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consider the nominations of Dr radha 

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Plum to be Deputy undersecretary of 

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defense for acquisition and sustainment . 

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Mrs McClancy Harris to be Deputy 

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undersecretary of Defense for 

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Intelligence and security . Dr laura 

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Taylor Kayla to be assistant Secretary 

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of Defense for industrial based policy . 

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And Mr Brendan Owens to be Assistant 

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Secretary of Defense for energy 

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installations and environment on behalf 

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of the committee . I want to thank each 

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of you for your willingness to serve in 

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these important positions . I would 

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also like to welcome the guests and 

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family members of the president of the 

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day . Dr Plummer would like to welcome 

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your husband john your father ravi , 

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your mother Rama Aunt Sheila and cousin 

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Tara Mrs Harris . I'd like to welcome 

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your husband Caleb , your father 

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William and your mother Robin . And dr 

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taylor I would like to welcome your 

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family members , Julian rana Isaiah 

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Caleb and Jana and I think I've got 

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them all . But if not I welcome 

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everyone and mr Owens , I welcome your 

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wife Wendy , daughter harper's son , 

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Eamon , Father Francis and mother 

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Kathleen . We're grateful to eat you 

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for your support Dr Plum . You are 

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nominated to be Deputy undersecretary 

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of Defense for acquisition and 

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sustainment . You bring decades of 

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technical expertise to this position 

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including your current role as Chief of 

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staff to the Deputy Secretary of 

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Defense and previous experiences as 

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Director of research and insights for 

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trust and safety at google and as a 

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senior economist at the rand 

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corporation . This position has a wide 

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range of duties including delivering 

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timely cost effective capabilities of 

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the armed forces , supervising all 

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elements of defense acquisition and a 

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defense industrial base overseeing the 

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modernization of our nuclear forces and 

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serving as a principal adviser to the 

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secretary and acquisition , sustainment 

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and core logistics . If confirmed , an 

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urgent priority must be working to 

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speed up the acquisition process . We 

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need a way to find a way to provide our 

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war fighters with the equipment they 

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need while also ensuring acquisitions 

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remain on time and on budget . Although 

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some progress and reforms have been 

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made in recent years , the Defense 

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Department's acquisition process still 

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remains on the government 

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accountability office is high risk list . 

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Similarly , the department must improve 

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the operation and sustainment of 

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weapons systems over their life cycles , 

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a course that is often overlooked in 

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the acquisition process . Dr plummer . 

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I'd like to know how you would plan to 

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address these challenges as we go 

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forward . Mrs Harris , you are 

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nominated to be deputy undersecretary 

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of Defense for Intelligence and 

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Security . If confirmed , you will 

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serve as a principal intelligence 

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advisor to the Secretary of Defense and 

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will oversee the Defense intelligence 

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enterprise . Your considerable 

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experience in a regular warfare and 

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counter terrorism policy across the 

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Defense Department and intelligence 

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community will serve you well in this 

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role among many challenges . You will 

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need to ensure the security integrity 

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of all Defense Department , business 

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and government entities and personnel 

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specifically . It is vital to protect 

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our industrial base from cyber theft 

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and adverse investments by competitive 

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nations . The Defense Department's 

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innovation strategy relies on 

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trustworthy technology and intellectual 

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property and it is imperative for the 

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department to be able to access 

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critical technology that is being 

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developed by commercial and non 

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traditional defense companies . 

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Additionally , you will need to ensure 

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that the Defense intelligence 

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collection agencies , N R O N . S . A . 

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And N . G . A devote resources and 

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management attention to the support of 

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agile joint all domain military 

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operations and peer competitors against 

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peer competitors . These operations 

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require split second targeting support 

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and we'd like to know how you would 

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ensure their success . Dr taylor kelly , 

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the Assistant Secretary of Defense for 

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industrial based Policy will serve as 

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the principal advisor to the 

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undersecretary of Defense for 

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acquisition and sustainment and for all 

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industrial based policies and related 

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matters . This position has a wide 

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scope of responsibilities from ensuring 

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supply king security , guiding 

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department wide acquisitions and 

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investments to coordinating small 

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business programs . I would note your 

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considerable experience in economic and 

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business affairs in both the Commerce 

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and state departments as well as your 

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record of leadership at the Council on 

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Foreign Relations . If confirmed , it 

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would be the first person to hold this 

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office as such . There are a number of 

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important challenges you will need to 

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address , notably the department must 

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build domestic production capacity to 

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support key technology areas such as 

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micro electronics , artificial 

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intelligence and hypersonic . These are 

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game changing technologies that will be 

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key to maintaining our advantages over 

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china Russia and other adversaries and 

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our defense industrial base needs an 

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advocate in the department to ensure it 

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receives the support it requires to 

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deliver these products further as we've 

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seen with greater clarity over the past 

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several years , ensuring supply chain 

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security and access to critical 

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strategic materials such as earth 

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elements is fundamentally important for 

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the department and the Defense 

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Industrial Base . I would like to know 

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your thoughts and how you would address 

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these challenges . Finally , Mr Owen 

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joined , nominated to be Assistant 

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Secretary , Defense for energy 

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installations and environment . If 

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confirmed , you will oversee the 

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Defense Department's physical footprint 

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and provide management of military 

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installations worldwide as well as 

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leadership on environmental safety and 

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occupational health programs , your 

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strong engineering background both in 

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and out of government as well as your 

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experience as a Energy manager at Fort 

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Belvoir for seven years should serve 

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you well . Among the challenges for 

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this position is the persistent threat 

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posed by fast contamination at defense 

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installations around the world cleanup 

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and remediation efforts for these 

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chemicals is very costly and 

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technically challenging and I'd like to 

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know what steps you would take to help 

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implement a better strategy moving 

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forward . It will also need to ensure 

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rigorous oversight of the privatized 

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housing companies in the Defense 

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Department's Military Housing 

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privatization initiative . This is an 

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issue that this committee has devoted 

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considerable attention and effort to 

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related li the department will need to 

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take steps to protect and maintain 

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mission readiness by addressing the 

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climate resiliency of military 

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installations . I would ask that you 

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share how this process can be 

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accelerated , particularly for 

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installations most vulnerable to 

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climate risk like wildfires , drought 

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and flooding . Lastly , I welcome your 

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thoughts on how the department can 

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increase its use of distributed energy 

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on its installations using nondefense 

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under contracting messily mechanisms , 

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especially in the Air Force as it has 

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lagged behind the other services . 

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Thank you again to our nominees . I 

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look forward to your testimonies and 

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just a note , we will work 

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expeditiously to get these nominees 

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through since we anticipate and hope 

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for a recess in the coming week . Uh , 

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so we'll have an expedited timeline for 

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questions for the record . Now let me 

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recognize the ranking member senator . 

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You know , I like the recess coming . 

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That's good . I thank you . Mr Chairman . 

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I was not going to actually read my 

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opening statement , but I know that the 

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democrats are winding up a meeting 

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right now and so I'll go ahead and do 

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so . Thank you MR Chairman . Thanks to 

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our witnesses for being here and 

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willing to serve the nation as I've 

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said many times . This is the most 

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dangerous world that we've seen in my 

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lifetime and my lifetime is longer than 

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anyone else in here . So , and so we've 

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had quite a few challenges facing us in 

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your areas of responsibility . The NDS 

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maintains that china is our pacing 

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threat . The CCP is making historic 

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investments to modernize its military 

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and we are falling behind because we 

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haven't been re sourcing our strategy 

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adequately . And , and that was before 

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we had record high inflation . Uh , we 

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are also moving too slowly and and 

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providing too few munitions to our 

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Ukrainian partners . We need to sense 

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the of urgency to make bold , smart 

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decisions at the pentagon . And uh , 

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that actually start with senior 

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civilian leadership , doctors plum and 

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and kayla Kale . You have been 

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nominated for the number two 

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acquisition position in the top 

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industrial based policy position in the 

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department respectfully . Uh , 

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respectively , Congress and Pentagon 

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worked together and have made good 

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strides in acquisition reform . But the 

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chinese are still moving faster than us . 

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Earlier this month . The Deputy 

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Assistant Secretary of the Air Force 

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for acquisition said that the pla is 

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getting new equipment 5 to 6 times 

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faster than we are and we all 

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understand this is a problem that we we 

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have and will continue to have and just 

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that we understand their form of 

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government , they can do some things 

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faster than they than we can do it . Um , 

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Mr Owens , you are nominated to be an 

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Assistant Secretary of Defense for 

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energy installation environment . I'm 

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interested in hearing your thoughts on 

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the current status of the military 

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housing privatization initiative . We 

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spent a lot of time on this in the last 

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uh , last few years , MS Harris , you 

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are nominated service and number two 

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Intelligence Officer in the Department 

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of Defense . We must do a better job 

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understanding our adversaries in 

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articulating the threats they pose to 

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the american public . We still don't 

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have a handle on how to best to prevent 

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the chinese from stealing our 

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technology for military and commercial 

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purposes . We will be a key 

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responsibility for yours for 

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when you are confirmed . The department 

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requires strong civilian leadership . 

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We look forward to hearing each of your 

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views in these areas . 

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Thank you . Mr Chairman , thank you 

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very much . Uh Senator Inhofe and I 

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will recognize the first doctor plum 

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then Mrs Harris and dr taylor Cali and 

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then Mr Owens dr plummer . Your 

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testimony please . Good morning 

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Chairman Reed ranking member in half 

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and could you bring the microphones as 

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close as possible . Sure . Some of us 

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have hearing challenges 

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like the better . Good morning Chairman 

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00:10:45,680 --> 00:10:47,500
read ranking member in half and 

286
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distinguished members of the committee . 

287
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Thank you for your consideration of my 

288
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nomination to serve as deputy 

289
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undersecretary Defense for acquisition 

290
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and sustainment . I'm honored by the 

291
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trust and confidence that President 

292
00:10:59,833 --> 00:11:02,000
biden and Secretary Austin have placed 

293
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in their support for my nomination . I 

294
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also wanted to thank this committee for 

295
00:11:06,389 --> 00:11:08,278
its bipartisan work including the 

296
00:11:08,278 --> 00:11:10,111
faithful passage of the National 

297
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Defense Authorization Act for over 60 

298
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years before I start I want to thank my 

299
00:11:14,444 --> 00:11:16,667
family , my parents and sister aunt and 

300
00:11:16,667 --> 00:11:18,889
cousin and of course my husband and our 

301
00:11:18,889 --> 00:11:20,889
two sons . I'd also like to thank a 

302
00:11:20,889 --> 00:11:22,944
number of mentors including the late 

303
00:11:22,944 --> 00:11:24,944
Michael Sheehan . General Stanley , 

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McChrystal and of course Deputy 

305
00:11:26,722 --> 00:11:28,833
Secretary hicks for their support and 

306
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guidance throughout the years . I have 

307
00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:33,111
been privileged to work in and around 

308
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military , civilian and contractor work 

309
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force of the Department of Defense . 

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And if confirmed to serve as the deputy 

311
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Undersecretary defense for acquisition 

312
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and sustainment , it would be an honor 

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to continue to support their mission by 

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enabling cost effective , streamlined 

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processes to develop and field 

316
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capabilities critical to our 

317
00:11:49,160 --> 00:11:52,360
warfighters . For more than 70 years 

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the United States leadership and 

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democratic values have laid the 

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foundation for peace and prosperity but 

321
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we are now operating in one of the most 

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complex and rapidly evolving 

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environments in decades . One that 

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challenges much of that foundation . It 

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00:12:06,430 --> 00:12:08,541
is clear that the pacing challenge of 

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00:12:08,541 --> 00:12:10,620
our time is china who leverages its 

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coercive authoritarian means to 

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threaten us interests and democratic 

329
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values around the world added to that 

330
00:12:17,020 --> 00:12:19,020
is the acute threat of Russia whose 

331
00:12:19,020 --> 00:12:20,853
unprovoked attack on Ukraine has 

332
00:12:20,853 --> 00:12:22,687
highlighted the crucial role our 

333
00:12:22,687 --> 00:12:24,520
defense industrial base plays in 

334
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delivering capabilities needed to both 

335
00:12:26,687 --> 00:12:28,853
reassure our allies and defend against 

336
00:12:28,853 --> 00:12:31,020
our adversaries . No doubt the U . S . 

337
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Can and will prevail against our 

338
00:12:32,853 --> 00:12:35,076
competitors . But doing so will require 

339
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dedicated focus to leverage the 

340
00:12:36,920 --> 00:12:39,090
enduring advantages we derive from our 

341
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democratic values and a free society . 

342
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We have the finest military in the 

343
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world and the creativity and competence 

344
00:12:46,007 --> 00:12:48,173
of a thriving commercial sector . That 

345
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is also the envy of the world . If 

346
00:12:50,118 --> 00:12:52,173
confirmed , my task will be to match 

347
00:12:52,173 --> 00:12:54,007
warfighter requirements from our 

348
00:12:54,007 --> 00:12:56,229
military with the technologies and that 

349
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vibrant industrial base . To ensure our 

350
00:12:58,451 --> 00:13:00,618
military has the capabilities it needs 

351
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to prevail in critical missions anytime 

352
00:13:02,840 --> 00:13:05,030
anywhere . To do this , we must 

353
00:13:05,040 --> 00:13:07,370
establish clear transition pathways for 

354
00:13:07,370 --> 00:13:09,092
critical new technologies like 

355
00:13:09,092 --> 00:13:11,259
hypersonic artificial intelligence and 

356
00:13:11,259 --> 00:13:13,180
directed energies . We must field 

357
00:13:13,180 --> 00:13:15,370
solutions more rapidly . We must 

358
00:13:15,370 --> 00:13:17,610
leverage new acquisition pathways to 

359
00:13:17,610 --> 00:13:19,832
acquire software and software intensive 

360
00:13:19,832 --> 00:13:21,888
systems to meet the needs of our war 

361
00:13:21,888 --> 00:13:23,832
fighters and invest in our defense 

362
00:13:23,832 --> 00:13:25,832
industrial base . To reduce foreign 

363
00:13:25,832 --> 00:13:27,666
dependency , we must sustain our 

364
00:13:27,666 --> 00:13:29,499
fielded weapon systems in a cost 

365
00:13:29,499 --> 00:13:31,277
effective manner and ensure the 

366
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resilience of our installations and our 

367
00:13:33,499 --> 00:13:35,832
systems to the full range of biological , 

368
00:13:35,832 --> 00:13:37,888
nuclear , chemical and environmental 

369
00:13:37,888 --> 00:13:40,110
threats . And of course we must empower 

370
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the defense acquisition workforce to 

371
00:13:42,166 --> 00:13:42,160
ensure they have the tools authority 

372
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and leadership they need . If confirmed 

373
00:13:44,800 --> 00:13:46,689
I will strive to accomplish these 

374
00:13:46,689 --> 00:13:48,356
critical priorities under the 

375
00:13:48,356 --> 00:13:50,578
leadership guidance and guidance of the 

376
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Secretary of Defense Deputy Secretary , 

377
00:13:52,800 --> 00:13:54,522
Defense and undersecretary for 

378
00:13:54,522 --> 00:13:56,522
acquisition and sustainment . To be 

379
00:13:56,522 --> 00:13:58,689
successful in that task . Will require 

380
00:13:58,689 --> 00:14:00,800
regular and transparent dialogue with 

381
00:14:00,800 --> 00:14:03,022
Congress and of course this committee . 

