376
with the various nations in the region . 

623
00:26:35,376 --> 00:26:37,542
You and I have both heard our regional 

624
00:26:37,542 --> 00:26:39,876
partners say that they want a greater U . 

625
00:26:39,876 --> 00:26:42,042
S presence in the Indo Pacific so that 

626
00:26:42,042 --> 00:26:44,264
they have alternatives to the communist 

627
00:26:44,264 --> 00:26:46,209
p R C when it comes to trading and 

628
00:26:46,209 --> 00:26:48,153
security partners . But the tragic 

629
00:26:48,153 --> 00:26:50,376
murders of eight people in Atlanta last 

630
00:26:50,376 --> 00:26:52,209
week , six of them of East Asian 

631
00:26:52,209 --> 00:26:54,153
descent , highlighted a disturbing 

632
00:26:54,153 --> 00:26:56,380
trend of an increasing violence and 

633
00:26:56,380 --> 00:26:58,730
hate towards Asians and Asian Americans 

634
00:26:58,730 --> 00:27:00,952
in this country , particularly those of 

635
00:27:00,952 --> 00:27:03,250
East Asian descent . Regardless of the 

636
00:27:03,250 --> 00:27:05,028
state of motive for last week's 

637
00:27:05,028 --> 00:27:07,028
shooting , there is no arguing that 

638
00:27:07,028 --> 00:27:09,250
cities across the country are reporting 

639
00:27:09,250 --> 00:27:11,306
a drastic increase in violent crimes 

640
00:27:11,306 --> 00:27:13,417
and discriminations targeting members 

641
00:27:13,417 --> 00:27:15,528
of the Aapi community . It's also not 

642
00:27:15,528 --> 00:27:17,639
hard to see a correlation between the 

643
00:27:17,639 --> 00:27:20,420
stark rise in anti Asian bigotry and a 

644
00:27:20,430 --> 00:27:22,374
former commander in chief , Donald 

645
00:27:22,374 --> 00:27:24,910
Trump , lately using hateful and racist 

646
00:27:24,910 --> 00:27:26,521
language such as calling the 

647
00:27:26,521 --> 00:27:28,630
coronavirus , the kung flu or the 

648
00:27:28,630 --> 00:27:30,950
Chinese virus long after such 

649
00:27:30,950 --> 00:27:32,506
terminology has been deemed 

650
00:27:32,506 --> 00:27:35,420
inappropriate and harmful . Shockingly , 

651
00:27:35,430 --> 00:27:37,374
Trump spread spread such bigotry , 

652
00:27:37,374 --> 00:27:39,486
despite the FBI producing a report as 

653
00:27:39,486 --> 00:27:41,700
early as March 2020 that included a 

654
00:27:41,700 --> 00:27:44,210
clear and chilling assessment . Hate 

655
00:27:44,210 --> 00:27:46,760
crime and I quote hate crimes against 

656
00:27:46,780 --> 00:27:48,669
incidents against Asian Americans 

657
00:27:48,669 --> 00:27:50,724
likely will search across the United 

658
00:27:50,724 --> 00:27:52,947
States due to the spread of coronavirus 

659
00:27:52,947 --> 00:27:54,891
disease endangering Asian American 

660
00:27:54,891 --> 00:27:56,910
communities . And just last week , 

661
00:27:56,920 --> 00:27:59,087
Gallup released a poll that found over 

662
00:27:59,087 --> 00:28:00,976
the past year , the percentage of 

663
00:28:00,976 --> 00:28:03,130
Americans who considered China to be 

664
00:28:03,140 --> 00:28:05,362
the United States' greatest enemy today 

665
00:28:05,362 --> 00:28:08,830
rose from 22% in February 2020 and 45% 

666
00:28:08,830 --> 00:28:10,960
when measured last month . Let me be 

667
00:28:10,960 --> 00:28:13,016
clear . There's a difference between 

668
00:28:13,016 --> 00:28:15,182
expressing opposition to the Chinese , 

669
00:28:15,182 --> 00:28:17,127
the communist Chinese government's 

670
00:28:17,127 --> 00:28:18,960
aggressive economic and military 

671
00:28:18,960 --> 00:28:21,182
practice practices , which I absolutely 

672
00:28:21,182 --> 00:28:23,560
support opposing them and ignorantly 

673
00:28:23,560 --> 00:28:26,170
blaming Asian people , especially those 

674
00:28:26,180 --> 00:28:27,847
of East Asian descent for the 

675
00:28:27,847 --> 00:28:30,410
coronavirus pandemic . Blaming the API 

676
00:28:30,410 --> 00:28:32,521
community for public health crisis is 

677
00:28:32,521 --> 00:28:34,960
racist and wrong , and I'm increasingly 

678
00:28:34,960 --> 00:28:36,738
concerned that it will hurt our 

679
00:28:36,738 --> 00:28:38,849
relationship with our partners in the 

680
00:28:38,849 --> 00:28:41,350
Indo Pacific region . Actually , no . 

681
00:28:41,360 --> 00:28:43,249
When American leaders make racist 

682
00:28:43,249 --> 00:28:45,304
statements about Asians and American 

683
00:28:45,304 --> 00:28:47,880
citizens participated anti Asian eight . 

684
00:28:47,890 --> 00:28:49,940
How does it harm the United States 

685
00:28:49,940 --> 00:28:52,370
credibility and reputation in the Indo 

686
00:28:52,370 --> 00:28:54,481
Pacific region ? And please make sure 

687
00:28:54,481 --> 00:28:56,648
to address how such bigotry and racist 

688
00:28:56,648 --> 00:28:58,759
violence undermines our relationships 

689
00:28:58,759 --> 00:29:00,814
with our allies and partners who may 

690
00:29:00,814 --> 00:29:02,592
already be facing challenges in 

691
00:29:02,592 --> 00:29:04,370
defending our presence in their 

692
00:29:04,370 --> 00:29:06,481
respective nation states As views and 

693
00:29:06,481 --> 00:29:08,592
attitudes towards the US evolved with 

694
00:29:08,592 --> 00:29:11,080
younger generations . Uh , thank you , 

695
00:29:11,080 --> 00:29:13,880
senator , to your first point . Uh , 

696
00:29:13,890 --> 00:29:15,446
and you and I have had this 

697
00:29:15,446 --> 00:29:17,501
conversation , right ? Professionals 

698
00:29:17,501 --> 00:29:20,270
talk logistics . So all of our efforts 

699
00:29:20,280 --> 00:29:22,760
in the region are underpinned . And , 

700
00:29:23,240 --> 00:29:25,170
uh , the relationships with our 

701
00:29:25,180 --> 00:29:27,291
partners and allies will certainly be 

702
00:29:27,291 --> 00:29:29,069
required to help us set up this 

703
00:29:29,069 --> 00:29:31,010
enabling network and support our 

704
00:29:31,010 --> 00:29:34,850
logistics issues . So thanks for that . 

705
00:29:35,240 --> 00:29:38,060
Um , uh , to your second point , 

706
00:29:38,540 --> 00:29:41,960
what I owe and what we all owe 

707
00:29:42,340 --> 00:29:45,520
are incredibly brave . Service members 

708
00:29:45,530 --> 00:29:48,460
is a safe , comfortable place where 

709
00:29:48,460 --> 00:29:52,270
they can work and execute the oath that 

710
00:29:52,270 --> 00:29:55,210
they have taken . So there's no place 

711
00:29:55,220 --> 00:29:58,870
in our ranks for any type of 

712
00:29:58,870 --> 00:30:02,060
discrimination , whether it be against 

713
00:30:02,070 --> 00:30:05,850
Asians , whether it be race , creed , 

714
00:30:05,850 --> 00:30:09,720
color . Uh , you name it , uh , it's 

715
00:30:09,720 --> 00:30:11,980
just completely unacceptable . It 

716
00:30:11,980 --> 00:30:15,120
degrades from our readiness . Uh , and 

717
00:30:15,120 --> 00:30:17,231
if confirmed , I can tell you it will 

718
00:30:17,231 --> 00:30:20,600
not be tolerated . So how 

719
00:30:20,600 --> 00:30:23,930
does , um , the rise in hate crimes 

720
00:30:23,930 --> 00:30:25,930
against Asian Americans and hateful 

721
00:30:25,930 --> 00:30:28,263
rhetoric at the top ranks of government ? 

