1 00:00:00,300 --> 00:00:02,244 Defense sub-committee will come to 2 00:00:02,244 --> 00:00:04,300 order today . The sub-committee will 3 00:00:04,300 --> 00:00:06,411 receive testimony from Lloyd Austin , 4 00:00:06,411 --> 00:00:08,411 the Secretary of Defense General CQ 5 00:00:08,411 --> 00:00:08,029 Brown , the chairman of the Joint 6 00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:10,079 Chiefs of Staff , Mike mccord , the 7 00:00:10,090 --> 00:00:11,812 under Secretary of Defense for 8 00:00:11,812 --> 00:00:13,979 Controller , the Department of Defense 9 00:00:13,979 --> 00:00:16,860 is requesting 833 billion within the 10 00:00:16,870 --> 00:00:19,037 subcommittee's jurisdiction for fiscal 11 00:00:19,037 --> 00:00:21,819 year 2025 . This is 1% higher than 12 00:00:21,829 --> 00:00:24,719 fiscal year 24 enacted level and would 13 00:00:24,729 --> 00:00:26,785 keep defense spending within the cap 14 00:00:26,785 --> 00:00:28,840 imposed by the Fiscal Responsibility 15 00:00:28,840 --> 00:00:31,360 Act , which is an interesting number 16 00:00:31,370 --> 00:00:32,870 considering the nondefense 17 00:00:32,870 --> 00:00:34,814 discretionary request is about $23 18 00:00:34,814 --> 00:00:38,060 billion over the same cap . President 19 00:00:38,069 --> 00:00:40,180 Biden frequently reports a quote from 20 00:00:40,180 --> 00:00:42,180 his father . Don't tell me what you 21 00:00:42,180 --> 00:00:44,402 value , show me what your budget , show 22 00:00:44,402 --> 00:00:46,513 me your budget and I'll tell you what 23 00:00:46,513 --> 00:00:47,958 you value . It seems this 24 00:00:47,958 --> 00:00:50,069 administration will continue to value 25 00:00:50,069 --> 00:00:51,958 its domestic agenda over national 26 00:00:51,958 --> 00:00:54,013 security . I on the other hand agree 27 00:00:54,013 --> 00:00:56,180 with the former secretary , Jim Mattis 28 00:00:56,180 --> 00:00:58,291 who advocated for annual 3 to 5% real 29 00:00:58,291 --> 00:01:00,291 growth and defense top line to both 30 00:01:00,299 --> 00:01:02,799 fight tonight and adequately invest in 31 00:01:02,810 --> 00:01:04,819 capability to deter and win in 32 00:01:04,830 --> 00:01:07,139 tomorrow's wars . That said the 33 00:01:07,150 --> 00:01:09,261 subcomittee will closely scrutinize a 34 00:01:09,261 --> 00:01:11,569 request to ensure that we provide a 35 00:01:11,580 --> 00:01:13,849 strong military as we develop fiscal 36 00:01:13,860 --> 00:01:16,709 year 2025 defense appropriation bill . 37 00:01:16,720 --> 00:01:20,080 Our job is made more difficult when our 38 00:01:20,089 --> 00:01:22,033 enemies are emboldened to act with 39 00:01:22,033 --> 00:01:24,900 impunity . Secretary Austin with the 40 00:01:24,910 --> 00:01:26,577 deteriorating global security 41 00:01:26,577 --> 00:01:28,799 environment . As a scorecard , I assess 42 00:01:28,799 --> 00:01:30,632 that your emphasis on integrated 43 00:01:30,632 --> 00:01:32,779 deterrence is failing . China is 44 00:01:32,790 --> 00:01:34,734 positioning itself to realize Xi's 45 00:01:34,734 --> 00:01:36,957 vision of building the force capable of 46 00:01:36,957 --> 00:01:40,069 taking Taiwan by 2027 47 00:01:40,739 --> 00:01:42,599 reducing capability at scale and 48 00:01:42,610 --> 00:01:44,832 bullying our allies and partners across 49 00:01:44,832 --> 00:01:47,589 the Indo Pacific . She is not deterred . 50 00:01:48,360 --> 00:01:50,249 Russia is in the third year of an 51 00:01:50,249 --> 00:01:52,082 unjust war of aggression against 52 00:01:52,082 --> 00:01:54,193 Ukraine with no signs of stopping its 53 00:01:54,193 --> 00:01:57,620 ongoing invasion attempt . Putin is not 54 00:01:57,629 --> 00:02:01,029 deterred . China is waging asymmetric 55 00:02:01,040 --> 00:02:03,207 warfare against the American people by 56 00:02:03,207 --> 00:02:05,410 providing base fentaNYL components to 57 00:02:05,419 --> 00:02:07,849 Mexican drug cartels . The fentaNYL 58 00:02:07,860 --> 00:02:10,419 products flowing across the porous 59 00:02:10,429 --> 00:02:13,389 southern border killed 100 and 12,000 60 00:02:13,399 --> 00:02:15,919 Americans last year and devastating 61 00:02:15,929 --> 00:02:18,520 communities across the nation . The 62 00:02:18,529 --> 00:02:21,229 Chinese suppliers and the Mexican drug 63 00:02:21,240 --> 00:02:24,990 cartels are not deterred . And over the 64 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:26,889 weekend , Iran for the first time 65 00:02:26,889 --> 00:02:29,000 launched a direct attack on the state 66 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:31,222 of Israel . The Iranian barrage include 67 00:02:31,222 --> 00:02:34,279 over 100 ballistic missiles , 30 cruise 68 00:02:34,289 --> 00:02:37,550 missiles , 150 attack drones launched 69 00:02:37,559 --> 00:02:40,539 from Lebanon Yemen and for the first 70 00:02:40,550 --> 00:02:43,970 time , Iran itself , 99% of their 71 00:02:43,979 --> 00:02:46,289 missiles and drones were intercepted 72 00:02:46,300 --> 00:02:49,339 but make no mistake . Iran is not 73 00:02:49,350 --> 00:02:51,220 deterred . Unfortunately , the 74 00:02:51,229 --> 00:02:53,285 department is plagued by bureaucracy 75 00:02:53,285 --> 00:02:55,396 that impedes the actions necessary to 76 00:02:55,396 --> 00:02:57,470 restore deterrence . This is most 77 00:02:57,479 --> 00:02:59,479 notable over cost and significantly 78 00:02:59,479 --> 00:03:01,535 delayed weapons system acquisition . 79 00:03:01,940 --> 00:03:03,940 Pick a service . I can point you to 80 00:03:03,940 --> 00:03:06,229 systems that fit this mold . The Navy's 81 00:03:06,240 --> 00:03:08,296 Columbia and Virginia submarines are 82 00:03:08,296 --> 00:03:10,407 both delayed despite being dubbed the 83 00:03:10,407 --> 00:03:13,179 service's number one priority . Air 84 00:03:13,190 --> 00:03:15,412 Force sentinel experienced none mccurdy 85 00:03:15,412 --> 00:03:18,759 breach . The army spent over $2 86 00:03:18,889 --> 00:03:21,479 billion developing FARA only to cancel 87 00:03:21,490 --> 00:03:24,000 the program . The Space Force GPS 88 00:03:24,009 --> 00:03:26,399 ground system is more than $3 billion 89 00:03:26,410 --> 00:03:28,880 over budget more than seven years late 90 00:03:29,100 --> 00:03:31,267 and it is still not delivered . And of 91 00:03:31,267 --> 00:03:33,433 course , there's a department's entire 92 00:03:33,433 --> 00:03:35,710 hypersonic program which has cost over 93 00:03:35,720 --> 00:03:39,039 10.5 billion so far and produced not a 94 00:03:39,050 --> 00:03:41,850 single fielded system . Our war 95 00:03:41,860 --> 00:03:44,082 fighters need modern technology . Now , 96 00:03:44,559 --> 00:03:46,670 a part of the solution must be a true 97 00:03:46,670 --> 00:03:48,960 commitment by the department to embrace 98 00:03:48,970 --> 00:03:51,240 and adopt an agile and innovative 99 00:03:51,250 --> 00:03:53,889 approach to acquisition . In fiscal 100 00:03:53,899 --> 00:03:56,839 year 2024 Defense Appropriations Act , 101 00:03:56,850 --> 00:03:59,440 I invested in this solution by ensuring 102 00:03:59,869 --> 00:04:01,980 that Defense Innovation Unit received 103 00:04:01,980 --> 00:04:04,339 $1 billion along with the flexible 104 00:04:04,350 --> 00:04:06,770 authorities necessary to rapidly 105 00:04:06,779 --> 00:04:09,479 identify contract and deliver 106 00:04:09,490 --> 00:04:11,212 innovative technologies to the 107 00:04:11,212 --> 00:04:13,410 warfighter . Including in this funding 108 00:04:13,419 --> 00:04:16,239 is 220 million for combatant commanders 109 00:04:16,250 --> 00:04:18,139 to procure and rapidly feel their 110 00:04:18,139 --> 00:04:20,489 capabilities . They need most urgently . 111 00:04:21,299 --> 00:04:23,188 The hedge portfolio investment is 112 00:04:23,188 --> 00:04:25,420 critical to addressing the emerging 113 00:04:25,429 --> 00:04:27,940 dynamic and materializing threats I 114 00:04:27,950 --> 00:04:30,579 discussed earlier . This funding is 115 00:04:30,589 --> 00:04:32,311 separate and distinct from the 116 00:04:32,311 --> 00:04:34,929 replicator effort fiscal year 2024 117 00:04:34,940 --> 00:04:36,996 appropriations reinforce this fact , 118 00:04:37,279 --> 00:04:40,609 providing $1 billion for diu and more 119 00:04:40,619 --> 00:04:42,952 than 200 million for replicator tranche . 120 00:04:42,952 --> 00:04:45,079 One additionally , to achieve an 121 00:04:45,089 --> 00:04:47,869 effective and efficient military , the 122 00:04:47,880 --> 00:04:49,936 department must also re optimize its 123 00:04:49,936 --> 00:04:51,880 workforce . I'm pleased to see the 124 00:04:51,880 --> 00:04:54,679 fiscal year 2025 request includes a net 125 00:04:54,690 --> 00:04:56,739 reduction in civilian full time 126 00:04:56,750 --> 00:04:58,861 equivalents and I'm encouraged by the 127 00:04:58,861 --> 00:05:00,959 progress the department is making to 128 00:05:00,970 --> 00:05:02,769 create , create uh incorporate 129 00:05:02,779 --> 00:05:04,779 artificial intelligence and process 130 00:05:04,779 --> 00:05:07,630 automation to eliminate manual business 131 00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:10,109 processes . More must be done here . 132 00:05:10,470 --> 00:05:12,440 And finally , our people are an 133 00:05:12,450 --> 00:05:14,910 asymmetric advantage that our 134 00:05:14,920 --> 00:05:16,920 adversaries could never replicate . 135 00:05:17,220 --> 00:05:19,331 They deserve the best . From barracks 136 00:05:19,331 --> 00:05:21,387 to business systems and from livable 137 00:05:21,387 --> 00:05:24,989 wages to robust family support . We as 138 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:26,833 a committee have long championed 139 00:05:26,833 --> 00:05:28,920 significant boost and pay for our 140 00:05:28,929 --> 00:05:31,151 junior enlisted service members and I'm 141 00:05:31,151 --> 00:05:32,985 happy to note this seems to be a 142 00:05:32,985 --> 00:05:34,985 popular initiative in Congress this 143 00:05:34,985 --> 00:05:37,209 year together with our families and our 144 00:05:37,220 --> 00:05:39,739 service members are . The foundation 145 00:05:39,750 --> 00:05:41,750 upon which our nation's strength is 146 00:05:41,750 --> 00:05:44,089 derived . Supporting and investing in 147 00:05:44,100 --> 00:05:46,690 them is a priority . And I know we can 148 00:05:46,700 --> 00:05:49,470 all agree on that before we hear from 149 00:05:49,480 --> 00:05:51,591 our witnesses . I'd like to recognize 150 00:05:51,591 --> 00:05:53,702 the distinguished ranking member , MS 151 00:05:53,702 --> 00:05:55,702 mccollum for any opening comments . 152 00:05:57,399 --> 00:06:00,260 Thank you , Mr Chair , Mr Secretary 153 00:06:00,269 --> 00:06:02,279 General Brown and under secretary 154 00:06:02,290 --> 00:06:04,179 mccord . Thank you for testifying 155 00:06:04,179 --> 00:06:07,049 before us today . General . We welcome 156 00:06:07,059 --> 00:06:09,059 your first appearance uh before the 157 00:06:09,070 --> 00:06:11,237 committee as the chairman of the Joint 158 00:06:11,237 --> 00:06:13,420 Chiefs for fiscal year 2025 . The 159 00:06:13,429 --> 00:06:17,100 president has proposed $823 160 00:06:17,109 --> 00:06:18,998 billion within our subcommittee's 161 00:06:18,998 --> 00:06:21,679 jurisdiction . It conforms with the 162 00:06:21,690 --> 00:06:23,246 enacted level in the Fiscal 163 00:06:23,246 --> 00:06:25,246 Responsibility Act which passed the 164 00:06:25,246 --> 00:06:28,049 house by a vote of 314 to 165 00:06:28,059 --> 00:06:31,890 117 . This allowed for a $7 166 00:06:31,899 --> 00:06:34,489 billion increase above fiscal year 2024 167 00:06:34,500 --> 00:06:36,940 and active levels even though it is 168 00:06:36,950 --> 00:06:40,329 below the rate of inflation . I voted 169 00:06:40,339 --> 00:06:42,450 for the Fiscal Responsibility Act not 170 00:06:42,450 --> 00:06:44,395 because I agreed with the spending 171 00:06:44,395 --> 00:06:46,760 levels in the deal but because this 172 00:06:46,769 --> 00:06:48,602 country could not afford to fall 173 00:06:48,602 --> 00:06:51,130 default on its debts . Mr Secretary , 174 00:06:51,230 --> 00:06:53,063 as you know , the department has 175 00:06:53,063 --> 00:06:55,529 received criticisms from authorizer for 176 00:06:55,540 --> 00:06:58,700 the top line budget requested . I think 177 00:06:58,709 --> 00:07:01,250 that criticism is unfair and unjust , 178 00:07:01,510 --> 00:07:03,621 especially from authorizes who do not 179 00:07:03,621 --> 00:07:05,788 have the responsibility for allocating 180 00:07:05,788 --> 00:07:08,589 the funding . Mr Secretary , you 181 00:07:08,600 --> 00:07:10,544 personally did not impose a fiscal 182 00:07:10,544 --> 00:07:12,767 responsibility Act of the Department on 183 00:07:12,767 --> 00:07:15,829 defen the Responsible Act on the 184 00:07:15,839 --> 00:07:19,359 Department of Defense Congress did and 185 00:07:19,369 --> 00:07:21,536 I think those of us who voted for that 186 00:07:21,536 --> 00:07:23,536 law , we need to remember that when 187 00:07:23,536 --> 00:07:26,320 talking to uh with you , I hope 188 00:07:26,329 --> 00:07:28,551 Congress has learned a hard lesson that 189 00:07:28,551 --> 00:07:30,607 we should not hold our national debt 190 00:07:30,607 --> 00:07:33,190 limit hostage over arbitrary spending 191 00:07:33,200 --> 00:07:35,260 caps . The department and the 192 00:07:35,269 --> 00:07:37,559 administration are conforming to what 193 00:07:37,579 --> 00:07:41,320 the law of the land is asking the 194 00:07:41,329 --> 00:07:43,369 department to ignore the law is not 195 00:07:43,380 --> 00:07:45,809 advisable . I know each of you and the 196 00:07:45,820 --> 00:07:47,764 service chiefs have made difficult 197 00:07:47,764 --> 00:07:50,040 choices . This year to follow the law . 198 00:07:50,619 --> 00:07:52,730 As I said , last year , Congress must 199 00:07:52,730 --> 00:07:55,089 be better about making hard choices 200 00:07:55,100 --> 00:07:57,211 when it comes to the defense budget . 201 00:07:57,489 --> 00:08:00,329 We need to continue to train equip our 202 00:08:00,339 --> 00:08:02,339 servicemen and women and to support 203 00:08:02,339 --> 00:08:04,506 them and their families here at home . 204 00:08:04,970 --> 00:08:07,350 We must prioritize modernization of our 205 00:08:07,359 --> 00:08:09,720 force and support investments which 206 00:08:09,730 --> 00:08:13,209 will support future modern combat . And 207 00:08:13,220 --> 00:08:15,149 most of all , we need to meet the 208 00:08:15,160 --> 00:08:17,271 requirements included in the national 209 00:08:17,271 --> 00:08:19,959 defense strategy . Every dollar 210 00:08:20,329 --> 00:08:22,420 allocated in your budget request 211 00:08:22,429 --> 00:08:24,480 represents an increased effort to 212 00:08:24,489 --> 00:08:27,239 defend our nation and to deter threats . 213 00:08:28,070 --> 00:08:30,690 As you know , we finally enacted the 214 00:08:30,700 --> 00:08:34,650 school year 2024 bill on March 23rd , 215 00:08:34,669 --> 00:08:37,159 6 months after it was supposed to be 216 00:08:37,169 --> 00:08:39,450 completed , this delay triggered 217 00:08:39,460 --> 00:08:41,830 multiple continuing resolutions and in 218 00:08:42,830 --> 00:08:44,774 repeated your ability to start new 219 00:08:44,774 --> 00:08:46,979 programs , none of this should have 220 00:08:46,989 --> 00:08:49,299 happened . Now , turning to the 221 00:08:49,309 --> 00:08:51,469 security supplemental , the Senate 222 00:08:51,479 --> 00:08:54,099 passed it over two months ago and it's 223 00:08:54,109 --> 00:08:56,331 deeply unfortunate that it has not been 224 00:08:56,331 --> 00:08:58,442 brought directly to the floor for the 225 00:08:58,442 --> 00:09:00,665 house for a vote . Bonny Nab Bill would 226 00:09:00,665 --> 00:09:02,998 provide much needed support for Ukraine , 227 00:09:03,489 --> 00:09:06,950 Taiwan , Israel and it will make sure 228 00:09:06,960 --> 00:09:09,127 that we have the critical munitions we 229 00:09:09,127 --> 00:09:11,349 need here at home to protect the United 230 00:09:11,349 --> 00:09:13,880 States . The supplemental will support 231 00:09:13,890 --> 00:09:16,250 our military and provide them with the 232 00:09:16,260 --> 00:09:18,427 ammunition necessary to defend us here 233 00:09:18,427 --> 00:09:20,650 at home and support our allies abroad . 234 00:09:21,020 --> 00:09:23,849 And it also includes much needed 235 00:09:23,859 --> 00:09:26,690 humanitarian assistance which is long 236 00:09:26,700 --> 00:09:28,811 overdue to the people . Who need it . 237 00:09:29,359 --> 00:09:31,303 As the chair mentioned evidence by 238 00:09:31,303 --> 00:09:33,969 Iran's actions this week and Israel 239 00:09:33,979 --> 00:09:35,868 will require more interceptors to 240 00:09:35,868 --> 00:09:38,020 defend itself from Iranian missile 241 00:09:38,030 --> 00:09:40,799 attacks last week . Our subcomittee was 242 00:09:40,809 --> 00:09:42,920 briefed by us European command on the 243 00:09:42,920 --> 00:09:45,250 prognosis for Ukraine without American 244 00:09:45,260 --> 00:09:48,739 support . As you know , it was chilling 245 00:09:49,190 --> 00:09:51,357 without the United States assistance . 246 00:09:51,357 --> 00:09:53,246 Ukraine will literally run out of 247 00:09:53,246 --> 00:09:55,079 ammunition and more civilians in 248 00:09:55,079 --> 00:09:57,246 Ukraine will be murdered by Russia for 249 00:09:57,246 --> 00:09:59,357 these reasons . The supplemental must 250 00:09:59,357 --> 00:10:01,523 be enacted as soon as possible . While 251 00:10:01,523 --> 00:10:03,746 the hearing today will cover a range of 252 00:10:03,746 --> 00:10:05,968 topics , I want to highlight a few that 253 00:10:05,968 --> 00:10:08,134 are very important to me . First , I'm 254 00:10:08,134 --> 00:10:10,357 concerned about our nation's ability to 255 00:10:10,357 --> 00:10:12,523 address emerging threats . Many of the 256 00:10:12,523 --> 00:10:14,746 major systems that we rely on from each 257 00:10:14,746 --> 00:10:17,190 of the services are delayed and require 258 00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:19,144 additional funds from the original 259 00:10:19,144 --> 00:10:21,890 stated contracts . This needs to stop 260 00:10:22,729 --> 00:10:24,673 our industrial partners seem to be 261 00:10:24,673 --> 00:10:26,673 losing workers right and left after 262 00:10:26,673 --> 00:10:28,840 they've been trained , particularly in 263 00:10:28,840 --> 00:10:31,062 the shipbuilding industrial base . This 264 00:10:31,062 --> 00:10:33,062 is unacceptable and it is extremely 265 00:10:33,062 --> 00:10:35,530 concerning to me , the Department 266 00:10:35,539 --> 00:10:37,369 Congress and industry must work 267 00:10:37,380 --> 00:10:39,213 together to ensure that there is 268 00:10:39,213 --> 00:10:41,570 consistency be because of those jobs 269 00:10:41,580 --> 00:10:43,802 and the people in them are important to 270 00:10:43,802 --> 00:10:45,913 the national security of our nation . 271 00:10:45,913 --> 00:10:48,080 Second , the subcommittee's heard from 272 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:50,136 the Army and the Navy about how they 273 00:10:50,136 --> 00:10:51,858 are addressing recruitment and 274 00:10:51,858 --> 00:10:53,858 retention issues . I'd like to know 275 00:10:53,858 --> 00:10:55,913 what you think the progresses of the 276 00:10:55,913 --> 00:10:58,136 services have made in recruitment goals 277 00:10:58,136 --> 00:11:00,247 in the past year . And do you believe 278 00:11:00,247 --> 00:11:02,358 this will get us back on track on the 279 00:11:02,358 --> 00:11:04,679 near term future ? And finally given 280 00:11:04,690 --> 00:11:06,690 the focus on the Pacific , which is 281 00:11:06,690 --> 00:11:08,579 important and the recent visit of 282 00:11:08,579 --> 00:11:10,412 Washington by the Japanese Prime 283 00:11:10,412 --> 00:11:12,246 Minister . I'd like to hear your 284 00:11:12,246 --> 00:11:14,739 thoughts on our relationship with Japan . 285 00:11:14,940 --> 00:11:17,119 How can the department work with Japan 286 00:11:17,130 --> 00:11:19,019 to better utilize maintenance and 287 00:11:19,019 --> 00:11:21,979 repair facilities in Japanese territory 288 00:11:21,989 --> 00:11:24,289 that our forces can execute their 289 00:11:24,299 --> 00:11:25,966 missions more effectively and 290 00:11:25,966 --> 00:11:28,132 efficiently . And what are some of the 291 00:11:28,132 --> 00:11:30,299 ways that the department has worked to 292 00:11:30,299 --> 00:11:32,521 strengthen our relationship with allies 293 00:11:32,521 --> 00:11:34,743 such as the Philippines , Australia and 294 00:11:34,743 --> 00:11:36,969 South Korea again , thank you to the 295 00:11:36,979 --> 00:11:39,201 service for our witnesses for appearing 296 00:11:39,201 --> 00:11:41,429 before us today and all those who serve 297 00:11:41,440 --> 00:11:43,662 and work under you . We appreciate your 298 00:11:43,662 --> 00:11:45,940 testimony and answers to our questions , 299 00:11:45,940 --> 00:11:47,718 Mr Chairman . Thank you for the 300 00:11:47,718 --> 00:11:49,940 courtesy and I yield back . Thank you , 301 00:11:49,940 --> 00:11:52,107 MS mccollum . And now I'd like to turn 302 00:11:52,107 --> 00:11:52,030 to our , the chairman of the full 303 00:11:52,039 --> 00:11:54,190 committee , my good friend , Chairman 304 00:11:54,200 --> 00:11:56,311 Tom Cole , the floor is yours . Thank 305 00:11:56,311 --> 00:11:58,669 you very much . Uh Chairman Calvert and 306 00:11:58,679 --> 00:12:00,790 uh good morning uh to our witnesses . 307 00:12:00,790 --> 00:12:02,957 Certainly , Mr Secretary General Brown 308 00:12:02,957 --> 00:12:06,739 undersecretary's uh great to have you 309 00:12:06,750 --> 00:12:09,030 here this morning . Iran's missile and 310 00:12:09,039 --> 00:12:10,928 drone attacks on Israel . And the 311 00:12:10,928 --> 00:12:12,983 persistent and aggressive actions of 312 00:12:12,983 --> 00:12:15,150 China and Russia are reminders that we 313 00:12:15,150 --> 00:12:17,261 need a strong military to deter war , 314 00:12:17,261 --> 00:12:19,609 protect us interests and when necessary 315 00:12:19,619 --> 00:12:22,169 win in conflict , we are witnessing an 316 00:12:22,179 --> 00:12:24,346 evolution and war fighting through the 317 00:12:24,346 --> 00:12:26,820 proliferation of technology , small , 318 00:12:26,830 --> 00:12:29,000 cheap and autonomous systems provide 319 00:12:29,010 --> 00:12:31,010 regional actors with the ability to 320 00:12:31,010 --> 00:12:33,121 threaten their neighbors and endanger 321 00:12:33,121 --> 00:12:36,039 the global order . With that backdrop . 322 00:12:36,049 --> 00:12:39,090 The department's uh fiscal year 2025 323 00:12:39,099 --> 00:12:41,210 request makes tough choices to stay 324 00:12:41,219 --> 00:12:43,219 under the fiscal responsibility Act 325 00:12:43,219 --> 00:12:45,330 caps . It trades long term 326 00:12:45,340 --> 00:12:47,173 modernization of capabilities to 327 00:12:47,173 --> 00:12:49,396 preserve near term readiness of force . 328 00:12:49,729 --> 00:12:51,896 Frankly . Uh Like my friend , Chairman 329 00:12:51,896 --> 00:12:54,007 Calvert , I'd like to see an increase 330 00:12:54,007 --> 00:12:56,118 in defense spending to a more to more 331 00:12:56,119 --> 00:12:58,210 completely address these threats . I 332 00:12:58,219 --> 00:13:00,163 certainly , as my good friend , uh 333 00:13:00,163 --> 00:13:02,386 ranking member mccollum said uh support 334 00:13:02,386 --> 00:13:04,229 the uh supplemental both for its 335 00:13:04,239 --> 00:13:07,109 immediate impact and its long term . Uh 336 00:13:07,280 --> 00:13:09,630 and you know , assistance in developing 337 00:13:09,640 --> 00:13:11,918 and sustaining our own industrial base . 338 00:13:12,219 --> 00:13:14,409 However , additional funding would not 339 00:13:14,419 --> 00:13:16,086 absolve the department of its 340 00:13:16,086 --> 00:13:18,252 responsibility to deliver capabilities 341 00:13:18,252 --> 00:13:20,690 on time and on budget in that regard . 342 00:13:20,700 --> 00:13:22,589 I certainly associate myself with 343 00:13:22,589 --> 00:13:24,644 remarks to my good friend , Chairman 344 00:13:24,644 --> 00:13:26,644 Calvert from hypersonic programs to 345 00:13:26,644 --> 00:13:28,644 shipbuilding to aircraft like the E 346 00:13:28,644 --> 00:13:30,940 seven . I continue to be concerned by 347 00:13:30,950 --> 00:13:33,061 the department's inability to deliver 348 00:13:33,061 --> 00:13:34,839 weapons to the war fighter in a 349 00:13:34,839 --> 00:13:37,070 reasonable time frame . Successful 350 00:13:37,080 --> 00:13:39,080 weapons system acquisition requires 351 00:13:39,080 --> 00:13:41,136 clear standards , adequate funding , 352 00:13:41,136 --> 00:13:43,200 competent program management and a 353 00:13:43,210 --> 00:13:45,043 trusting partnership between the 354 00:13:45,043 --> 00:13:47,010 department and industry . It also 355 00:13:47,020 --> 00:13:49,020 requires constant communication and 356 00:13:49,020 --> 00:13:51,520 transparency with the Congress . These 357 00:13:51,530 --> 00:13:53,697 are some of the areas uh there , there 358 00:13:53,697 --> 00:13:55,863 are , excuse me , there are some areas 359 00:13:55,863 --> 00:13:58,030 such as munitions where the department 360 00:13:58,030 --> 00:14:00,252 is working directly with this committee 361 00:14:00,252 --> 00:14:02,308 and providing the funding and demand 362 00:14:02,308 --> 00:14:04,308 signal necessary to ramp industrial 363 00:14:04,308 --> 00:14:06,363 based production . I'm interested in 364 00:14:06,363 --> 00:14:08,530 your thoughts , Mr Secretary on how to 365 00:14:08,530 --> 00:14:10,530 go a step further and develop surge 366 00:14:10,530 --> 00:14:12,641 capacity across the industrial base . 367 00:14:12,641 --> 00:14:14,752 This would increase our readiness for 368 00:14:14,752 --> 00:14:16,363 whatever the global security 369 00:14:16,363 --> 00:14:18,419 environment throws at us . I want to 370 00:14:18,419 --> 00:14:21,469 note that the department is uh enduring 371 00:14:21,479 --> 00:14:23,646 the most challenging recruiting crisis 372 00:14:23,646 --> 00:14:25,868 since the creation of the all volunteer 373 00:14:25,868 --> 00:14:28,270 force . The junior enlisted force is 374 00:14:28,280 --> 00:14:30,447 the lifeblood of the military and this 375 00:14:30,447 --> 00:14:32,502 committee is committed to recruiting 376 00:14:32,502 --> 00:14:34,613 and retaining the best America has to 377 00:14:34,613 --> 00:14:36,336 offer . There's no shortage of 378 00:14:36,336 --> 00:14:38,391 challenges for this department and I 379 00:14:38,391 --> 00:14:40,613 look forward to hearing how fiscal year 380 00:14:40,613 --> 00:14:42,770 2025 budget request addresses those 381 00:14:42,780 --> 00:14:44,780 issues . Thank you , Mr Chairman Iy 382 00:14:44,780 --> 00:14:47,960 back . Thank you , Chairman , gentlemen . 383 00:14:47,969 --> 00:14:49,969 Your full written testimony will be 384 00:14:49,969 --> 00:14:52,025 placed on the record . Please give a 385 00:14:52,025 --> 00:14:53,969 brief summary of your statements . 386 00:14:53,969 --> 00:14:56,191 Secretary Austin , the floor is yours , 387 00:14:56,719 --> 00:14:58,780 Chairman Calvert , uh ranking member 388 00:14:58,789 --> 00:15:01,011 mccollum , distinguished members of the 389 00:15:01,011 --> 00:15:03,178 committee . Thanks for the opportunity 390 00:15:03,178 --> 00:15:05,280 to testify in support of President 391 00:15:05,289 --> 00:15:08,599 Biden's proposed fiscal year 2025 392 00:15:08,609 --> 00:15:10,776 budget for the Department of Defense . 393 00:15:10,880 --> 00:15:12,979 Chairman Cole . I look forward to 394 00:15:13,299 --> 00:15:15,619 continuing to work closely together as 395 00:15:15,630 --> 00:15:17,419 you take the gavel of the full 396 00:15:17,429 --> 00:15:20,219 committee . I'm pleased to be joined by 397 00:15:20,229 --> 00:15:22,340 our outstanding chairman of the joint 398 00:15:22,340 --> 00:15:24,562 Chiefs of Staff General CQ Brown and by 399 00:15:24,562 --> 00:15:26,451 under secretary Mike mccord , the 400 00:15:26,451 --> 00:15:28,960 Department's Comptroller . Let me start 401 00:15:28,969 --> 00:15:31,191 by thanking this committee for all that 402 00:15:31,191 --> 00:15:33,650 you do to support the us military , our 403 00:15:33,659 --> 00:15:37,200 troops and our military families . We 404 00:15:37,210 --> 00:15:39,760 began see seeing the exceptional skill 405 00:15:39,770 --> 00:15:42,619 and professionalism of our forces after 406 00:15:42,630 --> 00:15:44,940 Iran's unprecedented and reckless 407 00:15:44,950 --> 00:15:48,400 assault on Israel alongs alongside 408 00:15:48,409 --> 00:15:51,179 Israel and our allies . We had enormous 409 00:15:51,190 --> 00:15:54,419 success in defeating Iran's attack . We 410 00:15:54,429 --> 00:15:56,651 will continue to stand ready to protect 411 00:15:56,651 --> 00:15:58,960 our troops in the region and to support 412 00:15:58,969 --> 00:16:02,070 the defense of Israel from attacks by 413 00:16:02,080 --> 00:16:06,000 Iran or as proxies and our commitment 414 00:16:06,010 --> 00:16:09,700 to Israel's security is ironclad . And 415 00:16:09,710 --> 00:16:12,750 let me be clear while we've not seen 416 00:16:12,760 --> 00:16:15,039 renewed attacks on us , forces or 417 00:16:15,049 --> 00:16:17,820 facilities . As President Biden has 418 00:16:17,830 --> 00:16:20,549 said , we will not hesitate to take all 419 00:16:20,559 --> 00:16:22,909 necessary actions to protect our people . 