382
00:14:03,022 --> 00:14:05,078
Again I want to thank this committee 

383
00:14:05,078 --> 00:14:07,244
for its decades of bipartisan work and 

384
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I'm committed to working together to 

385
00:14:09,300 --> 00:14:11,522
ensure we can deter adversaries and the 

386
00:14:11,522 --> 00:14:13,689
defendant defend the United States and 

387
00:14:13,689 --> 00:14:13,590
all that I do . I pledge never to lose 

388
00:14:13,590 --> 00:14:15,812
sight of that mission . Thank you and I 

389
00:14:15,812 --> 00:14:17,979
look forward to your questions . Thank 

390
00:14:17,979 --> 00:14:20,034
you very much Doctor Plum Mrs Harris 

391
00:14:20,034 --> 00:14:22,970
please . Chairman reed ranking member 

392
00:14:22,970 --> 00:14:25,192
Inhofe and distinguished members of the 

393
00:14:25,192 --> 00:14:27,248
committee . It is an honor to appear 

394
00:14:27,248 --> 00:14:29,303
before you this morning as president 

395
00:14:29,303 --> 00:14:30,803
biden's nominee for Deputy 

396
00:14:30,803 --> 00:14:32,470
undersecretary of Defense for 

397
00:14:32,470 --> 00:14:34,137
Intelligence and Security . I 

398
00:14:34,137 --> 00:14:36,137
appreciate your consideration of my 

399
00:14:36,137 --> 00:14:38,248
nomination . I have been blessed with 

400
00:14:38,248 --> 00:14:40,359
an incredible family and community of 

401
00:14:40,359 --> 00:14:39,730
friends who have supported me 

402
00:14:39,730 --> 00:14:41,674
throughout my career to my husband 

403
00:14:41,674 --> 00:14:43,730
Caleb . Thank thank you for being my 

404
00:14:43,730 --> 00:14:45,508
biggest cheerleader and my best 

405
00:14:45,508 --> 00:14:47,563
sounding board to my parents , Robin 

406
00:14:47,563 --> 00:14:49,452
and Bill and sisters McKenzie and 

407
00:14:49,452 --> 00:14:51,619
Caitlin . Thank you for your support , 

408
00:14:51,619 --> 00:14:53,674
instilling me with a sense of public 

409
00:14:53,674 --> 00:14:55,897
service and expanding my world view . I 

410
00:14:55,897 --> 00:14:57,897
would also like to thank all of the 

411
00:14:57,897 --> 00:14:57,770
national security professionals with 

412
00:14:57,770 --> 00:15:00,103
whom I have served throughout my career . 

413
00:15:00,103 --> 00:15:01,881
Your commitment to service your 

414
00:15:01,881 --> 00:15:04,048
resilience and your character inspires 

415
00:15:04,048 --> 00:15:06,214
me every day and I'm grateful for your 

416
00:15:06,214 --> 00:15:08,381
friendship and mentorship . My journey 

417
00:15:08,381 --> 00:15:10,603
to this hearing room today began when I 

418
00:15:10,603 --> 00:15:12,770
joined the Defense Intelligence Agency 

419
00:15:12,770 --> 00:15:14,826
as an intelligence analyst in 2004 . 

420
00:15:14,826 --> 00:15:17,048
From that work I learned the importance 

421
00:15:17,048 --> 00:15:18,937
of analytic rigor , integrity and 

422
00:15:18,937 --> 00:15:21,159
precision through countless significant 

423
00:15:21,159 --> 00:15:23,214
national security challenges . I saw 

424
00:15:23,214 --> 00:15:22,470
the importance of speaking truth to 

425
00:15:22,470 --> 00:15:24,637
power and having a strong intelligence 

426
00:15:24,637 --> 00:15:26,940
foundation for policy decisions as I 

427
00:15:26,940 --> 00:15:28,940
later transitioned to policy making 

428
00:15:28,940 --> 00:15:30,829
roles . That perspective was only 

429
00:15:30,829 --> 00:15:32,718
reinforced as I became reliant on 

430
00:15:32,718 --> 00:15:34,662
integrated intelligence support to 

431
00:15:34,662 --> 00:15:36,551
inform policy recommendations and 

432
00:15:36,551 --> 00:15:38,440
decisions . If confirmed . I look 

433
00:15:38,440 --> 00:15:40,218
forward to ensuring the Defense 

434
00:15:40,218 --> 00:15:41,996
Intelligence enterprise is best 

435
00:15:41,996 --> 00:15:44,107
positioned to continue providing that 

436
00:15:44,107 --> 00:15:46,384
critical support to our senior leaders . 

437
00:15:46,384 --> 00:15:48,496
This committee has long supported our 

438
00:15:48,496 --> 00:15:48,170
nation's intelligence community and the 

439
00:15:48,170 --> 00:15:50,392
essential missions conducted within the 

440
00:15:50,392 --> 00:15:52,281
Defense Intelligence and Security 

441
00:15:52,281 --> 00:15:54,114
Enterprises . I am humbled to be 

442
00:15:54,114 --> 00:15:56,059
nominated to serve alongside those 

443
00:15:56,059 --> 00:15:57,948
women and men , women and men who 

444
00:15:57,948 --> 00:15:59,670
demonstrate a high standard of 

445
00:15:59,670 --> 00:16:01,892
excellence and drive innovation . While 

446
00:16:01,892 --> 00:16:03,948
maintaining a clear focus on some of 

447
00:16:03,948 --> 00:16:06,059
the nation's most critical challenges 

448
00:16:06,059 --> 00:16:07,726
we face as a nation . Defense 

449
00:16:07,726 --> 00:16:09,614
Intelligence and security efforts 

450
00:16:09,614 --> 00:16:09,440
provide critical support to the 

451
00:16:09,440 --> 00:16:11,607
Secretary of National Defense Strategy 

452
00:16:11,607 --> 00:16:13,496
and are essential to ensuring the 

453
00:16:13,496 --> 00:16:15,496
United States retains its strategic 

454
00:16:15,496 --> 00:16:18,380
advantage today and in the future , I 

455
00:16:18,380 --> 00:16:20,380
approach my nomination with a clear 

456
00:16:20,380 --> 00:16:22,047
focus on ensuring we are best 

457
00:16:22,047 --> 00:16:24,158
positioned to collaborate with allies 

458
00:16:24,158 --> 00:16:26,102
and partners collect information , 

459
00:16:26,102 --> 00:16:27,936
conduct analysis on intelligence 

460
00:16:27,936 --> 00:16:30,158
priorities and protect our intelligence 

461
00:16:30,158 --> 00:16:32,380
and innovations , positioning ourselves 

462
00:16:32,380 --> 00:16:34,602
for the future . Also means ensuring we 

463
00:16:34,602 --> 00:16:36,602
recruit and retain a workforce that 

464
00:16:36,602 --> 00:16:36,550
reflects the diversity of our country . 

465
00:16:36,940 --> 00:16:38,980
Our work is only as strong as those 

466
00:16:38,980 --> 00:16:40,647
professionals who work in the 

467
00:16:40,647 --> 00:16:42,647
intelligence community . Efforts to 

468
00:16:42,647 --> 00:16:44,647
increase diversity are paramount to 

469
00:16:44,647 --> 00:16:46,258
ensuring we have the diverse 

470
00:16:46,258 --> 00:16:48,369
perspectives and skill sets . We need 

471
00:16:48,369 --> 00:16:50,202
to retain our edge as we seek to 

472
00:16:50,202 --> 00:16:52,313
recruit these professionals to public 

473
00:16:52,313 --> 00:16:54,424
service . We need to ensure we do our 

474
00:16:54,424 --> 00:16:56,147
best to onboard them quickly , 

475
00:16:56,147 --> 00:16:58,258
facilitate career mobility and ensure 

476
00:16:58,258 --> 00:17:00,424
the work of the intelligence community 

477
00:17:00,424 --> 00:17:02,647
can retain this talent base . This only 

478
00:17:02,647 --> 00:17:04,869
increases the importance of the work to 

479
00:17:04,869 --> 00:17:04,680
streamline the clearance process , 

480
00:17:04,800 --> 00:17:06,578
increase reciprocity across the 

481
00:17:06,578 --> 00:17:08,467
intelligence community and create 

482
00:17:08,467 --> 00:17:09,967
educational and broadening 

483
00:17:09,967 --> 00:17:12,078
opportunities . If confirmed , I look 

484
00:17:12,078 --> 00:17:14,356
forward to supporting Secretary Austin , 

485
00:17:14,356 --> 00:17:16,522
DNA Haynes and undersecretary Moultrie 

486
00:17:16,522 --> 00:17:18,633
on these priorities and ensuring that 

487
00:17:18,633 --> 00:17:20,744
the Defense Intelligence and Security 

488
00:17:20,744 --> 00:17:20,600
enterprise is well integrated in the 

489
00:17:20,600 --> 00:17:22,767
National Intelligence Enterprise . I'm 

490
00:17:22,767 --> 00:17:24,933
also committed to working closely with 

491
00:17:24,933 --> 00:17:27,100
this committee and other committees of 

492
00:17:27,100 --> 00:17:29,322
jurisdiction to provide the information 

493
00:17:29,322 --> 00:17:28,690
needed to carry out your oversight 

494
00:17:28,690 --> 00:17:30,801
responsibilities . Thank you for your 

495
00:17:30,801 --> 00:17:32,746
time today and consideration of my 

496
00:17:32,746 --> 00:17:34,746
nomination . I look forward to your 

497
00:17:34,746 --> 00:17:36,634
questions . Thank you very much . 

498
00:17:36,634 --> 00:17:38,746
Doctor laura Taylor Cali please and I 

499
00:17:38,746 --> 00:17:40,634
probably pronounced the name five 

500
00:17:40,634 --> 00:17:42,857
different ways . So forgive me . That's 

501
00:17:42,857 --> 00:17:44,912
great , that's fine . Good morning . 

502
00:17:44,912 --> 00:17:47,079
Chairman , read ranking member in half 

503
00:17:47,079 --> 00:17:48,912
and distinguished members of the 

504
00:17:48,912 --> 00:17:50,968
committee . I am incredibly grateful 

505
00:17:50,968 --> 00:17:53,079
for this opportunity to appear before 

506
00:17:53,079 --> 00:17:55,134
you and for your consideration of my 

507
00:17:55,134 --> 00:17:57,190
nomination to serve as the Assistant 

508
00:17:57,190 --> 00:17:59,190
Secretary of Defense for Industrial 

509
00:17:59,190 --> 00:18:01,357
based Policy . This committee deserves 

510
00:18:01,357 --> 00:18:03,670
great credit for your insight and 

511
00:18:03,670 --> 00:18:05,503
leading the way to establish the 

512
00:18:05,503 --> 00:18:07,760
department's focal point for industrial 

513
00:18:07,760 --> 00:18:10,710
based policy at the Assistant Secretary 

514
00:18:10,710 --> 00:18:13,210
level . I am deeply honored and humbled 

515
00:18:13,210 --> 00:18:15,220
by President biden's nomination to 

516
00:18:15,220 --> 00:18:17,970
serve in this historic role and by the 

517
00:18:17,970 --> 00:18:19,970
trust and confidence that Secretary 

518
00:18:19,970 --> 00:18:22,780
Austin , Deputy Secretary Hicks and 

519
00:18:22,780 --> 00:18:24,947
undersecretary of the plant had placed 

520
00:18:24,947 --> 00:18:27,500
in me . I come from humble origins that 

521
00:18:27,500 --> 00:18:29,720
I sit before you today is a testimony 

522
00:18:29,720 --> 00:18:32,150
to this country's opportunities . I was 

523
00:18:32,150 --> 00:18:34,094
born and raised outside of Chicago 

524
00:18:34,094 --> 00:18:36,380
Illinois by a single mother who used 

525
00:18:36,380 --> 00:18:38,324
the community college education to 

526
00:18:38,324 --> 00:18:41,160
escape poverty . I would not be here 

527
00:18:41,170 --> 00:18:43,003
without the countless teachers , 

528
00:18:43,003 --> 00:18:45,270
friends , mentors and family who 

529
00:18:45,270 --> 00:18:47,800
encouraged me and instilled in me the 

530
00:18:47,800 --> 00:18:49,856
importance of hard work and selfless 

531
00:18:49,856 --> 00:18:52,000
service . I'd like to give a special 

532
00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:54,111
thanks to my D . C . Area friends and 

533
00:18:54,111 --> 00:18:56,167
family , especially the Dotson's who 

534
00:18:56,167 --> 00:18:58,111
joined me here today and thank you 

535
00:18:58,111 --> 00:19:00,278
Chairman read for personally welcoming 

536
00:19:00,278 --> 00:19:02,444
Jana Caleb and Isaiah . This brings me 

537
00:19:02,444 --> 00:19:04,778
a lot of street cred and teenager world . 