722
00:30:28,263 --> 00:30:29,930
Um , and the absolute lack of 

723
00:30:29,930 --> 00:30:32,152
representation at the very top ranks of 

724
00:30:32,152 --> 00:30:34,319
the Biden administration of a P I s in 

725
00:30:34,319 --> 00:30:36,541
secretarial positions are higher . Uh , 

726
00:30:36,541 --> 00:30:38,708
levels affect our relationships in the 

727
00:30:38,708 --> 00:30:40,874
end up a calm region . I mean , you're 

728
00:30:40,874 --> 00:30:42,930
going to be going in there trying to 

729
00:30:42,930 --> 00:30:45,152
make alliances and with folks in in the 

730
00:30:45,152 --> 00:30:47,319
end up a calm region , and yet we have 

731
00:30:47,319 --> 00:30:49,486
Asians being shot down . And we have , 

732
00:30:49,486 --> 00:30:51,541
uh , even members of Congress , uh , 

733
00:30:51,541 --> 00:30:53,541
targeting Asian Americans with hate 

734
00:30:53,541 --> 00:30:55,486
with hate rhetoric . How does that 

735
00:30:55,486 --> 00:30:57,374
affect your job trying to develop 

736
00:30:57,374 --> 00:31:00,180
relationships in the region , Senator , 

737
00:31:00,180 --> 00:31:02,180
our relationships in the region are 

738
00:31:02,180 --> 00:31:05,450
critical . I have and will continue 

739
00:31:05,940 --> 00:31:07,770
to say that 

740
00:31:10,640 --> 00:31:14,090
as a diverse military , we continue to 

741
00:31:14,090 --> 00:31:16,360
ensure that our values are understood . 

742
00:31:16,740 --> 00:31:19,160
I believe our allies and partners 

743
00:31:19,200 --> 00:31:21,700
understand that when they talk with us 

744
00:31:21,710 --> 00:31:24,540
that we speak from a position of shared 

745
00:31:24,540 --> 00:31:26,980
values . And as I said , if confirmed , 

746
00:31:26,980 --> 00:31:29,202
I will do everything possible to ensure 

747
00:31:29,202 --> 00:31:31,313
none of that discrimination is a part 

748
00:31:31,313 --> 00:31:33,258
of how the Indo Pacific operates . 

749
00:31:34,140 --> 00:31:36,307
Thank you . I have every confidence in 

750
00:31:36,307 --> 00:31:38,584
your commitment to diversity , Admiral . 

751
00:31:38,584 --> 00:31:40,807
And you've shown that in your service . 

752
00:31:40,807 --> 00:31:40,690
And you've shown that in your 

753
00:31:40,690 --> 00:31:42,801
conversations with me and I thank you 

754
00:31:42,801 --> 00:31:44,960
for continuing to be a leader both in 

755
00:31:44,960 --> 00:31:47,071
the military , but also when it comes 

756
00:31:47,071 --> 00:31:49,182
to diversity in that military that we 

757
00:31:49,182 --> 00:31:51,349
both love . Thank you . Are you back , 

758
00:31:51,349 --> 00:31:53,404
Mr Chairman ? Thank you . Center dot 

759
00:31:53,404 --> 00:31:55,738
org Central . Holy , please . Thank you , 

760
00:31:55,738 --> 00:31:58,071
Mr Chairman . Admiral , good to see you . 

761
00:31:58,071 --> 00:32:00,127
I appreciated our conversation . And 

762
00:32:00,127 --> 00:32:02,460
congratulations on your nomination . Uh , 

763
00:32:02,460 --> 00:32:02,150
I want to start by revisiting something 

764
00:32:02,150 --> 00:32:04,317
that you and I talked about it at some 

765
00:32:04,317 --> 00:32:06,483
length when we visited that which is , 

766
00:32:06,483 --> 00:32:08,483
uh , the situation in Taiwan . Both 

767
00:32:08,483 --> 00:32:10,428
Deputy Secretary Hicks and Admiral 

768
00:32:10,428 --> 00:32:12,706
Davidson have testified that the U . S . 

769
00:32:12,706 --> 00:32:14,928
Should maintain the ability to defeat a 

770
00:32:14,928 --> 00:32:17,039
fait accompli scenario in Taiwan . Do 

771
00:32:17,039 --> 00:32:19,150
you agree with that ? Yes , Senator , 

772
00:32:19,440 --> 00:32:21,662
do you think the department should also 

773
00:32:21,662 --> 00:32:23,718
prioritize preparations for a Taiwan 

774
00:32:23,718 --> 00:32:26,670
scenario so that we'll be able to deter 

775
00:32:26,670 --> 00:32:28,892
China from attacking Taiwan should they 

776
00:32:28,892 --> 00:32:31,760
attempt to do so ? Yes , Senator , that 

777
00:32:31,770 --> 00:32:33,570
credible deterrence forward is 

778
00:32:33,570 --> 00:32:36,490
absolutely required with uh , the 

779
00:32:36,490 --> 00:32:38,712
correct forces , the right magnitude of 

780
00:32:38,712 --> 00:32:40,601
forces and the readiness of those 

781
00:32:40,601 --> 00:32:42,379
forces . Very good . The deputy 

782
00:32:42,379 --> 00:32:44,601
secretary and Ed Will Davison have also 

783
00:32:44,601 --> 00:32:46,768
testified that a strategy of denial is 

784
00:32:46,768 --> 00:32:48,546
essential for deterring Chinese 

785
00:32:48,546 --> 00:32:50,712
aggression . Secretary Austin said the 

786
00:32:50,712 --> 00:32:52,601
same thing to me in response to a 

787
00:32:52,601 --> 00:32:54,712
question that I had for him . For the 

788
00:32:54,712 --> 00:32:56,879
record , do you agree with that ? That 

789
00:32:56,879 --> 00:32:56,850
strategy of denial is essential for 

790
00:32:56,850 --> 00:32:59,760
deterring China . Yes , Senator . Um , 

791
00:32:59,770 --> 00:33:02,270
let me ask you about a question that 

792
00:33:02,270 --> 00:33:04,159
you proposed earlier by one of my 

793
00:33:04,159 --> 00:33:06,270
colleagues . You were asked about the 

794
00:33:06,270 --> 00:33:08,381
importance of conventional deterrence 

795
00:33:08,381 --> 00:33:10,603
in the end of Pacific , but I just want 

796
00:33:10,603 --> 00:33:12,714
to get clear on your views here . The 

797
00:33:12,714 --> 00:33:12,670
necessity of conventional deterrence I 

798
00:33:12,670 --> 00:33:15,360
think we agree on is not does not mean 

799
00:33:15,360 --> 00:33:17,590
that nuclear deterrence has any less of 

800
00:33:17,590 --> 00:33:19,812
a role , doesn't it ? I mean , wouldn't 

801
00:33:19,812 --> 00:33:21,868
you agree that our nuclear deterrent 

802
00:33:21,868 --> 00:33:24,034
provides a critical backstop , uh , to 

803
00:33:24,034 --> 00:33:26,034
our conventional deterrent and that 

804
00:33:26,034 --> 00:33:28,040
both are necessary to be able to 

805
00:33:28,050 --> 00:33:31,610
effectively deterred China ? Yes , 

806
00:33:31,610 --> 00:33:33,499
under absolutely . If I gave that 

807
00:33:33,499 --> 00:33:36,050
impression than I apologize . You also 

808
00:33:36,050 --> 00:33:38,410
said earlier that today that the threat 

809
00:33:38,410 --> 00:33:40,632
of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan is much 

810
00:33:40,632 --> 00:33:43,750
closer to us than most think . Uh , you 

811
00:33:43,750 --> 00:33:46,028
and I talked about this at some length . 

812
00:33:46,028 --> 00:33:48,250
Is it fair to say that this threat when 

813
00:33:48,250 --> 00:33:50,306
you said earlier , much closer to us 

814
00:33:50,306 --> 00:33:52,472
than most think is ? Is it fair to say 

815
00:33:52,472 --> 00:33:54,694
that this threat could materialize well 

816
00:33:54,694 --> 00:33:56,917
before 2035 or some of those very later 

817
00:33:56,917 --> 00:33:59,028
dates that folks have put out there ? 

818
00:33:59,028 --> 00:34:01,083
Yes , Senator , I believe it could . 

819
00:34:01,083 --> 00:34:03,194
And is it fair to say that we need to 

820
00:34:03,194 --> 00:34:06,010
act now if we're going to prevent this 

821
00:34:06,010 --> 00:34:08,560
threat from materializing in the future ? 