420 00:16:24,250 --> 00:16:26,869 Now let me turn to this year's budget 421 00:16:26,880 --> 00:16:27,500 request 422 00:16:33,770 --> 00:16:37,440 meeting will be suspended . The 423 00:16:37,450 --> 00:16:39,830 committee will be in order , the chair 424 00:16:39,840 --> 00:16:42,007 notes the disturbance of the committee 425 00:16:42,007 --> 00:16:44,007 proceedings . The chair reminds our 426 00:16:44,007 --> 00:16:46,062 guests a disruptive demonstration of 427 00:16:46,062 --> 00:16:48,229 the audience in violation of the house 428 00:16:48,229 --> 00:16:50,340 rules . Any additional disruptions to 429 00:16:50,340 --> 00:16:51,951 the hearing will require law 430 00:16:51,951 --> 00:16:54,062 enforcement to remove protesters from 431 00:16:54,062 --> 00:16:56,284 the room and restore order . And I will 432 00:16:56,284 --> 00:16:57,284 do that . 433 00:17:01,289 --> 00:17:03,622 Mr Secretary . Please continue . Thanks , 434 00:17:03,622 --> 00:17:05,622 Chairman as secretary , I've always 435 00:17:05,622 --> 00:17:07,511 been guided by three priorities , 436 00:17:07,511 --> 00:17:09,699 defending our nation , taking care of 437 00:17:09,709 --> 00:17:11,598 our people and succeeding through 438 00:17:11,598 --> 00:17:13,818 teamwork . Our budget request for 439 00:17:13,828 --> 00:17:16,879 fiscal year 2025 will advance all three 440 00:17:16,889 --> 00:17:20,469 of these priorities . The committee 441 00:17:20,479 --> 00:17:22,757 will stand in recess until the Capitol . 442 00:17:22,757 --> 00:17:24,812 Police can restore order . Capitol . 443 00:17:24,812 --> 00:17:26,979 Please please remove the demonstrators 444 00:17:26,979 --> 00:17:29,520 from the room . Committee is in recess . 445 00:17:30,930 --> 00:17:34,630 Please remove , please remove 446 00:17:34,640 --> 00:17:36,770 all protesters from the room . 447 00:17:39,530 --> 00:17:41,641 Please remove all protesters from the 448 00:17:41,641 --> 00:17:41,380 room . 449 00:17:46,959 --> 00:17:47,959 You've got more . 450 00:17:55,790 --> 00:17:57,640 Any additional protests , all 451 00:17:57,880 --> 00:17:59,880 protesters will be removed from the 452 00:17:59,880 --> 00:18:01,824 room . Can we need to come back to 453 00:18:01,824 --> 00:18:04,047 order ? Mr Secretary , please proceed . 454 00:18:05,750 --> 00:18:07,806 As I said , uh Chairman , our budget 455 00:18:07,806 --> 00:18:09,694 request for fiscal year 2025 will 456 00:18:09,694 --> 00:18:11,694 advance all three of the priorities 457 00:18:11,694 --> 00:18:13,417 that I mentioned . First , the 458 00:18:13,417 --> 00:18:15,417 president's requests will invest in 459 00:18:15,417 --> 00:18:17,472 cutting edge capabilities across all 460 00:18:17,472 --> 00:18:20,239 domains . This includes $48.1 billion 461 00:18:20,250 --> 00:18:22,583 for naval and shipbuilding capabilities . 462 00:18:22,750 --> 00:18:26,000 $61.2 billion to reinforce us air 463 00:18:26,010 --> 00:18:29,020 dominance and $13 billion to bolster 464 00:18:29,030 --> 00:18:30,660 army and Marine Corps combat 465 00:18:30,670 --> 00:18:33,270 capabilities . Our request will also 466 00:18:33,280 --> 00:18:36,400 provide $33.7 billion to strengthen our 467 00:18:36,410 --> 00:18:39,930 space architecture and $14.5 billion to 468 00:18:39,939 --> 00:18:41,939 develop and field advanced 469 00:18:41,949 --> 00:18:44,739 cybersecurity tools . It will direct 470 00:18:44,750 --> 00:18:47,250 $49.2 billion to modernize and 471 00:18:47,260 --> 00:18:49,540 recapitalize all three legs of our 472 00:18:49,550 --> 00:18:52,479 nuclear triad and it will sharpen our 473 00:18:52,489 --> 00:18:54,410 tech edge through a 474 00:18:54,420 --> 00:18:57,829 $167.5 billion investment in 475 00:18:57,839 --> 00:18:59,670 procurement and a 476 00:18:59,739 --> 00:19:03,489 $143.2 billion investment in R and 477 00:19:03,500 --> 00:19:06,910 D . Second , this budget request will 478 00:19:06,920 --> 00:19:08,864 support our outstanding troops and 479 00:19:08,864 --> 00:19:11,069 their families that includes raising 480 00:19:11,079 --> 00:19:14,839 base pay and ho and housing allowances , 481 00:19:14,989 --> 00:19:17,349 investing in better housing , making 482 00:19:17,359 --> 00:19:20,000 childcare more affordable and funding 483 00:19:20,010 --> 00:19:23,339 vital work uh to prevent sexual assault 484 00:19:23,349 --> 00:19:26,410 and suicide in the military . And third , 485 00:19:26,420 --> 00:19:28,531 this request will help the department 486 00:19:28,531 --> 00:19:30,753 further deepen our teamwork worldwide . 487 00:19:31,390 --> 00:19:33,334 Our network of allies and partners 488 00:19:33,334 --> 00:19:36,189 remains a strategic advantage that no 489 00:19:36,199 --> 00:19:38,939 competitor can match . And you can see 490 00:19:38,949 --> 00:19:40,949 its power in our strengthening ties 491 00:19:40,949 --> 00:19:44,079 across the Indo Pacific in today's 492 00:19:44,089 --> 00:19:47,670 expanded and United NATO and in the 50 493 00:19:47,680 --> 00:19:49,979 country , Ukraine defense contact group 494 00:19:50,180 --> 00:19:53,150 that I convene . Our budget remains 495 00:19:53,160 --> 00:19:55,599 rooted in our 2022 national defense 496 00:19:55,609 --> 00:19:59,000 strategy . Our request positions the 497 00:19:59,010 --> 00:20:00,566 United States to tackle the 498 00:20:00,566 --> 00:20:02,454 department's pacing challenge the 499 00:20:02,454 --> 00:20:04,390 People's Republic of China with 500 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:07,290 confidence and urgency . It will help 501 00:20:07,300 --> 00:20:09,239 meet the acute threat of Putin's 502 00:20:09,250 --> 00:20:12,040 increasingly aggressive Russia . It 503 00:20:12,050 --> 00:20:14,109 will help us tackle the persistent 504 00:20:14,119 --> 00:20:16,500 dangers that we've just seen from Iran 505 00:20:16,800 --> 00:20:19,339 and its proxies in their attack on 506 00:20:19,349 --> 00:20:22,819 Israel . It will help us take on the 507 00:20:22,829 --> 00:20:25,449 threats from North Korea , the global 508 00:20:25,459 --> 00:20:27,739 terrorists organizations and other 509 00:20:27,750 --> 00:20:30,270 malign actors and it will help us 510 00:20:30,280 --> 00:20:32,770 continue to deter aggression against 511 00:20:32,780 --> 00:20:34,836 the United States and our allies and 512 00:20:34,836 --> 00:20:37,050 partners and to prevail in conflict if 513 00:20:37,060 --> 00:20:39,359 necessary . Now , today , I want to 514 00:20:39,369 --> 00:20:42,589 underscore three key messages . First , 515 00:20:43,040 --> 00:20:45,096 even as our budget request abides by 516 00:20:45,096 --> 00:20:47,151 the mandatory caps set by the Fiscal 517 00:20:47,151 --> 00:20:49,339 Responsibility Act . It is aligned to 518 00:20:49,349 --> 00:20:51,579 our strategy . We made tough but 519 00:20:51,589 --> 00:20:54,119 responsible decisions that prioritize 520 00:20:54,130 --> 00:20:55,979 prioritize near term readiness . 521 00:20:56,170 --> 00:20:58,226 Modernization of the joint force and 522 00:20:58,226 --> 00:21:00,059 support for our troops and their 523 00:21:00,059 --> 00:21:03,619 families . Our approach dials back some 524 00:21:03,630 --> 00:21:05,979 near term modernization for programs 525 00:21:05,989 --> 00:21:08,290 not set to come online until the 20 526 00:21:08,300 --> 00:21:11,839 thirties . Second , we can only 527 00:21:11,849 --> 00:21:14,170 fully reach the goals of our strategy 528 00:21:14,180 --> 00:21:16,347 with your help . And I'm grateful that 529 00:21:16,347 --> 00:21:18,729 Congress passed the fiscal year 2024 530 00:21:18,739 --> 00:21:21,459 appropriations in March . The single 531 00:21:21,469 --> 00:21:23,636 greatest way that Congress can support 532 00:21:23,636 --> 00:21:25,858 the department is to pass predictable , 533 00:21:25,858 --> 00:21:27,969 sustained and timely appropriations . 534 00:21:28,579 --> 00:21:30,746 My third and final message is that the 535 00:21:30,746 --> 00:21:33,660 price of us leadership is real but it 536 00:21:33,670 --> 00:21:35,949 is far lower than the price of us . 537 00:21:35,959 --> 00:21:38,869 Abdication . As the president has said , 538 00:21:38,880 --> 00:21:40,824 we're in a global struggle between 539 00:21:40,824 --> 00:21:43,250 democracy and autocracy and our 540 00:21:43,260 --> 00:21:46,449 security relies on American strength of 541 00:21:46,459 --> 00:21:48,670 purpose . And that's why our budget 542 00:21:48,680 --> 00:21:50,680 request seeks to invest in American 543 00:21:50,680 --> 00:21:53,699 security and in America's defense 544 00:21:53,709 --> 00:21:56,640 industrial base . It's also why the 545 00:21:56,650 --> 00:21:59,089 administration has requested nearly $60 546 00:21:59,099 --> 00:22:01,489 billion in the national secu security 547 00:22:01,500 --> 00:22:03,979 supplemental for the department that 548 00:22:03,989 --> 00:22:06,211 supplemental would support our partners 549 00:22:06,211 --> 00:22:09,150 in Israel , Ukraine and Taiwan . And it 550 00:22:09,160 --> 00:22:11,327 would make key investments to increase 551 00:22:11,327 --> 00:22:14,150 submarine production . In fact , about 552 00:22:14,160 --> 00:22:16,327 $50 billion of this supplemental would 553 00:22:16,327 --> 00:22:18,327 flow through our defense industrial 554 00:22:18,327 --> 00:22:20,438 base , creating good American jobs in 555 00:22:20,438 --> 00:22:23,109 more than 30 states . Now , we are more 556 00:22:23,119 --> 00:22:25,369 than two years into the Kremlin's war 557 00:22:25,380 --> 00:22:28,060 of aggression against Ukraine and Putin 558 00:22:28,069 --> 00:22:30,236 is betting that the United States will 559 00:22:30,236 --> 00:22:32,760 falter abandon our friends and leave 560 00:22:32,770 --> 00:22:35,479 Ukraine in mortal danger . If the 561 00:22:35,489 --> 00:22:37,689 Kremlin prevails in Ukraine , it would 562 00:22:37,699 --> 00:22:39,921 embolden would be aggressors around the 563 00:22:39,921 --> 00:22:42,880 globe . And we know that China Iran and 564 00:22:42,890 --> 00:22:45,280 others are watching what Putin does and 565 00:22:45,290 --> 00:22:47,680 how we respond . So we look to our 566 00:22:47,689 --> 00:22:49,745 partners in Congress to help us make 567 00:22:49,745 --> 00:22:51,800 the investments needed to strengthen 568 00:22:51,800 --> 00:22:54,069 America's security through both the 569 00:22:54,079 --> 00:22:56,301 supplemental and the president's budget 570 00:22:56,301 --> 00:22:58,510 requests . The United States military 571 00:22:58,520 --> 00:23:00,576 is the most lethal fighting force on 572 00:23:00,576 --> 00:23:02,520 earth . And with your help , we're 573 00:23:02,520 --> 00:23:04,520 gonna keep it that way . I am truly 574 00:23:04,520 --> 00:23:06,409 grateful for your support for our 575 00:23:06,409 --> 00:23:08,520 mission and for our troops and I look 576 00:23:08,520 --> 00:23:10,742 forward to your questions . Thank you . 577 00:23:11,430 --> 00:23:13,729 Thank you , Mr Secretary General Brown . 578 00:23:13,739 --> 00:23:17,209 You're recognized Chairman Calford ran 579 00:23:17,290 --> 00:23:20,329 mccollum , chairman Cole and six 580 00:23:20,339 --> 00:23:22,506 members of the committee . I'm honored 581 00:23:22,510 --> 00:23:24,677 to join Secretary Austin and honorable 582 00:23:24,677 --> 00:23:26,954 Mike mccord to appear before you today . 583 00:23:27,869 --> 00:23:30,170 On behalf of the joint force Department 584 00:23:30,180 --> 00:23:32,513 of Defense , civilians and our families , 585 00:23:32,579 --> 00:23:34,468 I want to thank Congress for your 586 00:23:34,468 --> 00:23:36,579 steadfast support and the opportunity 587 00:23:36,579 --> 00:23:38,930 to testify on the fiscal year 2025 588 00:23:38,939 --> 00:23:41,760 defense budget request which reflects 589 00:23:41,770 --> 00:23:43,659 our shared commitment to national 590 00:23:43,659 --> 00:23:45,719 security . The global security 591 00:23:45,729 --> 00:23:47,840 environment is increasingly complex . 592 00:23:48,089 --> 00:23:50,219 The 2022 national defense strategy 593 00:23:50,469 --> 00:23:53,189 identifies five key challenges . The 594 00:23:53,199 --> 00:23:55,421 People's Republic of China are pressing 595 00:23:55,421 --> 00:23:57,199 challenge , continues its risky 596 00:23:57,199 --> 00:23:59,390 behavior around the globe . A newly 597 00:23:59,400 --> 00:24:01,511 aggressive Russia with its unprovoked 598 00:24:01,511 --> 00:24:04,180 war against Ukraine , a reckless Iran 599 00:24:04,469 --> 00:24:06,890 who as we saw just this past weekend 600 00:24:07,109 --> 00:24:09,329 attempts to escalate regional conflict 601 00:24:09,550 --> 00:24:11,979 with unprecedented attacks in support 602 00:24:11,989 --> 00:24:14,660 of proxy forces . It is stabilizing 603 00:24:14,670 --> 00:24:16,726 North Korea which threatens regional 604 00:24:16,726 --> 00:24:18,448 security and violent extremist 605 00:24:18,448 --> 00:24:20,059 organizations which leverage 606 00:24:20,059 --> 00:24:22,114 instability to advance their cause . 607 00:24:22,319 --> 00:24:24,319 These channels are interconnected , 608 00:24:24,319 --> 00:24:26,375 which demands a strategic approach , 609 00:24:26,375 --> 00:24:28,541 addressing the immediate threats while 610 00:24:28,541 --> 00:24:30,875 also preparing for future contingencies . 611 00:24:31,239 --> 00:24:33,461 Days after becoming the chairman I laid 612 00:24:33,461 --> 00:24:35,683 out three expectations in my message to 613 00:24:35,683 --> 00:24:37,628 the joint force learning . Our war 614 00:24:37,628 --> 00:24:39,739 fighting skills has primacy in all we 615 00:24:39,739 --> 00:24:41,961 do modernizing and aggressively leading 616 00:24:41,961 --> 00:24:44,089 with new concepts and approaches and 617 00:24:44,099 --> 00:24:45,821 trust is the foundation of our 618 00:24:45,821 --> 00:24:48,219 profession . Our military exists to 619 00:24:48,229 --> 00:24:50,479 fight and win our nation's wars . We 620 00:24:50,489 --> 00:24:52,569 train every day to ensure we are so 621 00:24:52,579 --> 00:24:54,959 good at what we do that we deter any 622 00:24:54,969 --> 00:24:56,858 adversary from engaging the US in 623 00:24:56,858 --> 00:25:00,329 conflict . This budget quest , 100 and 624 00:25:00,339 --> 00:25:03,229 $47 billion to sustain readiness and 625 00:25:03,239 --> 00:25:05,406 ensure the department can counter near 626 00:25:05,406 --> 00:25:07,750 term threats . We're also focused on 627 00:25:07,760 --> 00:25:09,649 better integrating our allies and 628 00:25:09,649 --> 00:25:11,871 partners in our planning and operations 629 00:25:12,339 --> 00:25:14,450 by investing in critical programs and 630 00:25:14,450 --> 00:25:16,228 capability , expanding security 631 00:25:16,228 --> 00:25:18,910 co-operation , exercises , training and 632 00:25:18,920 --> 00:25:21,239 interoperability , our vestments and 633 00:25:21,250 --> 00:25:23,417 readiness , ensure the joint force can 634 00:25:23,417 --> 00:25:26,300 respond when the nation calls or we are 635 00:25:26,310 --> 00:25:28,650 focused on uh our readiness for today . 636 00:25:29,119 --> 00:25:31,119 It's critical to modernize and lead 637 00:25:31,119 --> 00:25:32,952 with new concepts to prepare for 638 00:25:32,952 --> 00:25:35,119 tomorrow . The department continues to 639 00:25:35,119 --> 00:25:37,175 invest in capability and capacity to 640 00:25:37,175 --> 00:25:38,841 outpace our competitors while 641 00:25:38,841 --> 00:25:40,619 transforming from costly legacy 642 00:25:40,619 --> 00:25:42,730 platforms that are no longer relevant 643 00:25:42,730 --> 00:25:45,680 to the threat . This buddy strate this 644 00:25:45,689 --> 00:25:49,459 budget strategically invest in a 1.667 645 00:25:49,469 --> 00:25:51,119 $0.5 billion in procurement 646 00:25:51,569 --> 00:25:53,625 underscoring our commitment to equip 647 00:25:53,625 --> 00:25:55,513 the joint force with unparalleled 648 00:25:55,513 --> 00:25:57,402 compact capabilities across every 649 00:25:57,402 --> 00:26:00,089 domain . This budget also invest 100 650 00:26:00,099 --> 00:26:02,260 and 43.2 billion in research 651 00:26:02,280 --> 00:26:05,189 development tests and evaluation of 652 00:26:05,199 --> 00:26:07,255 future capabilities that will retain 653 00:26:07,255 --> 00:26:09,560 our strategic edge . Finding this 654 00:26:09,569 --> 00:26:11,579 budget invested significantly into 655 00:26:11,589 --> 00:26:13,410 nuclear modernization , digital 656 00:26:13,420 --> 00:26:15,780 innovation , multiyear procurement of 657 00:26:15,790 --> 00:26:17,901 critical munitions and a strengthened 658 00:26:17,901 --> 00:26:20,589 defense industrial base with rapidly 659 00:26:20,599 --> 00:26:22,377 evolving threats and technology 660 00:26:22,377 --> 00:26:24,377 accelerating . Our modernization is 661 00:26:24,377 --> 00:26:26,520 crucial . Lastly , trust is the 662 00:26:26,530 --> 00:26:29,239 foundation of our profession . Joint 663 00:26:29,250 --> 00:26:31,750 force must build upon and uphold trust 664 00:26:31,760 --> 00:26:34,459 in each other . Trust with our families , 665 00:26:34,969 --> 00:26:37,136 trust of our elected leaders and trust 666 00:26:37,136 --> 00:26:39,810 of our nation , enhancing the quality 667 00:26:39,819 --> 00:26:41,930 of service and the quality of life of 668 00:26:41,930 --> 00:26:43,819 our personnel is not just a moral 669 00:26:43,819 --> 00:26:45,486 obligation . It's a strategic 670 00:26:45,486 --> 00:26:47,375 imperative . This budget includes 671 00:26:47,375 --> 00:26:49,263 investments in quality of service 672 00:26:49,263 --> 00:26:51,263 efforts such as advanced training , 673 00:26:51,263 --> 00:26:53,041 educational benefits and career 674 00:26:53,041 --> 00:26:55,263 development . Also investing in quality 675 00:26:55,263 --> 00:26:57,486 of life projects like housing , medical 676 00:26:57,486 --> 00:27:00,079 clinics and childcare facilities , as 677 00:27:00,089 --> 00:27:01,978 well as funding spouse employment 678 00:27:01,978 --> 00:27:04,033 initiatives , enhanced mental health 679 00:27:04,033 --> 00:27:06,256 resources and robust programs to combat 680 00:27:06,256 --> 00:27:08,469 sexual assault . We must create an 681 00:27:08,479 --> 00:27:10,590 environment where all can reach their 682 00:27:10,590 --> 00:27:12,640 full potential trust that our joint 683 00:27:12,650 --> 00:27:15,050 force stands ready , ready to defend 684 00:27:15,060 --> 00:27:17,310 our national interest , but he deter 685 00:27:17,319 --> 00:27:19,869 aggression and ready if necessary , 686 00:27:20,020 --> 00:27:22,187 then fight and win our nation's wars . 687 00:27:22,410 --> 00:27:24,243 I thank you for your support and 688 00:27:24,243 --> 00:27:26,466 collaboration and our shared commitment 689 00:27:26,466 --> 00:27:28,632 to face the security challenges of the 690 00:27:28,632 --> 00:27:30,743 day and prepare for tomorrow . We are 691 00:27:30,743 --> 00:27:32,966 living in consequential times and there 692 00:27:32,966 --> 00:27:35,188 is no time to waste . Thank you . And I 693 00:27:35,188 --> 00:27:37,354 look forward to your questions . Thank 694 00:27:37,354 --> 00:27:39,354 you . General . I want to make sure 695 00:27:39,354 --> 00:27:39,349 that each member has a chance to ask 696 00:27:39,359 --> 00:27:41,581 questions . So each member will have at 697 00:27:41,581 --> 00:27:43,637 least five minutes , five minutes to 698 00:27:43,637 --> 00:27:45,859 answer their questions . When your time 699 00:27:45,859 --> 00:27:45,339 returns shuttle , you have one minute 700 00:27:45,349 --> 00:27:47,293 remaining . First , I'll recognize 701 00:27:47,293 --> 00:27:51,050 myself . Uh innovation and 702 00:27:51,060 --> 00:27:53,689 rapid fielding to the war fighter has 703 00:27:53,699 --> 00:27:56,459 been a number one priority of mine 704 00:27:56,469 --> 00:27:58,525 since coming to Congress , there are 705 00:27:58,525 --> 00:28:00,191 many efforts underway and I'm 706 00:28:00,191 --> 00:28:02,413 encouraged by this momentum . However , 707 00:28:02,413 --> 00:28:04,630 as stated before and I support the 708 00:28:04,640 --> 00:28:06,529 replicator initiative in no way , 709 00:28:06,529 --> 00:28:08,920 should replicator cannibalize from the 710 00:28:08,930 --> 00:28:12,869 hedge fund established in 19 NFY 24 711 00:28:13,280 --> 00:28:15,169 General Brown . The transition of 712 00:28:15,169 --> 00:28:17,099 requirements to capabilities to a 713 00:28:17,109 --> 00:28:19,709 program of record is low , not well 714 00:28:19,719 --> 00:28:21,949 understood and opaque to wife war 715 00:28:21,959 --> 00:28:24,229 fighters and industry alike . How will 716 00:28:24,239 --> 00:28:26,183 you address this issue during your 717 00:28:26,183 --> 00:28:28,949 tenure chairman ? I I appreciate the 718 00:28:28,959 --> 00:28:31,292 question . I and I , I would also offer , 719 00:28:31,292 --> 00:28:33,459 I have the same focus on uh being able 720 00:28:33,459 --> 00:28:35,459 to accelerate capability to our war 721 00:28:35,459 --> 00:28:37,570 fighters . You know , part of this uh 722 00:28:37,570 --> 00:28:39,181 dialogue is uh is really the 723 00:28:39,181 --> 00:28:41,348 collaboration uh that uh I I try to do 724 00:28:41,348 --> 00:28:43,403 I know with the service chiefs , but 725 00:28:43,403 --> 00:28:45,348 how we can engage with uh from our 726 00:28:45,348 --> 00:28:47,403 requirements through our acquisition 727 00:28:47,403 --> 00:28:49,626 and through industry uh to , to best uh 728 00:28:49,626 --> 00:28:51,737 accelerate each of these capabilities 729 00:28:51,737 --> 00:28:53,959 to go from uh a prototype to uh to , to 730 00:28:53,959 --> 00:28:56,040 production . It also has been very 731 00:28:56,050 --> 00:28:57,772 important about the uh defense 732 00:28:57,772 --> 00:28:59,828 industrial base . So we can actually 733 00:28:59,828 --> 00:29:01,994 make sure we can uh be able to deliver 734 00:29:01,994 --> 00:29:04,217 the once we identify the innovation and 735 00:29:04,217 --> 00:29:06,217 be able to move it much more , more 736 00:29:06,217 --> 00:29:08,439 quickly uh into uh the hands of our war 737 00:29:08,439 --> 00:29:10,661 fighters . And so it's gonna require uh 738 00:29:10,661 --> 00:29:12,717 leadership , which I'm happy to do . 739 00:29:12,717 --> 00:29:14,828 But it's also required for us to have 740 00:29:14,828 --> 00:29:16,939 uh you know , on time resourcing uh a 741 00:29:16,939 --> 00:29:18,883 constant demand signal . Um and to 742 00:29:18,883 --> 00:29:21,106 build that trust across the spectrum to 743 00:29:21,106 --> 00:29:21,030 make sure we bring the capability uh 744 00:29:21,040 --> 00:29:23,329 forward much faster . Well , I look 745 00:29:23,339 --> 00:29:25,450 forward to working with you on that . 746 00:29:25,450 --> 00:29:27,672 Uh we can make sure that we deliver the 747 00:29:27,672 --> 00:29:29,672 funds on time . Uh Secretary Austin 748 00:29:29,672 --> 00:29:31,339 last week under Secretary Shu 749 00:29:31,339 --> 00:29:33,339 inaugurated the transition tracking 750 00:29:33,339 --> 00:29:35,561 action group which will employ advanced 751 00:29:35,561 --> 00:29:37,672 analytics to track how the department 752 00:29:37,750 --> 00:29:39,972 delivers capability to the field . Will 753 00:29:39,972 --> 00:29:41,972 you commit that this effort will be 754 00:29:41,972 --> 00:29:44,028 collaborative with Congress and that 755 00:29:44,028 --> 00:29:46,859 you'll support its success ? Absolutely , 756 00:29:46,869 --> 00:29:49,680 Chairman , um Again , I commend uh 757 00:29:50,500 --> 00:29:53,300 um M Xu or the honorable Xu on the 758 00:29:53,310 --> 00:29:55,410 things that she's done uh since uh 759 00:29:55,420 --> 00:29:57,420 since we've been together , I think 760 00:29:57,420 --> 00:30:00,339 she's uh uh done a number of things uh 761 00:30:00,349 --> 00:30:02,790 to include things like raider and uh 762 00:30:02,800 --> 00:30:06,359 and Os C as uh as you know , to , to 763 00:30:06,369 --> 00:30:08,859 help us uh bridge the uh the valley of 764 00:30:08,869 --> 00:30:10,839 death and the programs that you 765 00:30:10,849 --> 00:30:13,016 mentioned or the init initiatives that 766 00:30:13,016 --> 00:30:14,905 you mentioned are really mutually 767 00:30:14,905 --> 00:30:16,849 supportive . Uh And we're gonna do 768 00:30:16,849 --> 00:30:19,016 every continue to do everything we can 769 00:30:19,016 --> 00:30:22,329 uh to move uh um capability as quickly 770 00:30:22,339 --> 00:30:24,395 as we can across the valley of death 771 00:30:24,395 --> 00:30:26,228 and get it into the hands of our 772 00:30:26,228 --> 00:30:28,640 warfighters and stuff . Thank . 773 00:30:32,160 --> 00:30:34,160 Thank you , Mr Chair , Mr Secretary 774 00:30:34,160 --> 00:30:36,339 General Brown under Secretary mccord . 775 00:30:36,410 --> 00:30:38,760 The Senate passed uh is supplemental 776 00:30:38,770 --> 00:30:40,937 and it includes funding for allies and 777 00:30:40,937 --> 00:30:42,937 partners in ucom , centcom and Indo 778 00:30:42,937 --> 00:30:45,219 paycom as well as much needed 779 00:30:45,229 --> 00:30:48,510 humanitarian assistance . Mr Secretary , 780 00:30:48,520 --> 00:30:50,739 I'm gonna uh ask a couple of questions 781 00:30:50,750 --> 00:30:53,689 together . Um Could you uh please let , 782 00:30:53,699 --> 00:30:55,643 let uh this committee know how our 783 00:30:55,643 --> 00:30:57,866 allies and partners are reacting to our 784 00:30:57,866 --> 00:30:59,699 delays in the enhancement of the 785 00:30:59,699 --> 00:31:01,709 supplemental General Brown . Please 786 00:31:01,719 --> 00:31:03,886 share with us your military assessment 787 00:31:03,886 --> 00:31:06,589 of the situation in Ukraine today and 788 00:31:06,599 --> 00:31:09,160 what it looks like for tomorrow , Mr 789 00:31:09,170 --> 00:31:11,459 mccord , we know that the services are 790 00:31:11,469 --> 00:31:13,810 utilizing base funds to cover the cost 791 00:31:13,819 --> 00:31:16,660 of deployed personnel operating in ucom 792 00:31:16,670 --> 00:31:19,469 and centcom . If we do not enact a 793 00:31:19,479 --> 00:31:21,989 supplemental , how will this impact the 794 00:31:22,000 --> 00:31:25,859 services uh fy uh 24 base activities . 795 00:31:26,449 --> 00:31:29,530 So , in general , why do we need to 796 00:31:29,540 --> 00:31:32,060 pass the supplemental right away ? And 797 00:31:32,069 --> 00:31:34,236 is the United States losing stature in 798 00:31:34,239 --> 00:31:36,128 the world community ? Thank you , 799 00:31:36,128 --> 00:31:35,839 gentlemen . 800 00:31:43,479 --> 00:31:44,479 Yeah . 801 00:31:47,650 --> 00:31:51,439 Um Oh , wow , 802 00:31:54,739 --> 00:31:57,339 see , we will recess and have the 803 00:31:57,349 --> 00:32:00,609 disruption removed . Mr Secretary , you 804 00:32:00,619 --> 00:32:03,560 recognize . Well , thank you chair . Um 805 00:32:05,630 --> 00:32:07,852 you know , delaying um the supplemental 806 00:32:07,852 --> 00:32:10,380 sends a terrible signal to uh our 807 00:32:10,390 --> 00:32:12,930 allies and partners and they uh will 808 00:32:12,939 --> 00:32:15,050 question whether or not uh you know , 809 00:32:15,050 --> 00:32:18,489 we are committed to uh to this uh to 810 00:32:18,500 --> 00:32:21,619 this cause and uh and whether or not we 811 00:32:21,630 --> 00:32:24,729 are a , a reliable partner . Um and we 812 00:32:24,739 --> 00:32:26,939 have uh as you know , we have led uh 813 00:32:26,949 --> 00:32:28,838 every inch of the way in terms of 814 00:32:28,838 --> 00:32:31,599 making sure that uh security assistance 815 00:32:31,609 --> 00:32:33,776 is provided to Ukraine . We've , we've 816 00:32:33,776 --> 00:32:36,489 united uh NATO uh been instrumental in 817 00:32:36,849 --> 00:32:38,959 uniting NATO in ways that we haven't 818 00:32:38,969 --> 00:32:41,890 seen . Actually NATO has expanded . And 819 00:32:41,900 --> 00:32:44,280 uh and so I think , uh I think that 820 00:32:44,290 --> 00:32:46,729 American leadership in this endeavor 821 00:32:46,739 --> 00:32:49,890 has been really , really important . Uh 822 00:32:51,569 --> 00:32:54,540 I think that uh it's also , you know , 823 00:32:54,550 --> 00:32:56,661 the supplemental is also important to 824 00:32:56,661 --> 00:33:00,150 us for our uh security as well . Um 825 00:33:00,160 --> 00:33:03,469 This , this supplemental uh invest in 826 00:33:03,479 --> 00:33:05,646 our industrial base as , as you know , 827 00:33:05,646 --> 00:33:09,410 we don't provide funds to uh uh to uh 828 00:33:09,420 --> 00:33:11,699 Ukraine . Uh the Department of Defense 829 00:33:11,709 --> 00:33:15,390 doesn't , uh we provide um materials in 830 00:33:15,400 --> 00:33:18,989 terms of weapons , uh vehicles , 831 00:33:19,000 --> 00:33:21,989 munitions and all of those things are , 832 00:33:22,000 --> 00:33:25,680 are replaced uh by uh uh by us 833 00:33:25,689 --> 00:33:27,856 and , and , and , and the replacements 834 00:33:27,856 --> 00:33:30,260 are uh designed and built in our 835 00:33:30,270 --> 00:33:32,270 industry . And so that means good , 836 00:33:32,270 --> 00:33:34,492 good jobs , good Ame uh jobs for uh for 837 00:33:34,492 --> 00:33:36,699 people in America . So if that 838 00:33:36,709 --> 00:33:38,880 supplemental was passed , when it gets 839 00:33:38,890 --> 00:33:41,660 passed some $50 billion or so , would 840 00:33:41,670 --> 00:33:43,670 flow through some 30 states here in 841 00:33:43,670 --> 00:33:45,892 America . And I think uh I think that's 842 00:33:45,892 --> 00:33:48,719 really important . Um And again , uh 843 00:33:48,729 --> 00:33:52,280 the supplemental not only provides um 844 00:33:52,290 --> 00:33:55,050 support for Ukraine , but it also 845 00:33:55,060 --> 00:33:57,282 provides much needed support for Israel 846 00:33:57,300 --> 00:33:58,709 and also for Taiwan 847 00:34:01,579 --> 00:34:03,468 Committee committee will stand in 848 00:34:03,468 --> 00:34:05,468 recess until the Capitol police can 849 00:34:05,468 --> 00:34:07,468 restore order . Please instruct the 850 00:34:07,468 --> 00:34:09,801 Capitol police to remove the disruption . 