538
00:19:05,840 --> 00:19:07,900
If confirmed , my service as the 

539
00:19:07,900 --> 00:19:10,330
Assistant Secretary of Defense would be 

540
00:19:10,330 --> 00:19:12,500
shaped by my stalwart belief that our 

541
00:19:12,510 --> 00:19:15,380
economic security is fundamentally our 

542
00:19:15,380 --> 00:19:18,140
national security . My experience in 

543
00:19:18,140 --> 00:19:20,362
international economics and Development 

544
00:19:20,362 --> 00:19:22,960
Finance has reinforced my view that our 

545
00:19:22,970 --> 00:19:25,830
open democratic system and market 

546
00:19:25,830 --> 00:19:27,850
driven rules based economy is our 

547
00:19:27,850 --> 00:19:30,410
strength and that are resilient and 

548
00:19:30,420 --> 00:19:32,531
innovative defense , industrial based 

549
00:19:32,531 --> 00:19:35,320
powers , our ability to prevail in an 

550
00:19:35,330 --> 00:19:37,460
age of strategic competition against 

551
00:19:37,460 --> 00:19:40,660
china and other competitors . As you 

552
00:19:40,660 --> 00:19:42,604
noted . Mr . Chairman , I began my 

553
00:19:42,604 --> 00:19:44,604
career in public service as a State 

554
00:19:44,604 --> 00:19:46,771
Department Foreign Service officer . I 

555
00:19:46,771 --> 00:19:48,604
also served in Afghanistan as an 

556
00:19:48,604 --> 00:19:50,716
economic officer . I served alongside 

557
00:19:50,716 --> 00:19:52,771
brilliant , dedicated members of the 

558
00:19:52,771 --> 00:19:55,190
armed forces and I remain deeply proud 

559
00:19:55,190 --> 00:19:57,134
of our servicemen and women and if 

560
00:19:57,134 --> 00:19:59,357
confirmed , it would be my privilege to 

561
00:19:59,357 --> 00:20:01,246
support our nation's war fighters 

562
00:20:01,246 --> 00:20:03,530
wherever they may be . I've worked 

563
00:20:03,530 --> 00:20:05,419
closely with manufacturers as the 

564
00:20:05,419 --> 00:20:07,141
deputy Assistant Secretary for 

565
00:20:07,141 --> 00:20:09,086
manufacturing at the Department of 

566
00:20:09,086 --> 00:20:10,974
Commerce and study changes in the 

567
00:20:10,974 --> 00:20:14,090
industrial workforce . If confirmed , 

568
00:20:14,100 --> 00:20:16,260
my priorities will be securing the 

569
00:20:16,260 --> 00:20:18,360
health of the and resilience of the 

570
00:20:18,360 --> 00:20:21,060
defense industrial base , balancing our 

571
00:20:21,060 --> 00:20:23,450
short term gaps and long term 

572
00:20:23,450 --> 00:20:25,550
priorities by focusing on these key 

573
00:20:25,550 --> 00:20:28,450
issues engaging industry and our 

574
00:20:28,450 --> 00:20:30,920
strategic allies as partners to 

575
00:20:30,920 --> 00:20:32,810
mitigate supply chain risks , 

576
00:20:32,820 --> 00:20:35,090
increasing competition and supporting 

577
00:20:35,090 --> 00:20:36,979
small business and nontraditional 

578
00:20:36,979 --> 00:20:39,510
suppliers . Supporting partnerships to 

579
00:20:39,510 --> 00:20:41,454
develop the defense industrial and 

580
00:20:41,454 --> 00:20:43,890
manufacturing workforce , protecting 

581
00:20:43,890 --> 00:20:45,723
the defense industrial base from 

582
00:20:45,723 --> 00:20:48,260
foreign adversary capital , increasing 

583
00:20:48,260 --> 00:20:50,260
our domestic production of critical 

584
00:20:50,260 --> 00:20:52,740
minerals and strategic materials and 

585
00:20:52,740 --> 00:20:54,962
working across the Defense Department , 

586
00:20:55,240 --> 00:20:57,240
particularly with the office of the 

587
00:20:57,240 --> 00:20:59,462
Under Secretary of Defense for Research 

588
00:20:59,462 --> 00:21:01,351
and Engineering to infuse greater 

589
00:21:01,351 --> 00:21:03,770
innovation and the defense industrial 

590
00:21:03,770 --> 00:21:07,290
base and move new technologies through 

591
00:21:07,290 --> 00:21:09,920
and past the valley of death . Again , 

592
00:21:09,920 --> 00:21:12,142
I am humbled and honored and profoundly 

593
00:21:12,142 --> 00:21:14,087
fortunate to be nominated for this 

594
00:21:14,087 --> 00:21:16,309
position for which there is significant 

595
00:21:16,309 --> 00:21:19,220
bipartisan support on behalf of the 

596
00:21:19,220 --> 00:21:21,930
nation that I love . I commit to you 

597
00:21:21,930 --> 00:21:24,060
that if confirmed , I will give this 

598
00:21:24,060 --> 00:21:26,530
position my all further if confirmed 

599
00:21:26,530 --> 00:21:28,586
today , will mark the beginning of a 

600
00:21:28,586 --> 00:21:30,890
robust and meaningful dialogue between 

601
00:21:30,890 --> 00:21:33,800
us . I commit to consulting regularly 

602
00:21:33,800 --> 00:21:37,180
clearly robustly and transparently with 

603
00:21:37,180 --> 00:21:39,236
this committee and its subcommittees 

604
00:21:39,340 --> 00:21:41,507
and with Congress on the full range of 

605
00:21:41,507 --> 00:21:43,229
issues confronting the defense 

606
00:21:43,229 --> 00:21:45,940
industrial base . Ultimately I hope 

607
00:21:45,940 --> 00:21:48,107
that our joint efforts will ensure the 

608
00:21:48,107 --> 00:21:50,000
necessary resources for our war 

609
00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:52,060
fighters and secure our nation's 

610
00:21:52,070 --> 00:21:55,020
economic future . Thank you again and I 

611
00:21:55,020 --> 00:21:57,290
look forward to your questions . Thank 

612
00:21:57,290 --> 00:21:59,270
you . Doctor Mr Owens , please ? 

613
00:22:01,840 --> 00:22:03,729
Thank you . Chairman Reed ranking 

614
00:22:03,729 --> 00:22:05,840
member Emhoff . Distinguished members 

615
00:22:05,840 --> 00:22:08,062
of the committee . Thank you for taking 

616
00:22:08,062 --> 00:22:09,729
the time today to consider my 

617
00:22:09,729 --> 00:22:11,951
nomination to be Assistant Secretary of 

618
00:22:11,951 --> 00:22:14,118
defense for energy , installations and 

619
00:22:14,118 --> 00:22:16,229
environment . Throughout this process 

620
00:22:16,229 --> 00:22:18,229
it's been clear to me how seriously 

621
00:22:18,229 --> 00:22:20,451
this committee takes its responsibility 

622
00:22:20,451 --> 00:22:20,330
to assess the qualifications of 

623
00:22:20,330 --> 00:22:22,663
nominees for key positions within D . O . 

624
00:22:22,663 --> 00:22:24,830
D . I thank you for your critical role 

625
00:22:24,830 --> 00:22:26,663
in this process . The confidence 

626
00:22:26,663 --> 00:22:28,719
president , biden , Secretary Austin 

627
00:22:28,719 --> 00:22:30,886
and Deputy Secretary Hicks have placed 

628
00:22:30,886 --> 00:22:33,219
in me is deeply humbling . If confirmed , 

629
00:22:33,219 --> 00:22:35,330
I will do everything I can to live up 

630
00:22:35,330 --> 00:22:37,052
to the examples of service and 

631
00:22:37,052 --> 00:22:39,163
principled leadership . They have set 

632
00:22:39,163 --> 00:22:41,330
throughout their distinguished careers 

633
00:22:41,330 --> 00:22:43,552
by my family standards . I'm quite late 

634
00:22:43,552 --> 00:22:45,663
to public service but I am honored to 

635
00:22:45,663 --> 00:22:47,830
have the opportunity to become part of 

636
00:22:47,830 --> 00:22:49,552
a tradition . I've always been 

637
00:22:49,552 --> 00:22:51,497
extremely proud of My father Bucky 

638
00:22:51,497 --> 00:22:53,441
retired as captain of the ports of 

639
00:22:53,441 --> 00:22:55,608
mobile Alabama . After a distinguished 

640
00:22:55,608 --> 00:22:57,608
25 year career in the United States 

641
00:22:57,608 --> 00:22:59,719
Coast Guard . The example , he and my 

642
00:22:59,719 --> 00:22:59,580
mother Cathy set from my brothers and I 

643
00:22:59,580 --> 00:23:01,950
during their service has had a deep and 

644
00:23:01,950 --> 00:23:04,440
lasting effect on all of us . Ryan matt 

645
00:23:04,440 --> 00:23:06,662
and terry are now setting the example . 

646
00:23:06,662 --> 00:23:08,718
My parents set for us with their own 

647
00:23:08,718 --> 00:23:10,662
families . Ryan has worked for the 

648
00:23:10,662 --> 00:23:12,662
Coast Guard for almost 20 years and 

649
00:23:12,662 --> 00:23:12,600
Matt and Terry are first responders 

650
00:23:12,680 --> 00:23:14,910
across the river in Arlington . I'm 

651
00:23:14,910 --> 00:23:17,243
also proud of the dozens of other aunts , 

652
00:23:17,243 --> 00:23:19,380
uncles and cousins who in our family 

653
00:23:19,390 --> 00:23:21,168
have served or are serving with 

654
00:23:21,168 --> 00:23:24,430
distinction to my wife and kids . Wendy , 

655
00:23:24,440 --> 00:23:26,770
harper and Eamon . I'm excited for the 

656
00:23:26,770 --> 00:23:28,770
opportunity to continue our journey 

657
00:23:28,770 --> 00:23:30,770
alongside the incredible people who 

658
00:23:30,770 --> 00:23:32,937
dedicate their lives to the safety and 

659
00:23:32,937 --> 00:23:35,020
national security . I'm grateful of 

660
00:23:35,020 --> 00:23:37,131
confirmed that you're willing to join 

661
00:23:37,131 --> 00:23:39,131
me in returning to a version of the 

662
00:23:39,131 --> 00:23:41,242
life that defined the 1st 25 years in 

663
00:23:41,242 --> 00:23:43,020
line . I'm thrilled to have the 

664
00:23:43,020 --> 00:23:45,020
opportunity to serve the people who 

665
00:23:45,020 --> 00:23:47,187
safeguard the nation . Growing up . We 

666
00:23:47,187 --> 00:23:48,909
learned reverence for and deep 

667
00:23:48,909 --> 00:23:50,853
appreciation of the sacrifices our 

668
00:23:50,853 --> 00:23:52,798
military service members and their 

669
00:23:52,798 --> 00:23:55,020
families make when they answer the call 

670
00:23:55,020 --> 00:23:57,242
the Defense Department's people are its 

671
00:23:57,242 --> 00:23:59,464
greatest strength and their service and 

672
00:23:59,464 --> 00:24:01,576
professionalism is unrivaled anywhere 

673
00:24:01,576 --> 00:24:03,298
in the world . I am honored if 

674
00:24:03,298 --> 00:24:05,560
confirmed to serve these extraordinary 

675
00:24:05,560 --> 00:24:08,350
people , I will do everything I can to 

676
00:24:08,350 --> 00:24:10,294
ensure their ability to decisively 

677
00:24:10,294 --> 00:24:12,517
execute their mission while those of us 

678
00:24:12,517 --> 00:24:14,572
serving in support of that mission , 

679
00:24:14,572 --> 00:24:16,739
safeguard their well being for most of 

680
00:24:16,739 --> 00:24:18,906
the force this starts by ensuring they 

681
00:24:18,906 --> 00:24:20,906
have safe , healthy , efficient and 

682
00:24:20,906 --> 00:24:22,906
resilient places to live and work . 

683
00:24:22,906 --> 00:24:24,961
These places should be enhancing the 

684
00:24:24,961 --> 00:24:27,128
health well being and readiness of our 

685
00:24:27,128 --> 00:24:29,350
service members and their families . If 

686
00:24:29,350 --> 00:24:31,183
confirmed , I will put a 25 year 

687
00:24:31,183 --> 00:24:31,160
background in efficient , healthy and 

688
00:24:31,160 --> 00:24:33,216
resilient buildings to work and be a 

689
00:24:33,216 --> 00:24:35,216
champion for our service members to 

690
00:24:35,216 --> 00:24:37,160
ensure their environment , homes , 

691
00:24:37,160 --> 00:24:39,382
workplaces and infrastructure , enhance 

692
00:24:39,382 --> 00:24:41,604
their ability to complete their mission 

693
00:24:41,604 --> 00:24:43,640
and thrive as people . The tiny 

694
00:24:43,640 --> 00:24:45,800
portfolio is broad and extends well 

695
00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:47,689
beyond installation fence lines . 

696
00:24:47,940 --> 00:24:49,496
Defense communities provide 

697
00:24:49,496 --> 00:24:51,650
indispensable services the department 

698
00:24:51,650 --> 00:24:53,594
relies on to support our uniformed 

699
00:24:53,594 --> 00:24:56,380
military families So I intend to 

700
00:24:56,390 --> 00:24:58,557
confirm to put our service members and 

701
00:24:58,557 --> 00:25:00,723
their families first . I know that the 

702
00:25:00,723 --> 00:25:02,946
relationships the department cultivates 

703
00:25:02,946 --> 00:25:05,112
and maintains with defense communities 

704
00:25:05,112 --> 00:25:07,334
are critical components of installation 

705
00:25:07,334 --> 00:25:09,279
resilience and force readiness . I 

706
00:25:09,279 --> 00:25:11,334
admire the foresight embodied in the 

707
00:25:11,334 --> 00:25:13,223
integrated approach to capability 

708
00:25:13,223 --> 00:25:15,446
improvement and community engagement in 

709
00:25:15,446 --> 00:25:17,501
programs like er sip Rippey sentinel 

710
00:25:17,501 --> 00:25:19,279
and the defense Communities and 

711
00:25:19,279 --> 00:25:21,223
infrastructure pilot program . The 

712
00:25:21,223 --> 00:25:23,390
decent pilot is one example of many of 

713
00:25:23,390 --> 00:25:25,112
the innovative programs in the 

714
00:25:25,112 --> 00:25:26,723
portfolio that recognize the 

715
00:25:26,723 --> 00:25:28,834
interdependency of mission continuity 

716
00:25:28,834 --> 00:25:30,612
and the defense community . Our 

717
00:25:30,612 --> 00:25:32,723
installations rely on non D . O . D . 

718
00:25:32,723 --> 00:25:34,834
Partners for practically speaking all 

719
00:25:34,834 --> 00:25:37,057
of their energy installation resilience 

720
00:25:37,057 --> 00:25:39,057
in the face of malign and naturally 

721
00:25:39,057 --> 00:25:41,279
occurring disruption is crucial as duty 

722
00:25:41,279 --> 00:25:43,390
works to implement installation level 

723
00:25:43,390 --> 00:25:45,279
mission readiness strategies like 

724
00:25:45,279 --> 00:25:47,001
microgrids , building the grid 

725
00:25:47,001 --> 00:25:49,001
integration , energy generation and 

726
00:25:49,001 --> 00:25:51,168
storage . Its sheer size also presents 

727
00:25:51,168 --> 00:25:53,334
an opportunity to not only support its 

728
00:25:53,334 --> 00:25:55,501
community partners but also the entire 

729
00:25:55,501 --> 00:25:57,446
country in commercializing new and 

730
00:25:57,446 --> 00:25:59,668
scaling existing technology with an eye 

731
00:25:59,668 --> 00:26:01,779
towards enhancing resilience , energy 

732
00:26:01,779 --> 00:26:04,270
independence , reliability , equity and 

733
00:26:04,270 --> 00:26:06,800
health in the US the the D . O . D . 