822
00:34:09,440 --> 00:34:12,560
Yes , and are absolutely a strong 

823
00:34:12,570 --> 00:34:16,460
posture forward linked with our allies 

824
00:34:16,460 --> 00:34:18,550
and partners , I believe , is the 

825
00:34:18,550 --> 00:34:22,250
leading path for prevention . Very good 

826
00:34:22,640 --> 00:34:24,696
reports have indicated that Taiwan's 

827
00:34:24,696 --> 00:34:26,862
upcoming quadrennial defense review is 

828
00:34:26,862 --> 00:34:29,029
going to emphasize the need for Taiwan 

829
00:34:29,029 --> 00:34:30,980
to adopt an asymmetrical defense 

830
00:34:30,980 --> 00:34:32,980
posture against something you and I 

831
00:34:32,980 --> 00:34:35,147
visited about . Can you just give us a 

832
00:34:35,147 --> 00:34:37,091
sense ? Why is it so important for 

833
00:34:37,091 --> 00:34:39,600
Taiwan to invest in asymmetrical 

834
00:34:39,600 --> 00:34:41,920
capabilities , especially those that 

835
00:34:41,920 --> 00:34:43,550
are low cost , high impact ? 

836
00:34:46,040 --> 00:34:48,780
That's center . As we discussed a bit , 

837
00:34:48,790 --> 00:34:52,510
uh , the resources they have 

838
00:34:52,510 --> 00:34:54,810
required them to be spent in the 

839
00:34:54,810 --> 00:34:56,588
correct manner to have the most 

840
00:34:56,588 --> 00:34:58,532
effectiveness against the possible 

841
00:34:58,532 --> 00:35:01,560
threat . I'm encouraged by some of 

842
00:35:01,560 --> 00:35:03,449
those capabilities that they have 

843
00:35:03,449 --> 00:35:05,560
purchased , and I'm encouraged by the 

844
00:35:05,560 --> 00:35:07,727
capabilities that they're investing in 

845
00:35:07,727 --> 00:35:10,170
in an indigenous fashion for their 

846
00:35:10,170 --> 00:35:12,370
defense . The example I would give you 

847
00:35:12,370 --> 00:35:15,510
is the harpoon system . I thought it 

848
00:35:15,520 --> 00:35:19,210
was very thoughtful , uh , and the 

849
00:35:19,210 --> 00:35:22,520
right capability for one example , What 

850
00:35:22,520 --> 00:35:24,810
can the United States do to help 

851
00:35:24,820 --> 00:35:27,370
encourage Taiwan to adopt a more 

852
00:35:27,380 --> 00:35:30,260
asymmetric defense posture as quickly 

853
00:35:30,260 --> 00:35:33,120
as possible ? I think it's a part of 

854
00:35:33,120 --> 00:35:35,850
the Taiwan Relations Act . Offering the 

855
00:35:35,850 --> 00:35:38,180
right capabilities with the right 

856
00:35:38,180 --> 00:35:41,930
support , UH , is the 

857
00:35:41,930 --> 00:35:44,160
best way to ensure that they certainly 

858
00:35:44,160 --> 00:35:46,670
understand all of their options . They 

859
00:35:46,680 --> 00:35:49,030
get to make their own choices . But by 

860
00:35:49,030 --> 00:35:51,770
providing , uh , credible , realistic 

861
00:35:51,770 --> 00:35:54,140
options with recommendations would be 

862
00:35:54,140 --> 00:35:57,730
helpful . Let me ask you about 

863
00:35:57,730 --> 00:36:00,280
something else we discussed on the 

864
00:36:00,280 --> 00:36:02,520
phone . The Guam Defense Act has been 

865
00:36:02,520 --> 00:36:05,010
end up telecoms top unfunded priority 

866
00:36:05,020 --> 00:36:07,090
for the last three years . Just , 

867
00:36:07,100 --> 00:36:09,322
generally speaking , give us a sense of 

868
00:36:09,322 --> 00:36:11,211
why Guam is so important . From a 

869
00:36:11,211 --> 00:36:14,780
military operational standpoint , it's 

870
00:36:14,780 --> 00:36:16,947
certainly in a strategic location west 

871
00:36:16,947 --> 00:36:19,058
of the international date line , uh , 

872
00:36:19,430 --> 00:36:22,020
distant enough to be able to protect 

873
00:36:22,020 --> 00:36:25,170
our forces uh , muster our forces . And 

874
00:36:25,170 --> 00:36:27,059
as you know , there's over 20,000 

875
00:36:27,059 --> 00:36:30,330
service members on Guam . So combined 

876
00:36:30,330 --> 00:36:33,110
with 170,000 American citizens , we 

877
00:36:33,110 --> 00:36:36,200
certainly , uh , are responsible to 

878
00:36:36,200 --> 00:36:37,922
protect those people . But the 

879
00:36:37,922 --> 00:36:40,940
strategic location , uh , is critical 

880
00:36:40,940 --> 00:36:44,700
to be able to provide forces quickly in 

881
00:36:44,700 --> 00:36:46,860
the area . We need them . Let me just 

882
00:36:46,860 --> 00:36:49,550
ask you Finally , the quad appears to 

883
00:36:49,550 --> 00:36:51,590
be forming the basis for a regional 

884
00:36:51,590 --> 00:36:53,920
coalition to stand up to Chinese 

885
00:36:53,920 --> 00:36:55,976
aggression . How do you see the quad 

886
00:36:55,976 --> 00:36:58,087
contributing to deterrence in the end 

887
00:36:58,087 --> 00:37:00,680
of Pacific now and in the future ? I 

888
00:37:00,680 --> 00:37:02,902
think it's extremely important when you 

889
00:37:02,902 --> 00:37:05,050
look at , uh , India is the world's 

890
00:37:05,050 --> 00:37:08,060
largest democracy , combined with three 

891
00:37:08,060 --> 00:37:10,030
other nations of shared values and 

892
00:37:10,030 --> 00:37:13,740
beliefs . Uh , when a 

893
00:37:13,750 --> 00:37:16,120
organization that magnitude magnitude 

894
00:37:16,120 --> 00:37:18,064
comes together , it would generate 

895
00:37:18,064 --> 00:37:20,480
concern for anyone with an opposite 

896
00:37:20,480 --> 00:37:22,630
opinion . Very good . Thank you , 

897
00:37:22,630 --> 00:37:24,630
Admiral . Thank you , Mr Chairman . 

898
00:37:24,630 --> 00:37:26,686
Thank you . Senator Howley , Senator 

899
00:37:26,686 --> 00:37:28,820
Sullivan , please . Oh , excuse me . 

900
00:37:28,830 --> 00:37:32,330
Senator Rosen , Uh , by WebEx . 

901
00:37:32,340 --> 00:37:35,350
Excuse me . Senator Rosen , please . 

902
00:37:37,130 --> 00:37:39,530
Thank you , Mr Chairman . Appreciate it . 

903
00:37:39,540 --> 00:37:41,762
Thank you . A ranking member and I want 

904
00:37:41,762 --> 00:37:44,180
to thank you , Admiral , for your for 

905
00:37:44,180 --> 00:37:46,347
your service . For your willingness to 

906
00:37:46,347 --> 00:37:48,513
continue to serve and step up and take 

907
00:37:48,513 --> 00:37:51,940
on this extremely important role in 

908
00:37:51,950 --> 00:37:54,340
our national defense . I really 

909
00:37:54,340 --> 00:37:56,507
appreciate that . And I like to talk a 

910
00:37:56,507 --> 00:37:58,340
little bit about maintaining our 

911
00:37:58,340 --> 00:38:00,562
technological edge because at the heart 

912
00:38:00,562 --> 00:38:02,451
of China's military modernization 

913
00:38:02,451 --> 00:38:04,673
efforts , of course , there's Beijing's 

914
00:38:04,673 --> 00:38:06,896
investment and next generation military 

915
00:38:06,896 --> 00:38:08,896
capabilities . We know we've talked 

916
00:38:08,896 --> 00:38:11,062
about that earlier in the hearing when 

917
00:38:11,062 --> 00:38:13,970
I was in the room , and , uh , we want 

918
00:38:13,970 --> 00:38:15,859
to close that technological gap . 

919
00:38:15,859 --> 00:38:18,030
China's making critical , uh , making 

920
00:38:18,030 --> 00:38:19,808
advances in critical areas like 

921
00:38:19,808 --> 00:38:21,630
artificial intelligence , cyber 

922
00:38:21,630 --> 00:38:24,500
robotics , hyper sonics and there at 

923
00:38:24,500 --> 00:38:26,640
the same time rapidly procuring 

924
00:38:26,640 --> 00:38:28,930
commercial technologies that can be 

925
00:38:28,930 --> 00:38:31,850
used for military purposes . So do you 

926
00:38:31,850 --> 00:38:33,628
believe that China has achieved 

927
00:38:33,628 --> 00:38:36,130
technological parity with the US and 

928
00:38:36,130 --> 00:38:39,090
its operational systems ? And are are 

929
00:38:39,090 --> 00:38:41,201
there any areas that you're concerned 

930
00:38:41,201 --> 00:38:43,146
about that they have outpaced us ? 