851 00:34:10,570 --> 00:34:12,348 You're a liar . You like your , 852 00:34:15,979 --> 00:34:16,979 I don't know . 853 00:34:20,138 --> 00:34:23,938 Yeah , you disregard a US 854 00:34:23,948 --> 00:34:26,448 Federal Court . You say that genocide 855 00:34:26,458 --> 00:34:29,049 is good for American jobs . Shame on 856 00:34:29,059 --> 00:34:30,649 you . Shame . Nice 857 00:34:34,590 --> 00:34:37,979 there . Uh So 858 00:34:37,989 --> 00:34:41,069 to sum it up , uh th this supplemental 859 00:34:41,079 --> 00:34:43,079 is really important for a number of 860 00:34:43,079 --> 00:34:45,301 reasons . And again , uh it's important 861 00:34:45,301 --> 00:34:48,658 to us uh for our uh security as well . 862 00:34:48,729 --> 00:34:50,951 And uh , and it , it's really important 863 00:34:50,951 --> 00:34:53,062 that we have the ability to replenish 864 00:34:53,062 --> 00:34:55,388 the stocks uh in , in our inventory 865 00:34:55,458 --> 00:34:57,402 that will be critical for us going 866 00:34:57,402 --> 00:35:00,949 forward . Rick mccallum , you asked 867 00:35:00,959 --> 00:35:03,181 about the m my , uh military assessment 868 00:35:03,181 --> 00:35:05,237 on , uh , on Ukraine . And I'll just 869 00:35:05,237 --> 00:35:07,459 tell you that Ukraine right now is , is 870 00:35:07,459 --> 00:35:09,792 facing some dire battlefield conditions . 871 00:35:09,792 --> 00:35:11,737 And it's partly because the , uh , 872 00:35:11,737 --> 00:35:14,000 their uh capability from a resourcing 873 00:35:14,010 --> 00:35:15,840 standpoint from uh whether it's 874 00:35:15,850 --> 00:35:17,850 munitions , whether it's vehicles , 875 00:35:17,850 --> 00:35:19,906 whether it's platforms . Um , they , 876 00:35:19,906 --> 00:35:22,128 they're not being outmatched , uh uh by 877 00:35:22,128 --> 00:35:24,294 the , by the Russians . Um They've had 878 00:35:24,294 --> 00:35:26,572 some pretty , uh , Ukraine have had uh , 879 00:35:26,572 --> 00:35:28,461 some , some positive games in the 880 00:35:28,461 --> 00:35:30,628 course of the , uh two plus years that 881 00:35:30,628 --> 00:35:30,290 they have been in this conflict , 882 00:35:30,300 --> 00:35:32,870 regaining more than 50% of the Tory 883 00:35:32,879 --> 00:35:35,469 that the Russians uh seized at the 884 00:35:35,479 --> 00:35:38,090 beginning of the conflict , those hard 885 00:35:38,100 --> 00:35:40,270 fought gains can be lost without our 886 00:35:40,280 --> 00:35:42,649 support . And so it's important that we 887 00:35:42,659 --> 00:35:44,881 continue to provide them the , uh , the 888 00:35:44,881 --> 00:35:46,881 capabilities that uh they , uh they 889 00:35:46,881 --> 00:35:48,881 require . And so why , when I think 890 00:35:48,881 --> 00:35:50,603 about this . I think about the 891 00:35:50,603 --> 00:35:52,770 supplemental does three things . One , 892 00:35:52,770 --> 00:35:54,992 it supports Ukraine's ability to defend 893 00:35:54,992 --> 00:35:58,020 itself . It shows , uh , um , it puts 894 00:35:58,030 --> 00:36:00,308 money into our defense industrial base , 895 00:36:00,308 --> 00:36:02,474 not just for Ukraine , uh but for many 896 00:36:02,474 --> 00:36:04,697 of our allies and partners , uh because 897 00:36:04,697 --> 00:36:06,752 the US equipment is uh valued around 898 00:36:06,752 --> 00:36:08,697 the world . And last , it shows us 899 00:36:08,697 --> 00:36:10,808 leadership . Uh I've been in this job 900 00:36:10,808 --> 00:36:12,919 six months and I've had about 100 and 901 00:36:12,919 --> 00:36:12,350 50 engagements with my counterparts 902 00:36:12,360 --> 00:36:14,360 from around the world . And uh they 903 00:36:14,360 --> 00:36:16,527 often talk about us leadership . I can 904 00:36:16,527 --> 00:36:19,979 tell you it's want um it's desired and 905 00:36:19,989 --> 00:36:22,439 uh the actions we do uh are uh sending 906 00:36:22,449 --> 00:36:25,040 a message uh of our uh what , where our 907 00:36:25,050 --> 00:36:27,217 commitments are . And uh it also sends 908 00:36:27,217 --> 00:36:29,272 a message to our adversaries . And I 909 00:36:29,272 --> 00:36:31,217 think it's important that uh uh we 910 00:36:31,217 --> 00:36:33,383 continue to show leadership like we've 911 00:36:33,383 --> 00:36:33,060 done uh throughout my entire career 912 00:36:33,070 --> 00:36:35,181 wearing this uniform . Um And I wanna 913 00:36:35,181 --> 00:36:37,348 make sure that we uh we , we do that . 914 00:36:39,820 --> 00:36:42,098 Thank you member . Thank you . Uh Well , 915 00:36:42,098 --> 00:36:44,153 the security assistance is of course 916 00:36:44,153 --> 00:36:46,320 the most urgent time sensitive part of 917 00:36:46,320 --> 00:36:48,542 the supplemental and cannot be replaced 918 00:36:48,542 --> 00:36:47,969 with anything in the base budget . You 919 00:36:47,979 --> 00:36:50,146 highlighted . The lesser known part is 920 00:36:50,146 --> 00:36:51,979 that the , the secretary and the 921 00:36:51,979 --> 00:36:53,923 president , of course , can deploy 922 00:36:53,923 --> 00:36:55,979 forces uh quite legally where they , 923 00:36:55,979 --> 00:36:57,812 where they choose to . And we've 924 00:36:57,812 --> 00:36:59,868 searched forces in Europe the entire 925 00:36:59,868 --> 00:37:02,035 fiscal year to date Navy in particular 926 00:37:02,035 --> 00:37:03,868 and Centcom the same way we have 927 00:37:03,868 --> 00:37:05,646 incurred over $2 billion in and 928 00:37:05,646 --> 00:37:07,757 counting of operational costs that if 929 00:37:07,757 --> 00:37:09,868 we can't get the supplemental , we'll 930 00:37:09,868 --> 00:37:12,146 have to be absorbed in the base budget . 931 00:37:12,146 --> 00:37:12,004 We would have to work with this 932 00:37:12,014 --> 00:37:14,125 committee and other committees to try 933 00:37:14,125 --> 00:37:16,125 and reprogram funds . Hopefully not 934 00:37:16,125 --> 00:37:18,236 from direct readiness but from if not 935 00:37:18,236 --> 00:37:20,347 that readiness , enabling things like 936 00:37:20,347 --> 00:37:22,125 like facilities maintenance and 937 00:37:22,125 --> 00:37:24,292 equipment maintenance . So there is an 938 00:37:24,292 --> 00:37:26,458 impact on our forces and our readiness 939 00:37:26,458 --> 00:37:26,215 as well if we cannot get the 940 00:37:26,225 --> 00:37:29,989 supplemental approved . Thank you , 941 00:37:30,000 --> 00:37:32,159 Mr Cole . Thank you very much , Mr 942 00:37:32,169 --> 00:37:35,399 Chairman , uh Mr Secretary and General 943 00:37:35,409 --> 00:37:37,790 Brown . I wanna ask you if you would . 944 00:37:38,169 --> 00:37:40,336 Uh first of all , I want to compliment 945 00:37:40,336 --> 00:37:42,502 you . Thank you for the performance of 946 00:37:42,502 --> 00:37:44,558 our forces and your leadership uh in 947 00:37:44,558 --> 00:37:46,725 the recent attack by Iran on Israel on 948 00:37:46,725 --> 00:37:48,947 our personnel were just outstanding and 949 00:37:48,947 --> 00:37:51,113 that reflects well , certainly on both 950 00:37:51,113 --> 00:37:53,336 of you and , and our military . Uh what 951 00:37:53,336 --> 00:37:55,502 additional things in your professional 952 00:37:55,502 --> 00:37:57,949 opinion do we need to do to provide 953 00:37:57,959 --> 00:37:59,959 Israel with what it needs to defend 954 00:37:59,959 --> 00:38:03,149 itself in the short term ? Well , uh 955 00:38:03,159 --> 00:38:05,840 thanks uh chairman . Uh the most 956 00:38:05,850 --> 00:38:07,906 important thing that we can do right 957 00:38:07,906 --> 00:38:10,860 now is to pass a supplemental and uh 958 00:38:10,870 --> 00:38:12,659 and that will provide us the 959 00:38:12,669 --> 00:38:16,020 opportunity to , to uh uh to continue 960 00:38:16,030 --> 00:38:18,340 to provide security assistance to uh to 961 00:38:18,350 --> 00:38:20,461 Israel in terms in , in a , in a form 962 00:38:20,461 --> 00:38:24,010 of uh air defense interceptors , uh you 963 00:38:24,020 --> 00:38:26,500 know , munitions and things that it 964 00:38:26,510 --> 00:38:28,621 critically needs to be able to defend 965 00:38:28,621 --> 00:38:30,788 itself . But that supplemental , I , I 966 00:38:30,788 --> 00:38:33,010 would say uh chairman is , is truly the 967 00:38:33,010 --> 00:38:35,177 most important thing that I would uh I 968 00:38:35,177 --> 00:38:37,510 would highlight for you . So , you know , 969 00:38:37,510 --> 00:38:39,454 uh uh chairman , I , I'd echo that 970 00:38:39,454 --> 00:38:41,343 those comments and uh as I have a 971 00:38:41,343 --> 00:38:43,121 chance to talk to my uh Israeli 972 00:38:43,121 --> 00:38:44,677 counterpart and uh my other 973 00:38:44,677 --> 00:38:46,790 counterparts region , um uh it's 974 00:38:46,800 --> 00:38:48,911 important that we provide that , that 975 00:38:48,911 --> 00:38:51,189 capability uh through the supplemental . 976 00:38:51,189 --> 00:38:53,356 Um But I also think about what it does 977 00:38:53,356 --> 00:38:55,356 for us uh and for our forces and uh 978 00:38:55,356 --> 00:38:57,411 I'll just also have , I , I mean , I 979 00:38:57,411 --> 00:38:59,633 couldn't be prouder of the work done by 980 00:38:59,633 --> 00:38:58,969 our forces over the course of this past 981 00:38:58,979 --> 00:39:00,590 weekend . It shows the , the 982 00:39:00,590 --> 00:39:03,129 professionalism of our force and uh and 983 00:39:03,139 --> 00:39:05,028 that's why we had the most combat 984 00:39:05,028 --> 00:39:07,250 credible and most expected force in the 985 00:39:07,250 --> 00:39:09,472 world because of events like that . And 986 00:39:09,472 --> 00:39:11,639 also asked you both , obviously , when 987 00:39:11,639 --> 00:39:13,750 we employ our forces in this way , um 988 00:39:13,750 --> 00:39:15,861 you know , they're exposed themselves 989 00:39:15,861 --> 00:39:17,972 to being attacked and we've certainly 990 00:39:17,972 --> 00:39:20,083 had plenty of incidents from Iran and 991 00:39:20,083 --> 00:39:22,306 attacking . So where are we at in terms 992 00:39:22,306 --> 00:39:24,620 of force protection for our men and 993 00:39:24,629 --> 00:39:26,851 women on the ground that are engaged in 994 00:39:26,851 --> 00:39:29,429 these activities ? Uh Force protection 995 00:39:29,439 --> 00:39:32,149 is of utmost importance to me and to 996 00:39:32,159 --> 00:39:33,937 the department and , and to the 997 00:39:33,937 --> 00:39:37,360 president . Uh and uh we have uh done a 998 00:39:37,370 --> 00:39:39,810 lot in the last several months to uh 999 00:39:40,010 --> 00:39:43,050 reinforce uh our force uh protective 1000 00:39:43,060 --> 00:39:45,171 posture in the , in the region . Uh , 1001 00:39:45,171 --> 00:39:47,280 as you know , we , uh , deployed a 1002 00:39:47,290 --> 00:39:50,260 number of additional assets , uh , uh 1003 00:39:50,270 --> 00:39:52,437 over the last several months to , uh , 1004 00:39:52,437 --> 00:39:55,300 to ensure that , uh , we accounted for , 1005 00:39:55,310 --> 00:39:57,032 uh , you know , just about any 1006 00:39:57,032 --> 00:39:59,366 contingency that could arise . And , uh , 1007 00:39:59,366 --> 00:40:01,477 and we , as I said earlier , while we 1008 00:40:01,477 --> 00:40:03,729 know that , uh , we , we haven't seen 1009 00:40:03,739 --> 00:40:06,270 any additional attacks from Shia 1010 00:40:06,280 --> 00:40:09,010 militia groups over the last several 1011 00:40:09,020 --> 00:40:11,989 weeks . We know that that could change 1012 00:40:12,000 --> 00:40:14,409 in a moment's notice . If it does , 1013 00:40:14,590 --> 00:40:18,520 then you can expect that we will 1014 00:40:18,530 --> 00:40:20,810 do what's necessary to protect our 1015 00:40:20,820 --> 00:40:24,030 troops and we will respond at a time 1016 00:40:24,040 --> 00:40:25,484 and place of our choosing 1017 00:40:27,949 --> 00:40:30,729 again . I exactly what the uh what the 1018 00:40:30,739 --> 00:40:33,017 secretary said . It's very unfortunate . 1019 00:40:33,017 --> 00:40:35,017 We lost three service members uh uh 1020 00:40:35,017 --> 00:40:36,850 back in January . But the uh the 1021 00:40:36,850 --> 00:40:39,017 tremendous work by our forces uh to uh 1022 00:40:39,017 --> 00:40:41,017 for force protection and be able to 1023 00:40:41,017 --> 00:40:42,795 respond like we did back at the 1024 00:40:42,795 --> 00:40:44,683 beginning of February , uh sent a 1025 00:40:44,683 --> 00:40:46,572 pretty clear message that we will 1026 00:40:46,572 --> 00:40:48,461 defend ourselves . And uh uh as a 1027 00:40:48,461 --> 00:40:48,270 Secretary of high , we , we'll continue 1028 00:40:48,280 --> 00:40:50,520 to do so . Obviously , this 1029 00:40:50,530 --> 00:40:52,530 supplemental has a lot of different 1030 00:40:52,530 --> 00:40:54,641 components to it . We've talked a lot 1031 00:40:54,641 --> 00:40:56,363 about Israel and Ukraine , the 1032 00:40:56,363 --> 00:40:58,086 importance of both those and I 1033 00:40:58,086 --> 00:41:00,086 certainly agree and hope we can get 1034 00:41:00,086 --> 00:41:02,252 that done literally this week . But uh 1035 00:41:02,252 --> 00:41:04,308 there's another component portion of 1036 00:41:04,308 --> 00:41:06,141 course , and that's directed the 1037 00:41:06,141 --> 00:41:08,308 Western Pacific both to our own forces 1038 00:41:08,308 --> 00:41:11,340 and , and to Taiwan , uh widely known 1039 00:41:11,350 --> 00:41:13,919 that Taiwan has ordered billions of 1040 00:41:13,929 --> 00:41:15,899 dollars worth of weapons from our 1041 00:41:15,909 --> 00:41:18,020 country that haven't been delivered . 1042 00:41:18,120 --> 00:41:20,639 Uh Can you give us some insight as to 1043 00:41:20,649 --> 00:41:22,871 the difficulties , why we have not been 1044 00:41:22,871 --> 00:41:25,010 able to help a country that literally 1045 00:41:25,020 --> 00:41:27,750 is under enormous pressure from China 1046 00:41:27,760 --> 00:41:29,760 received weapons that it's actually 1047 00:41:29,760 --> 00:41:32,780 paid for . This has been an area of 1048 00:41:32,790 --> 00:41:36,600 focus uh for us uh uh chairman , we um 1049 00:41:36,939 --> 00:41:39,106 from the very beginning , you know , I 1050 00:41:39,106 --> 00:41:41,330 asked my , my team to bore into what 1051 00:41:41,340 --> 00:41:43,840 the , what was causing the delays or is 1052 00:41:43,850 --> 00:41:46,072 causing the delays . Uh And there are a 1053 00:41:46,072 --> 00:41:48,017 number of things that uh that come 1054 00:41:48,017 --> 00:41:50,128 together to create those delays and , 1055 00:41:50,128 --> 00:41:52,183 and we are working hard to make sure 1056 00:41:52,183 --> 00:41:54,939 that uh in , in every way possible , we 1057 00:41:54,949 --> 00:41:56,838 do everything we can to speed the 1058 00:41:56,838 --> 00:41:59,060 process up . I agree with you that this 1059 00:41:59,060 --> 00:42:01,282 is critical capability that's very much 1060 00:42:01,282 --> 00:42:03,393 needed by Tai uh Taiwan . And so , um 1061 00:42:03,393 --> 00:42:05,727 uh we're gonna continue to work on this . 1062 00:42:05,727 --> 00:42:08,850 Um But it , it's a complex uh picture 1063 00:42:08,979 --> 00:42:11,370 but nonetheless , uh we're gonna make 1064 00:42:11,379 --> 00:42:13,601 sure that we're doing everything we can 1065 00:42:13,601 --> 00:42:16,360 to move as quickly as possible . Um And , 1066 00:42:16,550 --> 00:42:18,217 you know , we can continue to 1067 00:42:18,217 --> 00:42:20,494 communicate to our allies and partners . 1068 00:42:20,494 --> 00:42:22,629 Uh what uh where , where we are in 1069 00:42:22,639 --> 00:42:24,639 terms of getting , getting them the 1070 00:42:24,639 --> 00:42:27,399 need of capability . And uh and again , 1071 00:42:27,830 --> 00:42:29,997 II , I could not agree with you more . 1072 00:42:29,997 --> 00:42:32,274 This is really , really important . OK . 1073 00:42:32,274 --> 00:42:34,441 One last question and I'll direct this 1074 00:42:34,441 --> 00:42:36,330 to to you . Uh General Brown , uh 1075 00:42:36,330 --> 00:42:38,386 you're very familiar with Tinker Air 1076 00:42:38,386 --> 00:42:40,441 Force Base . We've talked about it a 1077 00:42:40,441 --> 00:42:42,552 lot over the years . Uh as you know , 1078 00:42:42,552 --> 00:42:44,760 uh the A wax wing is primarily based 1079 00:42:44,770 --> 00:42:47,270 out of Tinker and those are really old 1080 00:42:47,280 --> 00:42:50,070 airframes E threes . We know we're 1081 00:42:50,100 --> 00:42:52,270 beginning to uh try and address that 1082 00:42:52,280 --> 00:42:54,336 problem , but this is something I've 1083 00:42:54,336 --> 00:42:56,336 raised in this committee for many , 1084 00:42:56,336 --> 00:42:58,502 many years . Uh Tell me where we're at 1085 00:42:58,502 --> 00:43:00,724 in terms of the E seven . I am a little 1086 00:43:00,724 --> 00:43:02,620 disturbed . I , I think uh in the 1087 00:43:02,629 --> 00:43:04,740 department budget , we're zeroing out 1088 00:43:04,740 --> 00:43:06,962 that line again . I know you're under a 1089 00:43:06,962 --> 00:43:09,129 lot of pressure or , or money for that 1090 00:43:09,129 --> 00:43:11,351 right now . But let me know where we're 1091 00:43:11,351 --> 00:43:13,296 at because I , I do worry with the 1092 00:43:13,296 --> 00:43:15,351 Russians . Uh , this is , you know , 1093 00:43:15,351 --> 00:43:17,462 airborne early warning combat control 1094 00:43:17,462 --> 00:43:19,685 capability . We have lost a lot of that 1095 00:43:19,685 --> 00:43:21,851 as we've retired E threes , we haven't 1096 00:43:21,851 --> 00:43:24,073 been able to replace them anywhere near 1097 00:43:24,073 --> 00:43:26,296 as rapidly as we should . So give us an 1098 00:43:26,296 --> 00:43:28,185 update on how we're doing there . 1099 00:43:28,185 --> 00:43:30,185 Chairman . I , I , I'm a little bit 1100 00:43:30,185 --> 00:43:32,240 removed from my , my time in the Air 1101 00:43:32,240 --> 00:43:32,179 Force , but uh I'll , I'll defer to the 1102 00:43:32,189 --> 00:43:34,411 Air Force to get you some specifics and 1103 00:43:34,411 --> 00:43:36,578 we'll , we'll do that . I'll have that 1104 00:43:36,578 --> 00:43:38,800 opportunity next week with . Um , but , 1105 00:43:38,800 --> 00:43:40,856 you know , one of the things we were 1106 00:43:40,856 --> 00:43:40,280 really trying to do is , uh , first of 1107 00:43:40,290 --> 00:43:42,346 all , you , you know , as you know , 1108 00:43:42,346 --> 00:43:44,179 you gotta buy the , uh the green 1109 00:43:44,179 --> 00:43:46,401 aircraft from uh and then uh convert it 1110 00:43:46,401 --> 00:43:48,234 over . And uh you know , we were 1111 00:43:48,234 --> 00:43:50,401 looking at the long lead items to make 1112 00:43:50,401 --> 00:43:49,739 sure we were able to do that . But also 1113 00:43:49,750 --> 00:43:51,750 at the same time , working with our 1114 00:43:51,750 --> 00:43:53,917 allies and partners , particularly the 1115 00:43:53,917 --> 00:43:55,861 Australians , we have the platform 1116 00:43:55,861 --> 00:43:58,028 today and we have uh you know , airmen 1117 00:43:58,028 --> 00:44:00,194 in Australia that are training . So uh 1118 00:44:00,194 --> 00:44:00,000 not only , you know , it's the aspect 1119 00:44:00,010 --> 00:44:02,121 of getting the capability uh like you 1120 00:44:02,121 --> 00:44:04,399 describe , describe with the prototype , 1121 00:44:04,399 --> 00:44:06,510 but also murdering up our our service 1122 00:44:06,510 --> 00:44:08,677 members so they can operate it as soon 1123 00:44:08,677 --> 00:44:10,566 as it becomes available and we'll 1124 00:44:10,566 --> 00:44:10,479 continue to work uh uh very hard to 1125 00:44:10,489 --> 00:44:12,433 make sure we bring that capability 1126 00:44:12,433 --> 00:44:14,656 forward as well . Well , I look forward 1127 00:44:14,656 --> 00:44:16,656 to working with you on that , but I 1128 00:44:16,656 --> 00:44:16,239 just want to highlight as a matter of , 1129 00:44:16,250 --> 00:44:18,530 of real concern . I think this really 1130 00:44:18,540 --> 00:44:20,596 relates to Chairman Calvert's larger 1131 00:44:20,596 --> 00:44:22,707 point about delivering weapon systems 1132 00:44:22,707 --> 00:44:24,873 on time uh and on budget . And I think 1133 00:44:24,873 --> 00:44:27,540 we've got AAA problem across the board . 1134 00:44:27,550 --> 00:44:30,560 We , we've used a lot of uh eaten up a 1135 00:44:30,570 --> 00:44:33,100 lot of our immediate capability on the 1136 00:44:33,110 --> 00:44:35,054 assumption certain things would be 1137 00:44:35,054 --> 00:44:37,166 ready at a certain time and it hadn't 1138 00:44:37,166 --> 00:44:39,332 happened . So we , we have a gap where 1139 00:44:39,332 --> 00:44:39,120 the capability is gone and we haven't 1140 00:44:39,129 --> 00:44:41,351 got the replacement online . Worries me 1141 00:44:41,351 --> 00:44:43,407 a lot . We got you back , Mr Chair . 1142 00:44:43,407 --> 00:44:45,240 Thank you Mr Chairman Mr Laura , 1143 00:44:47,679 --> 00:44:51,100 chairman um um Mr Secretary , welcome . 1144 00:44:51,110 --> 00:44:53,500 Sorry , we're kind of hearing hopping 1145 00:44:53,760 --> 00:44:56,699 uh this morning . So we welcome you to 1146 00:44:56,709 --> 00:44:58,931 the committee uh uh Mr Secretary . It's 1147 00:44:58,931 --> 00:45:00,487 well known that the navy is 1148 00:45:00,487 --> 00:45:03,060 experiencing significant issues related 1149 00:45:03,070 --> 00:45:05,179 to shipbuilding and in particular 1150 00:45:05,189 --> 00:45:07,590 submarines . Uh We know we need more 1151 00:45:07,600 --> 00:45:09,600 ships , more subs , but we lack the 1152 00:45:09,600 --> 00:45:11,822 infrastructure in the workforce to stay 1153 00:45:11,822 --> 00:45:13,989 on track . I want to be clear that the 1154 00:45:13,989 --> 00:45:16,419 private sector could do more to help . 1155 00:45:16,429 --> 00:45:18,485 There are delays in several programs 1156 00:45:18,485 --> 00:45:20,659 including both the Columbia and 1157 00:45:20,669 --> 00:45:23,260 Virginia class submarines and a future 1158 00:45:23,270 --> 00:45:25,489 aircraft carrier . We also have a 1159 00:45:25,500 --> 00:45:27,870 significant backlog of ship and 1160 00:45:27,879 --> 00:45:30,139 submarine maintenance , all of which 1161 00:45:30,149 --> 00:45:32,750 have a footprint in my state . These 1162 00:45:32,760 --> 00:45:35,239 delays will impact the navy's readiness 1163 00:45:35,300 --> 00:45:37,939 and the navy completed a 45 day 1164 00:45:37,949 --> 00:45:41,239 shipbuilding review to uh address some 1165 00:45:41,250 --> 00:45:44,520 of these issues . And um I noted in a 1166 00:45:44,530 --> 00:45:47,110 recent article , here's the air space 1167 00:45:47,120 --> 00:45:49,409 that it says that the Secretary of Navy 1168 00:45:49,419 --> 00:45:52,040 says 45 day shipbuilding review will be 1169 00:45:52,050 --> 00:45:54,580 followed by another review . Can you 1170 00:45:54,590 --> 00:45:56,959 share with us your impressions of the 1171 00:45:56,969 --> 00:46:00,530 findings of the first review of uh uh 1172 00:46:00,540 --> 00:46:03,320 particularly the delays in the C class 1173 00:46:03,330 --> 00:46:06,560 submarine and how this might impact the 1174 00:46:06,570 --> 00:46:08,860 shipyard , industrial base and what 1175 00:46:08,870 --> 00:46:12,350 this committee can do to assist you uh 1176 00:46:12,399 --> 00:46:15,969 regarding the delays . Uh I , you know , 1177 00:46:15,979 --> 00:46:18,709 I I share your concern . I uh 1178 00:46:19,310 --> 00:46:22,610 um as you know , we were requesting to 1179 00:46:22,620 --> 00:46:25,070 invest uh in one Virginia class this 1180 00:46:25,080 --> 00:46:27,370 year versus two . And the reason that 1181 00:46:27,379 --> 00:46:29,546 we're doing that is because we there's 1182 00:46:29,546 --> 00:46:31,768 a backlog and rather than increase that 1183 00:46:31,768 --> 00:46:33,879 backlog , the right thing to do in my 1184 00:46:33,879 --> 00:46:36,510 view is to uh invest in the industrial 1185 00:46:36,520 --> 00:46:39,090 base uh in , in terms of giving the 1186 00:46:39,100 --> 00:46:42,149 industrial base , the uh uh the means 1187 00:46:42,159 --> 00:46:45,790 to uh expand 1188 00:46:45,800 --> 00:46:49,159 capacity by recruiting and retaining 1189 00:46:49,169 --> 00:46:51,600 the right people . Uh making sure that 1190 00:46:51,610 --> 00:46:53,499 they can strengthen their , their 1191 00:46:53,499 --> 00:46:56,590 supply chains . And uh and , and so , 1192 00:46:57,090 --> 00:47:00,989 in 23 and 24 we asked you for $1.9 1193 00:47:01,000 --> 00:47:02,833 billion to invest in a submarine 1194 00:47:02,833 --> 00:47:05,620 industrial base . And , um , this year , 1195 00:47:05,629 --> 00:47:07,851 we're asking you for in this budget for 1196 00:47:07,851 --> 00:47:11,360 some 25 some $4 billion excuse me , uh 1197 00:47:11,370 --> 00:47:13,580 for the industrial base for the 25 1198 00:47:13,590 --> 00:47:17,459 budget . Um That's in addition 1199 00:47:17,469 --> 00:47:19,919 to the 3.3 billion that's included in 1200 00:47:19,929 --> 00:47:22,399 the supplemental . So as you can see , 1201 00:47:22,409 --> 00:47:24,242 uh there's , there's some pretty 1202 00:47:24,242 --> 00:47:26,353 significant investment uh in the , in 1203 00:47:26,353 --> 00:47:28,409 the , in the industrial base . And I 1204 00:47:28,409 --> 00:47:30,520 think we have to do everything we can 1205 00:47:30,520 --> 00:47:32,631 to put the uh those resources to good 1206 00:47:32,631 --> 00:47:34,853 use . Now , I , I met with uh the CEO s 1207 00:47:34,853 --> 00:47:38,649 of uh , of uh general dynamics 1208 00:47:38,659 --> 00:47:41,060 and uh Huntington Huntington Ingles 1209 00:47:41,070 --> 00:47:43,520 here , uh recently , and we talked 1210 00:47:43,530 --> 00:47:46,629 about uh what their challenges were in 1211 00:47:46,639 --> 00:47:48,528 terms of workforce challenges and 1212 00:47:48,530 --> 00:47:51,080 supply chain challenges . And we talked 1213 00:47:51,090 --> 00:47:53,146 about , you know , how we could best 1214 00:47:53,146 --> 00:47:55,639 use those resources that uh that , that 1215 00:47:55,649 --> 00:47:57,949 you are allowing us to , to invest in . 1216 00:47:57,959 --> 00:48:01,780 So , um , certainly they are doing 1217 00:48:01,790 --> 00:48:04,250 things on their own to invest in uh in , 1218 00:48:04,679 --> 00:48:06,623 in the increasing capacity . And I 1219 00:48:06,623 --> 00:48:08,679 think , I think the right things are 1220 00:48:08,679 --> 00:48:10,790 gonna happen , it's just gonna take a 1221 00:48:10,790 --> 00:48:12,846 bit more time . And as you know , uh 1222 00:48:12,846 --> 00:48:15,929 because of August , um Australia is 1223 00:48:15,939 --> 00:48:18,129 also investing in our submarine base . 1224 00:48:18,500 --> 00:48:21,209 So the amount of money , the amount of 1225 00:48:21,219 --> 00:48:23,386 uh resources that , that we're putting 1226 00:48:23,386 --> 00:48:25,608 against expanding capacity , I think is 1227 00:48:25,608 --> 00:48:27,441 material . It's , it's it's real 1228 00:48:27,441 --> 00:48:29,629 capability and uh we have to make sure 1229 00:48:29,639 --> 00:48:31,750 that we're putting it , putting it to 1230 00:48:31,750 --> 00:48:33,972 good use . I know that uh industry is , 1231 00:48:33,972 --> 00:48:36,250 is serious about it . And uh and again , 1232 00:48:36,250 --> 00:48:38,583 uh it's just gonna take a bit more time . 1233 00:48:38,649 --> 00:48:41,270 II , I understand and , and if , if , 1234 00:48:41,280 --> 00:48:44,620 if , if we could , uh uh and uh you can 1235 00:48:44,629 --> 00:48:47,899 speak offline , but the findings of the 1236 00:48:47,909 --> 00:48:50,879 45 day review , uh I , I understand 1237 00:48:50,889 --> 00:48:52,833 that and I think the committee has 1238 00:48:52,833 --> 00:48:55,570 tried to provide uh resources , but 1239 00:48:55,580 --> 00:48:58,469 then I just , you , you know , read 1240 00:48:58,479 --> 00:49:00,649 that we are then lo looking at 1241 00:49:00,659 --> 00:49:03,989 additional review to deal uh with 1242 00:49:04,000 --> 00:49:06,280 uh uh ordering another review to take a 1243 00:49:06,290 --> 00:49:08,780 deep dive into the opportunities for 1244 00:49:08,790 --> 00:49:10,790 improvement . I don't know how many 1245 00:49:10,790 --> 00:49:14,149 dives we need um uh with regard and 1246 00:49:14,159 --> 00:49:16,103 that's , you know , with regard to 1247 00:49:16,103 --> 00:49:18,270 submarines . You know , how many dives 1248 00:49:18,270 --> 00:49:20,492 are we going ? We're going to a comment 1249 00:49:20,492 --> 00:49:22,899 stage here . But I just , I , I would 1250 00:49:22,909 --> 00:49:24,909 like to know , I hope the committee 1251 00:49:24,909 --> 00:49:27,076 would like to know the results of that 1252 00:49:27,076 --> 00:49:29,242 review where you think it takes us and 1253 00:49:29,242 --> 00:49:32,500 what is going on uh with an additional 1254 00:49:32,510 --> 00:49:34,659 review of this ? Uh And I appreciate 1255 00:49:34,669 --> 00:49:37,090 you working with uh general dynamics 1256 00:49:37,100 --> 00:49:39,322 and others and getting their view and , 1257 00:49:39,322 --> 00:49:42,510 and the Australians . Um If I can ask 1258 00:49:42,520 --> 00:49:45,250 you a question about uh continuing 1259 00:49:45,260 --> 00:49:47,169 resolutions , I appreciate your 1260 00:49:47,179 --> 00:49:48,939 comments and your testimony uh 1261 00:49:48,949 --> 00:49:51,479 regarding the i about the importance of 1262 00:49:51,489 --> 00:49:53,489 passing government funding bills on 1263 00:49:53,489 --> 00:49:56,780 time to ensure our nation's safety . Um 1264 00:49:56,790 --> 00:49:59,340 keep the industrial base strong out 1265 00:49:59,350 --> 00:50:01,800 compete . Our adversaries . Uh Many of 1266 00:50:01,810 --> 00:50:04,020 my colleagues speak at length about 1267 00:50:04,030 --> 00:50:06,197 wanting to achieve these goals . Yet , 1268 00:50:06,197 --> 00:50:08,197 as you know , we passed the defense 1269 00:50:08,197 --> 00:50:11,020 spending bill this year over five 1270 00:50:11,030 --> 00:50:14,939 months late , I repeat , five months 1271 00:50:14,949 --> 00:50:17,469 late . I hope that we do not continue 1272 00:50:17,479 --> 00:50:19,701 to play games with our federal spending 1273 00:50:19,701 --> 00:50:22,129 process this year . Can you elaborate 1274 00:50:22,139 --> 00:50:24,250 on the negative effects of continuing 1275 00:50:24,250 --> 00:50:26,139 resolutions for the Department of 1276 00:50:26,149 --> 00:50:28,810 Defense American manufacturers , the 1277 00:50:28,820 --> 00:50:31,149 industrial base and for our readiness 1278 00:50:31,159 --> 00:50:32,830 generally ? What would be the 1279 00:50:32,840 --> 00:50:35,139 consequences of another cr this year ? 