734
00:26:06,800 --> 00:26:09,690
Success and ability to complete its 

735
00:26:09,690 --> 00:26:11,523
mission and secure the nation is 

736
00:26:11,523 --> 00:26:13,690
predicated on regular and constructive 

737
00:26:13,690 --> 00:26:15,579
dialogue between Congress and the 

738
00:26:15,579 --> 00:26:17,468
department I fully understand the 

739
00:26:17,468 --> 00:26:19,579
importance of this partnership and if 

740
00:26:19,579 --> 00:26:19,570
confirmed I will work with the Saudi 

741
00:26:19,570 --> 00:26:21,348
leadership to ensure timely and 

742
00:26:21,348 --> 00:26:23,514
substantive communication with you and 

743
00:26:23,514 --> 00:26:25,626
your staff . Thank you again for your 

744
00:26:25,626 --> 00:26:27,848
consideration of my nomination . I look 

745
00:26:27,848 --> 00:26:27,710
forward to your questions today and 

746
00:26:27,710 --> 00:26:30,110
forward if confirmed going forward as 

747
00:26:30,110 --> 00:26:32,420
well . Thank you Mr Owens . Before we 

748
00:26:32,420 --> 00:26:34,642
begin our round of questioning , I have 

749
00:26:34,642 --> 00:26:36,864
a series of questions that are required 

750
00:26:36,864 --> 00:26:39,031
for all nominees and you may answer in 

751
00:26:39,031 --> 00:26:41,900
unison . Have you adhered to applicable 

752
00:26:41,900 --> 00:26:43,622
laws and regulations governing 

753
00:26:43,622 --> 00:26:46,740
conflicts of interest ? Yes . Have you 

754
00:26:46,740 --> 00:26:48,730
assumed any duties or taking any 

755
00:26:48,730 --> 00:26:50,786
actions that would appear to presume 

756
00:26:50,786 --> 00:26:53,119
the outcome of the confirmation process ? 

757
00:26:53,119 --> 00:26:56,490
No . Exercising our legislative and 

758
00:26:56,490 --> 00:26:58,601
oversight responsibilities . Makes it 

759
00:26:58,601 --> 00:27:00,601
important that this committee , its 

760
00:27:00,601 --> 00:27:02,601
subcommittees and other appropriate 

761
00:27:02,601 --> 00:27:04,323
committees of Congress receive 

762
00:27:04,323 --> 00:27:06,546
testimony briefings , reports , records 

763
00:27:06,546 --> 00:27:08,268
and other information from the 

764
00:27:08,268 --> 00:27:10,490
executive branch on a timely basis . Do 

765
00:27:10,490 --> 00:27:12,546
you agree if confirmed to appear and 

766
00:27:12,546 --> 00:27:14,490
testify before this committee when 

767
00:27:14,490 --> 00:27:17,760
requested ? Yes . Do you agree to 

768
00:27:17,760 --> 00:27:19,538
provide records , documents and 

769
00:27:19,538 --> 00:27:21,649
electronic communications in a timely 

770
00:27:21,649 --> 00:27:23,982
manner when requested by this committee ? 

771
00:27:23,982 --> 00:27:26,149
Its subcommittees or other appropriate 

772
00:27:26,149 --> 00:27:28,440
committees of Congress and to consult 

773
00:27:28,450 --> 00:27:30,672
with the request or regarding the basis 

774
00:27:30,672 --> 00:27:33,690
for any good faith delay or denial in 

775
00:27:33,690 --> 00:27:37,530
providing such records ? Yes . Will you 

776
00:27:37,530 --> 00:27:39,586
ensure that your staff complies with 

777
00:27:39,586 --> 00:27:41,808
deadlines established by this committee 

778
00:27:41,808 --> 00:27:44,030
for the production of reports , records 

779
00:27:44,030 --> 00:27:46,197
and other information including timely 

780
00:27:46,197 --> 00:27:48,419
responding to hearing questions for the 

781
00:27:48,419 --> 00:27:50,474
record . Yes . Will you cooperate in 

782
00:27:50,474 --> 00:27:52,474
providing witnesses and briefers in 

783
00:27:52,474 --> 00:27:54,530
response to congressional requests ? 

784
00:27:55,110 --> 00:27:57,240
Will those witnesses and briefings be 

785
00:27:57,240 --> 00:27:59,018
protected from Reprisal for the 

786
00:27:59,018 --> 00:28:02,270
testimony or briefings ? Yes , thank 

787
00:28:02,270 --> 00:28:05,880
you very much . Doctor Plum . A lot of 

788
00:28:05,880 --> 00:28:08,540
focuses on acquiring more you know 

789
00:28:08,540 --> 00:28:11,120
quantity but we also are struggling to 

790
00:28:11,120 --> 00:28:14,520
maintain our readiness and the forces 

791
00:28:14,520 --> 00:28:17,070
and the systems we use today . What 

792
00:28:17,070 --> 00:28:18,848
opportunities exist to increase 

793
00:28:18,848 --> 00:28:20,570
coordination and communication 

794
00:28:20,570 --> 00:28:22,970
departments acquisition and sustainment 

795
00:28:22,970 --> 00:28:25,570
communities to help ensure sustainment 

796
00:28:25,570 --> 00:28:27,570
is adequately considered during the 

797
00:28:27,570 --> 00:28:30,020
acquisition process . Senator Chairman 

798
00:28:30,020 --> 00:28:33,350
Reed . Thank you . Um The as you know 

799
00:28:33,350 --> 00:28:35,410
the sustainment cost for a number of 

800
00:28:35,410 --> 00:28:37,632
our major programs account for the vast 

801
00:28:37,632 --> 00:28:39,740
majority of the total cost over the 

802
00:28:39,740 --> 00:28:42,340
life cycle of the programs . I'm aware 

803
00:28:42,340 --> 00:28:44,340
that in the department we have been 

804
00:28:44,340 --> 00:28:47,060
moving to more um develop a more data 

805
00:28:47,060 --> 00:28:49,410
driven approach to controlling those 

806
00:28:49,410 --> 00:28:51,410
sustainment costs including pulling 

807
00:28:51,410 --> 00:28:54,220
together some of that data to control 

808
00:28:54,220 --> 00:28:56,590
the cost drivers as well as integrating 

809
00:28:56,590 --> 00:28:58,757
that cost information on the front end 

810
00:28:58,757 --> 00:29:00,534
during contract development and 

811
00:29:00,534 --> 00:29:02,590
oversight of contract execution . If 

812
00:29:02,590 --> 00:29:05,310
confirmed , my focus would be on making 

813
00:29:05,310 --> 00:29:07,300
sure we can identify as early as 

814
00:29:07,300 --> 00:29:09,560
possible . Key issues and drivers of 

815
00:29:09,560 --> 00:29:11,449
sustainment include that in early 

816
00:29:11,449 --> 00:29:13,450
negotiations as well as regularly 

817
00:29:13,540 --> 00:29:15,820
maintain oversight of those cost 

818
00:29:15,820 --> 00:29:18,950
drivers as program as as capabilities 

819
00:29:18,950 --> 00:29:21,140
are fielded so we can control costs 

820
00:29:21,140 --> 00:29:23,310
during the deployment and fielding of 

821
00:29:23,310 --> 00:29:25,500
capabilities over their entire life 

822
00:29:25,500 --> 00:29:27,720
cycle . Thank you very much . Mrs 

823
00:29:27,720 --> 00:29:30,100
Harris one of the many , many duties 

824
00:29:30,100 --> 00:29:32,480
you will have is modernizing the 

825
00:29:32,490 --> 00:29:35,320
security clearance process including 

826
00:29:35,320 --> 00:29:37,620
intelligence support and oversight . 

827
00:29:38,040 --> 00:29:40,040
How will you approach this 

828
00:29:40,040 --> 00:29:42,530
modernization and how can you take 

829
00:29:42,530 --> 00:29:44,510
maximum advantage of commercially 

830
00:29:44,520 --> 00:29:48,230
available digital data . MR 

831
00:29:48,230 --> 00:29:50,341
Chairman , thank you for the question 

832
00:29:50,341 --> 00:29:53,480
as um as I'm aware , security clearance 

833
00:29:53,480 --> 00:29:55,424
reform is a major priority for the 

834
00:29:55,424 --> 00:29:57,369
department . The Defense , Counter 

835
00:29:57,369 --> 00:29:59,369
Intelligence and Security agency is 

836
00:29:59,369 --> 00:30:01,480
focused on ensuring that we can clear 

837
00:30:01,480 --> 00:30:03,647
people in a timely fashion and that we 

838
00:30:03,647 --> 00:30:05,869
have a process that allows for us to do 

839
00:30:05,869 --> 00:30:07,591
so in an efficient manner . If 

840
00:30:07,591 --> 00:30:10,460
confirmed , I commit that I will work 

841
00:30:10,460 --> 00:30:12,682
to ensure that we are using the maximum 

842
00:30:12,682 --> 00:30:15,020
technology solutions available to 

843
00:30:15,020 --> 00:30:17,187
ensure we can do that quickly and that 

844
00:30:17,187 --> 00:30:19,370
we continue to work to streamline the 

845
00:30:19,370 --> 00:30:21,980
processes and shorten the timelines to 

846
00:30:21,980 --> 00:30:24,350
maximize I cleared personnel . Thank 

847
00:30:24,350 --> 00:30:27,510
you very much . Mr Owens E . P . A last 

848
00:30:27,520 --> 00:30:29,670
month released new drinking water 

849
00:30:29,670 --> 00:30:31,930
advisory levels for four preface 

850
00:30:31,930 --> 00:30:34,160
chemicals which will have an impact on 

851
00:30:34,160 --> 00:30:37,350
the Department of Defense . Um in 

852
00:30:37,350 --> 00:30:39,690
addition the R . N . D . A . S over the 

853
00:30:39,690 --> 00:30:41,523
few last few years have required 

854
00:30:41,523 --> 00:30:45,160
reporting on fast conditions uh if 

855
00:30:45,160 --> 00:30:46,993
confirmed , will you ensure that 

856
00:30:46,993 --> 00:30:48,938
alternative water is provided when 

857
00:30:48,938 --> 00:30:50,716
these chemicals are detected in 

858
00:30:50,716 --> 00:30:53,380
drinking water supplies ? Senator 

859
00:30:53,390 --> 00:30:55,279
Chairman Reed , thank you for the 

860
00:30:55,279 --> 00:30:57,690
question and I want to thank the 

861
00:30:57,690 --> 00:31:00,700
committee for being so stalwart in and 

862
00:31:00,700 --> 00:31:02,830
focused on the issues environmental 

863
00:31:02,830 --> 00:31:05,190
contamination and the potential health 

864
00:31:05,190 --> 00:31:07,357
and and safety challenges they present 

865
00:31:07,357 --> 00:31:09,412
because the health and well being of 

866
00:31:09,412 --> 00:31:11,579
service members and their families and 

867
00:31:11,579 --> 00:31:13,301
the civilian workforce are are 

868
00:31:13,301 --> 00:31:12,930
paramount and every leader in the D . O . 

869
00:31:12,930 --> 00:31:15,670
D . Should be laser being focused on 

870
00:31:15,680 --> 00:31:17,736
making sure that we're doing what we 

871
00:31:17,736 --> 00:31:20,620
can in response to the ability for God 

872
00:31:20,630 --> 00:31:24,210
to provide for the the needs of the 

873
00:31:24,210 --> 00:31:26,321
installation in the community and the 

874
00:31:26,321 --> 00:31:29,260
presence of uh situations that make any 

875
00:31:29,260 --> 00:31:31,260
of the infrastructure that they are 

876
00:31:31,260 --> 00:31:33,149
relying on right now unusable . I 

877
00:31:33,149 --> 00:31:35,110
commit to being able to focus on 

878
00:31:35,120 --> 00:31:37,398
ensuring that they have what they need . 

879
00:31:37,398 --> 00:31:39,509
Thank you very much . And of course I 

880
00:31:39,509 --> 00:31:42,070
assume that is simple . Yes . You will 

881
00:31:42,070 --> 00:31:44,650
comply with the reporting requirements 

882
00:31:44,650 --> 00:31:47,420
within the N . D . A . Thank you very 

883
00:31:47,420 --> 00:31:51,260
much . And dr taylor Cali that's the 

884
00:31:51,260 --> 00:31:54,510
sixth mispronunciation . Uh over the 

885
00:31:54,510 --> 00:31:57,060
past several years we have come to 

886
00:31:57,060 --> 00:31:59,116
discover that our industrial base is 

887
00:31:59,116 --> 00:32:02,000
fragile and we need to take steps in 

888
00:32:02,000 --> 00:32:03,667
the Department of Defense all 

889
00:32:03,667 --> 00:32:05,833
throughout the government . So what do 

890
00:32:05,833 --> 00:32:08,056
you believe in the most pressing issues 

891
00:32:08,056 --> 00:32:08,020
to the health of the Defense Industrial 

892
00:32:08,020 --> 00:32:10,020
base and how we will address them ? 

893
00:32:11,140 --> 00:32:13,307
Thank you . Chairman Reed . Actually , 

894
00:32:13,307 --> 00:32:15,830
you correctly pronounce my name is 

895
00:32:15,830 --> 00:32:19,550
Taylor cole . Um you know 

896
00:32:19,560 --> 00:32:21,810
as as you noted that the health and 

897
00:32:21,810 --> 00:32:23,866
resilience of our defense industrial 

898
00:32:23,866 --> 00:32:25,970
base is absolutely essential to our 

899
00:32:25,980 --> 00:32:29,120
economic security I believe um we need 

900
00:32:29,120 --> 00:32:32,470
to um be able to deter strategic 

901
00:32:32,480 --> 00:32:35,290
adversaries like china and Russia and 

902
00:32:35,290 --> 00:32:37,512
provide the tools and capabilities that 

903
00:32:37,512 --> 00:32:40,990
our war fighters need . Um You know the 

904
00:32:40,990 --> 00:32:43,046
defense industrial base has a unique 

905
00:32:43,046 --> 00:32:45,268
challenge in striking a balance between 

906
00:32:45,268 --> 00:32:47,212
long term and short term needs and 

907
00:32:47,212 --> 00:32:50,280
goals between producing and sustaining 

908
00:32:50,280 --> 00:32:53,720
mature systems and adopting new 

909
00:32:53,730 --> 00:32:55,500
systems and capabilities and 

910
00:32:55,500 --> 00:32:57,860
innovations . I think some of the key 

911
00:32:57,860 --> 00:33:00,540
challenges are around workforce , aging 

912
00:33:00,540 --> 00:33:02,950
workforce , a shortage of workers with 

913
00:33:03,740 --> 00:33:06,470
stem and industrial skills uh that 

914
00:33:06,480 --> 00:33:08,702
makes it difficult to meet . Production 

915
00:33:08,702 --> 00:33:11,190
targets also supply chain security and 

916
00:33:11,190 --> 00:33:13,440
vulnerabilities as well as frankly 

917
00:33:13,450 --> 00:33:15,500
internal issues . Programmatic and 

918
00:33:15,500 --> 00:33:18,260
budgetary predictability and stability . 