931
00:38:44,220 --> 00:38:46,690
Thanks , Senator , uh , I don't believe 

932
00:38:46,690 --> 00:38:49,190
they have achieved parody . I think 

933
00:38:49,190 --> 00:38:51,412
they have a desire in the technological 

934
00:38:51,412 --> 00:38:54,940
world to increase , uh , and ultimately 

935
00:38:54,940 --> 00:38:57,620
to gain an overmatch . I think it's 

936
00:38:57,620 --> 00:38:59,731
extremely important that we don't let 

937
00:38:59,731 --> 00:39:02,710
that happened . So one of our 

938
00:39:02,710 --> 00:39:06,280
competitive advantages is our ability 

939
00:39:06,280 --> 00:39:09,090
to do S and t research and keep that 

940
00:39:09,090 --> 00:39:11,090
technological edge , and we have to 

941
00:39:11,090 --> 00:39:14,550
continue to do that . And so if you're 

942
00:39:14,550 --> 00:39:17,390
confirmed , how would you incorporate 

943
00:39:17,400 --> 00:39:20,110
this increasingly technological nature 

944
00:39:20,110 --> 00:39:22,890
of warfare , uh , into our domains of 

945
00:39:22,890 --> 00:39:25,660
warfare into joint coalition exercises ? 

946
00:39:25,670 --> 00:39:27,781
Um , like we do , of course , many of 

947
00:39:27,781 --> 00:39:29,781
them in Nevada and , uh , of course 

948
00:39:29,781 --> 00:39:32,610
around the world . Thanks , Senator . 

949
00:39:32,620 --> 00:39:35,150
So if confirmed , I think there's a lot 

950
00:39:35,150 --> 00:39:37,372
of opportunity to be able to do that as 

951
00:39:37,372 --> 00:39:40,920
you highlighted . The efforts that are 

952
00:39:40,930 --> 00:39:43,097
executed at both the Nellis Ranges and 

953
00:39:43,097 --> 00:39:45,460
the Falun ranges are places where we 

954
00:39:45,460 --> 00:39:47,750
certainly experiment and try to work to 

955
00:39:47,750 --> 00:39:49,960
get to those improved technological 

956
00:39:49,960 --> 00:39:52,680
advantages . Uh , I think that it's 

957
00:39:52,690 --> 00:39:56,100
applicable across , uh , the entire 

958
00:39:56,100 --> 00:39:59,540
region to ensure we can develop , test 

959
00:39:59,550 --> 00:40:01,772
and ultimately implement those advanced 

960
00:40:01,772 --> 00:40:04,610
capabilities . Well , I couldn't agree 

961
00:40:04,610 --> 00:40:06,666
with you more . I'm proud of all the 

962
00:40:06,666 --> 00:40:08,777
training that we do in Nevada , but I 

963
00:40:08,777 --> 00:40:10,620
know that this training requires 

964
00:40:10,630 --> 00:40:13,280
improve skill sets , retraining , 

965
00:40:13,280 --> 00:40:15,336
improving training and , of course , 

966
00:40:15,336 --> 00:40:17,470
new training for for young men and 

967
00:40:17,470 --> 00:40:19,526
women who are joining our military . 

968
00:40:19,530 --> 00:40:21,880
And so how are you planning to recruit 

969
00:40:21,890 --> 00:40:25,470
and reach routine build up that 

970
00:40:25,480 --> 00:40:27,760
workforce that we're gonna need with an 

971
00:40:27,760 --> 00:40:29,704
endo pecan , particularly in these 

972
00:40:29,704 --> 00:40:33,490
areas of technology . Thanks , 

973
00:40:33,490 --> 00:40:36,380
Senator . So the services 

974
00:40:37,210 --> 00:40:40,320
have that responsibility as part of 

975
00:40:40,320 --> 00:40:43,560
their title . 10 , uh , Taskings . Uh , 

976
00:40:43,570 --> 00:40:45,792
if I were confirmed , I would highlight 

977
00:40:45,792 --> 00:40:48,410
to the service chiefs certainly what is 

978
00:40:48,410 --> 00:40:51,030
needed in an increased technological , 

979
00:40:51,510 --> 00:40:53,850
uh , footprint . And if you look from a 

980
00:40:53,850 --> 00:40:56,017
Navy perspective , currently , the CNO 

981
00:40:56,017 --> 00:40:58,100
does a great job at recruiting and 

982
00:40:58,100 --> 00:41:01,750
retaining the best . Uh , it's getting 

983
00:41:01,750 --> 00:41:05,420
extremely competitive across the 

984
00:41:05,420 --> 00:41:09,070
workforce to recruit and retain , and 

985
00:41:09,070 --> 00:41:11,280
all of the services are doing a really 

986
00:41:11,280 --> 00:41:13,502
good job at maintaining that capability 

987
00:41:13,502 --> 00:41:17,100
and advancement . Well , I'm pleased to 

988
00:41:17,100 --> 00:41:20,180
hear that I have instituted a bill that 

989
00:41:20,180 --> 00:41:22,480
was in the NBA last year about adding a 

990
00:41:22,480 --> 00:41:26,190
cyber track to our Junior ROTC program , 

991
00:41:26,190 --> 00:41:28,250
and hopefully that will build up our 

992
00:41:28,250 --> 00:41:30,361
force . But I'd like to , in the last 

993
00:41:30,361 --> 00:41:32,528
remaining minute or so , talk a little 

994
00:41:32,528 --> 00:41:34,861
bit about the state partnership program . 

995
00:41:34,861 --> 00:41:36,972
Of course , this initiative links are 

996
00:41:36,972 --> 00:41:39,083
states national guards with the armed 

997
00:41:39,083 --> 00:41:41,260
forces . Uh , we cooperate . There's a 

998
00:41:41,260 --> 00:41:43,880
mutually beneficial relationship , and 

999
00:41:43,880 --> 00:41:46,700
I know that Indo Pak um , maintains 10 

1000
00:41:46,710 --> 00:41:48,880
of these SPP relationships . So in 

1001
00:41:48,880 --> 00:41:51,040
Nevada and Nevada National Guard , we 

1002
00:41:51,040 --> 00:41:53,096
have existing partnerships with Fiji 

1003
00:41:53,096 --> 00:41:56,300
and Tonga . Uh , Tonga to support Indo 

1004
00:41:56,300 --> 00:41:59,130
Pak comes mission in the South Pacific . 

1005
00:41:59,310 --> 00:42:01,477
So can you talk about how you're going 

1006
00:42:01,477 --> 00:42:03,643
to work with the national Guards ? And 

1007
00:42:03,643 --> 00:42:05,810
these partnerships , of course , to be 

1008
00:42:05,810 --> 00:42:07,588
sure that they know what you're 

1009
00:42:07,588 --> 00:42:09,532
planning going forward so they can 

1010
00:42:09,532 --> 00:42:11,699
prepare and plan for to complete their 

1011
00:42:11,699 --> 00:42:13,699
mission sets by improving the skill 

1012
00:42:13,699 --> 00:42:15,754
sets of our National Guard as well . 

1013
00:42:15,754 --> 00:42:17,477
Thanks , Senator . It's a It's 

1014
00:42:17,477 --> 00:42:19,588
extremely important . Uh , I've had a 

1015
00:42:19,588 --> 00:42:21,810
chance to work with Ken Hora , the head 

1016
00:42:21,810 --> 00:42:23,866
of National Guard in Hawaii , and it 

1017
00:42:23,866 --> 00:42:25,699
continues to pay dividends as it 

1018
00:42:25,699 --> 00:42:29,310
applies to foreign partners . It's it's 

1019
00:42:29,310 --> 00:42:32,760
just as helpful . Uh , and if confirmed , 

1020
00:42:32,760 --> 00:42:35,920
I would continue to execute those 10 

1021
00:42:36,170 --> 00:42:38,330
partner link ups and look for 

1022
00:42:38,330 --> 00:42:40,274
additional opportunities because I 

1023
00:42:40,274 --> 00:42:42,520
think there's , uh , some there . 

1024
00:42:44,100 --> 00:42:46,156
Thank you very much . I yield back . 

1025
00:42:47,000 --> 00:42:49,010
Thank you , Senator . Now , let me 

1026
00:42:49,010 --> 00:42:51,232
recognize . Senator Sullivan , please . 