1280 00:50:35,149 --> 00:50:37,550 Mr Secretary , I hope General Brown and 1281 00:50:37,560 --> 00:50:39,270 Mr mccoy can chime in as well 1282 00:50:41,969 --> 00:50:44,659 on the effects of the , of the CRS are , 1283 00:50:44,669 --> 00:50:47,239 are significant , especially if you 1284 00:50:47,250 --> 00:50:50,139 have uh CRS that that last that long . 1285 00:50:50,570 --> 00:50:52,840 Um You obviously can't initiate new 1286 00:50:52,850 --> 00:50:56,479 starts . Um um you lose a lot of time 1287 00:50:56,489 --> 00:50:58,939 on , on initiatives and , and the one 1288 00:50:58,949 --> 00:51:01,060 thing that you can't buy back is time 1289 00:51:01,199 --> 00:51:04,820 and , and so uh o over the , the 1290 00:51:04,830 --> 00:51:06,719 course of years , uh these things 1291 00:51:06,719 --> 00:51:09,070 compound and , and they create , they 1292 00:51:09,080 --> 00:51:11,080 add some of the friction that we've 1293 00:51:11,080 --> 00:51:13,024 been discussing . But , but uh but 1294 00:51:13,024 --> 00:51:15,080 again , I think the best way that we 1295 00:51:15,080 --> 00:51:17,302 can help ourselves is to make sure that 1296 00:51:17,302 --> 00:51:20,360 we uh receive an on time budget . And 1297 00:51:20,370 --> 00:51:22,481 as you know , the budget , our budget 1298 00:51:22,481 --> 00:51:24,370 request is directly linked to our 1299 00:51:24,370 --> 00:51:26,537 strategy . So , so without , without a 1300 00:51:26,537 --> 00:51:28,469 budget , uh we can't execute the 1301 00:51:28,479 --> 00:51:30,790 strategy to its fullest . And uh you 1302 00:51:30,800 --> 00:51:33,022 know , I've been uh I've been pretty uh 1303 00:51:33,022 --> 00:51:36,000 deliberate uh my uh and asking my staff 1304 00:51:36,010 --> 00:51:39,320 to uh to maintain course on making sure 1305 00:51:39,330 --> 00:51:41,386 that , you know , everything that we 1306 00:51:41,386 --> 00:51:43,552 ask for is , is directly linked to the 1307 00:51:43,552 --> 00:51:45,497 strategy . And I , you know , we , 1308 00:51:45,497 --> 00:51:47,663 we've done a good job of that over the 1309 00:51:47,663 --> 00:51:47,179 last three years . But , but if you 1310 00:51:47,189 --> 00:51:49,411 don't get a budget on time , you know , 1311 00:51:49,411 --> 00:51:51,633 it's , you , you're , you're , you're , 1312 00:51:51,633 --> 00:51:53,633 you're not executing to uh to uh to 1313 00:51:53,633 --> 00:51:55,689 your full capability . So it has AAA 1314 00:51:55,689 --> 00:51:58,659 significant impact on our ability to uh 1315 00:51:58,669 --> 00:52:00,780 uh to do a number of things , but you 1316 00:52:00,780 --> 00:52:04,739 can't buy back time . So j thanks for 1317 00:52:04,750 --> 00:52:06,972 the question . I I I'll tell you , I've 1318 00:52:06,972 --> 00:52:08,972 been a general officer for about 15 1319 00:52:08,972 --> 00:52:10,972 years and we spent about a third of 1320 00:52:10,972 --> 00:52:13,194 that in continued resolutions . And the 1321 00:52:13,194 --> 00:52:15,306 challenge we have there is , and I'll 1322 00:52:15,306 --> 00:52:17,472 use this as an example . There's about 1323 00:52:17,472 --> 00:52:17,280 400 things we couldn't do whether it 1324 00:52:17,290 --> 00:52:19,629 was new stars change . Uh our , our 1325 00:52:19,639 --> 00:52:21,695 levels of procurement or or to do uh 1326 00:52:21,695 --> 00:52:23,830 mil con . And so the concern I have 1327 00:52:23,840 --> 00:52:26,007 there is that uh what it does to us is 1328 00:52:26,007 --> 00:52:28,540 it drives uncertainty , it erodes trust 1329 00:52:28,550 --> 00:52:30,661 uh particularly when we work with our 1330 00:52:30,661 --> 00:52:32,772 defense industrial base . And then an 1331 00:52:32,772 --> 00:52:34,939 increased cost and increased time . We 1332 00:52:34,939 --> 00:52:37,161 talked earlier about uh when we want to 1333 00:52:37,161 --> 00:52:39,383 deliver a capability on time , the best 1334 00:52:39,383 --> 00:52:41,550 way to do that is have a resourcing on 1335 00:52:41,550 --> 00:52:40,669 time . But I think the same thing for 1336 00:52:40,679 --> 00:52:42,735 us as a department is that we have a 1337 00:52:42,735 --> 00:52:44,846 consistent dimensional , which is why 1338 00:52:44,846 --> 00:52:46,957 multiyear procurement is another uh a 1339 00:52:46,957 --> 00:52:49,235 piece that helps that uh demand signal . 1340 00:52:49,235 --> 00:52:51,346 It allows the defense industrial base 1341 00:52:51,346 --> 00:52:53,346 to do their supply chains uh have a 1342 00:52:53,346 --> 00:52:55,879 workforce that has uh consensus uh in 1343 00:52:55,889 --> 00:52:58,167 employment . And so it's important all , 1344 00:52:58,167 --> 00:53:00,056 all that comes together for our a 1345 00:53:00,056 --> 00:53:02,167 security . It's really uh it's hugely 1346 00:53:02,167 --> 00:53:06,139 important . Thank you . As a 1347 00:53:06,149 --> 00:53:08,316 secretary noted in general Brown noted 1348 00:53:08,316 --> 00:53:10,427 we have uh now emerged into a pattern 1349 00:53:10,427 --> 00:53:12,427 over many years of spending about a 1350 00:53:12,427 --> 00:53:14,649 third of each fiscal year in AC R which 1351 00:53:14,649 --> 00:53:16,427 is much more problematic on the 1352 00:53:16,427 --> 00:53:18,649 acquisition side to go back to Chairman 1353 00:53:18,649 --> 00:53:20,871 Cole's comments about trying to deliver 1354 00:53:20,871 --> 00:53:20,729 things on time . Our contracting gets 1355 00:53:20,739 --> 00:53:22,580 delayed . We have a better time 1356 00:53:22,590 --> 00:53:24,757 managing on the operating side than we 1357 00:53:24,757 --> 00:53:26,979 do on the acquisition side . Uh In this 1358 00:53:26,979 --> 00:53:29,090 year , the the particular issues were 1359 00:53:29,090 --> 00:53:31,257 the difference between our request and 1360 00:53:31,257 --> 00:53:33,423 the cr was about 25 billion . So think 1361 00:53:33,423 --> 00:53:35,368 about losing $2 billion a month uh 1362 00:53:35,368 --> 00:53:37,590 falling behind hoping that you'll catch 1363 00:53:37,590 --> 00:53:39,812 that up . But also just given the , the 1364 00:53:39,812 --> 00:53:42,034 way that that Fiscal Responsibility Act 1365 00:53:42,034 --> 00:53:44,312 was , was written , there was a chance , 1366 00:53:44,312 --> 00:53:46,479 however , have a remote of a full year 1367 00:53:46,479 --> 00:53:48,590 cr and full of , of a sequester . And 1368 00:53:48,590 --> 00:53:50,757 so myself and never spent considerable 1369 00:53:50,757 --> 00:53:52,812 time planning for things that didn't 1370 00:53:52,812 --> 00:53:52,800 happen , which was also a time that 1371 00:53:52,810 --> 00:53:54,810 could have been used on other , you 1372 00:53:54,810 --> 00:53:56,977 know , more productively justice final 1373 00:53:56,977 --> 00:53:59,143 comment . Thank you , Mr Chairman . Uh 1374 00:53:59,143 --> 00:54:01,969 I think it's and the ranking member uh 1375 00:54:01,979 --> 00:54:04,580 uh mentioned it a moment ago . It winds 1376 00:54:04,590 --> 00:54:07,300 up being a terrible waste of taxpayer 1377 00:54:07,479 --> 00:54:10,669 dollars and people who care deeply 1378 00:54:10,679 --> 00:54:12,790 about that should think about this as 1379 00:54:12,790 --> 00:54:14,679 well as people who care about our 1380 00:54:14,679 --> 00:54:16,901 national security and are being able to 1381 00:54:16,901 --> 00:54:18,790 do . You can't buy time . I think 1382 00:54:18,790 --> 00:54:21,429 that's a critical comment , Mr 1383 00:54:21,580 --> 00:54:23,747 Secretary . Thank you . Thank you , Mr 1384 00:54:23,747 --> 00:54:25,913 Chairman . Thank you . And I , I think 1385 00:54:25,913 --> 00:54:28,080 that uh we would all agree . No one on 1386 00:54:28,080 --> 00:54:29,913 this committee enjoys continuing 1387 00:54:29,913 --> 00:54:32,136 resolutions and , and I understand that 1388 00:54:32,136 --> 00:54:34,191 I hope that we could talk to some of 1389 00:54:34,191 --> 00:54:36,358 our friends and colleagues over in the 1390 00:54:36,358 --> 00:54:38,247 other side of the building in the 1391 00:54:38,247 --> 00:54:40,469 United States Senate . We got our bills 1392 00:54:40,469 --> 00:54:42,024 done relatively on time and 1393 00:54:42,024 --> 00:54:44,247 unfortunately , the Senate seems to get 1394 00:54:44,247 --> 00:54:46,469 in the habit of not passing appropriate 1395 00:54:46,469 --> 00:54:48,580 Mr Secretary Mr Chairman with all due 1396 00:54:48,580 --> 00:54:50,636 respect . I think we have to talk to 1397 00:54:50,636 --> 00:54:52,691 people on our side uh who proclaimed 1398 00:54:52,691 --> 00:54:54,691 that continuing resolution would be 1399 00:54:54,691 --> 00:54:56,358 great . Even shut down of the 1400 00:54:56,358 --> 00:54:58,524 government would be great , you know , 1401 00:54:58,524 --> 00:55:00,636 and I know and others know that ain't 1402 00:55:00,636 --> 00:55:02,802 the truth . That's not anybody on , on 1403 00:55:02,802 --> 00:55:04,802 this committee . No . Hey , I'm not 1404 00:55:04,802 --> 00:55:04,469 talking about this . Police people 1405 00:55:04,479 --> 00:55:06,939 shouldn't feel , you know , threatened , 1406 00:55:06,959 --> 00:55:08,909 but it's , it's , it's out there . 1407 00:55:09,429 --> 00:55:11,429 Thank you . Thank you , Mr Rogers . 1408 00:55:14,229 --> 00:55:16,879 Thank you , Mr Chairman . Gentlemen . 1409 00:55:16,889 --> 00:55:19,030 Welcome to the sub-committee and uh 1410 00:55:19,040 --> 00:55:22,850 General Brown uh congratulations 1411 00:55:22,860 --> 00:55:26,409 on your uh elevation 1412 00:55:27,570 --> 00:55:30,350 first time in front of us . Uh You're 1413 00:55:30,360 --> 00:55:32,693 with us as chairman of the joint chiefs . 1414 00:55:32,750 --> 00:55:36,320 So congratulations and welcome . Um 1415 00:55:37,050 --> 00:55:38,729 Let's talk a moment about the 1416 00:55:38,739 --> 00:55:42,500 ramifications of what we do in 1417 00:55:42,510 --> 00:55:46,370 Ukraine . Uh Obviously 1418 00:55:47,300 --> 00:55:49,199 our most severe 1419 00:55:52,219 --> 00:55:56,149 non combatant uh is 1420 00:55:56,159 --> 00:55:59,820 absent from the scene , but the 1421 00:55:59,830 --> 00:56:02,179 ramifications of what we do there or 1422 00:56:02,189 --> 00:56:05,969 don't do there . It is heavy . My 1423 00:56:05,979 --> 00:56:08,209 secretary , would you care to tell us 1424 00:56:09,199 --> 00:56:12,090 what you think is the bigger picture of 1425 00:56:12,100 --> 00:56:15,469 the strategic and moral importance of 1426 00:56:15,479 --> 00:56:17,840 the situation in Ukraine as it relates 1427 00:56:17,850 --> 00:56:21,699 with us ? You know 1428 00:56:21,709 --> 00:56:23,487 what we have said from the very 1429 00:56:23,487 --> 00:56:25,709 beginning . Uh Sir , is that we want to 1430 00:56:25,709 --> 00:56:29,030 see at the end of the day a uh Ukraine 1431 00:56:29,040 --> 00:56:32,110 that is a uh democratic , independent 1432 00:56:32,560 --> 00:56:34,659 and sovereign state that can , has a 1433 00:56:34,669 --> 00:56:38,139 means to defend its territory and uh 1434 00:56:38,149 --> 00:56:41,639 and deter aggression . Um And 1435 00:56:42,949 --> 00:56:45,500 Ukraine is not asking for us to fight 1436 00:56:45,510 --> 00:56:47,850 the fight for them . They are asking 1437 00:56:47,860 --> 00:56:50,120 for us to assist by providing some of 1438 00:56:50,129 --> 00:56:52,179 the means that they need to protect 1439 00:56:52,189 --> 00:56:54,449 themselves and , and , and defend their 1440 00:56:54,459 --> 00:56:56,780 territory and we , we've done that over 1441 00:56:56,790 --> 00:56:59,012 the last two years and , and that's why 1442 00:56:59,012 --> 00:57:01,179 they , they are in the place that they 1443 00:57:01,179 --> 00:57:03,068 are now . I mean , they , they've 1444 00:57:03,068 --> 00:57:05,610 defended against a much superior force 1445 00:57:05,620 --> 00:57:07,842 and not only held their ground but also 1446 00:57:07,842 --> 00:57:10,449 taken back some 50% of what Russia , uh , 1447 00:57:10,459 --> 00:57:12,570 uh , the , the ground that Russia 1448 00:57:12,580 --> 00:57:14,691 occupied initially . And I think , uh 1449 00:57:14,691 --> 00:57:17,570 for , for a much smaller force , uh I 1450 00:57:17,580 --> 00:57:19,691 think that was , that's commendable . 1451 00:57:19,790 --> 00:57:22,360 Um But unless they have the , you know , 1452 00:57:22,370 --> 00:57:24,830 the air defense interceptors , the uh 1453 00:57:24,840 --> 00:57:27,340 the artillery munitions and other 1454 00:57:27,350 --> 00:57:29,461 things that they need , uh it's gonna 1455 00:57:29,461 --> 00:57:31,406 be very difficult to , for them to 1456 00:57:31,406 --> 00:57:33,683 sustain uh sustain their efforts . Now , 1457 00:57:33,683 --> 00:57:36,169 if they are not successful uh to uh uh 1458 00:57:36,179 --> 00:57:39,800 to your question , uh It has 1459 00:57:39,810 --> 00:57:42,169 ramifications not only for Europe but 1460 00:57:42,179 --> 00:57:44,012 for the United States of America 1461 00:57:44,012 --> 00:57:46,068 because we all know that Putin won't 1462 00:57:46,068 --> 00:57:49,000 stop uh in Ukraine . Uh this , this 1463 00:57:49,010 --> 00:57:51,719 will continue and , you know , our , 1464 00:57:51,729 --> 00:57:53,951 our allies on the eastern front , there 1465 00:57:53,951 --> 00:57:56,118 are very , very concerned about that . 1466 00:57:56,118 --> 00:57:58,929 And uh and rightfully so , uh it will 1467 00:57:58,939 --> 00:58:01,050 also signal to other autocrats around 1468 00:58:01,050 --> 00:58:03,272 the globe that uh you know , the United 1469 00:58:03,272 --> 00:58:05,719 States is not a reliable partner . And 1470 00:58:05,729 --> 00:58:07,562 then so all of the alliances and 1471 00:58:07,562 --> 00:58:09,729 partnerships that we've worked hard to 1472 00:58:09,729 --> 00:58:11,785 develop over the years uh will be in 1473 00:58:11,785 --> 00:58:13,951 question in , in terms of their eyes . 1474 00:58:13,951 --> 00:58:15,959 Uh So it has uh ram uh significant 1475 00:58:15,969 --> 00:58:19,010 ramifications . Uh But again , I think , 1476 00:58:19,020 --> 00:58:22,689 uh I think Ukraine has done a , an 1477 00:58:22,699 --> 00:58:25,239 incredible job of inflicting uh 1478 00:58:25,689 --> 00:58:27,578 significant damage on the Russian 1479 00:58:27,578 --> 00:58:29,689 military with a , with a much smaller 1480 00:58:29,689 --> 00:58:31,911 force . Uh And uh and they've done that 1481 00:58:31,911 --> 00:58:34,022 with our help and the help of some 50 1482 00:58:34,022 --> 00:58:35,967 nations that we've rallied in , in 1483 00:58:35,967 --> 00:58:38,078 their support . Well , with , with Mr 1484 00:58:38,078 --> 00:58:41,270 Putin saying very openly and repeatedly 1485 00:58:41,760 --> 00:58:44,760 that he wants to restore the old Soviet 1486 00:58:44,770 --> 00:58:48,699 Union and all of the uh nation 1487 00:58:48,709 --> 00:58:51,689 states in Eastern Europe , especially 1488 00:58:51,860 --> 00:58:55,439 as you have said , uh are looking to us 1489 00:58:55,449 --> 00:58:59,270 and if we fail them , uh I think it 1490 00:58:59,280 --> 00:59:02,739 fuels further the belief that Putin 1491 00:59:03,139 --> 00:59:06,159 will try to succeed in restoring the 1492 00:59:06,169 --> 00:59:08,330 old Soviet Union . Do you agree with 1493 00:59:08,340 --> 00:59:11,790 that ? Do you agree with that ? I , I 1494 00:59:11,800 --> 00:59:14,133 absolutely agree , sir . And , and , uh , 1495 00:59:14,570 --> 00:59:16,909 um , you know , I , I think Putin 1496 00:59:16,919 --> 00:59:19,330 believes that he can , he can wait us 1497 00:59:19,340 --> 00:59:22,149 out . He believes that the , uh the 1498 00:59:22,159 --> 00:59:23,937 resolve of the , of the Western 1499 00:59:23,937 --> 00:59:27,149 countries will , uh , will soon fade 1500 00:59:27,159 --> 00:59:30,159 and , uh , and our , our uh coalition 1501 00:59:30,169 --> 00:59:32,699 will fracture , but Putin is wrong . Uh 1502 00:59:32,719 --> 00:59:34,775 And , uh , you know , we're going to 1503 00:59:34,775 --> 00:59:36,941 continue to try to find ways to , uh , 1504 00:59:36,941 --> 00:59:39,163 to support Ukraine . Let me quickly ask 1505 00:59:39,163 --> 00:59:43,010 you about uh land mines uh in Ukraine 1506 00:59:43,469 --> 00:59:47,189 60 minutes on CBS . Uh last week , 1507 00:59:48,219 --> 00:59:51,729 uh did a story about the landmines that 1508 00:59:51,739 --> 00:59:55,149 have been sold all through Ukraine by 1509 00:59:55,159 --> 00:59:58,479 the , by Putin and his forces . What 1510 00:59:58,489 --> 01:00:02,010 can you tell us about that 1511 01:00:02,020 --> 01:00:05,590 problem . The Russians have made 1512 01:00:05,600 --> 01:00:08,310 extensive use of land mines and we saw 1513 01:00:08,320 --> 01:00:11,340 the Ukrainians , uh , um , go up 1514 01:00:11,350 --> 01:00:13,572 against that , uh , last spring as they 1515 01:00:13,572 --> 01:00:15,794 launched their , uh , their offensive , 1516 01:00:16,000 --> 01:00:18,530 uh , that and they , they've done that . 1517 01:00:18,540 --> 01:00:20,596 The Russians have done that in every 1518 01:00:20,596 --> 01:00:22,762 place they fought . But in this case , 1519 01:00:22,762 --> 01:00:24,762 uh , the territory , the terrain is 1520 01:00:24,762 --> 01:00:26,870 littered with , uh , with just , you 1521 01:00:26,879 --> 01:00:29,046 know , with landmines and it will take 1522 01:00:29,046 --> 01:00:31,300 years to , uh to , to police this up to 1523 01:00:31,310 --> 01:00:34,620 clean this up . Uh We are uh we've 1524 01:00:34,629 --> 01:00:37,540 stood up a capability coalition with uh 1525 01:00:37,550 --> 01:00:39,606 uh countries who are volunteering to 1526 01:00:39,606 --> 01:00:43,520 pull together um uh their capabilities 1527 01:00:43,530 --> 01:00:46,949 to assist uh Ukraine in in acquiring 1528 01:00:46,959 --> 01:00:49,237 the right capabilities to address this , 1529 01:00:49,237 --> 01:00:51,348 this problem going forward . But it's 1530 01:00:51,348 --> 01:00:53,292 gonna be something that's going to 1531 01:00:53,292 --> 01:00:55,237 require a lot of countries to work 1532 01:00:55,237 --> 01:00:57,292 together on uh in the future . Thank 1533 01:00:57,292 --> 01:00:59,126 you , Mr Secretary . Thank you , 1534 01:00:59,126 --> 01:01:01,292 gentlemen . I recognize Mr Cole for an 1535 01:01:01,292 --> 01:01:03,515 announcement . Uh I think probably good 1536 01:01:03,515 --> 01:01:05,737 news on all fronts . Just want folks to 1537 01:01:05,737 --> 01:01:07,903 know that the three component bills of 1538 01:01:07,903 --> 01:01:11,750 the supplemental have been filed uh 31 1539 01:01:11,760 --> 01:01:14,780 for Israel , one for Ukraine , one for 1540 01:01:14,790 --> 01:01:16,969 the Western Pacific . My understanding 1541 01:01:16,979 --> 01:01:19,201 will be 1/4 bill that relates to border 1542 01:01:19,201 --> 01:01:21,399 security , but those will be the 1543 01:01:21,409 --> 01:01:23,409 component parts of the supplemental 1544 01:01:23,409 --> 01:01:25,631 will be considered independently . So I 1545 01:01:25,631 --> 01:01:27,798 just want people to be aware of that . 1546 01:01:27,798 --> 01:01:29,909 I think that's good news all around . 1547 01:01:29,909 --> 01:01:32,260 You're back . Thank you , gentlemen for 1548 01:01:32,270 --> 01:01:34,548 that . Announcement , Mr Ruppersberger . 1549 01:01:34,548 --> 01:01:36,659 Yes , thank you . First thing , thank 1550 01:01:36,659 --> 01:01:38,770 you all for being here today for your 1551 01:01:38,770 --> 01:01:40,881 service to our country . Uh This is a 1552 01:01:40,881 --> 01:01:42,937 very important time and uh honorable 1553 01:01:42,937 --> 01:01:45,048 mccord . Thank you for all you do and 1554 01:01:45,048 --> 01:01:46,992 your expertise . Um You know , the 1555 01:01:46,992 --> 01:01:48,659 we're going through the , the 1556 01:01:48,659 --> 01:01:50,881 president's budget and the supplemental 1557 01:01:50,881 --> 01:01:53,048 and I share your concerns about the uh 1558 01:01:53,048 --> 01:01:54,770 the current global uh security 1559 01:01:54,770 --> 01:01:56,492 environment and the multi face 1560 01:01:56,492 --> 01:01:58,381 challenges that we face just last 1561 01:01:58,381 --> 01:02:00,750 weekend , uh Iran directly attacked 1562 01:02:00,760 --> 01:02:02,927 Israel for the first time in decades . 1563 01:02:02,927 --> 01:02:04,927 Uh what happened in the Middle East 1564 01:02:04,927 --> 01:02:07,149 this past weekend is a snapshot of what 1565 01:02:07,149 --> 01:02:09,719 happens every day in Ukraine . But 1566 01:02:09,729 --> 01:02:11,451 right now , Ukraine is running 1567 01:02:11,451 --> 01:02:13,673 dangerously low on ammunition and other 1568 01:02:13,673 --> 01:02:15,618 equipment , as you stated before , 1569 01:02:15,618 --> 01:02:18,419 without additional aid , I don't see 1570 01:02:18,429 --> 01:02:20,669 how much longer they can hold out . And 1571 01:02:20,679 --> 01:02:22,909 amidst all these conflicts , there is 1572 01:02:22,919 --> 01:02:25,330 China , the national defense strategy 1573 01:02:25,340 --> 01:02:27,530 identifies the PR C as our pacing 1574 01:02:27,540 --> 01:02:29,707 threat . And while the global security 1575 01:02:29,707 --> 01:02:31,790 environment is rapidly changing , we 1576 01:02:31,800 --> 01:02:33,860 continue to be in a great power 1577 01:02:33,870 --> 01:02:36,449 competition with China . So in that 1578 01:02:36,459 --> 01:02:38,989 vein , General Brown , can you please 1579 01:02:39,000 --> 01:02:41,056 describe how China is helping Russia 1580 01:02:41,056 --> 01:02:43,409 reconstitute its military since its 1581 01:02:43,419 --> 01:02:46,510 invasion of Ukraine ? How is the PR C 1582 01:02:46,520 --> 01:02:49,270 strategically exploiting the conflict 1583 01:02:49,280 --> 01:02:51,629 to gain advantage in its great power 1584 01:02:51,639 --> 01:02:55,600 competition with us ? Excuse 1585 01:02:55,610 --> 01:02:57,721 me . Thanks for the question . And so 1586 01:02:57,721 --> 01:02:59,777 how the Pr C is helping Russia is uh 1587 01:02:59,777 --> 01:03:02,649 you know , um it's very low level but 1588 01:03:02,659 --> 01:03:04,810 by and large is by not condemning the 1589 01:03:04,820 --> 01:03:06,876 acts of Russia in bidding in another 1590 01:03:06,876 --> 01:03:08,931 country . And how that has impact is 1591 01:03:08,931 --> 01:03:10,764 the , uh , how , uh , the PFC is 1592 01:03:10,764 --> 01:03:12,931 watching , uh , what Russia is doing , 1593 01:03:12,931 --> 01:03:15,042 they're watching what we're doing and 1594 01:03:15,042 --> 01:03:14,979 they're doing things to prepare 1595 01:03:14,989 --> 01:03:17,909 themselves . Um , should they decide to 1596 01:03:17,919 --> 01:03:19,989 have a , uh , pursue any type of 1597 01:03:20,000 --> 01:03:22,709 conflict in the Indo Pacific ? And so 1598 01:03:22,719 --> 01:03:24,886 it's harden their capabilities from an 1599 01:03:24,886 --> 01:03:27,052 economic standpoint , but also looking 1600 01:03:27,052 --> 01:03:29,275 at their military capabilities and what 1601 01:03:29,275 --> 01:03:31,386 they can learn as they watch . Uh the 1602 01:03:31,386 --> 01:03:33,552 current events there in uh in Russia , 1603 01:03:33,552 --> 01:03:35,663 in Ukraine . Excuse me . Well , thank 1604 01:03:35,663 --> 01:03:35,620 you for that . It is apparent that that 1605 01:03:35,909 --> 01:03:39,360 it , it is not helping Ukraine . We are 1606 01:03:39,370 --> 01:03:41,570 helping China . Now in March , the 1607 01:03:41,580 --> 01:03:43,469 Senate passed a national security 1608 01:03:43,469 --> 01:03:45,636 supplemental that provides foreign aid 1609 01:03:45,636 --> 01:03:48,229 to Ukraine , Israel and Taiwan . It 1610 01:03:48,239 --> 01:03:50,709 sounds like we're set to consider some 1611 01:03:50,719 --> 01:03:52,441 version of that in the house . 1612 01:03:52,441 --> 01:03:55,409 Hopefully . Now Secretary Austin , why 1613 01:03:55,419 --> 01:03:59,290 is it critical to uh our own national 1614 01:03:59,300 --> 01:04:01,169 security that we get additional 1615 01:04:01,179 --> 01:04:03,489 military aid to Ukraine as soon as 1616 01:04:03,500 --> 01:04:05,959 possible if we care about the threat of 1617 01:04:05,969 --> 01:04:08,379 China ? Why does it follow that ? We 1618 01:04:08,389 --> 01:04:10,649 should also care about Ukraine and 1619 01:04:10,659 --> 01:04:12,560 whether it wins or loses ? 1620 01:04:14,899 --> 01:04:17,959 Well , thanks , sir . And again , um in 1621 01:04:17,969 --> 01:04:20,879 terms of uh our own national security , 1622 01:04:20,889 --> 01:04:22,919 we , we know that we believe , I 1623 01:04:22,929 --> 01:04:25,639 believe that that Putin won't stop uh 1624 01:04:25,649 --> 01:04:27,760 it with Ukraine . I mean , I think he 1625 01:04:27,760 --> 01:04:31,320 will continue to uh seek to pull back 1626 01:04:31,330 --> 01:04:33,669 in some of those countries that were in 1627 01:04:33,679 --> 01:04:36,739 the former Soviet Union . Uh And uh and 1628 01:04:36,750 --> 01:04:39,899 I think uh the uh we , we can look 1629 01:04:39,909 --> 01:04:43,449 for uh significant um 1630 01:04:43,459 --> 01:04:45,989 turbulence in a region going forward if 1631 01:04:46,000 --> 01:04:48,120 he is successful . Um 1632 01:04:50,439 --> 01:04:53,939 We have provided uh a number of 1633 01:04:53,949 --> 01:04:56,340 elements to Ukraine and we hope to 1634 01:04:56,350 --> 01:04:58,128 continue to do that in terms of 1635 01:04:58,128 --> 01:04:59,961 security assistance , we have to 1636 01:04:59,961 --> 01:05:02,017 replenish uh what we've , what we've 1637 01:05:02,017 --> 01:05:04,128 provided . And uh and so having the , 1638 01:05:04,128 --> 01:05:06,719 the means to do that , I think is uh is , 1639 01:05:06,729 --> 01:05:08,896 is really , really important for our , 1640 01:05:08,896 --> 01:05:10,673 for our readiness and our , our 1641 01:05:10,673 --> 01:05:12,618 security . Uh And you mentioned uh 1642 01:05:12,618 --> 01:05:16,350 China uh China Iran and others are 1643 01:05:16,360 --> 01:05:19,320 watching what happens uh in Ukraine and 1644 01:05:19,330 --> 01:05:23,219 if the United States uh proves to be an 1645 01:05:23,229 --> 01:05:25,879 unreliable partner and not , not only 1646 01:05:25,889 --> 01:05:28,280 will it erode the confidence of our 1647 01:05:28,290 --> 01:05:30,401 European allies uh in , in , in uh in 1648 01:05:30,401 --> 01:05:34,199 NATO , but it will also encourage 1649 01:05:34,209 --> 01:05:37,080 players like uh uh players like the PR 1650 01:05:37,090 --> 01:05:40,070 C and Iran uh to uh to do the kinds of 1651 01:05:40,080 --> 01:05:41,969 things that they would want to do 1652 01:05:41,969 --> 01:05:44,191 anyway . Uh So I , I think this creates 1653 01:05:44,191 --> 01:05:46,580 more discord potentially in the future , 1654 01:05:46,590 --> 01:05:48,757 but this is really important . Ukraine 1655 01:05:48,757 --> 01:05:50,868 matters not to , not just to Europe , 1656 01:05:50,868 --> 01:05:53,090 it matters to the whole world . This is 1657 01:05:53,090 --> 01:05:53,000 about the rules based international 1658 01:05:53,010 --> 01:05:56,020 order and making sure that uh that uh a 1659 01:05:56,110 --> 01:05:58,324 country , uh the leader of a country 1660 01:05:58,334 --> 01:06:00,445 can't wake up one day and decide that 1661 01:06:00,445 --> 01:06:02,612 he's going to erase the borders of his 1662 01:06:02,612 --> 01:06:04,890 neighbor and get away with it . I mean , 1663 01:06:04,890 --> 01:06:07,112 this there there has to be some kind of 1664 01:06:07,112 --> 01:06:09,278 uh international order . So you know , 1665 01:06:09,278 --> 01:06:11,556 I'm very , I'm gonna make this comment . 1666 01:06:11,556 --> 01:06:11,475 I'm very concerned that some certain 1667 01:06:11,485 --> 01:06:14,364 members of this house are , are acting 1668 01:06:14,375 --> 01:06:16,955 as if China is our , I mean , Russia is 1669 01:06:16,965 --> 01:06:19,830 our ally and I hope that that that we 1670 01:06:19,840 --> 01:06:21,896 can get the facts out that this is a 1671 01:06:21,896 --> 01:06:23,840 very serious issue and I wish more 1672 01:06:23,840 --> 01:06:26,080 people who feel that way in this house 1673 01:06:26,090 --> 01:06:28,146 would attend this type of hearing to 1674 01:06:28,146 --> 01:06:31,189 realize how dangerous that is . Thanks 1675 01:06:31,199 --> 01:06:33,310 and gentlemen , for his question , Mr 1676 01:06:33,310 --> 01:06:35,421 Womack . Thank you . My thanks to the 1677 01:06:35,421 --> 01:06:37,850 gentlemen before us for their long 1678 01:06:37,860 --> 01:06:39,916 standing service to this country . I 1679 01:06:39,916 --> 01:06:41,939 want to follow up on a conversation 1680 01:06:41,949 --> 01:06:44,760 that we were having with um the ranking 1681 01:06:44,770 --> 01:06:46,992 member of the full committee , MS Delao 1682 01:06:46,992 --> 01:06:50,280 on budget process and , and on 1683 01:06:50,290 --> 01:06:52,512 continuing resolutions and this sort of 1684 01:06:52,512 --> 01:06:55,330 thing , Secretary Austin . Um have you 1685 01:06:55,340 --> 01:06:59,310 ever known Russia to 1686 01:06:59,320 --> 01:07:01,909 operate under a continuing resolution ? 