919
00:33:18,640 --> 00:33:22,000
Um If confirmed , I uh will work 

920
00:33:22,000 --> 00:33:24,680
closely with this committee across the 

921
00:33:24,680 --> 00:33:27,040
department enterprise and with industry 

922
00:33:27,050 --> 00:33:29,106
and the inter agency to come up with 

923
00:33:29,106 --> 00:33:32,070
solutions that address these critical 

924
00:33:32,070 --> 00:33:34,750
challenges . Well thank you very much 

925
00:33:34,760 --> 00:33:36,816
for your testimony and thank you all 

926
00:33:36,816 --> 00:33:39,038
for your commitment to service and your 

927
00:33:39,038 --> 00:33:40,871
testimony . Let me recognize the 

928
00:33:40,871 --> 00:33:43,520
ranking members under And thank you Mr 

929
00:33:43,520 --> 00:33:46,200
Chairman DR Plum . You spent time 

930
00:33:46,200 --> 00:33:49,550
recently working at both facebook and 

931
00:33:49,560 --> 00:33:52,590
google and MS Harris . You also spent 

932
00:33:52,590 --> 00:33:55,740
time working at facebook and on the 

933
00:33:55,740 --> 00:33:59,570
oversight board of facebook . Can 

934
00:33:59,570 --> 00:34:02,870
you both please describe your work at 

935
00:34:02,880 --> 00:34:05,940
these companies and what involvement 

936
00:34:05,940 --> 00:34:08,850
you had if any in the development of 

937
00:34:08,850 --> 00:34:12,290
the content moderation policies or 

938
00:34:12,300 --> 00:34:15,610
in decisions to moderate content . 

939
00:34:15,800 --> 00:34:19,730
Let's start with Dr plum ranking 

940
00:34:19,730 --> 00:34:22,770
member in half . Um My role similar to 

941
00:34:22,770 --> 00:34:24,714
roles throughout my career at both 

942
00:34:24,714 --> 00:34:26,881
companies was focused on applying data 

943
00:34:26,881 --> 00:34:30,110
and analysis to help identify 

944
00:34:30,120 --> 00:34:33,220
problematic issues like facebook child . 

945
00:34:34,230 --> 00:34:37,280
IsIS recruiting content at google . My 

946
00:34:37,280 --> 00:34:40,280
roles focused on applying data analysis 

947
00:34:40,280 --> 00:34:42,770
to improve business operations to 

948
00:34:42,770 --> 00:34:44,670
address issues like copyright 

949
00:34:44,670 --> 00:34:46,940
violations and financial fraud in 

950
00:34:46,940 --> 00:34:49,170
helping make those business processes 

951
00:34:49,170 --> 00:34:51,640
more effective and efficient . Overall 

952
00:34:51,640 --> 00:34:53,529
I was focused on the research and 

953
00:34:53,529 --> 00:34:55,696
analysis pieces rather than on content 

954
00:34:55,696 --> 00:34:58,110
moderation policy or content moderation 

955
00:34:58,110 --> 00:35:00,590
decisions . MS Harris . 

956
00:35:02,140 --> 00:35:04,307
Thank you member and thank you for the 

957
00:35:04,307 --> 00:35:06,251
question . My role at facebook was 

958
00:35:06,251 --> 00:35:08,251
focused on designing a way to bring 

959
00:35:08,251 --> 00:35:09,918
outside experts in to look at 

960
00:35:09,918 --> 00:35:12,140
facebook's content decision . I did not 

961
00:35:12,140 --> 00:35:14,251
work on content moderation actions or 

962
00:35:14,251 --> 00:35:16,251
the policies . I was focused on the 

963
00:35:16,251 --> 00:35:18,220
operational operations issues to 

964
00:35:18,220 --> 00:35:20,553
facilitate those outside expert reviews . 

965
00:35:20,560 --> 00:35:23,490
All right . And uh Mr Owens in your 

966
00:35:23,490 --> 00:35:25,860
advanced policy questions . You stated 

967
00:35:26,240 --> 00:35:29,230
that And this is a quote in many cases 

968
00:35:29,240 --> 00:35:32,310
the departments installation energy 

969
00:35:32,310 --> 00:35:35,710
projects should not only bolster 

970
00:35:35,710 --> 00:35:38,090
resilience but also enhance 

971
00:35:38,090 --> 00:35:40,470
conservation , increase energy 

972
00:35:40,520 --> 00:35:43,770
efficiency and implement low 

973
00:35:43,780 --> 00:35:47,410
clean low carbon energy solutions . 

974
00:35:47,420 --> 00:35:50,860
Now I believe that the number one 

975
00:35:50,860 --> 00:35:54,260
priority of the Department of Defense's 

976
00:35:54,260 --> 00:35:56,450
lethality . I'd ask you if you agree 

977
00:35:56,450 --> 00:35:59,030
with that . And secondly , do you think 

978
00:35:59,030 --> 00:36:02,040
that there is a point where strategic 

979
00:36:02,040 --> 00:36:05,230
and economic costs outweigh potential 

980
00:36:05,240 --> 00:36:07,150
environmental benefits . 

981
00:36:10,330 --> 00:36:13,250
Ranking member . Thank you very much 

982
00:36:13,250 --> 00:36:15,760
for the question . I absolutely agree 

983
00:36:15,770 --> 00:36:17,548
that D . O . D . S . Number one 

984
00:36:17,548 --> 00:36:21,050
priority is to provide military forces 

985
00:36:21,060 --> 00:36:23,500
to deter more and ensure our nation's 

986
00:36:23,500 --> 00:36:26,810
security 100% . In terms of how 

987
00:36:26,820 --> 00:36:29,540
I would characterize the 

988
00:36:31,630 --> 00:36:35,150
the joint benefits that investments 

989
00:36:35,160 --> 00:36:38,150
in resilience and efficiency can 

990
00:36:38,150 --> 00:36:41,460
provide . I absolutely see that those 

991
00:36:41,460 --> 00:36:43,293
two things need to be considered 

992
00:36:43,293 --> 00:36:45,580
together . They need to be balanced and 

993
00:36:45,580 --> 00:36:47,910
then they need to make sure that they 

994
00:36:47,910 --> 00:36:50,021
are doing everything that we're doing 

995
00:36:50,021 --> 00:36:52,243
from an efficiency standpoint or from a 

996
00:36:52,243 --> 00:36:54,243
resilience standpoint is supporting 

997
00:36:54,243 --> 00:36:56,470
lethality . So you repeat them . The 

998
00:36:56,470 --> 00:36:59,880
two areas that you feel should be hand 

999
00:36:59,880 --> 00:37:03,680
in hand efficiency . Well , I I think 

1000
00:37:03,680 --> 00:37:05,810
it's more of a triad efficiency 

1001
00:37:05,810 --> 00:37:07,750
resiliency and lethality 

1002
00:37:10,130 --> 00:37:12,980
on somewhat of an equal basis . 

1003
00:37:13,530 --> 00:37:15,790
Uh I think I said them in the exact 

1004
00:37:15,800 --> 00:37:17,800
opposite order of the way that they 

1005
00:37:17,800 --> 00:37:20,440
would be precedent for for D . O . D . 

1006
00:37:21,230 --> 00:37:25,220
Um uh And lastly , MS Harris , 

1007
00:37:25,220 --> 00:37:27,331
you've served as the Deputy Assistant 

1008
00:37:27,331 --> 00:37:29,276
Secretary of Defense for irregular 

1009
00:37:29,276 --> 00:37:31,550
warfare and counter terrorism since 

1010
00:37:31,930 --> 00:37:35,690
February of 2021 . Can 

1011
00:37:35,690 --> 00:37:38,520
you describe the role that you played 

1012
00:37:38,520 --> 00:37:41,070
in planning for the withdrawal from 

1013
00:37:41,070 --> 00:37:44,560
Afghanistan last year ? Thank you . 

1014
00:37:44,560 --> 00:37:46,449
Member Inhofe , thank you for the 

1015
00:37:46,449 --> 00:37:48,560
question . As you correctly state , I 

1016
00:37:48,560 --> 00:37:50,449
work from the Office of the Under 

1017
00:37:50,449 --> 00:37:52,560
Secretary of Defense for Policy . I'm 

1018
00:37:52,560 --> 00:37:54,560
one of a number of Deputy Assistant 

1019
00:37:54,560 --> 00:37:54,150
Secretaries of Defense with 

1020
00:37:54,150 --> 00:37:56,372
responsibilities related to our mission 

1021
00:37:56,372 --> 00:37:58,770
in Afghanistan . My role is focused 

1022
00:37:58,770 --> 00:38:00,550
primarily on cT policy and the 

1023
00:38:00,550 --> 00:38:02,883
employment of Special Operations Forces . 

1024
00:38:02,883 --> 00:38:05,260
So with regards to our our withdrawal 

1025
00:38:05,260 --> 00:38:07,149
from Afghanistan . Those were the 

1026
00:38:07,149 --> 00:38:09,371
primary areas in which I was involved . 

1027
00:38:10,020 --> 00:38:11,920
Thank you Mr Chairman , thank you 

1028
00:38:11,930 --> 00:38:14,650
Senator Inhofe and uh let me recognize 

1029
00:38:14,650 --> 00:38:17,480
Senator Shaheen but also point out that 

1030
00:38:17,490 --> 00:38:19,657
my colleagues are arriving now because 

1031
00:38:19,657 --> 00:38:21,879
of those special Democratic caucus that 

1032
00:38:21,879 --> 00:38:23,934
began at nine and just concluded the 

1033
00:38:23,934 --> 00:38:26,046
Senator Shaheen please . Well , thank 

1034
00:38:26,046 --> 00:38:28,379
you Mr Chairman . My timing was perfect . 

1035
00:38:28,379 --> 00:38:30,490
Um and congratulations to each of our 

1036
00:38:30,490 --> 00:38:32,157
nominees . Thank you for your 

1037
00:38:32,157 --> 00:38:34,379
willingness to serve our country . Uh I 

1038
00:38:34,379 --> 00:38:38,060
want to begin both with dr plum and 

1039
00:38:38,060 --> 00:38:41,500
Mr Owens on the issue of fas 

1040
00:38:41,510 --> 00:38:44,980
because as I know you're aware that's a 

1041
00:38:44,980 --> 00:38:48,180
contaminant that has is affecting a 

1042
00:38:48,180 --> 00:38:50,236
number of our military installations 

1043
00:38:50,236 --> 00:38:52,458
across the country . We have seen it in 

1044
00:38:52,458 --> 00:38:54,402
the former piece air Force base in 

1045
00:38:54,402 --> 00:38:56,291
Portsmouth new Hampshire um where 

1046
00:38:56,291 --> 00:38:58,458
because of the fire fighting foam , we 

1047
00:38:58,458 --> 00:39:00,720
have ground water that has been 

1048
00:39:00,720 --> 00:39:03,110
contaminated and I will tell you that 

1049
00:39:03,110 --> 00:39:05,880
the Air Force has been very cooperative 

1050
00:39:05,880 --> 00:39:08,190
and helpful with the community but it 

1051
00:39:08,190 --> 00:39:11,320
remains a challenge and your respective 

1052
00:39:11,320 --> 00:39:13,510
offices play a critical role in 

1053
00:39:13,520 --> 00:39:16,350
overseeing and implementing energy and 

1054
00:39:16,350 --> 00:39:18,520
environmental policies that will 

1055
00:39:18,520 --> 00:39:21,570
address p fast contamination . So I 

1056
00:39:21,570 --> 00:39:25,330
guess my question is for 

1057
00:39:25,330 --> 00:39:28,530
both of you if Um the fiscal year 

1058
00:39:28,530 --> 00:39:31,330
2022 National Defense Act 

1059
00:39:32,720 --> 00:39:34,880
included funding to address fast 

1060
00:39:34,880 --> 00:39:36,602
contamination and required the 

1061
00:39:36,602 --> 00:39:38,491
department to adhere to a testing 

1062
00:39:38,491 --> 00:39:40,380
schedule required D . O . D . To 

1063
00:39:40,380 --> 00:39:42,610
develop a fast remediation , scheduled 

1064
00:39:42,610 --> 00:39:45,350
to clean up military installations and 

1065
00:39:45,350 --> 00:39:47,294
the schedule is due to Congress on 

1066
00:39:47,294 --> 00:39:50,650
september 23rd . It confirmed . Will 

1067
00:39:50,660 --> 00:39:53,660
each of you commit to ensuring on time 

1068
00:39:53,670 --> 00:39:55,940
delivery of that report to Congress 

1069
00:39:59,120 --> 00:40:01,820
Senator . Thank you and let me start 

1070
00:40:01,820 --> 00:40:04,730
with saying I share your concern on 

1071
00:40:04,930 --> 00:40:07,070
pass . It is a really critical area 

1072
00:40:07,070 --> 00:40:09,300
that we do need to focus on . We owe 

1073
00:40:09,300 --> 00:40:11,467
our service members and their families 

1074
00:40:11,467 --> 00:40:13,590
safe and healthy places to live and 

1075
00:40:13,590 --> 00:40:16,010
work . If confirmed . I absolutely 

1076
00:40:16,010 --> 00:40:18,420
commit to making sure we have on time 

1077
00:40:18,420 --> 00:40:20,290
delivery of required reports and 

1078
00:40:20,290 --> 00:40:22,940
meeting other federal requirements . 