1027
00:42:51,300 --> 00:42:53,300
Thank you , Mr Chairman . Admiral , 

1028
00:42:53,300 --> 00:42:55,522
good to see you again . Appreciated the 

1029
00:42:55,522 --> 00:42:57,633
opportunity . Have another discussion 

1030
00:42:57,633 --> 00:42:59,689
and look forward to more discussions 

1031
00:42:59,689 --> 00:43:01,911
going forward . Congratulations on your 

1032
00:43:01,911 --> 00:43:04,800
nomination . I want to just talk a 

1033
00:43:04,800 --> 00:43:07,133
little bit about Alaska and the Pacific . 

1034
00:43:07,133 --> 00:43:09,244
Uh , have you been to the great state 

1035
00:43:09,244 --> 00:43:11,356
of Alaska ? That's Senator I have not 

1036
00:43:11,356 --> 00:43:14,170
yet been , but I will come and visit 

1037
00:43:14,180 --> 00:43:16,402
Alaska at first opportunity . Good . We 

1038
00:43:16,402 --> 00:43:18,402
need to get on that . And I'm gonna 

1039
00:43:18,402 --> 00:43:20,458
talk a little bit . Reason why I was 

1040
00:43:20,458 --> 00:43:22,680
just home . I just gotta got back . You 

1041
00:43:22,680 --> 00:43:24,402
know , there's a lot of lot of 

1042
00:43:24,402 --> 00:43:27,180
fireworks . Um , with this U S China 

1043
00:43:27,180 --> 00:43:29,013
meeting in Anchorage , I had the 

1044
00:43:29,013 --> 00:43:30,958
opportunity to meet with Secretary 

1045
00:43:30,958 --> 00:43:33,730
Blinken , National Security Advisor 

1046
00:43:34,100 --> 00:43:36,600
Sullivan and Kurt Campbell is also 

1047
00:43:36,600 --> 00:43:38,680
doing a really good job at the NSC 

1048
00:43:38,690 --> 00:43:40,912
right after the meeting . I was glad to 

1049
00:43:40,912 --> 00:43:44,310
see my r Alaska based military on 

1050
00:43:44,310 --> 00:43:46,032
Thursday when the Chinese were 

1051
00:43:46,032 --> 00:43:47,754
approaching . We're doing some 

1052
00:43:47,754 --> 00:43:50,260
exercises with the F 22 Raptor . Uh , 

1053
00:43:50,270 --> 00:43:52,548
there , Right , right around the hotel . 

1054
00:43:52,548 --> 00:43:54,603
Give the Chinese delegation a little 

1055
00:43:54,603 --> 00:43:56,881
view of what's in Alaska . As you know , 

1056
00:43:56,881 --> 00:43:58,603
we're going to have over 105th 

1057
00:43:58,603 --> 00:44:00,603
generation fighters F 20 two's F 30 

1058
00:44:00,603 --> 00:44:03,820
fives by the end of this year and then 

1059
00:44:03,820 --> 00:44:06,070
on Friday , when the Chinese are still 

1060
00:44:06,530 --> 00:44:08,530
in Alaska , the Air Force announced 

1061
00:44:08,530 --> 00:44:11,700
four new tankers . Casey , 1 . 35 is 

1062
00:44:11,700 --> 00:44:15,640
going to Alaska . The 

1063
00:44:15,640 --> 00:44:17,807
previous secretary defense called this 

1064
00:44:17,807 --> 00:44:21,310
combination tankers 105th Gen fighters 

1065
00:44:22,890 --> 00:44:25,600
giving our country extreme strategic 

1066
00:44:25,610 --> 00:44:29,390
reach these fighters could be in the 

1067
00:44:29,390 --> 00:44:31,501
Taiwan Strait . If they're supersonic 

1068
00:44:31,501 --> 00:44:34,420
within five hours , these forces are 

1069
00:44:34,420 --> 00:44:36,690
actually op con to pay calm . As you 

1070
00:44:36,690 --> 00:44:40,150
know , in Alaska , what do you see as 

1071
00:44:40,150 --> 00:44:42,150
the role of these combat ? Credible 

1072
00:44:42,150 --> 00:44:45,310
forces from Alaska play within the Indo 

1073
00:44:45,310 --> 00:44:47,500
Pacific , given that you will be in 

1074
00:44:47,500 --> 00:44:51,360
command of them . Thanks , Senator . I 

1075
00:44:51,360 --> 00:44:53,527
have to correct a previous statement . 

1076
00:44:53,527 --> 00:44:55,850
I said I would visit Alaska . I have to 

1077
00:44:55,850 --> 00:44:57,900
say , if confirmed , I would visit 

1078
00:44:57,900 --> 00:44:59,844
Alaska at first opportunity . So , 

1079
00:44:59,844 --> 00:45:03,460
Senator Reid , I apologize . Uh , the 

1080
00:45:03,460 --> 00:45:05,627
forces in Alaska are critical for both 

1081
00:45:05,627 --> 00:45:07,849
the defense of the homeland , Senator . 

1082
00:45:07,849 --> 00:45:09,571
As you know , they support the 

1083
00:45:09,571 --> 00:45:11,682
different A cl levels in the event of 

1084
00:45:11,682 --> 00:45:14,760
either Russian bomber flights , uh , 

1085
00:45:14,770 --> 00:45:16,770
and would be critically needed as a 

1086
00:45:16,770 --> 00:45:19,700
surge force . Uh , in time of either 

1087
00:45:19,710 --> 00:45:22,250
crisis or conflict , as you clearly 

1088
00:45:22,250 --> 00:45:24,870
identify . Uh , Senator Inhofe 

1089
00:45:24,870 --> 00:45:27,110
identified the capabilities needed and 

1090
00:45:27,110 --> 00:45:29,380
fifth generation to be able to enter 

1091
00:45:29,380 --> 00:45:31,602
that contested space to fight and win . 

1092
00:45:31,602 --> 00:45:35,180
So I agree with all those comments that 

1093
00:45:35,180 --> 00:45:37,170
you made . Let me real quick just 

1094
00:45:37,170 --> 00:45:39,226
started to interrupt , but I I got a 

1095
00:45:39,226 --> 00:45:41,281
couple more questions . Uh , there's 

1096
00:45:41,281 --> 00:45:43,281
often times and you've mentioned it 

1097
00:45:43,281 --> 00:45:46,070
already . Uh , this kind of delineation 

1098
00:45:46,070 --> 00:45:48,237
west of the international date line is 

1099
00:45:48,237 --> 00:45:50,348
delineation for pay calm . But as you 

1100
00:45:50,348 --> 00:45:52,514
know , Admiral , the further north you 

1101
00:45:52,514 --> 00:45:54,737
get the international date line in some 

1102
00:45:54,737 --> 00:45:56,760
ways , Doesn't matter . Just so I'm 

1103
00:45:56,770 --> 00:46:00,160
kind of aware of your geography , um , 

1104
00:46:00,170 --> 00:46:02,570
your recognition of geography there we 

1105
00:46:02,570 --> 00:46:04,681
have a lot of forces in Alaska lot of 

1106
00:46:04,681 --> 00:46:06,681
forces . And why a lot of forces in 

1107
00:46:06,681 --> 00:46:08,792
Australia , which of these are closer 

1108
00:46:08,792 --> 00:46:12,650
to Korea and Japan ? Our 

1109
00:46:12,650 --> 00:46:14,872
forces in Hawaii are forced in Alaska . 

1110
00:46:15,780 --> 00:46:18,100
Well , certainly Alaska would be closer 

1111
00:46:18,100 --> 00:46:21,700
to Korea and Japan . And how about 

1112
00:46:21,710 --> 00:46:25,570
Australia versus Alaska , closer to 

1113
00:46:25,580 --> 00:46:27,960
Korea and Japan ? Yes , Senator . 

1114
00:46:27,960 --> 00:46:29,904
Alaska is closer . Yeah , a lot of 

1115
00:46:29,904 --> 00:46:32,071
people don't know that , believe it or 

1116
00:46:32,071 --> 00:46:34,127
not . So it's not just international 

1117
00:46:34,127 --> 00:46:36,238
Dateline . It's how north you are and 

1118
00:46:36,238 --> 00:46:38,238
how close you are . So keep that in 

1119
00:46:38,238 --> 00:46:40,404
mind . You're going to be in charge of 

1120
00:46:40,404 --> 00:46:40,060
these and you are going to get 

1121
00:46:40,060 --> 00:46:41,930
confirmed and I'm gonna strongly 

1122
00:46:41,930 --> 00:46:44,290
support it . Your recommendations are 

1123
00:46:44,290 --> 00:46:46,123
going to be important . This , I 

1124
00:46:46,123 --> 00:46:48,401
believe , is gonna certainly be viewed . 