1687 01:07:03,419 --> 01:07:05,363 Uh I have not , sir and I've never 1688 01:07:05,363 --> 01:07:07,086 known China to operate under a 1689 01:07:07,086 --> 01:07:09,197 continued res resolution ? Well , I'm 1690 01:07:09,197 --> 01:07:11,530 glad you asked that question because my , 1691 01:07:11,530 --> 01:07:13,752 my next question was to General Brown . 1692 01:07:13,752 --> 01:07:16,770 Have you ever known China operate under 1693 01:07:16,780 --> 01:07:19,580 a continuing resolution ? I have not . 1694 01:07:20,149 --> 01:07:23,350 So if they have needs , they take care 1695 01:07:23,360 --> 01:07:24,360 of those needs . 1696 01:07:27,020 --> 01:07:30,709 Secretary mccord Kim Jong Un , 1697 01:07:32,139 --> 01:07:34,929 does he operate ever under a continuing 1698 01:07:34,939 --> 01:07:37,580 resolution ? It does not mister Moo 1699 01:07:39,729 --> 01:07:41,919 and I , I won't bore you with the 1700 01:07:41,929 --> 01:07:44,169 others I had listed ISIS K violent 1701 01:07:44,179 --> 01:07:46,350 extremist organizations . The fact is 1702 01:07:46,870 --> 01:07:49,909 adversaries to our way of life and into 1703 01:07:49,919 --> 01:07:52,159 the way of life of free nations all 1704 01:07:52,169 --> 01:07:55,709 around the globe . They don't operate 1705 01:07:56,199 --> 01:07:59,290 under continuing resolutions and they 1706 01:07:59,300 --> 01:08:02,139 don't threaten to shut their government 1707 01:08:02,149 --> 01:08:06,040 down . And to me , it , 1708 01:08:06,540 --> 01:08:09,479 it , it pla places a heavy risk 1709 01:08:10,530 --> 01:08:14,010 on our men and women who serve in the 1710 01:08:14,020 --> 01:08:16,890 greatest military on the planet that we 1711 01:08:16,899 --> 01:08:20,470 would ever consider delaying a 1712 01:08:20,479 --> 01:08:23,529 budget like we did this past year for 1713 01:08:23,540 --> 01:08:26,959 5.5 months in the fiscal year because I 1714 01:08:26,970 --> 01:08:30,669 think that does endanger our way of 1715 01:08:30,680 --> 01:08:32,847 life . I'll leave it there . Secretary 1716 01:08:32,847 --> 01:08:36,669 Austin , the dod budget request for 25 1717 01:08:36,680 --> 01:08:38,847 is capped at a 1% increase compared to 1718 01:08:38,847 --> 01:08:42,208 24 under the fr A . Uh It's clear the 1719 01:08:42,219 --> 01:08:44,358 dod prioritized increased funding for 1720 01:08:44,369 --> 01:08:46,679 some services more than others . For 1721 01:08:46,688 --> 01:08:49,238 example , the army saw a 0.2% increase 1722 01:08:49,249 --> 01:08:52,148 in funding the air force got 1.1% . Uh 1723 01:08:52,179 --> 01:08:55,798 Can you outline the risks that 1724 01:08:55,809 --> 01:08:59,729 we buy in , in this budget proposal 1725 01:08:59,849 --> 01:09:03,778 to the army ? Uh If we adopt those top 1726 01:09:03,789 --> 01:09:06,869 line constraints , uh 1727 01:09:06,878 --> 01:09:09,628 we um be because of the 1728 01:09:10,680 --> 01:09:12,902 top line . Uh you know , we had to make 1729 01:09:12,902 --> 01:09:14,902 some choices , but we again , uh we 1730 01:09:14,910 --> 01:09:16,688 linked our , our request to our 1731 01:09:16,688 --> 01:09:19,339 strategy . Uh and , and these were 1732 01:09:19,350 --> 01:09:21,640 difficult but uh I think uh prudent 1733 01:09:21,649 --> 01:09:25,009 choices and uh and again , uh as we 1734 01:09:25,020 --> 01:09:27,076 have worked with the services . Uh I 1735 01:09:27,076 --> 01:09:30,459 think that uh um you know , the , 1736 01:09:30,910 --> 01:09:33,132 the investments that we've made in , in 1737 01:09:33,132 --> 01:09:35,490 near term readiness uh and uh and in 1738 01:09:35,500 --> 01:09:37,722 modernization and in taking care of our 1739 01:09:37,722 --> 01:09:39,580 people , uh We pay significant 1740 01:09:39,589 --> 01:09:41,533 dividends for us uh in the near to 1741 01:09:41,533 --> 01:09:43,645 midterm and , and in the long term as 1742 01:09:43,645 --> 01:09:45,867 well . Uh And we also recognize that in 1743 01:09:45,867 --> 01:09:48,000 the out years , the top line is gonna 1744 01:09:48,009 --> 01:09:50,009 have to grow a bit in order to make 1745 01:09:50,009 --> 01:09:52,065 sure that we maintain pace and speed 1746 01:09:52,065 --> 01:09:54,049 with uh with , with uh with 1747 01:09:54,060 --> 01:09:57,850 modernization . So , um it , it 1748 01:09:57,859 --> 01:10:00,081 is , it is something that we don't take 1749 01:10:00,081 --> 01:10:02,303 lightly in terms of , you know , how we 1750 01:10:02,303 --> 01:10:04,629 resource uh the , the entire force and , 1751 01:10:04,640 --> 01:10:06,584 and uh choices have to be made the 1752 01:10:06,584 --> 01:10:09,020 services uh participate in , in our 1753 01:10:09,029 --> 01:10:12,040 deliberations . And uh and so , uh 1754 01:10:12,459 --> 01:10:14,459 again , I , I think it's uh these , 1755 01:10:14,649 --> 01:10:18,649 it's , it's the , the risk are , are , 1756 01:10:18,799 --> 01:10:20,966 are acceptable at this point in time . 1757 01:10:21,649 --> 01:10:24,899 General Brown . Um And both of you are 1758 01:10:24,910 --> 01:10:27,021 keenly aware that joint multinational 1759 01:10:27,021 --> 01:10:29,077 large scale training scale exercises 1760 01:10:29,077 --> 01:10:32,250 enhance our forces readiness . Um Can 1761 01:10:32,259 --> 01:10:36,209 you um describe how these 1762 01:10:36,220 --> 01:10:39,509 exercises help our formations in 1763 01:10:39,520 --> 01:10:41,631 learning , how to integrate its scale 1764 01:10:41,631 --> 01:10:43,353 and across domains and how the 1765 01:10:43,353 --> 01:10:45,298 continued repetition set the joint 1766 01:10:45,298 --> 01:10:47,353 force up for success uh in the uh in 1767 01:10:47,353 --> 01:10:49,919 the face of conflict . You know , every , 1768 01:10:49,930 --> 01:10:51,819 every time we uh we get to train 1769 01:10:51,830 --> 01:10:53,997 whether it's uh by individually within 1770 01:10:53,997 --> 01:10:56,219 our services . Uh train is a joint team 1771 01:10:56,219 --> 01:10:58,441 or train with our allies and partners , 1772 01:10:58,441 --> 01:11:00,663 it just makes us stronger and what that 1773 01:11:00,663 --> 01:11:02,997 does , it , uh allows us to work on our , 1774 01:11:02,997 --> 01:11:02,799 uh , areas of interoperability , but it 1775 01:11:02,810 --> 01:11:04,699 also identifies some areas we can 1776 01:11:04,699 --> 01:11:06,921 improve up on . Uh , because we want to 1777 01:11:06,921 --> 01:11:09,143 continue every time we have an exercise 1778 01:11:09,143 --> 01:11:11,310 is a step away that from that exercise 1779 01:11:11,310 --> 01:11:13,477 and learn something about ourselves as 1780 01:11:13,477 --> 01:11:15,643 a force that will be applicable to the 1781 01:11:15,643 --> 01:11:17,810 threat . And , uh and so every time we 1782 01:11:17,810 --> 01:11:20,143 uh we do this , um it , it's , you know , 1783 01:11:20,143 --> 01:11:19,930 we , we try to take over the lessons 1784 01:11:19,939 --> 01:11:21,995 learned and they're not just lessons 1785 01:11:21,995 --> 01:11:23,828 learned or observe . It's how we 1786 01:11:23,828 --> 01:11:26,106 implement those and to ensure that our , 1787 01:11:26,106 --> 01:11:28,217 our , our joint force with our allies 1788 01:11:28,217 --> 01:11:30,328 and partners uh can do what uh uh one 1789 01:11:30,328 --> 01:11:32,383 what the nation asked for , but also 1790 01:11:32,383 --> 01:11:32,259 for our national security and the 1791 01:11:32,270 --> 01:11:34,437 security of our allies and partners as 1792 01:11:34,437 --> 01:11:36,437 well . So if we were forced to make 1793 01:11:36,437 --> 01:11:38,270 some decisions by some more risk 1794 01:11:38,270 --> 01:11:40,381 because of budget constraints that we 1795 01:11:40,381 --> 01:11:42,381 have , where would those , uh those 1796 01:11:42,381 --> 01:11:45,750 those joint exercises fall in , in the 1797 01:11:45,759 --> 01:11:49,189 list if you will of candidates for 1798 01:11:49,200 --> 01:11:52,270 either scaling back or doing without 1799 01:11:52,970 --> 01:11:55,081 well in , in this particular budget , 1800 01:11:55,081 --> 01:11:57,303 uh we , uh we , we focused on readiness 1801 01:11:57,303 --> 01:11:59,470 and , and so , uh and as the secretary 1802 01:11:59,470 --> 01:12:01,581 highlighted , uh we defer some of the 1803 01:12:01,581 --> 01:12:03,303 modernization to maintain that 1804 01:12:03,303 --> 01:12:05,470 readiness . And so , uh you know , one 1805 01:12:05,470 --> 01:12:07,637 of the responses that I have as the as 1806 01:12:07,637 --> 01:12:06,669 the chairman working with the Joint 1807 01:12:06,680 --> 01:12:09,069 Chiefs is uh to balance that risk 1808 01:12:09,080 --> 01:12:10,747 between our readiness and our 1809 01:12:10,747 --> 01:12:12,969 modernization . And we take a hard look 1810 01:12:12,969 --> 01:12:15,191 at uh all , all the various exercises . 1811 01:12:15,191 --> 01:12:17,413 Uh I would also highlight the fact that 1812 01:12:17,413 --> 01:12:19,524 uh now because of technology , we can 1813 01:12:19,524 --> 01:12:21,580 do uh a fair amount um uh through uh 1814 01:12:21,580 --> 01:12:23,580 simulation and the like , but we're 1815 01:12:23,580 --> 01:12:25,524 trying to use every tool we can to 1816 01:12:25,524 --> 01:12:27,691 ensure our , our readiness and , and , 1817 01:12:27,691 --> 01:12:27,470 and take advantage of the exercise 1818 01:12:27,479 --> 01:12:29,423 opportunities that we do have . Uh 1819 01:12:29,423 --> 01:12:32,549 Thank you , gentlemen a square . Uh 1820 01:12:32,560 --> 01:12:34,560 Thank you , Mr Chairman and ranking 1821 01:12:34,560 --> 01:12:36,782 member and uh to all of our witnesses , 1822 01:12:36,782 --> 01:12:39,700 Secretary General and uh Mr mccoy , 1823 01:12:39,890 --> 01:12:42,001 thank you so much for what y'all do . 1824 01:12:42,149 --> 01:12:45,549 Um I would like to bring your attention 1825 01:12:45,560 --> 01:12:47,669 uh to uh the Secretary and General 1826 01:12:47,680 --> 01:12:50,750 Brown . Uh I wanna get your thoughts uh 1827 01:12:50,939 --> 01:12:54,629 um what the department looks at sharing 1828 01:12:55,060 --> 01:12:57,700 information and resources across 1829 01:12:57,709 --> 01:13:00,459 combatant commands and in particular , 1830 01:13:00,470 --> 01:13:02,581 I'm talking about North Com and South 1831 01:13:02,581 --> 01:13:04,581 Com when it deals with the Southern 1832 01:13:04,581 --> 01:13:06,692 border , what's happening in Mexico , 1833 01:13:06,692 --> 01:13:08,914 you know , very well , what's happening 1834 01:13:08,914 --> 01:13:11,137 there ? And I'm talking about drugs and 1835 01:13:11,137 --> 01:13:13,303 criminal organizations , the amount of 1836 01:13:13,303 --> 01:13:15,303 money they make not only in passing 1837 01:13:15,303 --> 01:13:17,414 drugs , but if you look at what is it 1838 01:13:17,414 --> 01:13:19,637 78 million encounters at the border the 1839 01:13:19,637 --> 01:13:21,692 last three years multiply that by an 1840 01:13:21,692 --> 01:13:23,581 average of 8000 , that the Coyote 1841 01:13:23,581 --> 01:13:25,692 charge are making billions of dollars 1842 01:13:25,692 --> 01:13:29,229 uh to our southern border . Um And you 1843 01:13:29,240 --> 01:13:31,459 know , we have North Com that has 1844 01:13:31,470 --> 01:13:34,500 Mexico and then South Com has 1845 01:13:34,509 --> 01:13:37,169 everything South Central America and 1846 01:13:37,180 --> 01:13:40,899 South . Um And I wanna 1847 01:13:40,910 --> 01:13:44,740 see how we can get North Com and South 1848 01:13:44,810 --> 01:13:48,799 Com to work 1849 01:13:48,810 --> 01:13:50,839 better and sharing information and 1850 01:13:50,850 --> 01:13:54,720 resources . Uh because , you know , as 1851 01:13:54,729 --> 01:13:57,490 you know , part of the , um the work 1852 01:13:57,500 --> 01:13:59,667 that y'all do is the national security 1853 01:13:59,667 --> 01:14:01,889 and defense of our country also uh in , 1854 01:14:01,889 --> 01:14:04,111 in that particular area . So just wanna 1855 01:14:04,111 --> 01:14:06,222 get your thoughts and we have already 1856 01:14:06,222 --> 01:14:08,222 talked to uh both commanders of our 1857 01:14:08,222 --> 01:14:10,444 South Com and North Com and we've asked 1858 01:14:10,444 --> 01:14:12,333 them if they can align themselves 1859 01:14:12,333 --> 01:14:14,556 because they're apart , they see Mexico 1860 01:14:14,556 --> 01:14:16,556 very differently . Just want to get 1861 01:14:16,556 --> 01:14:18,722 your thoughts on what we can do to get 1862 01:14:18,722 --> 01:14:21,509 those two commanded uh areas to work 1863 01:14:21,520 --> 01:14:24,580 better . Well , well , thanks , sir . 1864 01:14:24,589 --> 01:14:26,811 And thanks for your interest in this uh 1865 01:14:26,811 --> 01:14:29,930 in this uh topic . II , I do believe 1866 01:14:29,939 --> 01:14:33,129 that uh that we do a credible job of uh 1867 01:14:33,140 --> 01:14:35,560 work working together . Uh Currently , 1868 01:14:35,839 --> 01:14:38,299 um both commanders are great commanders 1869 01:14:38,310 --> 01:14:40,532 and I have a tremendous confidence in , 1870 01:14:40,532 --> 01:14:42,649 in both of them . Uh Having said that 1871 01:14:42,939 --> 01:14:45,106 there are always things that we can do 1872 01:14:45,106 --> 01:14:47,879 to , to improve our collaboration . And 1873 01:14:47,890 --> 01:14:50,223 I think this uh this gets to your point . 1874 01:14:50,223 --> 01:14:53,660 Uh And um from my perspective , uh what 1875 01:14:53,669 --> 01:14:56,549 I see the commanders doing is just that 1876 01:14:56,560 --> 01:14:58,616 finding ways to support each other , 1877 01:14:58,616 --> 01:15:01,640 finding ways to uh uh to make sure that 1878 01:15:01,649 --> 01:15:04,450 there are no gaps that can be exploited 1879 01:15:04,689 --> 01:15:06,300 but , but you know , the the 1880 01:15:06,300 --> 01:15:08,411 environment's dynamic and , and there 1881 01:15:08,411 --> 01:15:10,939 will always be a new uh challenge that 1882 01:15:10,950 --> 01:15:12,910 uh that presents itself that will 1883 01:15:12,919 --> 01:15:15,350 require us to develop uh additional 1884 01:15:15,359 --> 01:15:18,709 capabilities and , and , and also uh 1885 01:15:18,839 --> 01:15:21,279 work with allies and partners to 1886 01:15:21,290 --> 01:15:23,401 develop their capabilities so that uh 1887 01:15:23,401 --> 01:15:26,089 they can , they can uh you know , 1888 01:15:26,100 --> 01:15:28,100 control and protect their sovereign 1889 01:15:28,100 --> 01:15:30,322 space . So to answer your question , uh 1890 01:15:30,322 --> 01:15:32,580 I , I do believe that uh there are 1891 01:15:32,589 --> 01:15:34,811 always things that we can do better and 1892 01:15:34,811 --> 01:15:36,978 we will continue to focus on it . So , 1893 01:15:36,978 --> 01:15:39,950 thank you . Yeah . And 1894 01:15:40,540 --> 01:15:42,762 if I could , I would add is uh it's not 1895 01:15:42,762 --> 01:15:44,929 only as a second that we , we , we got 1896 01:15:44,929 --> 01:15:47,040 tremendous commanders , but it's also 1897 01:15:47,040 --> 01:15:49,207 the work that that happens between the 1898 01:15:49,207 --> 01:15:51,207 staffs uh between the joint staff , 1899 01:15:51,207 --> 01:15:53,484 between the staff at the south com and , 1900 01:15:53,484 --> 01:15:55,707 and no com to work in uh the next level 1901 01:15:55,707 --> 01:15:57,318 of detail and how things are 1902 01:15:57,318 --> 01:15:59,096 interconnected uh into flat net 1903 01:15:59,096 --> 01:16:01,207 communication and , and using some of 1904 01:16:01,207 --> 01:16:03,318 the uh uh digital tools we have uh to 1905 01:16:03,318 --> 01:16:05,540 be able to share information to , to uh 1906 01:16:05,540 --> 01:16:07,651 visualize . Uh And then also the last 1907 01:16:07,651 --> 01:16:06,759 thing I highlight is just the 1908 01:16:06,770 --> 01:16:08,714 relationships , relations with the 1909 01:16:08,714 --> 01:16:10,826 inter agency , but also relationships 1910 01:16:10,826 --> 01:16:12,937 with our uh our partners uh within uh 1911 01:16:12,937 --> 01:16:15,103 both the bank commands uh to get their 1912 01:16:15,103 --> 01:16:17,326 perspective as well , helps us to raise 1913 01:16:17,326 --> 01:16:19,159 our awareness and have those two 1914 01:16:19,159 --> 01:16:21,270 commands work better together . Yes , 1915 01:16:21,270 --> 01:16:21,069 sir , because we , we need to see 1916 01:16:21,080 --> 01:16:23,520 everything south of the , our border 1917 01:16:24,049 --> 01:16:26,430 together instead of two and , and they 1918 01:16:26,439 --> 01:16:28,550 both commanders are , are fantastic . 1919 01:16:28,550 --> 01:16:30,772 Uh We just wanna see if we could push a 1920 01:16:30,772 --> 01:16:32,970 little bit more uh on that . Uh I , I 1921 01:16:32,979 --> 01:16:34,757 would ask you also the unity of 1922 01:16:34,757 --> 01:16:38,020 government um is so important . Uh 1923 01:16:38,029 --> 01:16:41,399 China is just , you know , what they're 1924 01:16:41,410 --> 01:16:43,740 doing in Latin America . Uh They're in 1925 01:16:43,750 --> 01:16:46,020 almost every country . And last night , 1926 01:16:46,029 --> 01:16:47,918 somebody sent me a video uh and I 1927 01:16:47,918 --> 01:16:50,140 remember we had gone to El Salvador and 1928 01:16:50,140 --> 01:16:52,251 the new president at that time wanted 1929 01:16:52,251 --> 01:16:54,418 to work with us and said we , we wanna 1930 01:16:54,418 --> 01:16:56,640 keep China away and whatever happened , 1931 01:16:56,640 --> 01:16:58,529 our , our relationship with uh El 1932 01:16:58,529 --> 01:17:01,410 Salvador . Um you know , the , the 1933 01:17:01,419 --> 01:17:03,530 video that they were showing was this 1934 01:17:03,530 --> 01:17:05,950 brand new uh library and they were 1935 01:17:05,959 --> 01:17:07,959 showing off this new library as you 1936 01:17:07,959 --> 01:17:10,126 know , China gets involved . And right 1937 01:17:10,126 --> 01:17:11,848 next to him was the uh Chinese 1938 01:17:11,848 --> 01:17:14,070 ambassador . And some years ago when we 1939 01:17:14,070 --> 01:17:16,237 went to go see him at a Cold Dale , he 1940 01:17:16,237 --> 01:17:18,348 was trying to keep China , I guess he 1941 01:17:18,348 --> 01:17:20,515 felt that the US was not providing the 1942 01:17:20,515 --> 01:17:22,515 support and , and guess who's right 1943 01:17:22,515 --> 01:17:24,570 there with him ? And that I can name 1944 01:17:24,570 --> 01:17:24,129 country after country , you know what 1945 01:17:24,140 --> 01:17:26,479 they're doing uh down there . So , you 1946 01:17:26,490 --> 01:17:28,601 know , just showing up and I know you 1947 01:17:28,601 --> 01:17:30,768 all are doing that . We're working our 1948 01:17:30,768 --> 01:17:32,990 guard , also our state guard that , you 1949 01:17:32,990 --> 01:17:35,157 know , we have our relationships , but 1950 01:17:35,157 --> 01:17:37,268 I just wanna make sure we got so many 1951 01:17:37,268 --> 01:17:39,212 problems across the world , but we 1952 01:17:39,212 --> 01:17:41,268 cannot wake up one of these days and 1953 01:17:41,268 --> 01:17:43,434 right across our southern border , you 1954 01:17:43,434 --> 01:17:45,434 know , we see the uh you know , the 1955 01:17:45,434 --> 01:17:47,669 work that China and Russia uh to an 1956 01:17:47,680 --> 01:17:50,209 extent , but mainly uh China is doing 1957 01:17:50,220 --> 01:17:52,387 down there . So we appreciate that and 1958 01:17:52,387 --> 01:17:54,498 the focus that y'all can provide with 1959 01:17:54,498 --> 01:17:57,470 that uh uh to the point that you're 1960 01:17:57,479 --> 01:17:59,859 making , sir , I it , it does require 1961 01:17:59,870 --> 01:18:03,410 uh uh not only the uh um 1962 01:18:03,870 --> 01:18:06,037 tremendous efforts of the military but 1963 01:18:06,037 --> 01:18:08,370 also a whole of government approach and , 1964 01:18:08,370 --> 01:18:10,592 and so , you know , a few dollars spent 1965 01:18:10,592 --> 01:18:12,703 in the right places uh or invested in 1966 01:18:12,703 --> 01:18:14,814 the right places can certainly uh buy 1967 01:18:14,814 --> 01:18:18,450 us uh um credibility and goodwill uh 1968 01:18:18,459 --> 01:18:22,009 access that uh that uh that it's very 1969 01:18:22,020 --> 01:18:25,060 important to us and also display some 1970 01:18:25,069 --> 01:18:27,291 other elements that would want to enter 1971 01:18:27,291 --> 01:18:29,458 that space as well . Yes , sir . Thank 1972 01:18:29,458 --> 01:18:31,625 you . Thank you so much . I go back Mr 1973 01:18:31,625 --> 01:18:33,625 chair . Thank the gentleman . I , I 1974 01:18:33,625 --> 01:18:36,000 would point out to uh to Mr Co and , 1975 01:18:36,009 --> 01:18:39,330 and we share the same concern on 1976 01:18:39,339 --> 01:18:43,200 Mexico being in North com 1977 01:18:43,859 --> 01:18:46,009 decision of putting Israel into Cent 1978 01:18:46,089 --> 01:18:48,256 Con turned , I think to be the correct 1979 01:18:48,256 --> 01:18:50,609 decision , obviously , the coordinating 1980 01:18:50,620 --> 01:18:53,220 between Jordan UAE and other countries 1981 01:18:53,229 --> 01:18:55,720 within that region uh proved very 1982 01:18:55,729 --> 01:18:58,120 valuable uh during this last uh 1983 01:18:58,129 --> 01:19:00,240 encounter with Iran . I , I think the 1984 01:19:00,240 --> 01:19:02,240 same thing could happen if we could 1985 01:19:02,299 --> 01:19:04,466 work out some kind of agreement to put 1986 01:19:04,466 --> 01:19:07,310 uh Mexico into South Count uh with that 1987 01:19:07,319 --> 01:19:10,129 uh recognize Mr Carter . Uh Thank you 1988 01:19:10,140 --> 01:19:12,979 Mr Chairman and welcome uh very proud 1989 01:19:12,990 --> 01:19:15,350 of the service each of you give to our 1990 01:19:15,359 --> 01:19:18,580 country . Uh General Austin . I 1991 01:19:18,589 --> 01:19:21,209 understand you had a , a meeting with 1992 01:19:21,810 --> 01:19:25,500 the um prime Minister of , of , 1993 01:19:25,850 --> 01:19:28,072 of the Minister of National Defense for 1994 01:19:28,072 --> 01:19:31,049 the PR C our , our conversation at 1995 01:19:31,060 --> 01:19:34,549 least yesterday . Can you talk about 1996 01:19:34,560 --> 01:19:37,259 the call and hard and went ? Are there 1997 01:19:37,270 --> 01:19:39,899 plans to continue dialogues between our 1998 01:19:39,910 --> 01:19:42,100 militaries and what efforts are we 1999 01:19:42,109 --> 01:19:44,609 taking to address the unsafe risky 2000 01:19:44,620 --> 01:19:47,779 behaviors of the PR C military and 2001 01:19:47,790 --> 01:19:51,290 prevent conflict in the region ? Well , 2002 01:19:51,299 --> 01:19:53,600 thank you , sir . Um Th this is very 2003 01:19:53,609 --> 01:19:55,799 important to us . Uh And I , I think 2004 01:19:55,810 --> 01:19:58,189 we've seen across uh across our 2005 01:19:58,200 --> 01:20:00,256 governments . We've seen a number of 2006 01:20:00,256 --> 01:20:02,144 engagements over the past several 2007 01:20:02,144 --> 01:20:05,640 months , uh including uh um 2008 01:20:05,919 --> 01:20:08,410 Secretary of State Secretary Treasury , 2009 01:20:08,490 --> 01:20:11,779 uh my uh 2010 01:20:12,250 --> 01:20:15,970 the uh national Security Advisor . Uh 2011 01:20:16,000 --> 01:20:18,167 So , so we are engaging in a number of 2012 01:20:18,167 --> 01:20:20,222 levels . This is the first time that 2013 01:20:20,222 --> 01:20:23,259 I've had the opportunity uh to uh 2014 01:20:23,720 --> 01:20:25,839 engage the uh the new Minister of 2015 01:20:25,850 --> 01:20:27,906 Defense . And of course , uh its its 2016 01:20:27,906 --> 01:20:29,850 predecessor , we , we never had an 2017 01:20:29,850 --> 01:20:32,490 opportunity to uh uh to talk and that , 2018 01:20:32,500 --> 01:20:34,722 that was very disappointing even though 2019 01:20:34,722 --> 01:20:36,667 we reached out a number of times . 2020 01:20:36,667 --> 01:20:38,667 You've heard me say , sir , that uh 2021 01:20:38,667 --> 01:20:41,080 that I think it's critical that um uh 2022 01:20:41,089 --> 01:20:44,149 great powers uh continue to maintain 2023 01:20:44,160 --> 01:20:47,000 open lines of communication uh because 2024 01:20:47,009 --> 01:20:49,939 uh if we're operating in the same areas , 2025 01:20:49,950 --> 01:20:52,549 if , uh if , you know , there , there 2026 01:20:52,560 --> 01:20:54,727 are a number of things that can happen 2027 01:20:54,727 --> 01:20:56,560 that could quickly spiral out of 2028 01:20:56,560 --> 01:20:58,930 control . Uh and uh the inability to , 2029 01:20:58,939 --> 01:21:01,050 to talk to senior leadership and make 2030 01:21:01,050 --> 01:21:04,319 sure that , uh that , you know , we uh 2031 01:21:04,330 --> 01:21:07,319 have the ability to dial down tension . 2032 01:21:07,479 --> 01:21:09,646 Uh I , I think is , is really , really 2033 01:21:09,646 --> 01:21:11,479 important . So the , the initial 2034 01:21:11,479 --> 01:21:13,479 engagement I think was , was really 2035 01:21:13,479 --> 01:21:15,590 good and , and , and we spent an hour 2036 01:21:15,590 --> 01:21:17,757 talking to each other and , and uh and 2037 01:21:17,757 --> 01:21:19,868 I hope to uh to continue that at some 2038 01:21:19,868 --> 01:21:21,812 point in the , in the future . And 2039 01:21:21,812 --> 01:21:23,535 again , the things that we are 2040 01:21:23,535 --> 01:21:25,757 interested in is making sure that are , 2041 01:21:25,757 --> 01:21:28,629 are making sure that number one , we , 2042 01:21:28,970 --> 01:21:32,439 we dial back the uh the unsafe activity 2043 01:21:32,450 --> 01:21:34,589 that we see uh in the in the region , 2044 01:21:34,600 --> 01:21:36,822 you know , the unsafe intercepts of our 2045 01:21:36,822 --> 01:21:39,270 aircraft and , and ships and , and also 2046 01:21:39,500 --> 01:21:43,189 um the uh the aggressive behavior that 2047 01:21:43,200 --> 01:21:45,439 we see in the region against our allies 2048 01:21:45,450 --> 01:21:47,629 and partners . And good example is uh 2049 01:21:47,640 --> 01:21:49,751 what we just saw with the Philippines 2050 01:21:49,751 --> 01:21:51,970 there uh is in at the second time . Sh 2051 01:21:52,450 --> 01:21:55,689 So , um so we , we talk about a number 2052 01:21:55,700 --> 01:21:57,811 of things uh during that conversation 2053 01:21:57,811 --> 01:22:00,180 and , and uh it's been pretty widely 2054 01:22:00,189 --> 01:22:02,379 reported . Uh But uh but again , the 2055 01:22:02,390 --> 01:22:04,612 most , the most important thing to me , 2056 01:22:04,612 --> 01:22:06,668 sir is that , that dialogue is uh is 2057 01:22:06,668 --> 01:22:08,946 there uh those communication lines are , 2058 01:22:08,946 --> 01:22:10,890 are now opening up again and we're 2059 01:22:10,890 --> 01:22:13,112 gonna try to do everything we can uh to 2060 01:22:13,112 --> 01:22:16,500 maintain uh um those open lines of 2061 01:22:16,509 --> 01:22:20,200 communication . Uh Thank you for that . 2062 01:22:20,209 --> 01:22:23,970 Um Your , your , your budget is 2063 01:22:23,979 --> 01:22:27,009 based on strategy , strategy . The FY I 2064 01:22:27,020 --> 01:22:30,870 25 budget includes 9.9 billion 2065 01:22:31,129 --> 01:22:33,790 for the PD I . However , there , 2066 01:22:35,140 --> 01:22:36,862 our concern is that we are not 2067 01:22:36,862 --> 01:22:38,973 investing fast enough in the region . 2068 01:22:39,200 --> 01:22:41,144 How could we be moving faster with 2069 01:22:41,144 --> 01:22:44,029 investments in that region or do you 2070 01:22:44,040 --> 01:22:47,100 feel we're doing enough in our 2071 01:22:47,109 --> 01:22:49,359 investments we are making ? Are they 2072 01:22:49,370 --> 01:22:51,620 going to be enough to deter China ? 2073 01:22:52,029 --> 01:22:54,196 Thanks , sir . And then let me again , 2074 01:22:54,196 --> 01:22:56,196 thank you for your support over the 2075 01:22:56,196 --> 01:22:59,439 years . Uh uh For PD I um you , your 2076 01:22:59,450 --> 01:23:02,259 right sir . We're asking you for $9.1 2077 01:23:02,270 --> 01:23:05,600 billion in this uh uh 25 budget 2078 01:23:06,000 --> 01:23:07,944 over the last couple of years . Uh 2079 01:23:07,944 --> 01:23:11,330 We've asked you for uh some uh $20 2080 01:23:11,339 --> 01:23:13,640 billion plus in , in support of PD I , 2081 01:23:14,000 --> 01:23:16,222 we're investing in those things that uh 2082 01:23:16,222 --> 01:23:18,819 that we can uh that are achievable , 2083 01:23:18,830 --> 01:23:20,997 you know , things that we can , we can 2084 01:23:20,997 --> 01:23:23,108 actually uh uh accomplish in the , in 2085 01:23:23,108 --> 01:23:25,219 the , in the time period that uh that 2086 01:23:25,219 --> 01:23:27,386 we want to accomplish them in , in the 2087 01:23:27,386 --> 01:23:29,700 near term . So improving infrastructure 2088 01:23:29,790 --> 01:23:32,910 uh enabling our forces to be uh uh uh 2089 01:23:32,919 --> 01:23:35,890 forward position in theater . Uh making 2090 01:23:35,899 --> 01:23:38,629 sure that uh that we have the ability 2091 01:23:38,640 --> 01:23:41,790 to continue to uh conduct 2092 01:23:41,799 --> 01:23:45,029 exercises and , and , and uh and , and 2093 01:23:45,040 --> 01:23:46,984 invest in the right things . I , I 2094 01:23:46,984 --> 01:23:48,984 think , uh you know , there's all , 2095 01:23:48,984 --> 01:23:51,207 there are always things that uh that we 2096 01:23:51,207 --> 01:23:53,207 uh additional things that we can go 2097 01:23:53,207 --> 01:23:53,109 after . But I think we've made the 2098 01:23:53,120 --> 01:23:55,580 right choices uh in investing uh in 2099 01:23:55,589 --> 01:23:57,756 things that can , that we can actually 2100 01:23:57,756 --> 01:24:00,089 achieve here in the , in the near terms . 