1079
00:40:23,710 --> 00:40:27,710
Thank you . Mr Owens , I'll follow on 

1080
00:40:27,720 --> 00:40:30,920
what DR plumb said about uh making this 

1081
00:40:30,920 --> 00:40:33,500
a priority for uh the Assistant 

1082
00:40:33,500 --> 00:40:36,210
secretary I Nd if confirmed and will 

1083
00:40:36,210 --> 00:40:38,620
also commit to ensuring that we are 

1084
00:40:38,630 --> 00:40:40,686
giving you the reports that you need 

1085
00:40:40,686 --> 00:40:42,797
according to the NBA . Thank you very 

1086
00:40:42,797 --> 00:40:44,630
much . We'll we'll talk again in 

1087
00:40:44,630 --> 00:40:48,620
october . Um One of the one 

1088
00:40:48,620 --> 00:40:51,240
of the other concerns that I have is 

1089
00:40:51,240 --> 00:40:54,090
that um when Congress has sought to 

1090
00:40:54,090 --> 00:40:56,180
provide higher levels of funding for 

1091
00:40:56,340 --> 00:40:58,870
fast testing and remediation beyond 

1092
00:40:58,880 --> 00:41:01,240
what has been appropriated in the past . 

1093
00:41:01,610 --> 00:41:03,721
D . O . D has claimed that it was not 

1094
00:41:03,721 --> 00:41:06,950
execute a ble and I think that's just 

1095
00:41:06,950 --> 00:41:10,170
unacceptable . Um if congress is going 

1096
00:41:10,170 --> 00:41:12,850
to provide funding , you need to work 

1097
00:41:12,850 --> 00:41:15,017
with us to ensure that that funding is 

1098
00:41:15,017 --> 00:41:16,850
going to be used in the way that 

1099
00:41:16,850 --> 00:41:18,683
congress intends . So again , if 

1100
00:41:18,683 --> 00:41:20,739
confirmed , will you ensure that the 

1101
00:41:20,739 --> 00:41:22,683
appropriate plans are developed to 

1102
00:41:22,683 --> 00:41:24,906
ensure that D . O . D . Can make use of 

1103
00:41:24,906 --> 00:41:26,850
any additional funding provided by 

1104
00:41:26,850 --> 00:41:29,072
Congress for preface related activities 

1105
00:41:29,072 --> 00:41:31,128
and that you will not turn away that 

1106
00:41:31,128 --> 00:41:33,650
critical funding . Senator , if 

1107
00:41:33,650 --> 00:41:36,150
confirmed , I commit to working with 

1108
00:41:36,160 --> 00:41:38,271
the committee and with our colleagues 

1109
00:41:38,271 --> 00:41:40,493
and controller to develop the necessary 

1110
00:41:40,493 --> 00:41:42,716
products to figure out how to spend the 

1111
00:41:42,716 --> 00:41:44,771
money and do the right remediation . 

1112
00:41:44,771 --> 00:41:46,882
Thank you . Mr Owens . I'll commit to 

1113
00:41:46,882 --> 00:41:49,570
the same . Um also mister Owens um you 

1114
00:41:49,570 --> 00:41:51,626
will assume the role of chair of the 

1115
00:41:51,626 --> 00:41:54,300
task force if confirmed . It's an 

1116
00:41:54,310 --> 00:41:57,090
important body that was put in place 

1117
00:41:57,100 --> 00:41:59,470
initially as an ad hoc group by the 

1118
00:41:59,470 --> 00:42:02,880
former former secretary esper . Um It 

1119
00:42:02,880 --> 00:42:05,770
was codified in fiscal year 2021 N . D . 

1120
00:42:05,770 --> 00:42:09,230
A . To ensure sustained attention . And 

1121
00:42:10,000 --> 00:42:13,830
can you speak to as assuming 

1122
00:42:13,840 --> 00:42:15,729
you're going to take over and get 

1123
00:42:15,729 --> 00:42:17,840
confirmed ? I'm assuming that you are 

1124
00:42:17,840 --> 00:42:19,951
what would be your type priorities in 

1125
00:42:19,951 --> 00:42:22,650
leading this task force senator ? I 

1126
00:42:22,650 --> 00:42:26,210
think in terms of the 

1127
00:42:26,220 --> 00:42:28,387
specific remit of the task force , I'm 

1128
00:42:28,387 --> 00:42:30,498
not that familiar with what the roles 

1129
00:42:30,498 --> 00:42:32,664
and responsibilities would be . I know 

1130
00:42:32,664 --> 00:42:34,887
that it is a critically important issue 

1131
00:42:34,900 --> 00:42:37,570
and I commend this committee for for 

1132
00:42:37,570 --> 00:42:40,200
making it such an area of focus if I'm 

1133
00:42:40,200 --> 00:42:43,740
confirmed I think the the process to 

1134
00:42:43,740 --> 00:42:46,470
engage in ensuring that we understand 

1135
00:42:46,480 --> 00:42:48,647
testing limitations , ensuring that we 

1136
00:42:48,647 --> 00:42:51,100
understand what the strategy for 

1137
00:42:51,100 --> 00:42:53,220
finding alternatives for any places 

1138
00:42:53,220 --> 00:42:55,387
that Caiaphas is still in use And then 

1139
00:42:55,387 --> 00:42:57,609
also remediation would be the three top 

1140
00:42:57,609 --> 00:42:59,620
priorities . Thank you . I I look 

1141
00:42:59,620 --> 00:43:01,676
forward to working with you on those 

1142
00:43:01,676 --> 00:43:05,050
priorities . Um dr plum one of the 

1143
00:43:05,050 --> 00:43:06,660
things that has worked very 

1144
00:43:06,660 --> 00:43:09,080
successfully in terms of dealing with 

1145
00:43:09,080 --> 00:43:11,136
our energy use have been third party 

1146
00:43:11,136 --> 00:43:13,620
financing vehicles so energy saving 

1147
00:43:13,620 --> 00:43:16,480
performance contracts , aspects . Can 

1148
00:43:16,480 --> 00:43:18,600
you talk about what your views are 

1149
00:43:18,610 --> 00:43:21,380
relative to aspects and their 

1150
00:43:21,380 --> 00:43:24,350
importance in helping our military 

1151
00:43:24,350 --> 00:43:26,461
achieve the energy savings that we're 

1152
00:43:26,461 --> 00:43:30,300
all looking for . Senator I think 

1153
00:43:30,310 --> 00:43:32,630
ensuring we have energy savings and 

1154
00:43:32,630 --> 00:43:34,630
more generally energy resilient and 

1155
00:43:34,630 --> 00:43:36,630
energy efficient installations is a 

1156
00:43:36,630 --> 00:43:38,686
critical priority for our department 

1157
00:43:38,686 --> 00:43:40,463
both to be faithful stewards of 

1158
00:43:40,463 --> 00:43:42,680
taxpayer dollars and frankly to have 

1159
00:43:42,680 --> 00:43:44,791
the resilience our installations need 

1160
00:43:44,900 --> 00:43:47,090
so creative solutions like these third 

1161
00:43:47,090 --> 00:43:48,923
party partnerships can be really 

1162
00:43:48,923 --> 00:43:50,923
helpful in helping us achieve those 

1163
00:43:50,923 --> 00:43:53,090
goals . If confirmed . I would want to 

1164
00:43:53,090 --> 00:43:55,257
work to understand these deals , these 

1165
00:43:55,257 --> 00:43:57,479
approaches and other approaches to make 

1166
00:43:57,479 --> 00:43:59,312
sure we're identifying the right 

1167
00:43:59,312 --> 00:44:01,423
solutions for the right installations 

1168
00:44:01,423 --> 00:44:03,090
to get those cost savings and 

1169
00:44:03,090 --> 00:44:05,257
resilience . Well thanks very much , I 

1170
00:44:05,257 --> 00:44:07,312
appreciate that and I think the army 

1171
00:44:07,312 --> 00:44:09,479
should be commended for its efforts to 

1172
00:44:09,479 --> 00:44:11,090
revamp the way it deals with 

1173
00:44:11,090 --> 00:44:13,146
performance contracting . I know the 

1174
00:44:13,146 --> 00:44:15,312
navy is also looking at this issue . I 

1175
00:44:15,312 --> 00:44:17,479
understand the Air Force has been more 

1176
00:44:17,479 --> 00:44:19,701
reluctant so I hope they will take this 

1177
00:44:19,701 --> 00:44:21,646
as a shot across the bow . This is 

1178
00:44:21,646 --> 00:44:23,812
something they need to look at . Thank 

1179
00:44:23,812 --> 00:44:23,460
you very much . Mr . Chairman , thank 

1180
00:44:23,460 --> 00:44:25,738
you Senator Green . Senator Tuberville , 

1181
00:44:25,738 --> 00:44:27,460
please thank you mr Chairman , 

1182
00:44:27,460 --> 00:44:29,627
congratulations to all of you and it's 

1183
00:44:29,627 --> 00:44:31,738
great to see your family members back 

1184
00:44:31,738 --> 00:44:33,904
here in the back . They're all smiling 

1185
00:44:33,904 --> 00:44:35,849
those that we can see , you know , 

1186
00:44:35,849 --> 00:44:37,904
while our military boasts boasts the 

1187
00:44:37,904 --> 00:44:40,360
best equipment in the world . Ask any 

1188
00:44:40,360 --> 00:44:42,800
service member what they think about D . 

1189
00:44:42,800 --> 00:44:45,480
O . D . Websites and office systems 

1190
00:44:45,480 --> 00:44:47,647
that and they'll tell you they're slow 

1191
00:44:47,647 --> 00:44:50,500
old frustrating our military members , 

1192
00:44:50,500 --> 00:44:53,210
spend hundreds of hours logging onto an 

1193
00:44:53,220 --> 00:44:55,880
ancient system . The navy still uses a 

1194
00:44:55,880 --> 00:44:59,500
program called nav fit 98 A 

1195
00:45:00,290 --> 00:45:02,540
To process evaluations . Now 98 ought 

1196
00:45:02,540 --> 00:45:04,651
to give you a good idea when that was 

1197
00:45:04,651 --> 00:45:07,110
originated . Several of you have worked 

1198
00:45:07,110 --> 00:45:09,360
for the most cutting edge tech leaders 

1199
00:45:09,360 --> 00:45:12,100
in the world and as you take your new 

1200
00:45:12,100 --> 00:45:14,860
leadership roles , I'd like each of you 

1201
00:45:14,860 --> 00:45:18,840
to refused to approve any new websites 

1202
00:45:19,490 --> 00:45:21,546
in your areas of responsibility that 

1203
00:45:21,546 --> 00:45:24,020
are not that are not built to be 

1204
00:45:24,020 --> 00:45:26,187
compatible with the three most popular 

1205
00:45:26,187 --> 00:45:29,000
internet browsers and top two operating 

1206
00:45:29,000 --> 00:45:31,490
systems . I hope you do that . You know , 

1207
00:45:31,500 --> 00:45:35,210
this is a we're long past the 

1208
00:45:35,210 --> 00:45:39,000
stone age . MS Harris in September 2018 

1209
00:45:39,590 --> 00:45:41,534
Department of Defense released its 

1210
00:45:41,534 --> 00:45:44,170
cyber strategy . The strategy charges D . 

1211
00:45:44,170 --> 00:45:46,820
O . D . To defend forward shape the day 

1212
00:45:46,820 --> 00:45:49,410
to day competition and prepare for war 

1213
00:45:49,420 --> 00:45:52,090
in the cyber domain . D . O . D . Is 

1214
00:45:52,090 --> 00:45:54,034
now in the process of updating its 

1215
00:45:54,034 --> 00:45:56,090
cyber strategy . If confirmed . What 

1216
00:45:56,090 --> 00:45:58,230
actions will you take to mitigate any 

1217
00:45:58,230 --> 00:46:00,860
gaps between defense intelligence and 

1218
00:46:00,860 --> 00:46:02,971
the goals of the current and emerging 

1219
00:46:02,971 --> 00:46:05,820
cyber strategy . Senator , thank you 

1220
00:46:05,820 --> 00:46:07,600
for the question . I agree 

1221
00:46:07,610 --> 00:46:10,300
cybersecurity and cyber threats are 

1222
00:46:10,310 --> 00:46:12,366
critical concern from the department 

1223
00:46:12,366 --> 00:46:14,760
today . Cyber is an issue that that 

1224
00:46:14,760 --> 00:46:16,871
bridges number of stakeholders within 

1225
00:46:16,871 --> 00:46:19,590
the department and so if confirmed I 

1226
00:46:19,600 --> 00:46:21,760
will commit that . I will ensure that 

1227
00:46:21,770 --> 00:46:24,040
the intelligence and security apparatus 

1228
00:46:24,040 --> 00:46:26,151
is best supporting those efforts both 

1229
00:46:26,151 --> 00:46:28,040
on assessing cyber threats in the 

1230
00:46:28,040 --> 00:46:29,984
intelligence community but also in 

1231
00:46:29,984 --> 00:46:32,151
ensuring that we are taking the proper 

1232
00:46:32,151 --> 00:46:34,970
cybersecurity practices . Thank you doc 

1233
00:46:34,970 --> 00:46:37,081
plump , thank you for meeting with me 

1234
00:46:37,081 --> 00:46:39,248
last week . Every secretary of Defense 

1235
00:46:39,248 --> 00:46:41,590
since Rumsfeld has sought to refine and 

1236
00:46:41,590 --> 00:46:43,646
streamline how the D . O . D handles 

1237
00:46:43,646 --> 00:46:46,620
procurement . The D . O . D has no has 

1238
00:46:46,620 --> 00:46:49,500
a no fail mission but success continues 

1239
00:46:49,500 --> 00:46:51,389
to be held up by the red tape and 

1240
00:46:51,389 --> 00:46:53,680
contract pro uh protests in your 

1241
00:46:53,680 --> 00:46:55,791
opinion . What are the most important 

1242
00:46:55,791 --> 00:46:58,013
factors uh to monitor to understand the 

1243
00:46:58,013 --> 00:46:59,902
health of the defense acquisition 

1244
00:46:59,902 --> 00:47:03,740
system ? Senator you rightly note our 

1245
00:47:03,740 --> 00:47:05,990
defense acquisition system is not as 

1246
00:47:05,990 --> 00:47:07,657
fast as we need it to deliver 

1247
00:47:07,657 --> 00:47:10,220
warfighter capabilities . Uh it's my 

1248
00:47:10,220 --> 00:47:12,600
understanding that a combination of 

1249
00:47:12,600 --> 00:47:15,630
factors including as you note protest 

1250
00:47:15,630 --> 00:47:17,852
timelines , contract timelines , notice 

1251
00:47:17,852 --> 00:47:20,074
timelines as well as factors during the 

1252
00:47:20,074 --> 00:47:21,963
negotiation process can slow that 

1253
00:47:21,963 --> 00:47:24,260
delivery . If confirmed . I commit to 

1254
00:47:24,260 --> 00:47:26,371
work within the authorities . We have 

1255
00:47:26,371 --> 00:47:28,149
and work with this committee to 

1256
00:47:28,149 --> 00:47:30,427
identify ways to shorten that timeline , 

1257
00:47:30,427 --> 00:47:32,482
streamline the process also identify 

1258
00:47:32,482 --> 00:47:34,482
efficiencies and leverage different 

1259
00:47:34,482 --> 00:47:36,704
pathways for our different technologies 

1260
00:47:36,704 --> 00:47:40,340
to speed that up . Thank you Mr Owens , 

1261
00:47:40,340 --> 00:47:42,062
I hate , we didn't get to meet 

1262
00:47:42,062 --> 00:47:44,062
yesterday had a lot to talk about . 