1125
00:46:48,401 --> 00:46:50,179
Now , Going forward is the most 

1126
00:46:50,179 --> 00:46:53,630
important combatant command that we 

1127
00:46:53,630 --> 00:46:55,630
have anywhere around the world . In 

1128
00:46:55,630 --> 00:46:58,030
2015 , President Obama and President Xi 

1129
00:46:58,030 --> 00:47:01,360
Jinping stood in the Rose Garden . And 

1130
00:47:01,370 --> 00:47:03,930
President Xi Jinping promised the 

1131
00:47:03,930 --> 00:47:05,819
president knighted states and the 

1132
00:47:05,819 --> 00:47:07,930
American people not to militarize the 

1133
00:47:07,930 --> 00:47:09,874
South China Sea . Did President Xi 

1134
00:47:09,874 --> 00:47:12,200
Jinping keep that promise ? Uh , no 

1135
00:47:12,200 --> 00:47:14,311
center . He did not . He did not even 

1136
00:47:14,311 --> 00:47:16,311
close what I refer to his promise . 

1137
00:47:16,311 --> 00:47:18,256
Fatigue . Right . The Chinese make 

1138
00:47:18,256 --> 00:47:20,256
promises over decades . They rarely 

1139
00:47:20,980 --> 00:47:23,202
keep those promises . Promise fatigue . 

1140
00:47:23,202 --> 00:47:26,160
We're sick of it . Um , it was widely 

1141
00:47:26,160 --> 00:47:28,271
reported in this committee . Followed 

1142
00:47:28,271 --> 00:47:30,327
it closely that because of this , we 

1143
00:47:30,327 --> 00:47:32,438
said , Let's do freedom of navigation 

1144
00:47:32,438 --> 00:47:34,604
operation . As a matter of fact , your 

1145
00:47:34,604 --> 00:47:36,604
predecessor said we need to do it . 

1146
00:47:36,604 --> 00:47:38,549
John Kerry , then the Secretary of 

1147
00:47:38,549 --> 00:47:40,382
state , said no . We have a good 

1148
00:47:40,382 --> 00:47:42,549
climate deal in Paris with the Chinese 

1149
00:47:42,549 --> 00:47:44,660
know fond up . So is that a good idea 

1150
00:47:44,660 --> 00:47:46,549
to exchange phone ups for a vague 

1151
00:47:46,549 --> 00:47:48,716
promise on the Paris climate accords ? 

1152
00:47:50,080 --> 00:47:51,913
Senator , just so you know , I'm 

1153
00:47:51,913 --> 00:47:54,136
unaware of that agreement . Assume that 

1154
00:47:54,136 --> 00:47:56,700
happened because it did . Is that a 

1155
00:47:56,700 --> 00:47:58,860
good idea from Secretary Kerry ? Like 

1156
00:47:58,870 --> 00:48:00,981
what I would say is , we've continued 

1157
00:48:00,981 --> 00:48:02,981
phone operation . No , no , no , we 

1158
00:48:02,981 --> 00:48:05,203
didn't . Then trust me . This committee 

1159
00:48:05,203 --> 00:48:04,980
was pressing for it . We wouldn't do 

1160
00:48:04,980 --> 00:48:08,080
them . Was that a good idea ? Vague 

1161
00:48:08,080 --> 00:48:10,247
promises and the Paris climate accords 

1162
00:48:10,247 --> 00:48:12,413
from John Kerry and the Chinese for no 

1163
00:48:12,413 --> 00:48:14,580
fond ups in the South China Sea for at 

1164
00:48:14,580 --> 00:48:16,636
least two years ? Well , Senator , I 

1165
00:48:16,636 --> 00:48:19,070
think , uh , fun ops are important , 

1166
00:48:19,080 --> 00:48:22,940
they identify are linked to the 

1167
00:48:22,950 --> 00:48:25,006
need for international order through 

1168
00:48:25,006 --> 00:48:27,172
normal rules and standards . Is that a 

1169
00:48:27,172 --> 00:48:29,117
good idea ? Assume that happened . 

1170
00:48:29,117 --> 00:48:31,394
Assume that could happen one more time . 

1171
00:48:31,394 --> 00:48:33,450
Let's say John Kerry has got another 

1172
00:48:33,450 --> 00:48:35,450
role , says I got a good commitment 

1173
00:48:35,450 --> 00:48:37,672
from the Chinese . They just want us to 

1174
00:48:37,672 --> 00:48:39,561
not do fawn up through the Taiwan 

1175
00:48:39,561 --> 00:48:41,617
Strait . Would that be a good idea ? 

1176
00:48:41,770 --> 00:48:43,659
Senator , I think phone apps have 

1177
00:48:43,659 --> 00:48:45,603
served us well over the past three 

1178
00:48:45,603 --> 00:48:47,770
years since I've been in Pacific . You 

1179
00:48:47,770 --> 00:48:50,048
wouldn't agree with that idea of Kerry . 

1180
00:48:50,048 --> 00:48:52,103
Put it forward again . I think we're 

1181
00:48:52,103 --> 00:48:54,214
going to be asked . I think we should 

1182
00:48:54,214 --> 00:48:56,437
continue phone off senator in the South 

1183
00:48:56,437 --> 00:48:58,603
China Sea in the Taiwan Strait . Yes , 

1184
00:48:58,603 --> 00:48:58,230
sir . Regardless of commitments from 

1185
00:48:58,230 --> 00:49:00,020
China and vague climate change 

1186
00:49:00,020 --> 00:49:02,076
commitments that they might get from 

1187
00:49:02,076 --> 00:49:04,300
John Kerry , I think that we should 

1188
00:49:04,300 --> 00:49:06,522
continue those operations to assure our 

1189
00:49:06,522 --> 00:49:08,633
allies and partners and ensure we can 

1190
00:49:08,633 --> 00:49:10,689
operate anywhere . International law 

1191
00:49:10,689 --> 00:49:12,800
allows Good . Thank you . Thank you , 

1192
00:49:12,800 --> 00:49:12,670
Mr Chairman . Thank you , Senator . 

1193
00:49:12,670 --> 00:49:15,000
Settlement Centre Tuberville , please . 

1194
00:49:16,770 --> 00:49:19,200
Thank you , Mr Chairman . Best for last , 

1195
00:49:19,670 --> 00:49:22,090
for the football coach . Last , uh , 

1196
00:49:23,770 --> 00:49:25,937
I've been impressed . I've been in all 

1197
00:49:25,937 --> 00:49:28,214
these meetings for the last two months , 

1198
00:49:28,214 --> 00:49:30,381
and , Admiral , I'm impressed . Thanks 

1199
00:49:30,381 --> 00:49:32,548
for your service and your family being 

1200
00:49:32,548 --> 00:49:34,714
here . They are very important . And , 

1201
00:49:34,714 --> 00:49:36,937
uh , what a job you got in front of you 

1202
00:49:36,937 --> 00:49:38,937
just sitting , listening to all the 

1203
00:49:38,937 --> 00:49:41,159
things going on in our in our world , a 

1204
00:49:41,159 --> 00:49:43,090
huge job . Uh , 

1205
00:49:44,870 --> 00:49:47,037
and I've heard all the questions about 

1206
00:49:47,037 --> 00:49:49,037
Taiwan and China and all the things 

1207
00:49:49,037 --> 00:49:51,092
that go on . You forgot more than we 

1208
00:49:51,092 --> 00:49:53,037
know about it . And we're gonna be 

1209
00:49:53,037 --> 00:49:55,540
trusting you for that . It's , uh it's 

1210
00:49:55,540 --> 00:49:57,596
important that , you know , we fight 

1211
00:49:57,596 --> 00:49:59,540
through the climate change and the 

1212
00:49:59,540 --> 00:50:01,762
diversity and all the things going on . 

1213
00:50:01,762 --> 00:50:03,762
I believe in that , You know , as a 

1214
00:50:03,762 --> 00:50:05,873
football coach , I mean , you have to 

1215
00:50:05,873 --> 00:50:08,096
plug all that in , but we need to build 

1216
00:50:08,096 --> 00:50:09,984
a team . You need to build a team 

1217
00:50:09,984 --> 00:50:12,151
because we're getting ready to going . 

1218
00:50:12,460 --> 00:50:15,060
Uh , water is unknown over the next few 

1219
00:50:15,060 --> 00:50:17,890
years with money the CCP is putting in 

1220
00:50:17,890 --> 00:50:19,890
and and the things that we're gonna 

1221
00:50:19,890 --> 00:50:22,057
have to prepare for . One thing I want 

1222
00:50:22,057 --> 00:50:24,223
to know , and I'm gonna vote for you . 