2101 01:24:01,270 --> 01:24:03,381 Well , thank you . I , I visited that 2102 01:24:03,381 --> 01:24:05,381 region once I'm gonna do it again , 2103 01:24:05,381 --> 01:24:08,759 probably in August . Uh I have real 2104 01:24:08,770 --> 01:24:10,881 concerns , so , thank you very much . 2105 01:24:12,890 --> 01:24:15,057 Thank you , gentlemen . I'd like to uh 2106 01:24:15,057 --> 01:24:17,279 briefly uh pause . Presidio , recognize 2107 01:24:17,279 --> 01:24:19,612 our newest member of the subcommittee's . 2108 01:24:19,612 --> 01:24:21,446 My friend from Tennessee . Chuck 2109 01:24:21,446 --> 01:24:23,612 Leishman just joined us . Chuck uh was 2110 01:24:23,612 --> 01:24:25,779 sharing his own hearing over an energy 2111 01:24:25,779 --> 01:24:27,779 and water subcomittee with the Army 2112 01:24:27,779 --> 01:24:27,569 Corps of Engineers this morning . Good 2113 01:24:27,580 --> 01:24:30,189 luck with them . So he couldn't be here 2114 01:24:30,200 --> 01:24:32,311 this morning . But uh Chuck , welcome 2115 01:24:32,311 --> 01:24:34,533 to the defense subcomittee . Pleased to 2116 01:24:34,899 --> 01:24:37,066 that the chairman Cole appointed you . 2117 01:24:37,066 --> 01:24:39,232 I look forward to benefiting from your 2118 01:24:39,232 --> 01:24:41,399 dedication and knowledge . Thank you , 2119 01:24:41,399 --> 01:24:43,566 Mr Chairman . Thank you that recognize 2120 01:24:43,566 --> 01:24:46,370 Mr Aguilar . Thank you , Chairman 2121 01:24:46,379 --> 01:24:49,620 Calvert . Uh Mr Secretary , many of us 2122 01:24:49,629 --> 01:24:51,685 in Congress are committed to passing 2123 01:24:51,685 --> 01:24:53,685 this national security supplemental 2124 01:24:53,685 --> 01:24:55,740 Ukraine , Israel Taiwan , giving our 2125 01:24:55,740 --> 01:24:57,740 allies the security assistance that 2126 01:24:57,740 --> 01:24:59,796 they need to combat the threats that 2127 01:24:59,796 --> 01:25:01,962 you've discussed posed by Russia , the 2128 01:25:01,962 --> 01:25:04,129 PR C and violent extremist actors that 2129 01:25:04,129 --> 01:25:06,240 threaten global peace and stability . 2130 01:25:06,240 --> 01:25:08,549 Uh We've been asking for this vote for 2131 01:25:08,560 --> 01:25:10,970 a number of months uh in light of what 2132 01:25:11,149 --> 01:25:13,260 uh the chairman of the full committee 2133 01:25:13,260 --> 01:25:15,750 said . Uh and I'd just like to offer uh 2134 01:25:15,759 --> 01:25:17,981 to the chairman of the full committee . 2135 01:25:17,981 --> 01:25:20,315 It's our , it's our , it's our hope and , 2136 01:25:20,315 --> 01:25:22,689 and our side genuinely uh hopes that uh 2137 01:25:22,700 --> 01:25:24,922 the , we have an opportunity to vote on 2138 01:25:24,922 --> 01:25:26,589 this this week and that other 2139 01:25:26,600 --> 01:25:29,870 extraneous uh pieces of this uh aren't 2140 01:25:29,879 --> 01:25:31,546 part of it . So from us speed 2141 01:25:31,546 --> 01:25:33,660 perspective , we can uh deliver this 2142 01:25:33,669 --> 01:25:36,049 aid as quickly and as soon as possible , 2143 01:25:36,060 --> 01:25:38,149 it would be unfortunate if that was 2144 01:25:38,160 --> 01:25:41,009 held up with uh other additional votes 2145 01:25:41,020 --> 01:25:43,910 uh that weren't germane to our national 2146 01:25:43,919 --> 01:25:46,086 security and the importance of helping 2147 01:25:46,086 --> 01:25:49,709 our allies . Uh General Cavoli told the 2148 01:25:49,720 --> 01:25:51,870 authorizer earlier this week in open 2149 01:25:51,879 --> 01:25:54,750 session that the side that can't shoot 2150 01:25:54,759 --> 01:25:58,490 back , loses . Um If Ukraine cannot 2151 01:25:58,500 --> 01:26:00,580 shoot back to take out drones , they 2152 01:26:00,589 --> 01:26:02,990 won't be able to hold the line . Uh And 2153 01:26:03,000 --> 01:26:05,839 Putin could be able to take more land . 2154 01:26:06,100 --> 01:26:08,450 The US is obviously the main supplier 2155 01:26:08,459 --> 01:26:10,859 of air defense and artillery shells . 2156 01:26:11,049 --> 01:26:13,216 Uh Mr Secretary , is it fair to say if 2157 01:26:13,216 --> 01:26:15,216 we don't pass the national security 2158 01:26:15,216 --> 01:26:17,560 funding um that we can't provide those 2159 01:26:17,569 --> 01:26:20,339 artillery shells to help combat Russia ? 2160 01:26:20,350 --> 01:26:21,961 And from a from a timeliness 2161 01:26:21,961 --> 01:26:24,183 perspective , can you put a finer point 2162 01:26:24,229 --> 01:26:27,810 on on what the next few weeks means for 2163 01:26:27,819 --> 01:26:29,041 our ally in Ukraine ? 2164 01:26:31,500 --> 01:26:34,600 Um You know what we've done uh is , is 2165 01:26:34,609 --> 01:26:38,479 try to invest in uh our 2166 01:26:38,490 --> 01:26:40,268 industrial base to increase our 2167 01:26:40,268 --> 01:26:42,529 capacity to produce , uh , you know , 2168 01:26:42,540 --> 01:26:44,600 artillery munitions and , and other 2169 01:26:44,609 --> 01:26:46,831 things . And so what we've asked for in 2170 01:26:46,831 --> 01:26:48,899 the supplemental , uh , uh , some of 2171 01:26:48,910 --> 01:26:50,970 that , uh , is , uh , is focused on 2172 01:26:50,979 --> 01:26:53,090 increasing capacity in the industrial 2173 01:26:53,090 --> 01:26:55,257 base . Uh And if we , if we fail to do 2174 01:26:55,257 --> 01:26:57,146 that , then it's , uh , it's very 2175 01:26:57,146 --> 01:26:59,423 difficult for us to keep pace with the , 2176 01:26:59,423 --> 01:27:01,646 with the requirements there . Um I , in 2177 01:27:01,646 --> 01:27:04,640 terms of , you know , what happens 2178 01:27:04,649 --> 01:27:06,871 going forward and , and , and , and how 2179 01:27:06,871 --> 01:27:09,629 long uh Ukraine will be able to sustain 2180 01:27:09,640 --> 01:27:12,129 its efforts . I , I think we're already 2181 01:27:12,140 --> 01:27:14,410 seeing things on the battlefield begin 2182 01:27:14,419 --> 01:27:17,750 to , to shift a bit in uh in terms of 2183 01:27:17,759 --> 01:27:20,450 uh uh in Russia's favor , we , we're 2184 01:27:20,459 --> 01:27:22,515 seeing them make incremental gains . 2185 01:27:22,515 --> 01:27:25,669 We're seeing uh the Ukrainians uh be 2186 01:27:25,680 --> 01:27:28,850 challenged in terms of main holding , 2187 01:27:28,859 --> 01:27:31,081 holding the line . They're doing a very 2188 01:27:31,081 --> 01:27:33,390 good job , a credible job . Uh But in 2189 01:27:33,399 --> 01:27:35,566 order to continue to do that , they're 2190 01:27:35,566 --> 01:27:37,621 gonna need , uh you know , the right 2191 01:27:37,621 --> 01:27:39,677 materials , the right uh munitions , 2192 01:27:39,677 --> 01:27:41,788 the weapons to uh uh to be able to do 2193 01:27:41,788 --> 01:27:43,899 that . So , uh passing this 2194 01:27:43,910 --> 01:27:45,966 supplemental is , is , is absolutely 2195 01:27:45,966 --> 01:27:48,430 critical and it , and our request is 2196 01:27:48,439 --> 01:27:50,700 that we pass it uh as quickly as 2197 01:27:50,709 --> 01:27:53,649 possible because uh time matters and uh 2198 01:27:54,000 --> 01:27:56,259 and Putin again is , is trying to 2199 01:27:56,270 --> 01:27:59,359 exploit uh this time period where there 2200 01:27:59,370 --> 01:28:02,000 is doubt created about the US resolve . 2201 01:28:02,979 --> 01:28:05,350 Thank you , Mr Secretary uh General . 2202 01:28:05,359 --> 01:28:07,279 Uh I wanted to give you um uh an 2203 01:28:07,290 --> 01:28:09,890 opportunity to kind of building off of 2204 01:28:09,899 --> 01:28:12,399 what , uh Judge Carter's question about , 2205 01:28:12,410 --> 01:28:15,310 uh the PD I . Um , uh aside from 2206 01:28:15,319 --> 01:28:17,097 obviously the importance of the 2207 01:28:17,097 --> 01:28:19,208 national security requests that we've 2208 01:28:19,208 --> 01:28:21,430 been talking about or pleased all of us 2209 01:28:21,430 --> 01:28:23,486 have been pleased to see the Pacific 2210 01:28:23,486 --> 01:28:23,060 deterrence initiative . Uh And the 2211 01:28:23,069 --> 01:28:25,790 European deterrence initiative um 2212 01:28:25,799 --> 01:28:27,910 contained within , here , within this 2213 01:28:27,910 --> 01:28:30,350 uh uh proposal . Can you elaborate on 2214 01:28:30,359 --> 01:28:32,509 the effectiveness uh and how the 2215 01:28:32,520 --> 01:28:34,589 department , uh and how you plan to 2216 01:28:34,600 --> 01:28:37,100 implement pounds to execute uh funding 2217 01:28:37,109 --> 01:28:40,729 for the PD I ? As the secretary 2218 01:28:40,740 --> 01:28:42,851 described , you know , the , the PD I 2219 01:28:42,851 --> 01:28:44,962 is gonna allow us to uh build out the 2220 01:28:44,962 --> 01:28:47,640 uh capability uh within the region and 2221 01:28:47,649 --> 01:28:50,129 uh so we can uh posture our forces . So 2222 01:28:50,140 --> 01:28:52,307 some of that's in mill con uh military 2223 01:28:52,307 --> 01:28:54,196 construction , some of it's in uh 2224 01:28:54,196 --> 01:28:56,307 weapons capability . Uh but it's also 2225 01:28:56,307 --> 01:28:58,196 things we can do to work with our 2226 01:28:58,196 --> 01:29:00,307 allies and partners . And uh I , I'll 2227 01:29:00,307 --> 01:29:02,362 just tell you the uh uh I was the uh 2228 01:29:02,362 --> 01:29:04,473 director of operations for the United 2229 01:29:04,473 --> 01:29:06,418 States Air Force in Europe . I got 2230 01:29:06,418 --> 01:29:05,520 through the week after the Russians 2231 01:29:05,529 --> 01:29:08,330 went into Crimea and watched how uh the 2232 01:29:08,339 --> 01:29:10,509 European defense initiative came about 2233 01:29:10,520 --> 01:29:12,879 to better posture ourselves for today's 2234 01:29:12,890 --> 01:29:15,057 current events . I think the PD I will 2235 01:29:15,057 --> 01:29:17,279 do the same thing um and ensuring we're 2236 01:29:17,279 --> 01:29:19,057 doing all the things to prepare 2237 01:29:19,057 --> 01:29:20,890 ourselves for a potential future 2238 01:29:20,890 --> 01:29:23,112 conflict . And the key goal there is to 2239 01:29:23,112 --> 01:29:25,279 be so good at what we do that we deter 2240 01:29:25,279 --> 01:29:27,446 a future conflict and this is where PD 2241 01:29:27,446 --> 01:29:26,529 I is gonna help us to be able to do 2242 01:29:26,540 --> 01:29:29,350 that . Thank you . Thank you . General 2243 01:29:29,589 --> 01:29:31,811 yield back , Mr Chairman . Well , we'll 2244 01:29:31,819 --> 01:29:33,729 all have a chance to vote on the 2245 01:29:34,060 --> 01:29:37,890 supplemental on Saturday night that Mr 2246 01:29:37,899 --> 01:29:40,359 Diaz bother . Thank you very much , Mr 2247 01:29:40,370 --> 01:29:42,537 Chairman and gentlemen , thank you for 2248 01:29:42,537 --> 01:29:44,537 your service . Uh I really have one 2249 01:29:44,537 --> 01:29:46,592 point and then two questions . Uh So 2250 01:29:46,592 --> 01:29:48,759 first point is that history is full of 2251 01:29:48,759 --> 01:29:50,481 dismal failures that are never 2252 01:29:50,481 --> 01:29:52,481 forgotten , you know , peace in our 2253 01:29:52,481 --> 01:29:55,700 time . Uh after Putin invades Georgia , 2254 01:29:55,709 --> 01:29:59,560 that infamous reset by the then Obama 2255 01:29:59,569 --> 01:30:02,970 Biden uh Clinton administration . And 2256 01:30:02,979 --> 01:30:04,979 then recently , Mr Secretary , I've 2257 01:30:04,979 --> 01:30:06,979 seen a very catchy word that's been 2258 01:30:06,979 --> 01:30:09,201 used to try to dissuade our adversaries 2259 01:30:09,201 --> 01:30:11,830 and Iran's proxies don't , don't , 2260 01:30:11,839 --> 01:30:13,950 don't , unfortunately , that has been 2261 01:30:13,950 --> 01:30:16,109 met by another , I guess our 2262 01:30:16,120 --> 01:30:18,120 adversaries have been using another 2263 01:30:18,120 --> 01:30:20,287 phrase which is just do it and they've 2264 01:30:20,287 --> 01:30:22,459 been doing it . It's pretty evident 2265 01:30:22,470 --> 01:30:24,779 that they feel that they can do so with 2266 01:30:24,790 --> 01:30:26,779 hardly any real consequences . So 2267 01:30:26,790 --> 01:30:28,901 here's the question . Uh And this may 2268 01:30:28,901 --> 01:30:31,189 require maybe a , a skiff to talk about 2269 01:30:31,200 --> 01:30:33,830 it . Uh The first question is , are 2270 01:30:33,839 --> 01:30:36,509 there gonna be serious consequences to 2271 01:30:36,520 --> 01:30:39,859 those who did not listen to all of the ? 2272 01:30:39,870 --> 01:30:42,020 Don't , don't , don't , don't words 2273 01:30:42,029 --> 01:30:44,140 from the administration and have done 2274 01:30:44,140 --> 01:30:46,140 it . And including , obviously , we 2275 01:30:46,140 --> 01:30:48,251 know that some of our GIS have died . 2276 01:30:48,251 --> 01:30:50,585 Question number one question number two . 2277 01:30:50,585 --> 01:30:52,585 Is this uh at present the , the the 2278 01:30:52,585 --> 01:30:54,640 current future years defense program 2279 01:30:54,640 --> 01:30:56,862 indicates that uh the Air Force Reserve 2280 01:30:56,862 --> 01:30:59,029 plans is to divest in the F-16 program 2281 01:30:59,029 --> 01:31:01,140 at Homestead Air Reserve Base through 2282 01:31:01,140 --> 01:31:03,779 2028 . I don't have to tell you all of 2283 01:31:03,790 --> 01:31:06,109 how China feels emboldened and they are 2284 01:31:06,120 --> 01:31:09,279 making strides in this hemisphere and 2285 01:31:09,290 --> 01:31:11,568 own hemisphere while they don't have a , 2286 01:31:11,568 --> 01:31:13,679 a base yet , they do have things that 2287 01:31:13,679 --> 01:31:15,790 are starting to look like bases , you 2288 01:31:15,790 --> 01:31:18,123 know , refer to Argentina as an example . 2289 01:31:18,123 --> 01:31:20,680 And so Homestead is the closest defense 2290 01:31:20,689 --> 01:31:23,000 against any p any potential future 2291 01:31:23,089 --> 01:31:25,479 hostile action . So , in light of this 2292 01:31:26,970 --> 01:31:29,229 divestiture plan , can you confirm 2293 01:31:29,240 --> 01:31:32,129 whether recap , recap , recap ? I can't 2294 01:31:32,140 --> 01:31:35,330 even say that recapitalization efforts 2295 01:31:35,339 --> 01:31:37,561 are being considered to ensure that the 2296 01:31:37,561 --> 01:31:39,450 continuity and enhancement of air 2297 01:31:39,450 --> 01:31:41,228 combat capabilities at this key 2298 01:31:41,228 --> 01:31:43,450 facility . Shouldn't we look at frankly 2299 01:31:43,450 --> 01:31:45,850 homestead mission with F-35s rather 2300 01:31:45,859 --> 01:31:47,915 than conti continuing with the older 2301 01:31:47,915 --> 01:31:51,459 F-16 uh post block upgrades again , uh 2302 01:31:51,560 --> 01:31:53,671 We use Homestead , we always think of 2303 01:31:53,671 --> 01:31:55,893 Homestead Air Reserve as a place that's 2304 01:31:55,893 --> 01:31:57,560 essential for emergencies for 2305 01:31:57,560 --> 01:31:59,560 hurricanes , et cetera . But I will 2306 01:31:59,560 --> 01:32:01,504 argue that when you look at what's 2307 01:32:01,504 --> 01:32:03,504 happening in this hemisphere , uh I 2308 01:32:03,504 --> 01:32:05,616 think we need to be a little bit more 2309 01:32:05,616 --> 01:32:07,782 concerned about what Russia China , et 2310 01:32:07,782 --> 01:32:07,459 cetera is doing in this hemisphere . So 2311 01:32:07,990 --> 01:32:09,939 two questions and I appreciate uh 2312 01:32:09,950 --> 01:32:13,520 hearing from you all . Um Thanks , sir . 2313 01:32:13,529 --> 01:32:15,640 Well , first of all , Homestead is an 2314 01:32:15,640 --> 01:32:17,779 important uh base because of its 2315 01:32:17,790 --> 01:32:20,779 location and it has uh you know , 2316 01:32:21,649 --> 01:32:24,419 gives us , uh , reach that , uh , that 2317 01:32:24,430 --> 01:32:26,709 I think is pretty important . And so 2318 01:32:26,720 --> 01:32:28,887 homestead is gonna , uh , the plan for 2319 01:32:28,887 --> 01:32:30,998 it is to be in the , in the , uh , in 2320 01:32:30,998 --> 01:32:33,220 the inventory for some time . So , uh , 2321 01:32:33,220 --> 01:32:35,387 if , if you're asking as to whether or 2322 01:32:35,387 --> 01:32:37,129 not we're , we're closing down 2323 01:32:37,140 --> 01:32:39,140 homestead , that the answer is no , 2324 01:32:39,140 --> 01:32:41,362 that's , uh , that's not in the current 2325 01:32:41,362 --> 01:32:43,473 class . Uh , and then , uh , I'll let 2326 01:32:43,473 --> 01:32:45,418 the Air Force speak to some of the 2327 01:32:45,418 --> 01:32:47,640 specifics there in terms about in terms 2328 01:32:47,640 --> 01:32:49,862 of what uh what's planned for the , for 2329 01:32:49,862 --> 01:32:52,770 the future , um regarding uh 2330 01:32:52,779 --> 01:32:55,209 consequences and what people have 2331 01:32:55,220 --> 01:32:58,310 learned from , uh from what's happened 2332 01:32:58,319 --> 01:33:00,208 here in the Middle East . Uh here 2333 01:33:00,208 --> 01:33:03,330 recently , um , you know , 2334 01:33:03,430 --> 01:33:05,669 Iran did launch a and 2335 01:33:07,250 --> 01:33:09,450 unprecedented attack against Israel 2336 01:33:09,459 --> 01:33:12,250 from its , from Iran with an 2337 01:33:12,259 --> 01:33:15,109 unprecedented number of weapons . What 2338 01:33:15,120 --> 01:33:17,669 it should learn from that is that uh 2339 01:33:17,680 --> 01:33:19,890 not only does Israel have the ability 2340 01:33:19,899 --> 01:33:21,955 to defend itself against significant 2341 01:33:21,955 --> 01:33:24,759 significant challenges , but it's all 2342 01:33:24,770 --> 01:33:28,729 its allies , principally the US has 2343 01:33:28,740 --> 01:33:31,209 significant capabilities as well . And , 2344 01:33:31,220 --> 01:33:33,442 and , and so what you saw come together 2345 01:33:33,442 --> 01:33:35,790 there in defense of uh , of Israel , I 2346 01:33:35,799 --> 01:33:38,021 think was , uh , was quite remarkable . 2347 01:33:38,021 --> 01:33:40,188 And again , that doesn't happen at the 2348 01:33:40,188 --> 01:33:42,410 11th hour . That that happens because , 2349 01:33:42,410 --> 01:33:44,521 uh , you know , countries are working 2350 01:33:44,521 --> 01:33:46,632 together , uh making sure that , that 2351 01:33:46,632 --> 01:33:48,466 we have the right procedures and 2352 01:33:48,466 --> 01:33:50,577 processes in place to enable us to do 2353 01:33:50,577 --> 01:33:52,799 that and the skill of our pilots uh and 2354 01:33:52,810 --> 01:33:54,754 the ability to pass information uh 2355 01:33:54,754 --> 01:33:57,680 between countries uh and , and share uh 2356 01:33:58,029 --> 01:34:00,209 uh insights on battle space . I think 2357 01:34:00,220 --> 01:34:02,276 all of that came together the way it 2358 01:34:02,276 --> 01:34:04,164 was supposed to come together and 2359 01:34:04,164 --> 01:34:06,220 General Carilla and others have been 2360 01:34:06,220 --> 01:34:08,276 working on this pro on this uh issue 2361 01:34:08,276 --> 01:34:10,387 for quite some time . And I think you 2362 01:34:10,387 --> 01:34:12,498 saw , you saw some of the uh outcomes 2363 01:34:12,498 --> 01:34:14,664 uh on , on Saturday , Saturday night . 2364 01:34:14,664 --> 01:34:16,776 But what Iran should learn is that uh 2365 01:34:16,776 --> 01:34:18,609 number one , they , they , their 2366 01:34:18,609 --> 01:34:21,310 assumptions are wrong . And , uh , and 2367 01:34:22,410 --> 01:34:24,632 you know , number two that , you know , 2368 01:34:24,632 --> 01:34:27,229 we're , we're gonna do what's necessary 2369 01:34:27,240 --> 01:34:29,462 to , to help in the defense of Israel . 2370 01:34:29,462 --> 01:34:31,573 Mr Secretary . I get that I'm running 2371 01:34:31,573 --> 01:34:33,629 out of time . But , but the key here 2372 01:34:33,629 --> 01:34:35,962 though is that the administration , you , 2373 01:34:35,962 --> 01:34:35,910 the president said , don't , don't , 2374 01:34:35,919 --> 01:34:38,086 don't , don't , don't to a number , it 2375 01:34:38,086 --> 01:34:40,308 wasn't just Iran , it was their , their 2376 01:34:40,308 --> 01:34:42,419 proxies and what they did is they did 2377 01:34:42,419 --> 01:34:44,475 did , did , did and what I'd like to 2378 01:34:44,475 --> 01:34:46,641 hear from you again , it probably this 2379 01:34:46,641 --> 01:34:48,752 may not be the , the place , what are 2380 01:34:48,752 --> 01:34:50,919 gonna be the specific consequences for 2381 01:34:50,919 --> 01:34:53,209 those who basically thumbed their nose 2382 01:34:53,220 --> 01:34:55,442 at the President , United States at you 2383 01:34:55,442 --> 01:34:57,664 and others in the administration . When 2384 01:34:57,664 --> 01:34:59,887 you said , don't , they , they said did 2385 01:34:59,887 --> 01:35:01,887 and I hope that we were able to see 2386 01:35:01,887 --> 01:35:03,776 some serious consequences because 2387 01:35:03,776 --> 01:35:06,129 otherwise with all due respect , just 2388 01:35:06,140 --> 01:35:08,307 like peace in our time , just like the 2389 01:35:08,307 --> 01:35:10,362 reset . That's gonna be one of those 2390 01:35:10,362 --> 01:35:12,609 words that will be uh kept for 2391 01:35:12,620 --> 01:35:15,640 history's sake . Uh As , as uh as 2392 01:35:15,649 --> 01:35:17,705 frankly a very sad joke . I'm out of 2393 01:35:17,705 --> 01:35:19,427 time . I yield back . Thanks , 2394 01:35:19,427 --> 01:35:22,299 gentlemen , Mr Kilmer . Thank you , 2395 01:35:22,310 --> 01:35:24,421 Chairman and thank you , Mr Secretary 2396 01:35:24,421 --> 01:35:26,643 for being with us . Uh Naval Hospital . 2397 01:35:26,643 --> 01:35:28,729 Bremerton in my district closed its 2398 01:35:28,740 --> 01:35:30,740 labor and delivery unit in April of 2399 01:35:30,740 --> 01:35:33,799 2022 as a result of the military health 2400 01:35:33,810 --> 01:35:35,970 system downsizing several military 2401 01:35:35,979 --> 01:35:37,979 treatment facility capabilities and 2402 01:35:37,979 --> 01:35:40,169 staff uh in my neck of the woods , the 2403 01:35:40,180 --> 01:35:42,319 local health care network has simply 2404 01:35:42,330 --> 01:35:44,386 been unable to manage the additional 2405 01:35:44,386 --> 01:35:46,497 patient load and it is unrealistic to 2406 01:35:46,497 --> 01:35:48,719 have our service members travel all the 2407 01:35:48,719 --> 01:35:50,830 way to Madigan Army Hospital which is 2408 01:35:50,830 --> 01:35:53,052 fif uh 43 miles away , not to mention , 2409 01:35:53,052 --> 01:35:55,120 um having to cross a toll bridge for 2410 01:35:55,129 --> 01:35:57,700 consistent general and maternal care uh 2411 01:35:57,709 --> 01:36:00,560 without continued pressure on DH A to 2412 01:36:00,569 --> 01:36:02,347 expedite reassigning additional 2413 01:36:02,347 --> 01:36:04,347 personnel to the naval hospital and 2414 01:36:04,347 --> 01:36:06,569 reopening the labor and delivery unit , 2415 01:36:06,569 --> 01:36:08,680 health care for our sailors and their 2416 01:36:08,680 --> 01:36:10,902 families will continue to deteriorate . 2417 01:36:10,902 --> 01:36:12,958 These shortages are unacceptable and 2418 01:36:12,958 --> 01:36:15,069 dangerous at a critical time when the 2419 01:36:15,069 --> 01:36:17,180 navy plans to expand its missions and 2420 01:36:17,180 --> 01:36:19,236 maintenance in the region . And when 2421 01:36:19,236 --> 01:36:20,958 the dod recently announced the 2422 01:36:20,958 --> 01:36:23,013 stabilization of the military health 2423 01:36:23,013 --> 01:36:22,819 system by bringing patients and 2424 01:36:22,830 --> 01:36:24,997 families from the heavily referred off 2425 01:36:24,997 --> 01:36:28,020 base providers back to understaffed IM 2426 01:36:28,069 --> 01:36:31,109 TFS with this in mind . Have you 2427 01:36:31,120 --> 01:36:32,842 discussed the impacts of these 2428 01:36:32,842 --> 01:36:34,787 personnel shortages on our sailors 2429 01:36:34,787 --> 01:36:38,759 readiness with DH A ? We we have sir 2430 01:36:38,770 --> 01:36:40,826 and we've also discussed it with the 2431 01:36:40,826 --> 01:36:42,992 services . Uh and uh to the point that 2432 01:36:42,992 --> 01:36:45,103 you're making , uh we , we do need to 2433 01:36:45,103 --> 01:36:47,770 make sure that we invest uh in , in uh 2434 01:36:47,779 --> 01:36:50,279 in he in our health care system by 2435 01:36:50,290 --> 01:36:52,729 making sure that we uh we have the 2436 01:36:52,740 --> 01:36:54,799 right personnel on board and then in 2437 01:36:54,810 --> 01:36:57,032 the right numbers to be able to provide 2438 01:36:57,032 --> 01:36:59,199 that service that our , our uh service 2439 01:36:59,199 --> 01:37:01,649 members and uh and families expect . So , 2440 01:37:01,660 --> 01:37:03,950 with that in mind , do you plan on 2441 01:37:03,959 --> 01:37:06,870 urging d hea to reassign personnel to 2442 01:37:06,879 --> 01:37:08,990 Naval Hospital , Bremerton to respond 2443 01:37:08,990 --> 01:37:11,450 to the significant degradation of care 2444 01:37:11,459 --> 01:37:13,292 in Kitsap County ? We're , we're 2445 01:37:13,292 --> 01:37:15,515 looking at rebalancing uh our footprint 2446 01:37:15,515 --> 01:37:17,626 across the board . Uh And of course , 2447 01:37:17,626 --> 01:37:19,848 that , that's a part of it . But uh but 2448 01:37:19,848 --> 01:37:22,015 we're taking a holistic look at this . 2449 01:37:22,015 --> 01:37:25,220 Um And as you know , we uh uh we , we 2450 01:37:25,229 --> 01:37:27,451 co complied with congressional guidance 2451 01:37:27,451 --> 01:37:29,562 in terms of uh consolidation and of , 2452 01:37:29,562 --> 01:37:31,896 of resources and that sort of stuff and , 2453 01:37:31,896 --> 01:37:34,118 but as we look at this and , and uh and 2454 01:37:34,259 --> 01:37:37,810 as we uh endeavor to make sure that our 2455 01:37:37,819 --> 01:37:39,930 families and our , and our troops and 2456 01:37:39,930 --> 01:37:42,152 our families are getting the right kind 2457 01:37:42,152 --> 01:37:44,486 of health care . Um It requires that we , 2458 01:37:44,486 --> 01:37:46,669 we rook some of the , some of the 2459 01:37:46,680 --> 01:37:48,850 assumptions and rook uh some of the uh 2460 01:37:49,209 --> 01:37:51,209 uh some of the manpower allocations 2461 01:37:51,209 --> 01:37:53,487 that we uh that we've made in the , in , 2462 01:37:53,487 --> 01:37:55,431 in the past and , and uh and we're 2463 01:37:55,431 --> 01:37:57,653 doing it , I am , I'm making a personal 2464 01:37:57,653 --> 01:37:59,876 plea that you look at this specifically 2465 01:37:59,876 --> 01:38:02,042 related Naval Hospital , Bremerton and 2466 01:38:02,042 --> 01:38:01,879 Labor , labor and Delivery . That I can 2467 01:38:01,890 --> 01:38:04,001 tell you stories that I've heard from 2468 01:38:04,001 --> 01:38:06,057 sailors and from their families that 2469 01:38:06,057 --> 01:38:08,279 are heartbreaking . And it , it is as a 2470 01:38:08,279 --> 01:38:10,279 consequence of these decisions that 2471 01:38:10,279 --> 01:38:12,279 have been made , I understand tough 2472 01:38:12,279 --> 01:38:14,501 decisions have to be made and sometimes 2473 01:38:14,501 --> 01:38:16,668 there's the wrong decisions and we can 2474 01:38:16,668 --> 01:38:16,419 make this right . Um I will tell you , 2475 01:38:16,430 --> 01:38:18,652 we're also working on a bill called the 2476 01:38:18,652 --> 01:38:20,763 Midwives Act , which would direct the 2477 01:38:20,763 --> 01:38:22,874 dod to establish a five year pilot to 2478 01:38:22,874 --> 01:38:24,874 evaluate the use of uh professional 2479 01:38:24,874 --> 01:38:26,986 midwives under the Tricare program to 2480 01:38:26,986 --> 01:38:29,319 help alleviate some of these challenges . 2481 01:38:29,319 --> 01:38:31,374 I hope that we can work with you and 2482 01:38:31,374 --> 01:38:33,208 your team um to secure that bill 2483 01:38:33,208 --> 01:38:35,263 through the NDA A this year and just 2484 01:38:35,263 --> 01:38:37,374 wanted you to be aware of it . By the 2485 01:38:37,374 --> 01:38:39,486 time I had left , I wanted to uh talk 2486 01:38:39,486 --> 01:38:41,319 to you about um our , our public 2487 01:38:41,319 --> 01:38:43,319 shipyards , uh obviously a critical 2488 01:38:43,319 --> 01:38:45,541 part of maintaining the readiness uh uh 2489 01:38:45,541 --> 01:38:47,430 of our submarines and our carrier 2490 01:38:47,430 --> 01:38:49,597 fleets . Um Puget Sound naval shipyard 2491 01:38:49,597 --> 01:38:51,819 is in my district . We've discussed the 2492 01:38:51,819 --> 01:38:51,470 importance of the shipyard 2493 01:38:51,479 --> 01:38:53,590 Infrastructure optimization program , 2494 01:38:53,680 --> 01:38:55,609 which is a multiyear multibillion 2495 01:38:55,620 --> 01:38:57,950 dollar effort to upgrade our um our 2496 01:38:57,959 --> 01:39:00,500 four public shipyards . Uh Puget uh 2497 01:39:00,509 --> 01:39:04,310 faced significant seismic risk and had 2498 01:39:04,319 --> 01:39:06,450 to go to work quickly to repair three 2499 01:39:06,459 --> 01:39:08,626 of the highest priority dry docks this 2500 01:39:08,626 --> 01:39:10,792 past year . My question for you is how 2501 01:39:10,792 --> 01:39:12,681 can Congress provide the resource 2502 01:39:12,681 --> 01:39:15,200 resources to ensure that the pi A 2503 01:39:15,259 --> 01:39:17,370 remains on track uh while also 2504 01:39:17,379 --> 01:39:20,149 addressing ongoing seismic mitigations . 