1263
00:47:44,062 --> 00:47:46,340
Hopefully we can do that in the future . 

1264
00:47:46,340 --> 00:47:48,340
Uh just a question about , have you 

1265
00:47:48,340 --> 00:47:50,284
been briefed on the project Pele ? 

1266
00:47:50,660 --> 00:47:53,120
Senator ? Not directly but I am aware 

1267
00:47:53,120 --> 00:47:56,090
of what it is . Yeah 

1268
00:47:56,580 --> 00:47:58,691
obviously we're looking for reforming 

1269
00:47:58,970 --> 00:48:02,180
our power to our troops . Pele is a 

1270
00:48:02,180 --> 00:48:05,830
moving reactor that you can move into 

1271
00:48:05,830 --> 00:48:08,430
the field . Uh I'd love for you to look 

1272
00:48:08,430 --> 00:48:10,652
into that once you once you get in it's 

1273
00:48:10,652 --> 00:48:12,708
it's an amazing program that I think 

1274
00:48:12,708 --> 00:48:14,819
we're gonna need in the very future . 

1275
00:48:14,819 --> 00:48:17,110
Uh the D . O . D . Pioneered nuclear 

1276
00:48:17,110 --> 00:48:19,221
power . I don't think a lot of people 

1277
00:48:19,221 --> 00:48:21,500
know that few people uh know that the 

1278
00:48:21,500 --> 00:48:23,722
first commercial reactor was at D . O . 

1279
00:48:23,722 --> 00:48:25,833
D . Project . You know in addition to 

1280
00:48:25,833 --> 00:48:29,070
project Pele the Fy 23 nd A directs the 

1281
00:48:29,070 --> 00:48:31,820
D . O . D . To look at how a thorium 

1282
00:48:31,820 --> 00:48:34,440
cycle could safely harden our military 

1283
00:48:34,440 --> 00:48:36,662
bases and fuel , space , propulsion and 

1284
00:48:36,662 --> 00:48:38,980
power . I'd like to get your pledge 

1285
00:48:38,980 --> 00:48:42,250
that you would look into that and uh be 

1286
00:48:42,250 --> 00:48:44,250
very familiar with this review that 

1287
00:48:44,250 --> 00:48:46,583
we're going to do through the N . D . A . 

1288
00:48:46,583 --> 00:48:48,830
Senator . I think the balancing energy 

1289
00:48:48,830 --> 00:48:50,608
diversity resilience and combat 

1290
00:48:50,608 --> 00:48:53,220
superiority is a critical role of 

1291
00:48:53,220 --> 00:48:55,331
what's in the I . N . E . Portfolio . 

1292
00:48:55,331 --> 00:48:57,553
And if confirmed you have my commitment 

1293
00:48:57,553 --> 00:48:59,610
to thank you dr taylor a significant 

1294
00:48:59,620 --> 00:49:01,620
significant portion of critical and 

1295
00:49:01,620 --> 00:49:04,010
strategic materials required for major 

1296
00:49:04,010 --> 00:49:06,270
defense programs come from non allied 

1297
00:49:06,280 --> 00:49:09,200
countries including china . What steps 

1298
00:49:09,200 --> 00:49:11,311
should the department take to support 

1299
00:49:11,311 --> 00:49:13,033
the domestic manufacturing and 

1300
00:49:13,033 --> 00:49:16,700
processing of these materials . Thank 

1301
00:49:16,700 --> 00:49:20,330
you . Senator as I noted I think 

1302
00:49:20,330 --> 00:49:22,990
that the having reliable and secure 

1303
00:49:22,990 --> 00:49:25,110
supply chains is absolutely critical 

1304
00:49:25,110 --> 00:49:27,166
for the health and resilience of the 

1305
00:49:27,166 --> 00:49:29,320
defense industrial base , I think um 

1306
00:49:29,330 --> 00:49:31,410
you know , I want to thank uh this 

1307
00:49:31,410 --> 00:49:33,930
committee and the Senate for supporting 

1308
00:49:33,930 --> 00:49:35,874
the chips act . I think this is an 

1309
00:49:35,874 --> 00:49:37,874
important this will be an important 

1310
00:49:37,874 --> 00:49:40,530
step of the department I think needs to 

1311
00:49:40,530 --> 00:49:43,520
take a number of steps um some of which 

1312
00:49:43,520 --> 00:49:45,840
they've outlined , but certainly moving 

1313
00:49:45,840 --> 00:49:48,400
towards more domestic sourcing and also 

1314
00:49:48,400 --> 00:49:50,622
working with international partners and 

1315
00:49:50,622 --> 00:49:53,890
allies for friend shoring as some call 

1316
00:49:53,890 --> 00:49:57,430
it . So I would if confirmed uh be 

1317
00:49:57,430 --> 00:50:00,270
very uh focused on working with 

1318
00:50:00,660 --> 00:50:04,280
stakeholders and the inter agency too , 

1319
00:50:05,160 --> 00:50:08,210
facilitate domestic sourcing and also 

1320
00:50:08,220 --> 00:50:10,387
working with some of our international 

1321
00:50:10,387 --> 00:50:13,860
allies to facilitate areas where we can 

1322
00:50:13,860 --> 00:50:16,027
work together . Thank you . Gonna have 

1323
00:50:16,027 --> 00:50:18,249
a hard job . Thank you very much . Mr . 

1324
00:50:18,249 --> 00:50:19,971
Chairman , thank you , Senator 

1325
00:50:19,971 --> 00:50:21,916
Toqueville Senator King , please . 

1326
00:50:28,260 --> 00:50:30,660
I don't think that's gonna work . I'll 

1327
00:50:30,660 --> 00:50:31,660
try this . 

1328
00:50:38,860 --> 00:50:42,590
Okay , uh MS 

1329
00:50:42,590 --> 00:50:45,730
Harris you're entering one of the most 

1330
00:50:45,730 --> 00:50:47,397
important jobs in the Defense 

1331
00:50:47,397 --> 00:50:49,540
Department uh intelligence I'm coming 

1332
00:50:49,540 --> 00:50:51,596
to believe is the secret sauce in in 

1333
00:50:51,596 --> 00:50:54,340
modern conflict and so capable 

1334
00:50:54,340 --> 00:50:57,900
intelligence uh widely distributed 

1335
00:50:57,900 --> 00:51:01,160
within the agency and uh within the war . 

1336
00:51:01,160 --> 00:51:03,327
Fighter groups , I think is critical . 

1337
00:51:03,327 --> 00:51:05,438
One thing that I'm very worried about 

1338
00:51:05,438 --> 00:51:08,490
however , is cyber and electronic 

1339
00:51:08,490 --> 00:51:11,450
warfare and resiliency in the face of 

1340
00:51:11,460 --> 00:51:15,440
cyber attacks . Um I hope that you 

1341
00:51:15,450 --> 00:51:18,000
uh will have put cyber at the top of 

1342
00:51:18,000 --> 00:51:20,222
your priority list because nothing else 

1343
00:51:20,222 --> 00:51:23,320
works if if uh we're able if we are 

1344
00:51:23,320 --> 00:51:26,490
disabled uh in terms of cyber or 

1345
00:51:26,490 --> 00:51:28,980
electronic warfare attacks . One 

1346
00:51:28,990 --> 00:51:31,157
strategy , I think it's very important 

1347
00:51:31,157 --> 00:51:33,379
as red teaming everybody thinks they're 

1348
00:51:33,379 --> 00:51:36,720
invulnerable until they're not . Uh and 

1349
00:51:36,720 --> 00:51:39,750
I'd like your thoughts on the issue of 

1350
00:51:39,760 --> 00:51:43,760
of cyber and cyber resiliency , senator . 

1351
00:51:43,760 --> 00:51:45,816
Thank you for the question . I agree 

1352
00:51:45,816 --> 00:51:48,038
with you both in the criticality of our 

1353
00:51:48,038 --> 00:51:50,430
intelligence and intelligence analysis 

1354
00:51:50,440 --> 00:51:52,551
to support the warfighter and also in 

1355
00:51:52,551 --> 00:51:54,662
the need to ensure that we are giving 

1356
00:51:54,662 --> 00:51:56,384
cyber and cyber security . The 

1357
00:51:56,384 --> 00:51:58,218
attention that they deserve . If 

1358
00:51:58,218 --> 00:52:00,440
confirmed , you have my commitment that 

1359
00:52:00,440 --> 00:52:02,496
I will ensure that we are giving the 

1360
00:52:02,496 --> 00:52:04,607
proper analytic attention to that and 

1361
00:52:04,607 --> 00:52:06,773
prioritizing the types of intelligence 

1362
00:52:06,773 --> 00:52:08,940
sharing that will facilitate a broader 

1363
00:52:08,940 --> 00:52:11,162
understanding of the challenges we face 

1364
00:52:11,162 --> 00:52:10,770
in the technology environment today . 

1365
00:52:10,780 --> 00:52:12,870
In a modern conflict . The 1st 30 

1366
00:52:12,870 --> 00:52:14,926
minutes , it's going to be all about 

1367
00:52:14,926 --> 00:52:17,148
cyber and electronic warfare and trying 

1368
00:52:17,148 --> 00:52:19,259
to to blind uh the the the opponent . 

1369
00:52:19,259 --> 00:52:21,960
So I think that should be a a very high 

1370
00:52:21,960 --> 00:52:24,090
priority . An intelligence question 

1371
00:52:24,090 --> 00:52:26,312
that I've raised and have had briefings 

1372
00:52:26,312 --> 00:52:28,230
on and in following is the 

1373
00:52:28,240 --> 00:52:31,070
determination of the will to fight . We 

1374
00:52:31,070 --> 00:52:33,110
found in Afghanistan that we 

1375
00:52:33,110 --> 00:52:35,277
overestimated the will to fight of the 

1376
00:52:35,277 --> 00:52:37,277
afghan army . We underestimated the 

1377
00:52:37,277 --> 00:52:39,690
will to fight of the Ukrainian people . 

1378
00:52:39,740 --> 00:52:42,010
This is an important factor . It's 

1379
00:52:42,010 --> 00:52:44,320
difficult to assess , I understand but 

1380
00:52:44,320 --> 00:52:46,542
I hope you'll work with general barrier 

1381
00:52:46,542 --> 00:52:48,598
and and pursue the work that they're 

1382
00:52:48,598 --> 00:52:50,764
doing because it's an important policy 

1383
00:52:50,764 --> 00:52:52,987
question could be very important for us 

1384
00:52:52,987 --> 00:52:54,931
in the future . For example , with 

1385
00:52:54,931 --> 00:52:57,042
regard to Taiwan senator , I couldn't 

1386
00:52:57,042 --> 00:52:59,153
agree more clearly will defy it as an 

1387
00:52:59,153 --> 00:53:01,376
area that we need to continue to refine 

1388
00:53:01,376 --> 00:53:02,990
our understanding of my my 

1389
00:53:02,990 --> 00:53:05,157
understanding is that the intelligence 

1390
00:53:05,157 --> 00:53:07,212
community as part of their continual 

1391
00:53:07,212 --> 00:53:09,212
processes to improve their analytic 

1392
00:53:09,212 --> 00:53:11,546
abilities is looking at just this issue . 

1393
00:53:11,546 --> 00:53:13,601
And if confirmed , I look forward to 

1394
00:53:13,601 --> 00:53:15,712
learning more about those efforts and 

1395
00:53:15,712 --> 00:53:17,879
keeping the committee informed . I can 

1396
00:53:17,879 --> 00:53:17,580
commend general barrier and his staff 

1397
00:53:17,590 --> 00:53:19,368
because I know they are and the 

1398
00:53:19,368 --> 00:53:21,423
director of National Intelligence is 

1399
00:53:21,423 --> 00:53:24,170
looking very closely at this subject dr 

1400
00:53:24,170 --> 00:53:27,760
plum uh sustainment and and resiliency 

1401
00:53:27,770 --> 00:53:31,740
uh in acquisitions . I 

1402
00:53:31,740 --> 00:53:33,907
believe that every time we buy a major 

1403
00:53:33,907 --> 00:53:37,410
platform , whether it's an aircraft , a 

1404
00:53:37,420 --> 00:53:41,110
ship , uh any kind of mobile vehicle , 

1405
00:53:41,120 --> 00:53:42,731
we should be also buying the 

1406
00:53:42,731 --> 00:53:44,940
intellectual property so that the 

1407
00:53:44,940 --> 00:53:47,480
government has the power to make parts 

1408
00:53:47,950 --> 00:53:50,380
every depot , every hangar , every ship 

1409
00:53:50,380 --> 00:53:52,324
should have a three D printer . We 

1410
00:53:52,324 --> 00:53:54,700
should not have a major weapons system 

1411
00:53:54,700 --> 00:53:57,070
out of commission because of a lack of 

1412
00:53:57,070 --> 00:53:59,510
a of a part . So I hope that that's 

1413
00:53:59,510 --> 00:54:02,060
part of your acquisition strategy . 