1223
00:50:24,223 --> 00:50:26,446
I believe you know you're ready to go , 

1224
00:50:26,446 --> 00:50:28,370
uh , turn it over to you and and 

1225
00:50:28,370 --> 00:50:30,203
protect our world . Not just our 

1226
00:50:30,203 --> 00:50:32,430
country . I just wanted Are you gonna 

1227
00:50:32,430 --> 00:50:34,430
be able to stand up and fight ? You 

1228
00:50:34,430 --> 00:50:36,763
know this administration for more money , 

1229
00:50:36,763 --> 00:50:38,874
we don't need to be cutting . We need 

1230
00:50:38,874 --> 00:50:41,140
to be adding , And are you willing and 

1231
00:50:41,140 --> 00:50:43,307
say to us today that you're willing to 

1232
00:50:43,307 --> 00:50:46,190
fight , You know , for what you believe 

1233
00:50:46,190 --> 00:50:48,950
in in terms of adding on to Guam , for 

1234
00:50:48,950 --> 00:50:51,117
instance . You know , we haven't added 

1235
00:50:51,117 --> 00:50:53,283
anything hardly in the last 10 years . 

1236
00:50:53,283 --> 00:50:55,660
We really need to recapitalize the will . 

1237
00:50:55,660 --> 00:50:57,827
You promise that you'll fight for that 

1238
00:50:57,827 --> 00:50:59,827
money that we need for our military 

1239
00:51:00,360 --> 00:51:03,270
senator ? Thanks . So it can if 

1240
00:51:03,270 --> 00:51:05,640
confirmed , I will provide my best 

1241
00:51:05,650 --> 00:51:07,761
military advice and recommendations , 

1242
00:51:07,761 --> 00:51:11,720
uh , to request those things that are 

1243
00:51:11,720 --> 00:51:14,490
needed to do the mission that I would 

1244
00:51:14,490 --> 00:51:16,950
have been assigned , Uh , and if that's 

1245
00:51:16,950 --> 00:51:19,550
the case , I will give it absolute 

1246
00:51:19,550 --> 00:51:21,770
straight with conviction on what I 

1247
00:51:21,770 --> 00:51:24,048
believe is the right way forward to me . 

1248
00:51:24,048 --> 00:51:26,048
Our freedom and our liberty and our 

1249
00:51:26,048 --> 00:51:28,070
families and our kids and grandkids 

1250
00:51:28,080 --> 00:51:30,780
depend on that . We make sure that we 

1251
00:51:30,780 --> 00:51:32,947
defend not just this country , but our 

1252
00:51:32,947 --> 00:51:34,947
allies in the world . Because these 

1253
00:51:34,947 --> 00:51:37,002
people over there that we're getting 

1254
00:51:37,002 --> 00:51:39,113
ready to deal with it , you know that 

1255
00:51:39,113 --> 00:51:41,058
you've seen , uh , you know , they 

1256
00:51:41,058 --> 00:51:43,280
don't play fair . They still everything 

1257
00:51:43,280 --> 00:51:45,280
that we've got , Uh , you know , we 

1258
00:51:45,280 --> 00:51:45,110
develop it and they steal it and didn't 

1259
00:51:45,110 --> 00:51:48,350
cost them near as much . Uh , you think 

1260
00:51:48,350 --> 00:51:50,517
that's fair or we , you know , we just 

1261
00:51:50,517 --> 00:51:52,406
saw what we went through with the 

1262
00:51:52,406 --> 00:51:54,128
pandemic . You know , we shift 

1263
00:51:54,128 --> 00:51:56,183
everything over to China , they make 

1264
00:51:56,183 --> 00:51:58,294
everything that we do . And now we're 

1265
00:51:58,294 --> 00:52:00,461
scrambling to try to figure out how to 

1266
00:52:00,461 --> 00:52:00,430
handle the next pandemic . Hopefully , 

1267
00:52:00,430 --> 00:52:02,597
it doesn't come along or with the same 

1268
00:52:02,597 --> 00:52:04,763
way in the in , in the military . Have 

1269
00:52:04,763 --> 00:52:06,930
you seen that ? Do do ? Do we have the 

1270
00:52:06,930 --> 00:52:09,041
capabilities to build what we need in 

1271
00:52:09,041 --> 00:52:11,440
this country right now ? Senator , I 

1272
00:52:11,440 --> 00:52:13,273
think we do . I think what we've 

1273
00:52:13,273 --> 00:52:15,496
learned over the past 10 years is we do 

1274
00:52:15,496 --> 00:52:17,440
have to protect those advantages , 

1275
00:52:17,440 --> 00:52:19,700
technological , trade , secrets and 

1276
00:52:19,700 --> 00:52:22,690
advantages that we have . So , uh , we 

1277
00:52:22,690 --> 00:52:26,110
should be aware that competitors will 

1278
00:52:26,110 --> 00:52:29,020
intend to try to take it , and we have 

1279
00:52:29,020 --> 00:52:31,242
to be able to secure it and defend it . 

1280
00:52:31,850 --> 00:52:34,100
You know , as as as Marines are 

1281
00:52:34,100 --> 00:52:37,350
operating , uh , in smaller units in 

1282
00:52:37,350 --> 00:52:39,517
the Pacific , you know , how do how do 

1283
00:52:39,517 --> 00:52:42,050
you plan to float medical support ? You 

1284
00:52:42,050 --> 00:52:43,994
know , the mercy of the comfort or 

1285
00:52:43,994 --> 00:52:46,050
their large , you know , And they're 

1286
00:52:46,050 --> 00:52:48,910
slow to deploy , uh , with a smaller 

1287
00:52:48,920 --> 00:52:51,520
forward based hospital ship capable , 

1288
00:52:51,530 --> 00:52:55,180
uh , of quicker and faster engagement . 

1289
00:52:55,550 --> 00:52:58,260
Uh , do you think that would be better 

1290
00:52:58,260 --> 00:53:00,593
served for what y'all do in the Pacific ? 

1291
00:53:01,450 --> 00:53:03,450
Senator , we've done a lot over the 

1292
00:53:03,450 --> 00:53:05,930
last three years on , uh , generating 

1293
00:53:05,930 --> 00:53:08,041
concept of operations . How to ensure 

1294
00:53:08,041 --> 00:53:10,152
we can provide medical support to our 

1295
00:53:10,152 --> 00:53:13,290
forces in time of crisis and conflict . 

1296
00:53:13,290 --> 00:53:15,780
And it looks a lot different when you 

1297
00:53:15,780 --> 00:53:17,920
look at an area that covers half the 

1298
00:53:17,920 --> 00:53:20,700
globe . Most of it has water on it . Um , 

1299
00:53:20,870 --> 00:53:23,780
we are looking at all options to be 

1300
00:53:23,780 --> 00:53:27,390
able to quickly , uh , pick up care 

1301
00:53:27,390 --> 00:53:31,220
for and return our forces joint 

1302
00:53:31,220 --> 00:53:34,150
forces that may have been wounded . Uh , 

1303
00:53:34,160 --> 00:53:36,830
one of those things that's being looked 

1304
00:53:36,830 --> 00:53:39,530
at is a different form of hospital ship 

1305
00:53:39,530 --> 00:53:42,220
than we're used to and if confirmed , 

1306
00:53:42,220 --> 00:53:44,276
will continue to look at those other 

1307
00:53:44,276 --> 00:53:46,553
options and what might be the best way ? 