2505 01:39:20,160 --> 01:39:22,160 And additionally , how close is the 2506 01:39:22,160 --> 01:39:24,589 Navy to a decision point on the , on 2507 01:39:24,600 --> 01:39:26,767 the construction of the multi dry dock 2508 01:39:26,767 --> 01:39:29,290 M two B two understanding how this is 2509 01:39:29,299 --> 01:39:31,410 gonna impact programming and planning 2510 01:39:31,410 --> 01:39:34,540 for the necessary work . Um Well , in 2511 01:39:34,549 --> 01:39:36,910 terms of what , what congress can do to 2512 01:39:36,919 --> 01:39:40,209 uh to help us uh um , stay on track . I , 2513 01:39:40,220 --> 01:39:42,276 I think we've already talked a great 2514 01:39:42,279 --> 01:39:44,501 deal about that and that is getting the 2515 01:39:44,501 --> 01:39:47,200 on time , uh , uh , appropriations . Uh , 2516 01:39:47,209 --> 01:39:49,153 e even though as you pointed out , 2517 01:39:49,153 --> 01:39:51,299 we've , we've invested , uh , we've 2518 01:39:51,310 --> 01:39:53,459 decided to invest billions of dollars 2519 01:39:53,470 --> 01:39:55,709 and toy up . Uh , it doesn't , it 2520 01:39:55,720 --> 01:39:57,720 doesn't matter unless you get those 2521 01:39:57,720 --> 01:39:59,776 appropriations on time and you can , 2522 01:39:59,776 --> 01:40:01,831 you can start the construction and , 2523 01:40:01,831 --> 01:40:01,479 and that sort of stuff , uh , in a 2524 01:40:01,490 --> 01:40:03,870 timely fashion . So your help in , in 2525 01:40:03,879 --> 01:40:06,046 supporting that , I think would , uh , 2526 01:40:06,046 --> 01:40:07,657 would , would be much , much 2527 01:40:07,657 --> 01:40:09,601 appreciated , uh , in terms of the 2528 01:40:09,601 --> 01:40:11,712 Navy's decision process , I'll , I'll 2529 01:40:11,712 --> 01:40:13,768 let the Navy speak to where they are 2530 01:40:13,768 --> 01:40:15,879 specifically and , and how close they 2531 01:40:15,879 --> 01:40:18,046 are to a decision and I'll , uh , I'll 2532 01:40:18,046 --> 01:40:20,212 make sure that , uh , se Secretary Del 2533 01:40:20,212 --> 01:40:22,435 Toro and his , uh , and his team , uh , 2534 01:40:22,435 --> 01:40:24,601 get up to brief you on , on where they 2535 01:40:24,601 --> 01:40:26,657 are . Ok . Uh Thank you , Mr Seman . 2536 01:40:26,657 --> 01:40:28,601 Thank you , Chairman . I go back . 2537 01:40:28,601 --> 01:40:30,879 Thank you , gentlemen , Mr Joyce . Hey , 2538 01:40:30,879 --> 01:40:33,101 Mr Chairman , gentlemen . Thank you for 2539 01:40:33,101 --> 01:40:35,157 being here today . Secretary A , I'd 2540 01:40:35,157 --> 01:40:37,323 like to follow up a little bit on what 2541 01:40:37,323 --> 01:40:39,490 uh my colleague , uh Mr Womack brought 2542 01:40:39,490 --> 01:40:41,601 up before and just wondering what are 2543 01:40:41,601 --> 01:40:43,768 the current industrial capacity limits 2544 01:40:43,768 --> 01:40:46,101 for producing key weapons and equipment , 2545 01:40:46,101 --> 01:40:48,268 including precision guided munitions ? 2546 01:40:48,268 --> 01:40:50,101 And how quickly could industrial 2547 01:40:50,101 --> 01:40:52,212 capacity for producing key weapons in 2548 01:40:52,212 --> 01:40:53,879 that equipment be increased ? 2549 01:40:55,870 --> 01:40:58,609 Um I clearly um 2550 01:41:00,009 --> 01:41:02,120 that there are limits and each , each 2551 01:41:02,120 --> 01:41:04,660 line of uh each munition , each weapon 2552 01:41:04,669 --> 01:41:08,669 system uh is , is different . Um And we 2553 01:41:08,680 --> 01:41:10,680 have worked with indus industry for 2554 01:41:10,680 --> 01:41:13,310 those on those critical items , things 2555 01:41:13,319 --> 01:41:16,740 like javelin , um artillery 2556 01:41:16,750 --> 01:41:20,270 munitions or artillery pieces um 2557 01:41:20,509 --> 01:41:24,020 to , to expand capacity and uh and to 2558 01:41:24,160 --> 01:41:26,490 increase production rate uh as rapidly 2559 01:41:26,500 --> 01:41:29,120 as possible . Um Because of a number of 2560 01:41:29,129 --> 01:41:31,407 challenges , this is not instantaneous . 2561 01:41:31,549 --> 01:41:33,605 Uh And there are some , some uh some 2562 01:41:33,605 --> 01:41:35,716 clear lessons learned here . Uh If we 2563 01:41:35,716 --> 01:41:38,009 wanna be able to expand rapidly in the 2564 01:41:38,020 --> 01:41:40,187 future , we need to , we need to think 2565 01:41:40,187 --> 01:41:42,339 about um how we're doing things and 2566 01:41:42,350 --> 01:41:44,859 whether or not there are , there are uh 2567 01:41:44,870 --> 01:41:47,979 certain processes in the overall system 2568 01:41:47,990 --> 01:41:50,529 that we can compress uh there . Uh you 2569 01:41:50,540 --> 01:41:52,651 know , uh where there are things that 2570 01:41:52,651 --> 01:41:54,720 we can buy ahead to uh to be able to 2571 01:41:54,729 --> 01:41:57,060 have on hand so that we can rapidly uh 2572 01:41:57,069 --> 01:41:59,580 uh expand production . Those are the 2573 01:41:59,589 --> 01:42:01,811 kinds of things that we're working with 2574 01:42:01,811 --> 01:42:04,580 industry on . But uh it will vary by uh 2575 01:42:04,589 --> 01:42:08,560 uh by munition and by weapon system but 2576 01:42:08,569 --> 01:42:10,990 uh you know what you've done in terms 2577 01:42:11,000 --> 01:42:14,169 of providing us um um 2578 01:42:15,770 --> 01:42:17,714 additional Procurement Authority , 2579 01:42:17,714 --> 01:42:19,881 Multiyear Procurement Authority . It , 2580 01:42:19,881 --> 01:42:21,992 it has been very , very helpful in in 2581 01:42:21,992 --> 01:42:23,770 sending the right signal to the 2582 01:42:23,770 --> 01:42:25,992 industrial base . Uh And uh and again , 2583 01:42:25,992 --> 01:42:28,159 I think uh we're gonna need support uh 2584 01:42:28,159 --> 01:42:30,270 that support that's uh baked into the 2585 01:42:30,270 --> 01:42:32,470 supplemental uh to be able to continue 2586 01:42:32,479 --> 01:42:34,870 our work in expanding uh the uh the 2587 01:42:34,879 --> 01:42:36,935 industrial base cap capacity there . 2588 01:42:37,009 --> 01:42:39,370 But it is critical . Uh this is work 2589 01:42:39,379 --> 01:42:42,109 that uh me and my uh acquisition and 2590 01:42:42,120 --> 01:42:44,680 sustainment uh uh under secretary are 2591 01:42:44,689 --> 01:42:47,149 focused on uh routinely . Uh And we're 2592 01:42:47,160 --> 01:42:49,271 also working with allies and partners 2593 01:42:49,271 --> 01:42:51,438 to get them to expand their industrial 2594 01:42:51,438 --> 01:42:54,060 base as well . Uh You know , our uh 2595 01:42:54,520 --> 01:42:56,810 acquis acquisition and sustainment 2596 01:42:56,819 --> 01:42:59,160 under secretary uh meets with routinely 2597 01:42:59,169 --> 01:43:02,430 with uh European . Uh uh it , its 2598 01:43:02,439 --> 01:43:04,500 European counterparts to talk over 2599 01:43:04,509 --> 01:43:06,398 issues of , you know , how we can 2600 01:43:06,398 --> 01:43:08,509 consolidate efforts and uh and expand 2601 01:43:08,509 --> 01:43:11,279 uh expand lines of uh of uh production 2602 01:43:11,290 --> 01:43:13,179 and that sort of stuff and that's 2603 01:43:13,179 --> 01:43:15,290 having some effect . But again , it's 2604 01:43:15,290 --> 01:43:17,290 not instantaneous , it's gonna take 2605 01:43:17,290 --> 01:43:19,457 time . Thank you . And certainly as we 2606 01:43:19,457 --> 01:43:21,512 deplete our uh resources to help our 2607 01:43:21,512 --> 01:43:23,623 allies , we want to make sure we have 2608 01:43:23,623 --> 01:43:25,790 our uh uh that readiness available for 2609 01:43:25,790 --> 01:43:27,901 you at all times . Uh General Brown , 2610 01:43:27,901 --> 01:43:30,179 what's been taking place over in China ? 2611 01:43:30,179 --> 01:43:32,179 We continue to see them continue to 2612 01:43:32,179 --> 01:43:34,401 make illegal and illegitimate sovereign 2613 01:43:34,401 --> 01:43:34,240 claims over maritime areas in 2614 01:43:34,250 --> 01:43:36,439 autonomous regions . In the South and 2615 01:43:36,450 --> 01:43:38,561 East China seas . China is conducting 2616 01:43:38,561 --> 01:43:40,720 island building campaigns to expand 2617 01:43:40,729 --> 01:43:42,673 their exclusive economic zones and 2618 01:43:42,673 --> 01:43:44,840 they've militarized those islands with 2619 01:43:44,840 --> 01:43:46,896 new ports , airstrips , uh bunkers , 2620 01:43:46,896 --> 01:43:48,673 radars and jamming stations are 2621 01:43:48,673 --> 01:43:50,785 deploying advanced anti ship and anti 2622 01:43:50,785 --> 01:43:53,007 aircraft missiles . How are you working 2623 01:43:53,007 --> 01:43:55,229 in concert with our allies and partners 2624 01:43:55,229 --> 01:43:57,396 to counter China's continual steps and 2625 01:43:57,396 --> 01:43:59,451 to acquire an increasing presence in 2626 01:43:59,451 --> 01:44:01,618 areas where they have no legitimate or 2627 01:44:01,618 --> 01:44:03,673 legal claim . Oh The uh the best way 2628 01:44:03,673 --> 01:44:05,729 for us to do this is challenge those 2629 01:44:05,729 --> 01:44:07,840 claims and it's the uh the operations 2630 01:44:07,840 --> 01:44:10,062 we do uh throughout the uh uh the South 2631 01:44:10,062 --> 01:44:12,229 China Sea , the East China Sea with uh 2632 01:44:12,229 --> 01:44:11,810 many of our allies and partners . A 2633 01:44:12,009 --> 01:44:13,898 good example of that is uh how we 2634 01:44:13,898 --> 01:44:16,120 support the Philippines and uh resupply 2635 01:44:16,120 --> 01:44:18,231 the second Thomas Shoal . Um it's the 2636 01:44:18,231 --> 01:44:20,176 uh air operations and the maritime 2637 01:44:20,176 --> 01:44:22,231 operations we do uh throughout the , 2638 01:44:22,231 --> 01:44:24,398 the region . I would also highlight to 2639 01:44:24,398 --> 01:44:26,176 you uh having spent time as the 2640 01:44:26,176 --> 01:44:28,176 Commander Pacific Air Forces um and 2641 01:44:28,176 --> 01:44:30,176 watched over the past uh really six 2642 01:44:30,176 --> 01:44:32,549 years . Uh the growing strength of our 2643 01:44:32,560 --> 01:44:34,616 partnerships with many of our allies 2644 01:44:34,616 --> 01:44:36,449 and partners and uh how they are 2645 01:44:36,449 --> 01:44:38,227 adjusting their visions , their 2646 01:44:38,227 --> 01:44:40,338 strategies and their national defense 2647 01:44:40,338 --> 01:44:42,338 strategies uh to line uh to counter 2648 01:44:42,338 --> 01:44:44,504 what the PR C is doing in the region . 2649 01:44:44,504 --> 01:44:46,560 And uh all that together is one is a 2650 01:44:46,560 --> 01:44:48,616 way for us to push back and it's not 2651 01:44:48,616 --> 01:44:50,671 only what we do from a uh a military 2652 01:44:50,671 --> 01:44:52,838 standpoint , but also with the rest of 2653 01:44:52,838 --> 01:44:52,669 our , our government and other 2654 01:44:52,680 --> 01:44:54,458 governments uh from an economic 2655 01:44:54,458 --> 01:44:56,569 standpoint and how that plays into uh 2656 01:44:56,569 --> 01:44:58,791 to counter what the uh what the PR C is 2657 01:44:58,791 --> 01:45:00,736 doing in the , in that part of the 2658 01:45:00,736 --> 01:45:02,902 world . Uh Thank you . Are you back Mr 2659 01:45:02,902 --> 01:45:06,450 Chair ? I thank the Gentleman Mr Case . 2660 01:45:07,430 --> 01:45:10,450 Thank you . Um Mr Secretary . Um I I 2661 01:45:10,459 --> 01:45:13,290 appreciated the um dialogue you had 2662 01:45:13,299 --> 01:45:15,188 with my colleagues earlier on the 2663 01:45:15,188 --> 01:45:17,243 Pacific Deterrence initiative . I've 2664 01:45:17,243 --> 01:45:19,021 been asking uh questions in our 2665 01:45:19,021 --> 01:45:21,188 hearings uh this year to try to figure 2666 01:45:21,188 --> 01:45:23,243 out what PD I actually means . And I 2667 01:45:23,243 --> 01:45:22,759 have to admit , I'm a little more 2668 01:45:22,770 --> 01:45:25,540 confused than when I started . Um If it 2669 01:45:25,549 --> 01:45:29,470 is , if it is uh if it is meant um as a 2670 01:45:29,810 --> 01:45:33,600 um itemization of uh or a confirmation 2671 01:45:33,609 --> 01:45:35,810 of focus on , on China in the , in the 2672 01:45:35,819 --> 01:45:39,330 Pacific , um clearly 9.9 billion is not 2673 01:45:39,339 --> 01:45:41,395 that . So it's , it's not , it's not 2674 01:45:41,395 --> 01:45:43,450 supposed to be a summary of how good 2675 01:45:43,450 --> 01:45:45,283 we're doing in terms of a budget 2676 01:45:45,283 --> 01:45:47,450 against the China threat and our , our 2677 01:45:47,450 --> 01:45:49,672 big picture response , if it's meant to 2678 01:45:49,672 --> 01:45:51,783 be kind of a , a more of a of a short 2679 01:45:51,783 --> 01:45:53,839 term laundry list for things that we 2680 01:45:53,839 --> 01:45:56,006 need , isolated things that we need to 2681 01:45:56,006 --> 01:45:58,172 be doing in conjunction with ancillary 2682 01:45:58,172 --> 01:46:00,283 to a specific uh part of our budget . 2683 01:46:00,283 --> 01:46:02,283 Um I can understand that but when I 2684 01:46:02,283 --> 01:46:04,283 take a look at the PD I list that , 2685 01:46:04,283 --> 01:46:06,506 that we have for this year . Uh clearly 2686 01:46:06,506 --> 01:46:06,020 some things I think fit into that 2687 01:46:06,029 --> 01:46:08,196 category but others , for example , we 2688 01:46:08,270 --> 01:46:11,359 weapons um acquisition . Uh It seems to 2689 01:46:11,370 --> 01:46:13,370 me should be kind of more of a base 2690 01:46:13,370 --> 01:46:15,537 budget as opposed to PD I quantified . 2691 01:46:15,537 --> 01:46:17,770 So , um it's not , it's not necessarily 2692 01:46:17,779 --> 01:46:19,835 a question , just an observation and 2693 01:46:19,835 --> 01:46:22,168 I'm not sure what it means nowadays and , 2694 01:46:22,168 --> 01:46:24,335 and I'd love to work with , you know , 2695 01:46:24,335 --> 01:46:26,501 we've had some uh answers have been to 2696 01:46:26,501 --> 01:46:28,612 the effect of uh well , um you know , 2697 01:46:28,612 --> 01:46:28,000 it can mean a lot of things to a lot of 2698 01:46:28,009 --> 01:46:30,231 people . It's accounting . Um If it had 2699 01:46:30,231 --> 01:46:32,370 an OK style component to it , uh If 2700 01:46:32,379 --> 01:46:34,546 there was more flexibility in the , in 2701 01:46:34,546 --> 01:46:36,768 the , in the Pacific region to apply it 2702 01:46:36,768 --> 01:46:38,879 to things like campaigning , maybe it 2703 01:46:38,879 --> 01:46:38,850 would work better . But I think it's a 2704 01:46:39,149 --> 01:46:41,316 kind of a work in progress and I'm not 2705 01:46:41,316 --> 01:46:43,427 sure it's exactly matching what we're 2706 01:46:43,427 --> 01:46:45,593 trying to achieve . Um But that's more 2707 01:46:45,593 --> 01:46:47,760 of a rhetorical statement . Uh My , my 2708 01:46:47,760 --> 01:46:49,760 question has to do with this , with 2709 01:46:49,760 --> 01:46:51,649 this comment . I , I think we all 2710 01:46:51,649 --> 01:46:53,871 realize in spades that whether wherever 2711 01:46:53,871 --> 01:46:55,982 in the world it is , we , we can't do 2712 01:46:55,982 --> 01:46:58,316 this alone , we shouldn't do this alone . 2713 01:46:58,316 --> 01:46:57,959 We , we , we're not going to do this 2714 01:46:57,970 --> 01:47:00,137 alone and we need to have our partners 2715 01:47:00,137 --> 01:47:02,248 and allies uh be full contributors uh 2716 01:47:02,248 --> 01:47:04,414 along the way , uh full participants . 2717 01:47:04,414 --> 01:47:06,581 Uh We certainly have seen this in , in 2718 01:47:06,581 --> 01:47:08,470 Europe as you pointed out in your 2719 01:47:08,470 --> 01:47:10,581 opening statements . And we've seen a 2720 01:47:10,581 --> 01:47:12,748 real increase in , in the Indo Pacific 2721 01:47:12,748 --> 01:47:14,970 as well . Um And an important component 2722 01:47:14,970 --> 01:47:17,081 of that . I think we would both agree 2723 01:47:17,081 --> 01:47:19,303 is I guess what we euphemistically call 2724 01:47:19,303 --> 01:47:21,414 campaigning . So the sum total of the 2725 01:47:21,414 --> 01:47:23,637 connections that we develop with , with 2726 01:47:23,637 --> 01:47:23,604 other militaries uh throughout the 2727 01:47:23,615 --> 01:47:25,559 region , throughout the world . Uh 2728 01:47:25,559 --> 01:47:27,059 joint training exercises , 2729 01:47:27,059 --> 01:47:29,171 interoperability that whole range . I 2730 01:47:29,171 --> 01:47:31,393 wondered if you might just give some um 2731 01:47:31,393 --> 01:47:33,654 uh comment to how that's going with 2732 01:47:33,665 --> 01:47:35,554 specific regard to the end of the 2733 01:47:35,554 --> 01:47:38,174 Pacific uh where we clearly have uh 2734 01:47:38,185 --> 01:47:40,495 needs uh with uh key allies such as 2735 01:47:40,504 --> 01:47:42,615 Japan and Korea and the Philippines , 2736 01:47:42,615 --> 01:47:44,782 of course , here this week , Australia 2737 01:47:44,782 --> 01:47:47,004 and New Zealand and beyond . But also , 2738 01:47:47,004 --> 01:47:49,060 um I was concerned with whether this 2739 01:47:49,060 --> 01:47:51,580 budget does give sufficient attention 2740 01:47:51,859 --> 01:47:54,450 uh to the overall um area of , of 2741 01:47:54,459 --> 01:47:56,403 connections between our military , 2742 01:47:56,403 --> 01:47:58,292 strengthening those uh bonds , uh 2743 01:47:58,299 --> 01:48:00,521 giving them the , the , the resources , 2744 01:48:00,521 --> 01:48:02,410 the tools , the training , um the 2745 01:48:02,410 --> 01:48:04,950 incentives to undertake a greater share 2746 01:48:04,959 --> 01:48:07,181 of , of the overall defense . I , I did 2747 01:48:07,181 --> 01:48:09,292 note that , for example , in indo pay 2748 01:48:09,292 --> 01:48:11,292 com's unfunded priorities , um they 2749 01:48:11,292 --> 01:48:13,070 came in one of their highest uh 2750 01:48:13,070 --> 01:48:15,126 unfunded priorities was about half a 2751 01:48:15,126 --> 01:48:17,348 billion for campaigning . So I , I just 2752 01:48:17,348 --> 01:48:19,292 wondered if that's how into paycom 2753 01:48:19,292 --> 01:48:21,292 feels about campaigning and I value 2754 01:48:21,292 --> 01:48:23,403 their , their input . Why didn't that 2755 01:48:23,403 --> 01:48:25,681 get into the base budget or , you know , 2756 01:48:25,681 --> 01:48:27,792 where does campaigning stack up ? How 2757 01:48:27,792 --> 01:48:29,959 do you think it's going and how do you 2758 01:48:29,959 --> 01:48:32,292 think we fund it properly ? I think sir , 2759 01:48:32,292 --> 01:48:34,515 as the chairman indicated earlier , you 2760 01:48:34,515 --> 01:48:37,740 know , uh um these uh 2761 01:48:38,029 --> 01:48:40,740 operations and exercises are , are 2762 01:48:40,750 --> 01:48:42,806 fundamental to our readiness and you 2763 01:48:42,806 --> 01:48:46,109 see us investing some $147 billion into 2764 01:48:46,120 --> 01:48:48,231 readiness . That's a decision that we 2765 01:48:48,231 --> 01:48:50,819 made um in light of the fact that uh 2766 01:48:50,830 --> 01:48:53,163 there is a cap on the , on the top line . 2767 01:48:53,399 --> 01:48:56,020 Uh So we , we chose to invest in , in , 2768 01:48:56,029 --> 01:48:58,660 in readiness uh and uh and some 2769 01:48:58,669 --> 01:49:00,780 modernization and also taking care of 2770 01:49:00,780 --> 01:49:03,109 our people uh in terms of the kinds of 2771 01:49:03,120 --> 01:49:05,342 things that we're doing in the region , 2772 01:49:05,342 --> 01:49:07,453 you live in a region . So you , you , 2773 01:49:07,453 --> 01:49:09,787 you're witnessing this , this firsthand , 2774 01:49:09,787 --> 01:49:11,953 we probably have the best relationship 2775 01:49:11,953 --> 01:49:13,953 that we've had with Japan in , in a 2776 01:49:13,953 --> 01:49:16,009 very , very long time . We see Japan 2777 01:49:16,009 --> 01:49:18,120 investing in a significant way in its 2778 01:49:18,120 --> 01:49:20,287 own defense . Uh We see them investing 2779 01:49:20,287 --> 01:49:22,700 in uh in a long range strike and , and , 2780 01:49:22,709 --> 01:49:24,709 and other things and uh and they're 2781 01:49:24,709 --> 01:49:26,653 looking to work with us to coro uh 2782 01:49:26,653 --> 01:49:30,040 certain uh certain items . Uh We have a 2783 01:49:30,319 --> 01:49:33,200 uh a great relationship and uh with uh 2784 01:49:33,299 --> 01:49:35,569 with the Republic of Korea and we're 2785 01:49:35,580 --> 01:49:37,819 working with the rok and Japan in a 2786 01:49:37,830 --> 01:49:40,439 trilateral fashion to ensure that we 2787 01:49:40,450 --> 01:49:43,370 can share uh um uh uh 2788 01:49:43,740 --> 01:49:46,209 missile uh ear early warning data . Uh 2789 01:49:46,220 --> 01:49:48,770 uh uh And uh and that's going really , 2790 01:49:48,779 --> 01:49:51,330 really well and we saw recently two 2791 01:49:51,339 --> 01:49:53,450 leaders of , of those countries uh uh 2792 01:49:53,569 --> 01:49:55,625 conduct a summit with the , with the 2793 01:49:55,625 --> 01:49:57,736 president here in the United States , 2794 01:49:57,736 --> 01:50:00,009 the Philippines uh three years ago , uh 2795 01:50:00,020 --> 01:50:02,049 the Philippines , uh we were about 2796 01:50:02,060 --> 01:50:05,569 ready to uh uh to , to decide to , to 2797 01:50:05,580 --> 01:50:09,350 not uh uh not , not uh 2798 01:50:09,930 --> 01:50:12,152 allow our troops to uh to remain in the 2799 01:50:12,152 --> 01:50:14,569 Philippines . Uh You fast forward to 2800 01:50:14,580 --> 01:50:17,259 today . Uh And , and we have uh 2801 01:50:17,270 --> 01:50:19,437 probably one of the best relationships 2802 01:50:19,437 --> 01:50:21,659 with the Philippines that we've seen in 2803 01:50:21,659 --> 01:50:23,826 a , in a long time . Uh And uh we just 2804 01:50:23,826 --> 01:50:25,992 had uh President Marcos here and , and 2805 01:50:25,992 --> 01:50:29,120 uh uh again , we opened up four new 2806 01:50:29,129 --> 01:50:31,296 sites where our military can work with 2807 01:50:31,296 --> 01:50:33,518 his military on a number of issues . Uh 2808 01:50:33,518 --> 01:50:35,740 And those sites are in addition to what 2809 01:50:35,740 --> 01:50:38,529 uh what we already had uh Australia a 2810 01:50:38,540 --> 01:50:40,399 generation , we , we just uh 2811 01:50:42,399 --> 01:50:44,060 you know , put in play a , a 2812 01:50:44,069 --> 01:50:48,040 generational uh initiative here that uh 2813 01:50:48,049 --> 01:50:50,105 that I think uh is gonna continue to 2814 01:50:50,105 --> 01:50:52,779 provide uh tremendous capability to our , 2815 01:50:52,790 --> 01:50:54,957 our allies in the region . And to us , 2816 01:50:54,957 --> 01:50:56,901 quite frankly , this is the office 2817 01:50:56,901 --> 01:50:59,020 initiative . Uh Again , this provides 2818 01:50:59,029 --> 01:51:01,939 uh uh Australia with a nuclear powered , 2819 01:51:01,950 --> 01:51:03,672 conventionally armed submarine 2820 01:51:03,672 --> 01:51:06,500 capability will take years to uh to uh 2821 01:51:06,509 --> 01:51:08,731 to put all the things in place . But uh 2822 01:51:08,731 --> 01:51:10,709 we are moving out and uh and , and 2823 01:51:10,720 --> 01:51:12,498 that's , that's , that , that's 2824 01:51:12,498 --> 01:51:14,689 progressing very , very well . And uh 2825 01:51:14,700 --> 01:51:16,700 and we're also working with uh with 2826 01:51:16,700 --> 01:51:19,000 Australia to do uh a number of things 2827 01:51:19,009 --> 01:51:21,580 in terms of uh potentially uh co 2828 01:51:21,779 --> 01:51:24,169 producing a long range strike and , and 2829 01:51:24,180 --> 01:51:27,939 some other things , uh India , we have , 2830 01:51:27,950 --> 01:51:30,220 uh you know , a great relationship with 2831 01:51:30,229 --> 01:51:33,930 India . We recently uh uh have 2832 01:51:33,939 --> 01:51:37,529 enabled India to uh to produce uh jet 2833 01:51:37,540 --> 01:51:40,419 weapon uh jet engine in uh in India . 2834 01:51:40,640 --> 01:51:42,770 And uh that's , that's kind of 2835 01:51:42,779 --> 01:51:44,899 revolutionary . That's uh and that'll 2836 01:51:44,910 --> 01:51:47,509 provide a great capability uh to , to 2837 01:51:47,520 --> 01:51:50,910 them . And , and um we , we're also 2838 01:51:50,919 --> 01:51:53,959 producing a uh coro a , an armored 2839 01:51:53,970 --> 01:51:56,169 vehicle with India . So all of these 2840 01:51:56,180 --> 01:51:58,310 things when you add them up , uh are 2841 01:51:58,319 --> 01:52:00,375 probably more than that , than we've 2842 01:52:00,375 --> 01:52:02,708 seen uh happen in that region in a very , 2843 01:52:02,708 --> 01:52:04,541 very long time . And they all uh 2844 01:52:04,541 --> 01:52:06,859 promote uh interoperability and they 2845 01:52:06,870 --> 01:52:10,629 all uh help to uh uh to increase 2846 01:52:10,640 --> 01:52:12,470 um um 2847 01:52:14,649 --> 01:52:16,593 uh you know , our , our ability to 2848 01:52:16,593 --> 01:52:18,927 respond to a number of different things . 2849 01:52:18,927 --> 01:52:21,149 But uh but again , uh these are , these 2850 01:52:21,149 --> 01:52:23,316 are real meaningful steps that I think 2851 01:52:23,316 --> 01:52:25,427 we've taken in a , in a region that I 2852 01:52:25,427 --> 01:52:27,705 think a lot of people are not aware of . 2853 01:52:27,705 --> 01:52:29,705 But uh we , we have made tremendous 2854 01:52:29,705 --> 01:52:29,379 progress and we'll continue to do so . 2855 01:52:29,390 --> 01:52:31,446 Thank you , Mr Secretary Mr Garcia . 2856 01:52:31,446 --> 01:52:33,557 Thank you , Mr Chairman and thank you 2857 01:52:33,557 --> 01:52:35,723 all for the gentlemen for your service 2858 01:52:35,723 --> 01:52:37,834 to our beautiful country . Uh General 2859 01:52:37,834 --> 01:52:40,001 Brown , uh congratulations , uh pretty 2860 01:52:40,001 --> 01:52:42,057 good for a viper guy to be where you 2861 01:52:42,057 --> 01:52:41,950 are right now . So , uh I see our , our 2862 01:52:41,959 --> 01:52:44,189 biggest near term tactical threat is 2863 01:52:44,200 --> 01:52:46,367 our open southern border and obviously 2864 01:52:46,367 --> 01:52:48,589 the biggest strategic threat , uh which 2865 01:52:48,589 --> 01:52:50,644 I , I treat as a , as an existential 2866 01:52:50,644 --> 01:52:53,830 threat to our country uh being China um 2867 01:52:53,839 --> 01:52:55,895 as well as our debt , but that's not 2868 01:52:55,895 --> 01:52:58,339 your , your fault . Um I , I don't 2869 01:52:58,350 --> 01:53:00,529 think we have a capability gap . Um I 2870 01:53:00,540 --> 01:53:02,707 think we have the high end , exquisite 2871 01:53:02,707 --> 01:53:04,818 technology in most domains , but I do 2872 01:53:04,818 --> 01:53:08,109 see us uh losing the lead or um 2873 01:53:08,549 --> 01:53:10,950 having lost the lead in several domains 2874 01:53:10,959 --> 01:53:13,015 in terms of capacity . And I'm , I'm 2875 01:53:13,015 --> 01:53:15,459 encouraged by hearing that . I think 2876 01:53:15,470 --> 01:53:17,526 we're all aligned on the problem set 2877 01:53:17,526 --> 01:53:19,581 and the challenges that we have . We 2878 01:53:19,581 --> 01:53:21,637 have some uh obviously readiness and 2879 01:53:21,637 --> 01:53:23,692 end strength issues uh especially in 2880 01:53:23,692 --> 01:53:25,803 executing and finishing this pivot to 2881 01:53:25,803 --> 01:53:27,803 the Pacific that we've been talking 2882 01:53:27,803 --> 01:53:29,914 about for what almost 20 years now we 2883 01:53:29,914 --> 01:53:31,692 need to actually execute that , 2884 01:53:31,692 --> 01:53:33,637 complete that and deter war before 2885 01:53:33,637 --> 01:53:35,803 China gets aggressive against Taiwan . 2886 01:53:35,803 --> 01:53:38,529 Um um And I think the bottom line is , 2887 01:53:38,540 --> 01:53:41,080 is that whether the number is 8 25 2888 01:53:41,089 --> 01:53:43,256 billion or 8 50 billion , we've got to 2889 01:53:43,256 --> 01:53:45,500 make it behave like a trillion dollars 2890 01:53:45,509 --> 01:53:47,565 uh relative to what we are trying to 2891 01:53:47,565 --> 01:53:49,231 accomplish here and get those 2892 01:53:49,231 --> 01:53:51,398 efficiencies . I think any investments 2893 01:53:51,398 --> 01:53:53,565 uh and , and you're spot on uh the CRS 2894 01:53:53,565 --> 01:53:55,839 are the most dele uh deleterious uh uh 2895 01:53:55,850 --> 01:53:57,961 move that we can , we can do in the , 2896 01:53:57,970 --> 01:54:00,490 in that regard . But I think uh beyond 2897 01:54:00,500 --> 01:54:03,629 the CRS um we , we , if we're going to 2898 01:54:03,640 --> 01:54:05,973 make investments in our industrial base , 2899 01:54:05,973 --> 01:54:08,029 we also have to make sure that we're 2900 01:54:08,029 --> 01:54:10,084 streamlining contracting and , and , 2901 01:54:10,084 --> 01:54:12,307 and valuing speed as a measure of merit 2902 01:54:12,307 --> 01:54:14,362 uh out of the Pentagon . And I don't 2903 01:54:14,362 --> 01:54:16,473 think we have that right now . Uh You 2904 01:54:16,473 --> 01:54:18,529 all know , my number one priority is 2905 01:54:18,529 --> 01:54:20,640 our troops , um especially our junior 2906 01:54:20,640 --> 01:54:23,189 enlisted E one through E six . They are 2907 01:54:23,200 --> 01:54:25,256 the most precious , they're the most 2908 01:54:25,256 --> 01:54:27,089 potent . Uh And they're the most 2909 01:54:27,089 --> 01:54:29,089 powerful weapon system that we have 2910 01:54:29,089 --> 01:54:31,144 without them . The B 21 is , is , is 2911 01:54:31,144 --> 01:54:32,922 nothing . The , the , the , the 2912 01:54:32,922 --> 01:54:35,033 Columbia class submarine is nothing . 