1414
00:54:02,100 --> 00:54:04,211
We're not just buying pieces of metal 

1415
00:54:04,211 --> 00:54:06,100
anymore . We should be buying the 

1416
00:54:06,100 --> 00:54:08,211
intellectual property that will allow 

1417
00:54:08,211 --> 00:54:12,160
us to maintain those and not rely on a 

1418
00:54:12,170 --> 00:54:14,114
long and somewhat uncertain supply 

1419
00:54:14,114 --> 00:54:17,760
chain . Senator . Absolutely . Uh 

1420
00:54:17,770 --> 00:54:20,820
we need to figure out better strategies 

1421
00:54:20,820 --> 00:54:22,931
to deal with the supply chain for our 

1422
00:54:22,931 --> 00:54:25,410
weapons system . Uh that includes 

1423
00:54:25,410 --> 00:54:27,577
dealing with part obsolescence and our 

1424
00:54:27,577 --> 00:54:30,020
ability to produce them in house um and 

1425
00:54:30,020 --> 00:54:32,187
in more robust and resilient ways . If 

1426
00:54:32,187 --> 00:54:34,580
confirmed , I commit to looking at 

1427
00:54:34,590 --> 00:54:36,590
ensuring we have the intellectual 

1428
00:54:36,590 --> 00:54:38,590
property as well as other solutions 

1429
00:54:38,590 --> 00:54:40,534
that can allow us to build in that 

1430
00:54:40,534 --> 00:54:42,900
supply chain and parts resilience to 

1431
00:54:43,020 --> 00:54:45,520
enable us to maintain and sustain our 

1432
00:54:45,530 --> 00:54:47,586
were fighting capabilities at a much 

1433
00:54:47,586 --> 00:54:49,641
more reasonable cost . Just remember 

1434
00:54:49,641 --> 00:54:51,863
for one of the nail , the shoe was lost 

1435
00:54:51,863 --> 00:54:53,863
for one of the shoe , the horse was 

1436
00:54:53,863 --> 00:54:56,030
lost for one of the horse , the battle 

1437
00:54:56,030 --> 00:54:58,197
was lost and the war could be lost . I 

1438
00:54:58,197 --> 00:54:57,700
don't want that to be the story of our 

1439
00:54:58,040 --> 00:55:01,020
of our military uh dr taylor kale , 

1440
00:55:01,030 --> 00:55:04,360
we've had a good discussion . Uh 22 

1441
00:55:04,360 --> 00:55:06,610
items . One is I'd like to see more 

1442
00:55:06,610 --> 00:55:10,170
emphasis on smaller firms and trying to 

1443
00:55:10,180 --> 00:55:12,670
develop the acquisition process so that 

1444
00:55:13,040 --> 00:55:15,500
smaller firms can compete and 

1445
00:55:15,510 --> 00:55:17,621
participate in the Defense Department 

1446
00:55:17,621 --> 00:55:19,677
acquisition process . Secondly , I'd 

1447
00:55:19,677 --> 00:55:21,732
like to invite you to maine where we 

1448
00:55:21,732 --> 00:55:24,760
have a diverse uh defense industrial 

1449
00:55:24,760 --> 00:55:26,760
base where we have large facilities 

1450
00:55:26,760 --> 00:55:28,871
like Bath Ironworks , Pratt , Whitney 

1451
00:55:28,871 --> 00:55:30,982
Enforcement , Naval Shipyard , but we 

1452
00:55:30,982 --> 00:55:32,871
also have many smaller firms that 

1453
00:55:32,871 --> 00:55:34,871
participate and I think it would be 

1454
00:55:34,871 --> 00:55:36,816
useful for you to see that kind of 

1455
00:55:36,816 --> 00:55:39,038
universe of the defense industrial base 

1456
00:55:39,038 --> 00:55:41,260
and I know you realize how important it 

1457
00:55:41,260 --> 00:55:43,482
is to maintain the industrial base in a 

1458
00:55:43,482 --> 00:55:47,010
vigorous and and healthy , healthy 

1459
00:55:47,020 --> 00:55:50,300
acquisition atmosphere . Thank you 

1460
00:55:50,300 --> 00:55:52,530
Senator . I appreciate our discussion 

1461
00:55:52,530 --> 00:55:54,641
that we had . I also enjoyed learning 

1462
00:55:54,641 --> 00:55:57,350
our mutual love for road trips across 

1463
00:55:57,350 --> 00:55:59,910
country . Um I would be more than 

1464
00:55:59,910 --> 00:56:02,140
delighted if confirmed to visit main . 

1465
00:56:02,150 --> 00:56:04,310
Um I've done similar trips and my 

1466
00:56:04,310 --> 00:56:06,477
capacity as Deputy Assistant Secretary 

1467
00:56:06,477 --> 00:56:09,200
for Manufacturing to Tennessee north 

1468
00:56:09,200 --> 00:56:12,930
Carolina , Alabama , um pennsylvania , 

1469
00:56:12,940 --> 00:56:14,940
other other states where there's an 

1470
00:56:14,940 --> 00:56:17,190
industrial base and um it means better 

1471
00:56:17,190 --> 00:56:20,030
than any of those Just to be clear . 

1472
00:56:20,040 --> 00:56:22,920
Thank you very much . I'm out of time . 

1473
00:56:22,930 --> 00:56:24,986
Mr Owens . I'm going to ask you some 

1474
00:56:24,986 --> 00:56:27,041
questions for the record . Thank you 

1475
00:56:27,041 --> 00:56:28,819
all and congratulations on your 

1476
00:56:28,819 --> 00:56:30,874
nomination . Look forward to working 

1477
00:56:30,874 --> 00:56:33,097
with you on behalf of the United States 

1478
00:56:33,097 --> 00:56:35,263
of America . Thank you . Mr Chairman . 

1479
00:56:35,263 --> 00:56:34,930
Thank you . Senator . King . Senator 

1480
00:56:34,930 --> 00:56:37,580
rounds please Thank you . Mr Chairman . 

1481
00:56:37,620 --> 00:56:39,676
Um First let me thank all of you for 

1482
00:56:39,676 --> 00:56:41,898
your continued service to our country . 

1483
00:56:41,898 --> 00:56:45,350
Mr Owens . I'm going to add my voice to 

1484
00:56:45,350 --> 00:56:47,517
the voices that have already expressed 

1485
00:56:47,517 --> 00:56:50,220
concerns with regard to preface and 

1486
00:56:51,330 --> 00:56:54,100
thanks for taking the time to meet with 

1487
00:56:54,100 --> 00:56:56,670
me in my office this last week . If 

1488
00:56:56,670 --> 00:56:59,300
confirmed , you will be the chairman of 

1489
00:56:59,300 --> 00:57:02,100
the preface task force . Given how 

1490
00:57:02,110 --> 00:57:04,930
pervasive this substance is , the 

1491
00:57:04,930 --> 00:57:06,874
longer that we take to address the 

1492
00:57:06,874 --> 00:57:09,270
issue , the more money it will cost in 

1493
00:57:09,270 --> 00:57:11,492
the long run this stuff doesn't stay in 

1494
00:57:11,492 --> 00:57:13,560
one place . It continues to permeate 

1495
00:57:13,560 --> 00:57:15,727
throughout the soils in and around the 

1496
00:57:15,727 --> 00:57:17,449
bases where it's been used for 

1497
00:57:17,449 --> 00:57:21,390
firefighting material . Um If 

1498
00:57:21,390 --> 00:57:23,650
we don't begin to tackle this as soon 

1499
00:57:23,650 --> 00:57:26,270
as possible and get ahead of it it's 

1500
00:57:26,270 --> 00:57:28,326
just gonna cost us more money in the 

1501
00:57:28,326 --> 00:57:30,381
long run . So we're either gonna pay 

1502
00:57:30,381 --> 00:57:32,603
now or we're gonna pay a whole lot more 

1503
00:57:32,603 --> 00:57:34,826
later on . I'm just gonna ask right now 

1504
00:57:34,826 --> 00:57:37,048
for your commitment that have confirmed 

1505
00:57:37,048 --> 00:57:39,103
you will promptly grab ahold of this 

1506
00:57:39,103 --> 00:57:40,870
issue and make sure that the 

1507
00:57:40,870 --> 00:57:43,110
communities that support our military 

1508
00:57:43,110 --> 00:57:45,640
installations across this country will 

1509
00:57:45,640 --> 00:57:47,807
be taken care of and that it will be a 

1510
00:57:47,807 --> 00:57:50,420
priority for you Senator . Thanks for 

1511
00:57:50,420 --> 00:57:52,587
your focus on this issue . You have my 

1512
00:57:52,587 --> 00:57:54,587
commitment on that . This will be a 

1513
00:57:54,587 --> 00:57:56,920
priority . Thank you . Dr plumb if 

1514
00:57:56,920 --> 00:57:58,960
confirmed , you will have oversight 

1515
00:57:58,960 --> 00:58:01,182
over the Assistant secretary of defense 

1516
00:58:01,182 --> 00:58:02,793
for energy installations and 

1517
00:58:02,793 --> 00:58:04,738
environment . The position that Mr 

1518
00:58:04,738 --> 00:58:06,980
Owens had been nominated for and as 

1519
00:58:06,980 --> 00:58:09,280
such will also play a major role in 

1520
00:58:09,280 --> 00:58:11,170
making sure our installations and 

1521
00:58:11,170 --> 00:58:13,540
surrounding communities are taken care 

1522
00:58:13,540 --> 00:58:16,580
of with regard to this particular issue . 

1523
00:58:16,590 --> 00:58:18,590
Do I have your commitment that have 

1524
00:58:18,590 --> 00:58:20,701
confirmed You will also look into the 

1525
00:58:20,701 --> 00:58:22,990
issue and if any additional resources 

1526
00:58:23,000 --> 00:58:25,650
or authorities are needed to address 

1527
00:58:25,660 --> 00:58:28,110
the fox remediation you will promptly 

1528
00:58:28,110 --> 00:58:30,600
let this committee know senator . You 

1529
00:58:30,600 --> 00:58:32,711
have my commitment to look into it to 

1530
00:58:32,711 --> 00:58:34,878
proactively identify where we can make 

1531
00:58:34,878 --> 00:58:37,100
more progress and to work directly with 

1532
00:58:37,100 --> 00:58:40,660
this committee . Uh Dr Taylor Kaley and 

1533
00:58:40,660 --> 00:58:42,140
I did I say that right 

1534
00:58:44,700 --> 00:58:46,867
thank thank you . I'm going to work at 

1535
00:58:46,867 --> 00:58:49,090
it . I've expressed my confusion in the 

1536
00:58:49,090 --> 00:58:52,430
past and my frustration as well of why 

1537
00:58:52,430 --> 00:58:55,130
with D . O . D . Plans and win D . O . 

1538
00:58:55,130 --> 00:58:58,420
D plans and prepares for a one year or 

1539
00:58:58,420 --> 00:59:02,000
one war scenario and in most cases a 

1540
00:59:02,000 --> 00:59:05,940
short 1 , 1 war scenario 

1541
00:59:06,380 --> 00:59:08,650
at a time , basically on one front , 

1542
00:59:09,120 --> 00:59:11,176
many leading defense experts believe 

1543
00:59:11,176 --> 00:59:13,520
that if engaged in a shooting war with 

1544
00:59:14,220 --> 00:59:17,910
peer or a near peer competitor , Um , 

1545
00:59:17,920 --> 00:59:19,976
we would run out of many of our best 

1546
00:59:19,976 --> 00:59:22,470
weapons systems and munitions in 1-2 

1547
00:59:22,470 --> 00:59:25,130
weeks . R and D for the future is 

1548
00:59:25,140 --> 00:59:27,450
needed . But we also need procurement 

1549
00:59:27,820 --> 00:59:31,400
now . Otherwise we're gonna have some 

1550
00:59:31,400 --> 00:59:33,930
very serious problems in the FY 26 and 

1551
00:59:33,930 --> 00:59:36,530
27 timeframe . Um , 

1552
00:59:37,020 --> 00:59:39,570
recognizing right now and learning from 

1553
00:59:39,570 --> 00:59:41,514
what we've seen in Ukraine and the 

1554
00:59:41,514 --> 00:59:43,626
challenges of moving , um , munitions 

1555
00:59:43,626 --> 00:59:45,950
that are used day to day around right 

1556
00:59:45,950 --> 00:59:48,117
now and the shortages that immediately 

1557
00:59:48,117 --> 00:59:51,290
begin to become apparent . I simply 

1558
00:59:51,290 --> 00:59:53,012
don't believe that the defense 

1559
00:59:53,012 --> 00:59:55,820
industrial base , the mobilization of 

1560
00:59:55,820 --> 00:59:58,042
that or the type that we've seen in the 

1561
00:59:58,042 --> 01:00:01,850
past is possible , uh , in the current 

1562
01:00:01,850 --> 01:00:04,740
operational environment . And it would 

1563
01:00:04,740 --> 01:00:06,851
appear to me that we're going to have 

1564
01:00:06,851 --> 01:00:08,962
to refocus on how we , how quickly we 

1565
01:00:08,962 --> 01:00:11,170
can come up to speed and begin to 

1566
01:00:11,170 --> 01:00:13,600
produce munitions that we've sometimes 

1567
01:00:13,600 --> 01:00:15,656
just taken for granted in the past . 

1568
01:00:15,810 --> 01:00:17,977
Would you agree with me that we've got 

1569
01:00:17,977 --> 01:00:20,032
to do something in order to expedite 

1570
01:00:20,032 --> 01:00:22,550
the acquisition of munitions in in a 

1571
01:00:22,550 --> 01:00:25,730
more timely fashion . Senator . I 

1572
01:00:25,740 --> 01:00:28,480
absolutely share your concern about our 

1573
01:00:28,480 --> 01:00:31,000
supply chain vulnerabilities . I think 

1574
01:00:31,010 --> 01:00:34,340
the war in Ukraine um and following 

1575
01:00:34,340 --> 01:00:37,050
Covid 19 really laid bare some of these 

1576
01:00:37,050 --> 01:00:38,994
vulnerabilities and these critical 

1577
01:00:38,994 --> 01:00:41,328
challenges that we've known for a while , 

1578
01:00:41,328 --> 01:00:44,550
but certainly um more acute now I think 

1579
01:00:44,560 --> 01:00:46,616
uh if confirmed , it would be a very 

1580
01:00:46,616 --> 01:00:49,060
important to apply lessons learnt from 

1581
01:00:49,060 --> 01:00:52,470
this . You Ukraine um you know , aid 

1582
01:00:52,480 --> 01:00:56,220
uh and also to figure out how 

1583
01:00:56,220 --> 01:00:59,690
best to support the industrial base and 

1584
01:00:59,690 --> 01:01:01,801
building more hot production lines as 

1585
01:01:01,801 --> 01:01:04,640
undersecretary plant has advocated for . 

1586
01:01:05,010 --> 01:01:07,121
I think some of the key issues that I 

1587
01:01:07,121 --> 01:01:09,010
outlined earlier , like workforce 

1588
01:01:09,010 --> 01:01:11,590
issues , challenges with programmatic 

1589
01:01:11,590 --> 01:01:14,350
and budgetary stability will be , you 

1590
01:01:14,350 --> 01:01:16,890
know , key key pieces to look out for 

1591
01:01:16,890 --> 01:01:19,130
and to focus on . If confirmed . I 

1592
01:01:19,130 --> 01:01:21,440
commit to you that I will work closely 

1593
01:01:21,440 --> 01:01:23,162
with industry , work with this 

1594
01:01:23,162 --> 01:01:25,162
committee and your staff as well as 

1595
01:01:25,162 --> 01:01:27,162
across the department enterprise to 

1596
01:01:27,162 --> 01:01:29,496
really address these issues . Thank you . 

1597
01:01:29,496 --> 01:01:31,718
Thank you . Mr . Chairman . My time has 

1598
01:01:31,718 --> 01:01:30,830
expired .