1308
00:53:46,553 --> 00:53:48,609
I think it's important because we're 

1309
00:53:48,609 --> 00:53:50,776
we're in a different part of the world 

1310
00:53:50,776 --> 00:53:53,109
and , uh , we all we look at , you know , 

1311
00:53:53,109 --> 00:53:55,109
of course , I'm from Alabama and we 

1312
00:53:55,109 --> 00:53:57,331
have hunts . Well , we we build all the 

1313
00:53:57,331 --> 00:53:59,442
missiles and the rockets and have 800 

1314
00:53:59,442 --> 00:54:01,498
defense contractors . We build ships 

1315
00:54:01,498 --> 00:54:03,560
and boats done in mobile . Uh , that 

1316
00:54:03,570 --> 00:54:05,737
hopefully you've seen some I think the 

1317
00:54:05,737 --> 00:54:08,490
L . C . S or whatever made of aluminum 

1318
00:54:08,500 --> 00:54:12,090
a little different . But , uh , you 

1319
00:54:12,090 --> 00:54:14,257
know , I'm you know , I'm I'm a common 

1320
00:54:14,257 --> 00:54:17,350
sense guy , and I just want us prepared , 

1321
00:54:17,360 --> 00:54:19,416
you know ? And I see you're gonna be 

1322
00:54:19,416 --> 00:54:21,638
hit from all different directions , and 

1323
00:54:21,638 --> 00:54:23,804
I just hope and you know , when you're 

1324
00:54:23,804 --> 00:54:25,860
confirmed that you're ready , you're 

1325
00:54:25,860 --> 00:54:27,860
you're willing and you're ready . I 

1326
00:54:27,860 --> 00:54:29,971
just hope you you're able to get what 

1327
00:54:29,971 --> 00:54:32,027
you need to protect this country and 

1328
00:54:32,027 --> 00:54:34,249
protect our kids and our grandkids from 

1329
00:54:34,249 --> 00:54:33,840
from future attacks . Because they're 

1330
00:54:33,840 --> 00:54:35,896
coming and you're gonna be the first 

1331
00:54:35,896 --> 00:54:38,062
line of defense . So again , thank you 

1332
00:54:38,062 --> 00:54:40,229
for your service and and thank you for 

1333
00:54:40,229 --> 00:54:42,396
everything that you've done and things 

1334
00:54:42,396 --> 00:54:41,810
that you're gonna do for us in the 

1335
00:54:41,810 --> 00:54:43,754
future . Thank you , Mr Chairman . 

1336
00:54:43,754 --> 00:54:45,588
Thank you . Senator Tuberville . 

1337
00:54:45,588 --> 00:54:47,440
Senator Sullivan like to ask one 

1338
00:54:47,450 --> 00:54:50,980
question . Thank you , Mr Chairman . It 

1339
00:54:50,980 --> 00:54:53,202
might be a series of one question , but 

1340
00:54:53,202 --> 00:54:55,313
no , I'm just kidding . It's going to 

1341
00:54:55,313 --> 00:54:58,420
go back to the P D . I . And , um , 

1342
00:54:58,430 --> 00:55:01,280
Admiral , I'm sure you saw that when 

1343
00:55:01,290 --> 00:55:03,580
Admiral Davidson was here just two 

1344
00:55:03,580 --> 00:55:07,080
weeks ago , he talked about the full 

1345
00:55:07,080 --> 00:55:10,810
funding . 4.6 billion of the PD 

1346
00:55:10,820 --> 00:55:14,120
was something that would be critical in 

1347
00:55:14,120 --> 00:55:16,460
halting the erosion of our nation's 

1348
00:55:16,460 --> 00:55:19,750
conventional deterrence in the Indo Pak 

1349
00:55:19,750 --> 00:55:22,460
calm region . He actually said quote 

1350
00:55:22,460 --> 00:55:25,590
PDFs The foundational approach to 

1351
00:55:25,590 --> 00:55:28,500
advancing capabilities and capacity 

1352
00:55:28,500 --> 00:55:31,590
while strengthening our allies and 

1353
00:55:31,590 --> 00:55:34,190
partnerships for an integrated joint 

1354
00:55:34,190 --> 00:55:35,968
force west of the International 

1355
00:55:35,968 --> 00:55:37,857
Dateline already talked about how 

1356
00:55:37,857 --> 00:55:40,079
international Late line is some in some 

1357
00:55:40,079 --> 00:55:42,750
ways , an artificial construct that 

1358
00:55:42,750 --> 00:55:45,150
doesn't really fully reflect the force 

1359
00:55:45,150 --> 00:55:47,428
posture , particularly as you go north . 

1360
00:55:47,440 --> 00:55:50,120
But the question is , given that he's 

1361
00:55:50,120 --> 00:55:52,009
been public about it , given that 

1362
00:55:52,009 --> 00:55:54,009
you've been public about it , given 

1363
00:55:54,009 --> 00:55:56,176
that this committee actually passed in 

1364
00:55:56,176 --> 00:55:58,440
a very strong bipartisan way , the 

1365
00:55:58,440 --> 00:56:01,800
initiative of the PD last year . In the 

1366
00:56:01,800 --> 00:56:05,090
end , To what message does it send to 

1367
00:56:05,090 --> 00:56:08,020
China if we have a robust top line 

1368
00:56:08,020 --> 00:56:11,140
defense budget that fully funds the PD , 

1369
00:56:11,140 --> 00:56:13,860
as you and Admiral Davidson have 

1370
00:56:13,860 --> 00:56:16,730
requested in Alternatively , what 

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00:56:16,730 --> 00:56:19,520
message does a declining defense budget 

1372
00:56:19,530 --> 00:56:23,450
and not funding the PD sent to 

1373
00:56:23,450 --> 00:56:26,870
China ? Thanks , Senator . I do believe 

1374
00:56:26,870 --> 00:56:29,210
it sends a strong message that the 

1375
00:56:29,220 --> 00:56:31,670
entirety of government and the United 

1376
00:56:31,670 --> 00:56:34,640
States is focused on the challenge that 

1377
00:56:34,640 --> 00:56:36,751
we've identified as it applies to the 

1378
00:56:36,751 --> 00:56:40,180
Western Pacific . I do agree that 

1379
00:56:40,190 --> 00:56:43,490
that , uh , the initial funding last 

1380
00:56:43,490 --> 00:56:45,657
year and I thank the committee for all 

1381
00:56:45,657 --> 00:56:47,823
of their work 2.2 billion to start . I 

1382
00:56:47,823 --> 00:56:49,990
think foundational is the right word . 

1383
00:56:49,990 --> 00:56:52,157
This is not a one trick pony . This is 

1384
00:56:52,157 --> 00:56:53,823
gonna be It's gonna take some 

1385
00:56:53,823 --> 00:56:56,040
sustainment to ensure we can generate 

1386
00:56:56,040 --> 00:56:58,096
that credible deterrence and keep it 

1387
00:56:58,096 --> 00:57:01,040
going . And just again , I asked two 

1388
00:57:01,040 --> 00:57:03,151
questions . Alternatively , if that's 

1389
00:57:03,151 --> 00:57:05,420
not funded at 4.6 billion , which is 

1390
00:57:05,420 --> 00:57:08,300
what the Admiral has requested in you , 

1391
00:57:08,300 --> 00:57:11,530
I believe , support what this committee 

1392
00:57:11,530 --> 00:57:13,752
supports , by the way , in a bipartisan 

1393
00:57:13,752 --> 00:57:16,210
way . What kind of message would that 

1394
00:57:16,210 --> 00:57:19,990
send if we don't do it . We , the 

1395
00:57:19,990 --> 00:57:21,990
federal government , we , the Biden 

1396
00:57:21,990 --> 00:57:24,157
administration to be frank if we don't 

1397
00:57:24,157 --> 00:57:26,268
do it , despite the fact that the pay 

1398
00:57:26,268 --> 00:57:28,601
com commander has said we need to do it . 

1399
00:57:28,601 --> 00:57:30,768
What kind of message would that send ? 

1400
00:57:30,830 --> 00:57:33,163
I think it's the wrong signal , Senator . 

1401
00:57:33,163 --> 00:57:35,890
A lack of commitment and a lack of 

1402
00:57:35,890 --> 00:57:39,320
ability to follow through on what we 

1403
00:57:39,320 --> 00:57:41,542
believe is needed . Great . Thank you , 

1404
00:57:41,542 --> 00:57:43,670
Mr Chairman . Thank you . Senator 

1405
00:57:43,670 --> 00:57:46,100
Sullivan . Admiral , Thank you for your 

1406
00:57:46,110 --> 00:57:48,221
devoted service to the nation and the 

1407
00:57:48,221 --> 00:57:51,950
Navy . Uh , and , uh , the profound 

1408
00:57:51,950 --> 00:57:53,880
support of your family and your 

1409
00:57:53,890 --> 00:57:57,250
colleagues from the fleet please convey 

1410
00:57:57,250 --> 00:58:00,120
to all of the men and women of your 

1411
00:58:00,120 --> 00:58:02,380
command our deepest and profound 

1412
00:58:02,380 --> 00:58:05,400
appreciation for their work . Uh , we 

1413
00:58:05,400 --> 00:58:08,190
look forward to moving forward with 

1414
00:58:08,190 --> 00:58:11,140
this nomination . With that , uh , the 

1415
00:58:11,140 --> 00:58:13,510
hearing is adjourned , and I'll remind 

1416
00:58:13,510 --> 00:58:15,950
my colleagues that the vote is pending 

1417
00:58:15,950 --> 00:58:18,050
right now . Thank you very much , 

1418
00:58:18,050 --> 00:58:20,050
Admiral . Thank you , Senator .