2913 01:54:35,033 --> 01:54:37,144 Uh And our nuclear triad is , is , is 2914 01:54:37,144 --> 01:54:39,256 futile . So last year , we missed our 2915 01:54:39,256 --> 01:54:41,200 recruitment uh numbers , retention 2916 01:54:41,200 --> 01:54:43,500 numbers by a net 41,000 personnel 2917 01:54:43,509 --> 01:54:46,049 recruits to cross all the services . Uh 2918 01:54:46,060 --> 01:54:48,060 I was encouraged that the president 2919 01:54:48,060 --> 01:54:50,689 signed uh my , my uh military licensing , 2920 01:54:50,700 --> 01:54:52,811 uh spouse licensing , Relief Act into 2921 01:54:52,811 --> 01:54:55,310 law . I think that helps . Um uh And 2922 01:54:55,319 --> 01:54:57,375 this committee did God's work . Last 2923 01:54:57,375 --> 01:54:59,597 year , we passed a out of hack D A bill 2924 01:54:59,597 --> 01:55:01,763 that took the starting salary for an E 2925 01:55:01,763 --> 01:55:05,339 one from $22,000 to $31,000 which is 2926 01:55:05,350 --> 01:55:07,970 the equivalent of $15 per hour . Uh 2927 01:55:07,979 --> 01:55:09,979 Unfortunately , the senate stripped 2928 01:55:09,979 --> 01:55:12,201 that out in their version and , and the 2929 01:55:12,201 --> 01:55:14,035 NDA A ended up coming back to us 2930 01:55:14,035 --> 01:55:15,979 without that pay raise . And so um 2931 01:55:15,979 --> 01:55:18,312 recognizing the challenges that we have , 2932 01:55:18,312 --> 01:55:20,312 recognizing that our troops are our 2933 01:55:20,312 --> 01:55:22,529 most precious weapon system . Um And , 2934 01:55:22,540 --> 01:55:24,729 and II , I wanna I wanna push on this 2935 01:55:24,740 --> 01:55:26,851 issue of base pay again because right 2936 01:55:26,851 --> 01:55:28,962 now , even with the raise that we got 2937 01:55:28,962 --> 01:55:31,129 in the ND a last fiscal year , the one 2938 01:55:31,129 --> 01:55:33,296 we just signed , uh , the E one is now 2939 01:55:33,296 --> 01:55:35,790 starting at $12.80 an hour . In 2940 01:55:35,799 --> 01:55:38,430 California , we just started a $20 an 2941 01:55:38,439 --> 01:55:41,450 hour minimum wage . Ok . So for the dod 2942 01:55:41,459 --> 01:55:44,040 to be competitive in most states , uh , 2943 01:55:44,049 --> 01:55:45,716 but especially in states like 2944 01:55:45,716 --> 01:55:47,882 California and , and , uh , Virginia , 2945 01:55:47,882 --> 01:55:50,216 it's very difficult to keep up bah , uh , 2946 01:55:50,216 --> 01:55:52,271 and bas aren't keeping pace with the 2947 01:55:52,271 --> 01:55:54,382 market values . Um And so I'd like to 2948 01:55:54,382 --> 01:55:56,382 submit Mr Chairman for the record a 2949 01:55:56,382 --> 01:55:58,605 review of the basic , uh , uh pay table 2950 01:55:58,605 --> 01:56:00,605 in support of the 14th QR MC . Uh , 2951 01:56:00,605 --> 01:56:02,827 without objection , without objection , 2952 01:56:02,827 --> 01:56:05,049 we , uh , we're gonna stick to our five 2953 01:56:05,049 --> 01:56:07,216 minutes because we , the secretary has 2954 01:56:07,216 --> 01:56:09,382 to leave . So . Ok , sorry . Uh , what 2955 01:56:09,382 --> 01:56:09,209 I , what I'm asking for , uh , Mr 2956 01:56:09,220 --> 01:56:11,331 Secretary is a commitment to help get 2957 01:56:11,331 --> 01:56:13,553 our troops above the poverty line above 2958 01:56:13,553 --> 01:56:15,664 that $15 minimum wage . The president 2959 01:56:15,664 --> 01:56:17,720 threatened to veto the , uh , hack D 2960 01:56:17,720 --> 01:56:19,887 bill because of this pay raise that we 2961 01:56:19,887 --> 01:56:22,053 put in our , in our hack D bill . Uh , 2962 01:56:22,053 --> 01:56:24,276 he was citing the QR MC as the reason . 2963 01:56:24,276 --> 01:56:26,387 Uh , he wanted to wait for that . The 2964 01:56:26,387 --> 01:56:28,609 QR Mc has come out and the findings and 2965 01:56:28,609 --> 01:56:30,776 said that our hack D bill is the right 2966 01:56:30,776 --> 01:56:30,390 path forward . Uh , can we get a 2967 01:56:30,399 --> 01:56:32,566 commitment from you that you will help 2968 01:56:32,566 --> 01:56:34,566 us get uh our junior enlisted e one 2969 01:56:34,566 --> 01:56:36,677 starting salary above $15 per hour uh 2970 01:56:36,677 --> 01:56:40,569 in the next year or so , as you 2971 01:56:40,580 --> 01:56:42,691 would guess . Uh you know , this is a 2972 01:56:42,691 --> 01:56:44,969 very important issue to me . Uh And so , 2973 01:56:45,169 --> 01:56:46,947 uh taking care of our people is 2974 01:56:46,947 --> 01:56:49,113 something that I'm always focused on . 2975 01:56:49,113 --> 01:56:50,780 I wanna thank you uh and your 2976 01:56:50,780 --> 01:56:54,779 colleagues for uh supporting a 5.2% pay 2977 01:56:54,790 --> 01:56:56,890 raise for our troops . Uh That's the 2978 01:56:56,899 --> 01:56:59,549 largest pay raise in 20 years . And 2979 01:56:59,560 --> 01:57:01,782 before that , the year before that , we 2980 01:57:01,782 --> 01:57:04,419 had a 4.6% pay raise . Uh And in this 2981 01:57:04,430 --> 01:57:06,790 budget , we're asking you for a 4.5% 2982 01:57:06,799 --> 01:57:08,939 pay raise . So my goal is to , is to 2983 01:57:08,950 --> 01:57:11,640 reduce the cost that uh that are , that 2984 01:57:11,649 --> 01:57:13,538 our , our troops and families are 2985 01:57:13,538 --> 01:57:15,538 facing and increase the resources , 2986 01:57:15,538 --> 01:57:17,760 whether it's , it's childcare , whether 2987 01:57:17,760 --> 01:57:20,169 it's uh prices in the commissary , uh a 2988 01:57:20,180 --> 01:57:22,347 number of things that we've done and , 2989 01:57:22,347 --> 01:57:24,410 and you're right . Uh bah is , is a 2990 01:57:24,419 --> 01:57:26,530 thing that we're focused on to try to 2991 01:57:26,530 --> 01:57:28,586 make sure that we're coming close to 2992 01:57:28,586 --> 01:57:30,697 keeping pace and , and keeping pace . 2993 01:57:30,697 --> 01:57:32,555 Uh But uh the , the uh market in 2994 01:57:32,564 --> 01:57:34,805 certain areas is pretty dynamic and uh 2995 01:57:34,814 --> 01:57:37,036 and it's uh it's , it's no easy task to 2996 01:57:37,036 --> 01:57:39,354 keep pace we remain focused on . Thank 2997 01:57:39,365 --> 01:57:41,532 you , Mr If you get a written response 2998 01:57:41,532 --> 01:57:43,587 on that , I know you've committed to 2999 01:57:43,587 --> 01:57:45,754 getting us a compensation review to us 3000 01:57:45,754 --> 01:57:47,865 as soon as possible . Uh We'd love to 3001 01:57:47,865 --> 01:57:49,976 have it as soon as possible before we 3002 01:57:49,976 --> 01:57:52,143 can review that . And Fy for the fy 25 3003 01:57:52,143 --> 01:57:54,354 proposal that uh M cap recognized for 3004 01:57:54,365 --> 01:57:57,189 five minutes . Thank you , Mr Chairman . 3005 01:57:57,200 --> 01:57:59,089 Sorry to be late . We had our own 3006 01:57:59,089 --> 01:58:01,200 hearing . Secretary Austin . Great to 3007 01:58:01,200 --> 01:58:03,089 see you . Welcome your written 3008 01:58:03,100 --> 01:58:05,759 testimony rightly states the world of 3009 01:58:05,770 --> 01:58:09,350 chaos and conquest that Putin seeks one 3010 01:58:09,359 --> 01:58:11,248 in which autocrats think they can 3011 01:58:11,248 --> 01:58:13,470 rewrite borders by force would leave 3012 01:58:13,479 --> 01:58:15,540 the United States far less secure 3013 01:58:15,549 --> 01:58:18,200 unquote . You understand what is fully 3014 01:58:18,209 --> 01:58:20,450 at stake at this pivotal moment in 3015 01:58:20,459 --> 01:58:22,790 Ukraine , Central Europe and indeed the 3016 01:58:22,799 --> 01:58:25,129 free world generations of immigrants 3017 01:58:25,140 --> 01:58:27,430 from Central Europe sought security on 3018 01:58:27,439 --> 01:58:30,250 our shores . I am a descendant blessed 3019 01:58:30,350 --> 01:58:32,350 by the survival of our grandparents 3020 01:58:32,350 --> 01:58:34,859 struggle to escape Bolshevik , Russia . 3021 01:58:35,560 --> 01:58:38,479 Yet many Americans um appear not to 3022 01:58:38,490 --> 01:58:40,549 fully know the history of Central 3023 01:58:40,560 --> 01:58:43,220 Europe and what is at stake today ? 3024 01:58:43,509 --> 01:58:45,453 What are you and the Department of 3025 01:58:45,453 --> 01:58:48,250 Defense doing to better communicate to 3026 01:58:48,259 --> 01:58:50,315 the American people , the gravity of 3027 01:58:50,319 --> 01:58:52,319 the current real threat to the free 3028 01:58:52,319 --> 01:58:54,959 world represented by an armed Russia , 3029 01:58:54,970 --> 01:58:57,303 the third largest military in the world . 3030 01:58:57,303 --> 01:58:59,303 And then secondly , do you have any 3031 01:58:59,303 --> 01:59:02,009 concerns that the defense medicine uh 3032 01:59:02,020 --> 01:59:04,242 in your department could be compromised 3033 01:59:04,250 --> 01:59:06,750 by the complete uh growing uh 3034 01:59:06,759 --> 01:59:09,709 dependence of our country on imports of 3035 01:59:09,720 --> 01:59:11,942 pharmaceutical ingredients from foreign 3036 01:59:11,942 --> 01:59:13,609 countries , some of which are 3037 01:59:13,609 --> 01:59:16,520 adversaries . Thank you . So , in terms 3038 01:59:16,529 --> 01:59:18,640 of what we're doing to uh communicate 3039 01:59:18,640 --> 01:59:21,120 uh on this issue uh we seize every 3040 01:59:21,129 --> 01:59:24,500 opportunity to point out uh how 3041 01:59:24,509 --> 01:59:27,000 important this is to us in terms of our 3042 01:59:27,009 --> 01:59:29,430 national security . Uh how important 3043 01:59:29,439 --> 01:59:32,120 this is to us uh for our uh defense , 3044 01:59:32,129 --> 01:59:35,459 industrial base . Uh And uh and , and , 3045 01:59:35,890 --> 01:59:38,112 and the fact that Ukraine matters , not 3046 01:59:38,112 --> 01:59:40,057 just to Europe , but to the entire 3047 01:59:40,057 --> 01:59:42,112 world . And this is about the uh and 3048 01:59:42,112 --> 01:59:44,223 the rules based international order . 3049 01:59:44,223 --> 01:59:46,390 And , and again , as I've , you know , 3050 01:59:46,390 --> 01:59:48,612 you heard me say a couple of times this 3051 01:59:48,612 --> 01:59:50,557 morning , um the , the rest of the 3052 01:59:50,557 --> 01:59:52,612 world was watching and , and they're 3053 01:59:52,612 --> 01:59:54,723 watching to see whether or not uh the 3054 01:59:54,723 --> 01:59:54,359 United States of America is gonna be a 3055 01:59:54,370 --> 01:59:56,819 dependable partner or , or , or not . 3056 01:59:56,830 --> 01:59:58,830 And if it's not , then that's gonna 3057 01:59:58,830 --> 02:00:01,500 change their behavior uh in uh I , if 3058 02:00:01,509 --> 02:00:03,676 it , if it is one of our adversaries , 3059 02:00:03,676 --> 02:00:06,120 uh they , they will feel emboldened uh 3060 02:00:06,129 --> 02:00:08,520 if it's one of our , our allies or 3061 02:00:08,529 --> 02:00:10,879 partners , uh they will then question 3062 02:00:10,890 --> 02:00:13,057 whether or not they can depend on us . 3063 02:00:13,057 --> 02:00:15,001 Uh And , you know , when times are 3064 02:00:15,001 --> 02:00:17,112 tough and so this is really important 3065 02:00:17,112 --> 02:00:19,279 to us . Uh But it's , you know , I , I 3066 02:00:19,279 --> 02:00:21,410 think that uh uh Ukraine has done a 3067 02:00:21,419 --> 02:00:24,520 commendable job uh in terms of , you 3068 02:00:24,529 --> 02:00:26,696 know , protecting its uh its sovereign 3069 02:00:26,696 --> 02:00:28,751 territory , taking back Russian , uh 3070 02:00:28,751 --> 02:00:30,918 taking back some of the territory that 3071 02:00:30,918 --> 02:00:33,029 the Russians have taken uh and uh and 3072 02:00:33,029 --> 02:00:35,251 holding their own . Uh And they've done 3073 02:00:35,251 --> 02:00:37,490 that um because of the uh the security 3074 02:00:37,500 --> 02:00:39,390 assistance that we and 50 other 3075 02:00:39,399 --> 02:00:41,677 countries have , have provided to them . 3076 02:00:41,677 --> 02:00:44,010 They haven't asked us to fight for them . 3077 02:00:44,010 --> 02:00:46,232 Uh , they , they just asked for help in 3078 02:00:46,232 --> 02:00:48,455 terms of security assistance . And so I 3079 02:00:48,455 --> 02:00:50,677 think the right thing to do is continue 3080 02:00:50,677 --> 02:00:54,160 to do that on defense 3081 02:00:54,169 --> 02:00:56,140 medicine . And the , uh , 3082 02:00:56,149 --> 02:00:58,899 pharmaceuticals being used in , uh , 3083 02:00:58,910 --> 02:01:01,509 theater by our own soldiers . And the 3084 02:01:01,520 --> 02:01:03,631 purchase by the Department of Defense 3085 02:01:03,631 --> 02:01:05,853 of Pharmaceuticals . What are you doing 3086 02:01:05,853 --> 02:01:07,853 to assure their purity ? Well , you 3087 02:01:07,853 --> 02:01:09,909 know , the , the health of our , our 3088 02:01:09,909 --> 02:01:12,076 troops uh again is important to us and 3089 02:01:12,076 --> 02:01:15,709 if uh if there is a um a , a threat 3090 02:01:15,720 --> 02:01:19,669 here of , of um of us , uh not having 3091 02:01:19,680 --> 02:01:21,970 the , you know , um pharmaceuticals 3092 02:01:21,979 --> 02:01:23,923 that are up to speed and certainly 3093 02:01:23,923 --> 02:01:26,146 that's something that , that we will uh 3094 02:01:26,146 --> 02:01:28,368 delve into . But III I will get back to 3095 02:01:28,368 --> 02:01:30,423 you o on that issue . So , thank you 3096 02:01:30,423 --> 02:01:32,257 very much and thank you for your 3097 02:01:32,257 --> 02:01:34,479 service . Thanks to General Lee , uh Mr 3098 02:01:34,479 --> 02:01:37,140 Elsie . Thank you , Mr Chairman . Thank 3099 02:01:37,149 --> 02:01:39,316 you gentlemen for being here . Uh , he 3100 02:01:39,316 --> 02:01:41,316 left , but I want to point out that 3101 02:01:41,316 --> 02:01:43,427 Steve Womack and I uh don't like each 3102 02:01:43,427 --> 02:01:45,538 other very much on one day and that's 3103 02:01:45,538 --> 02:01:47,538 army Navy Day , but we're very good 3104 02:01:47,538 --> 02:01:49,538 friends . Other than that , I would 3105 02:01:49,538 --> 02:01:51,705 argue with General Brown that my super 3106 02:01:51,705 --> 02:01:53,871 hornet will kick your tail in a f in a 3107 02:01:53,871 --> 02:01:55,927 fighting falcon . I know you like to 3108 02:01:55,927 --> 02:01:58,038 call it a viper for , for most of the 3109 02:01:58,038 --> 02:02:00,205 days . And it is . It as it is today . 3110 02:02:00,205 --> 02:02:02,371 We should all be United Mr Secretary , 3111 02:02:02,371 --> 02:02:04,371 you and I on social issues probably 3112 02:02:04,371 --> 02:02:06,371 don't agree on a single thing . But 3113 02:02:06,371 --> 02:02:08,593 today is April 17th , 1940 in my mind . 3114 02:02:08,593 --> 02:02:10,760 And I'm on your side because the winds 3115 02:02:10,760 --> 02:02:12,927 of war are already blowing overseas in 3116 02:02:12,927 --> 02:02:15,038 a way . They haven't . In 80 years we 3117 02:02:15,038 --> 02:02:17,205 have four Dictatorships , all of which 3118 02:02:17,205 --> 02:02:18,982 are involved in genocide . Iran 3119 02:02:18,982 --> 02:02:21,149 genocide of the Jews Russia , genocide 3120 02:02:21,149 --> 02:02:23,260 of the Ukrainians . China genocide of 3121 02:02:23,260 --> 02:02:25,427 the Uighurs . And North Korea wants to 3122 02:02:25,427 --> 02:02:27,482 redefine their relationship with the 3123 02:02:27,482 --> 02:02:29,649 South through armed combat . I wish it 3124 02:02:29,649 --> 02:02:32,029 was April 1719 46 when we could talk 3125 02:02:32,040 --> 02:02:34,890 about cuts . But we can't . Furthermore , 3126 02:02:34,899 --> 02:02:37,121 I would argue that we're already at war 3127 02:02:37,121 --> 02:02:39,066 on our southern border against the 3128 02:02:39,066 --> 02:02:41,288 cartels because they're killing wartime 3129 02:02:41,288 --> 02:02:43,288 numbers of Americans 200 a day from 3130 02:02:43,288 --> 02:02:45,455 fentaNYL poisonings , which in my mind 3131 02:02:45,455 --> 02:02:47,510 is a weapon of mass destruction on a 3132 02:02:47,510 --> 02:02:49,288 chemical basis , aided by China 3133 02:02:49,288 --> 02:02:51,621 controlled by the cartels . In addition , 3134 02:02:51,621 --> 02:02:53,843 we're losing that many number of people 3135 02:02:53,843 --> 02:02:55,899 that you're trying to recruit , that 3136 02:02:55,899 --> 02:02:58,066 need to be going to the police force , 3137 02:02:58,066 --> 02:03:00,288 to the reserves , to teaching to having 3138 02:03:00,288 --> 02:03:02,455 families in this country . You're in a 3139 02:03:02,455 --> 02:03:02,259 struggle against a group that is being 3140 02:03:02,270 --> 02:03:04,229 killed at wartime numbers not seen 3141 02:03:04,240 --> 02:03:07,459 since World War Two , we should be on a 3142 02:03:07,470 --> 02:03:09,581 wartime footing in this country right 3143 02:03:09,581 --> 02:03:11,970 now . So the border is an issue . But 3144 02:03:11,979 --> 02:03:14,090 those four regimes that I just talked 3145 02:03:14,090 --> 02:03:16,312 about make it look like it's April 1719 3146 02:03:16,312 --> 02:03:18,535 40 . And we've been fortunate enough to 3147 02:03:18,535 --> 02:03:20,312 see a constellation of stars on 3148 02:03:20,312 --> 02:03:22,368 shoulders this week and what they've 3149 02:03:22,368 --> 02:03:24,535 all told us from the U com commander . 3150 02:03:24,535 --> 02:03:26,368 He says he needs , ew and a ew , 3151 02:03:26,368 --> 02:03:28,423 they're not building any 18 growlers 3152 02:03:28,423 --> 02:03:30,646 anymore . We need more of them . Uh The 3153 02:03:30,646 --> 02:03:32,812 Israelis need tankers . I talked about 3154 02:03:32,812 --> 02:03:34,979 that in June when we went there before 3155 02:03:34,979 --> 02:03:37,146 October and talked about that with the 3156 02:03:37,146 --> 02:03:39,201 Prime Minister Indo Paycom . And the 3157 02:03:39,201 --> 02:03:41,035 Marines need contested logistics 3158 02:03:41,035 --> 02:03:43,250 capabilities with C 130 Js and their 3159 02:03:43,259 --> 02:03:47,169 landing ship medium in Ukraine . Most 3160 02:03:47,180 --> 02:03:49,347 of the money that we're going to spend 3161 02:03:49,347 --> 02:03:51,029 goes to weapons for us . 3162 02:03:53,879 --> 02:03:55,935 You know , we won World War Two with 3163 02:03:55,935 --> 02:03:57,935 liberty ships and this LSM that the 3164 02:03:57,935 --> 02:04:00,157 Marine Corps needs 35 of and identified 3165 02:04:00,157 --> 02:04:02,069 that in 2022 would have cost 100 3166 02:04:02,080 --> 02:04:04,459 million apiece . The requirements got 3167 02:04:04,470 --> 02:04:06,692 in the way and here we are four year to 3168 02:04:06,692 --> 02:04:08,803 two years later . We still don't have 3169 02:04:08,803 --> 02:04:11,026 them . They've got ballooned up to $350 3170 02:04:11,026 --> 02:04:13,248 million because the requirements office 3171 02:04:13,248 --> 02:04:15,414 and we won't get them until 2027 . And 3172 02:04:15,414 --> 02:04:17,581 that's assuming we pass these spending 3173 02:04:17,581 --> 02:04:19,803 bills . If we go on AC R now , we're in 3174 02:04:19,803 --> 02:04:21,890 2028 when we've identified that Xi 3175 02:04:21,930 --> 02:04:24,870 Jinping wants to act before 2027 . So 3176 02:04:24,879 --> 02:04:27,189 in the supply and man and equip realm , 3177 02:04:27,200 --> 02:04:29,089 I would say that our acquisitions 3178 02:04:29,089 --> 02:04:31,144 process is broken . We need to be on 3179 02:04:31,144 --> 02:04:33,144 wartime footing . We need to bypass 3180 02:04:33,144 --> 02:04:35,256 some of the requirements that we have 3181 02:04:35,256 --> 02:04:36,922 otherwise we would have had a 3182 02:04:36,922 --> 02:04:38,922 presidential hilo by now , we would 3183 02:04:38,922 --> 02:04:40,978 have had an LSM by now F-35 wouldn't 3184 02:04:40,978 --> 02:04:44,240 have been so uh costly . And our newest 3185 02:04:44,250 --> 02:04:46,083 version of the aircraft carriers 3186 02:04:46,083 --> 02:04:48,028 wouldn't be three years behind and 3187 02:04:48,028 --> 02:04:50,490 billions of dollars over budget because 3188 02:04:50,500 --> 02:04:52,722 I'm a little worried about what we have 3189 02:04:52,722 --> 02:04:54,944 right now . We're not ready for the war 3190 02:04:54,944 --> 02:04:56,778 that looks to be looming and I'm 3191 02:04:56,778 --> 02:04:59,000 interested in , in preventing that . So 3192 02:04:59,000 --> 02:05:01,222 I would like to hear from you , General 3193 02:05:01,222 --> 02:05:01,200 Brown , how you feel about the EW need 3194 02:05:01,209 --> 02:05:03,209 because they're not making any more 3195 02:05:03,209 --> 02:05:05,209 growlers . But the line is about to 3196 02:05:05,209 --> 02:05:07,265 close on the Super Hornet if we lose 3197 02:05:07,265 --> 02:05:09,376 like an aircraft carrier and we don't 3198 02:05:09,376 --> 02:05:08,790 have any growler capability . All that . 3199 02:05:08,799 --> 02:05:10,966 Ew need goes away . We're losing our E 3200 02:05:10,966 --> 02:05:13,188 three capabilities . So how do you feel 3201 02:05:13,188 --> 02:05:16,569 about the Ewaew ? Well , let me 3202 02:05:16,790 --> 02:05:18,790 start out with what , what you just 3203 02:05:18,790 --> 02:05:20,679 laid out as far as the , uh , the 3204 02:05:20,679 --> 02:05:22,609 sensor energy that's required and 3205 02:05:22,620 --> 02:05:24,842 understanding where the threat is and , 3206 02:05:24,842 --> 02:05:27,009 and ew is a , uh , an area that , uh , 3207 02:05:27,009 --> 02:05:29,176 we've watched that threat increase and 3208 02:05:29,176 --> 02:05:28,770 we haven't had to deal with it for the 3209 02:05:28,779 --> 02:05:30,890 past couple of decades and we need to 3210 02:05:30,890 --> 02:05:33,220 up our game in this area doesn't 3211 02:05:33,229 --> 02:05:35,451 necessarily have to be a growler . Um , 3212 02:05:35,451 --> 02:05:37,451 but I do , I do think we do , we do 3213 02:05:37,451 --> 02:05:39,562 need to approach uh , this with the , 3214 02:05:39,562 --> 02:05:41,729 um , with seriousness and our focus on 3215 02:05:41,729 --> 02:05:44,750 uh ew uh , on tankers on munitions , uh , 3216 02:05:44,759 --> 02:05:47,009 the range of uh , uh capability , um , 3217 02:05:47,020 --> 02:05:49,242 and capacity uh , that we need in order 3218 02:05:49,242 --> 02:05:51,576 to , uh , to be able to address all the , 3219 02:05:51,576 --> 02:05:53,631 uh , the challenge you highlighted . 3220 02:05:55,729 --> 02:05:57,840 Thank you for that answer . And , and 3221 02:05:57,840 --> 02:06:00,062 as far as the LSM goes , we need a high 3222 02:06:00,062 --> 02:05:59,910 priority for that because that's 3223 02:05:59,919 --> 02:06:01,863 specifically needed for the Marine 3224 02:06:01,863 --> 02:06:03,975 Corps . The requirements office needs 3225 02:06:03,975 --> 02:06:06,141 to drop its opposition and the raising 3226 02:06:06,141 --> 02:06:05,669 of cost because we don't have the money 3227 02:06:05,680 --> 02:06:07,791 to deal with that . We won on liberty 3228 02:06:07,791 --> 02:06:09,902 ships that didn't have requirements , 3229 02:06:09,902 --> 02:06:12,013 didn't have shock trials . We need to 3230 02:06:12,013 --> 02:06:11,109 move forward in the time I have 3231 02:06:11,120 --> 02:06:14,390 remaining . If article five happens and 3232 02:06:14,399 --> 02:06:17,339 we lose Ukraine and they step 1 ft in 3233 02:06:17,350 --> 02:06:20,910 Poland , the fr A is out the door . The 3234 02:06:20,919 --> 02:06:23,141 investments we're making in Ukraine are 3235 02:06:23,141 --> 02:06:25,363 small for the return on investment that 3236 02:06:25,363 --> 02:06:27,363 we're getting for the Ukrainians to 3237 02:06:27,363 --> 02:06:29,475 fight on our behalf is a small amount 3238 02:06:29,475 --> 02:06:31,641 of money and they're doing it for us . 3239 02:06:31,641 --> 02:06:33,808 The last thing I want is for Americans 3240 02:06:33,808 --> 02:06:35,808 to die on a hill in Poland when the 3241 02:06:35,808 --> 02:06:37,808 Ukrainians are willing to do it for 3242 02:06:37,808 --> 02:06:40,030 themselves with our help . Now , you're 3243 02:06:40,030 --> 02:06:41,919 back . I thank the gentlemen , Mr 3244 02:06:41,919 --> 02:06:43,975 Fleischman . Mr Chairman . I want to 3245 02:06:43,975 --> 02:06:46,086 thank you again for your kind words . 3246 02:06:46,086 --> 02:06:49,990 Welcome me to this subcomittee . Um I 3247 02:06:50,000 --> 02:06:52,669 want to also thank Secretary Austin 3248 02:06:52,680 --> 02:06:55,259 General Brown and Mr mccord for their 3249 02:06:55,270 --> 02:06:57,930 testimony today as the chairman alluded 3250 02:06:57,939 --> 02:06:59,930 to I chair the Energy and Water 3251 02:06:59,939 --> 02:07:02,669 sub-committee of Appropriations , uh MS 3252 02:07:02,680 --> 02:07:04,902 Caper and I , she's my ranking member . 3253 02:07:04,902 --> 02:07:07,013 We just had a , the Army Corps before 3254 02:07:07,013 --> 02:07:08,958 us , but we fund the Department of 3255 02:07:08,958 --> 02:07:11,180 Energy . And as part of that funding of 3256 02:07:11,180 --> 02:07:13,839 the Department of Energy , the N NSA , 3257 02:07:13,850 --> 02:07:16,229 the NA National Nuclear Security 3258 02:07:16,240 --> 02:07:19,810 Administration , we are responsible for 3259 02:07:19,819 --> 02:07:23,089 funding our nation's nuclear arsenal 3260 02:07:23,100 --> 02:07:25,069 for the ultimate customer , the 3261 02:07:25,080 --> 02:07:28,729 Department of Defense . And um I 3262 02:07:28,740 --> 02:07:30,629 represent the people of the third 3263 02:07:30,640 --> 02:07:32,830 district of Tennessee . Gentlemen , uh 3264 02:07:32,839 --> 02:07:35,279 that uh encompasses the great city of 3265 02:07:35,290 --> 02:07:37,512 Oak Ridge , birthplace of the Manhattan 3266 02:07:37,512 --> 02:07:40,200 project . Y 12 National Security 3267 02:07:40,209 --> 02:07:42,098 Complex . We're also building the 3268 02:07:42,140 --> 02:07:45,649 uranium processing facility . So um I'm 3269 02:07:45,660 --> 02:07:47,609 working very , very heavily in the 3270 02:07:47,620 --> 02:07:51,470 nuclear uh sector in that regard . 3271 02:07:51,689 --> 02:07:54,470 Um I'm gonna address my , my one 3272 02:07:54,479 --> 02:07:56,779 question today uh dealing with our 3273 02:07:56,790 --> 02:07:59,939 nation's nuclear deterrent . Uh 3274 02:08:02,129 --> 02:08:05,100 Right now , the N NSA defense programs 3275 02:08:05,109 --> 02:08:06,942 are intertwined with the defense 3276 02:08:06,942 --> 02:08:08,970 department's programs replacing all 3277 02:08:08,979 --> 02:08:11,589 legs of the triad . And I , we're 3278 02:08:11,600 --> 02:08:13,899 thankful for that it will come as no 3279 02:08:13,910 --> 02:08:16,290 surprise that I have concerns given we 3280 02:08:16,299 --> 02:08:18,870 see that Russia has essentially fully 3281 02:08:18,879 --> 02:08:21,089 recapitalized its nuclear forces . 3282 02:08:21,109 --> 02:08:24,310 China rapidly expanding its numbers and 3283 02:08:24,319 --> 02:08:27,250 fielding a triad of its own and the 3284 02:08:27,259 --> 02:08:30,290 looming prospect . Sadly of a nuclear 3285 02:08:30,299 --> 02:08:33,500 Iran , we also face the termination of 3286 02:08:33,509 --> 02:08:36,060 new start in less than two years . 3287 02:08:37,259 --> 02:08:39,315 We're entering uncharted territory , 3288 02:08:39,315 --> 02:08:41,203 dealing with potentially two pure 3289 02:08:41,203 --> 02:08:43,390 nuclear adversaries as we're in the 3290 02:08:43,399 --> 02:08:46,160 middle of recapitalizing our entire 3291 02:08:46,169 --> 02:08:48,600 deterrent . My question , gentlemen , 3292 02:08:48,609 --> 02:08:51,160 is given this troubling strategic 3293 02:08:51,169 --> 02:08:53,113 threat picture , I'm interested in 3294 02:08:53,113 --> 02:08:55,113 hearing your outlook on the current 3295 02:08:55,113 --> 02:08:57,336 pace of recapitalization of our nuclear 3296 02:08:57,336 --> 02:08:59,859 deterrent . Are there any ways we in 3297 02:08:59,870 --> 02:09:01,648 Congress can better support the 3298 02:09:01,648 --> 02:09:03,537 department's efforts to meet this 3299 02:09:03,537 --> 02:09:05,759 increasingly tight deadlines ? And with 3300 02:09:05,759 --> 02:09:08,700 that , I will wait your response . Well , 3301 02:09:08,709 --> 02:09:10,820 let me begin by thanking you for what 3302 02:09:10,820 --> 02:09:13,098 you've done to today . And as you know , 3303 02:09:13,098 --> 02:09:14,598 uh over the course of this 3304 02:09:14,598 --> 02:09:16,765 administration , we've uh requested to 3305 02:09:16,765 --> 02:09:19,720 invest some $149 billion in uh in the 3306 02:09:19,729 --> 02:09:22,740 modernization uh of our nuclear program . 3307 02:09:22,750 --> 02:09:25,319 It is a , it is a bedrock of our , of 3308 02:09:25,330 --> 02:09:27,274 our defense , you know , our , our 3309 02:09:27,274 --> 02:09:29,120 nuclear triad here . And I , I 3310 02:09:29,129 --> 02:09:31,200 personally believe that uh all three 3311 02:09:31,209 --> 02:09:33,640 legs are important and I think that uh 3312 02:09:34,089 --> 02:09:36,669 that uh we should continue to uh to 3313 02:09:36,680 --> 02:09:38,624 invest in the modernization of all 3314 02:09:38,624 --> 02:09:42,259 three legs now . Um because of the fact 3315 02:09:42,270 --> 02:09:44,959 that uh you know , uh we , we're now uh 3316 02:09:44,970 --> 02:09:48,270 faced with two major nuclear uh 3317 02:09:48,649 --> 02:09:51,270 uh countries or potential adversaries 3318 02:09:51,279 --> 02:09:53,549 uh conditions have changed and , and 3319 02:09:53,560 --> 02:09:55,671 whether or not uh we're gonna need to 3320 02:09:55,671 --> 02:09:58,029 do more in the future uh is uh is 3321 02:09:58,040 --> 02:09:59,984 something that we're gonna have to 3322 02:09:59,984 --> 02:10:01,762 consider . Uh But I think uh uh 3323 02:10:01,762 --> 02:10:03,707 following through with our current 3324 02:10:03,707 --> 02:10:05,818 modernization program uh is uh is the 3325 02:10:05,818 --> 02:10:07,707 right thing to do . And again , I 3326 02:10:07,707 --> 02:10:09,929 support you for what uh what you , what 3327 02:10:09,929 --> 02:10:12,040 you're doing to support . I , I thank 3328 02:10:12,040 --> 02:10:14,262 you for what you're doing to support us 3329 02:10:14,262 --> 02:10:16,660 and uh and , and uh and again , I , I 3330 02:10:16,669 --> 02:10:18,669 think we should maintain course and 3331 02:10:18,669 --> 02:10:21,049 speed here . So thank you , Mr 3332 02:10:21,060 --> 02:10:23,479 Secretary . And I will say uh we work 3333 02:10:23,490 --> 02:10:25,323 bipartisan , we have the nuclear 3334 02:10:25,323 --> 02:10:27,434 security working group . We work with 3335 02:10:27,434 --> 02:10:29,950 the N NSA . We want to link up and work 3336 02:10:29,959 --> 02:10:31,959 very closely with the Department of 3337 02:10:31,959 --> 02:10:34,181 Defense so that we can have them , make 3338 02:10:34,181 --> 02:10:36,348 sure that , that our ultimate customer 3339 02:10:36,348 --> 02:10:38,459 you all are , are , are , are pleased 3340 02:10:38,459 --> 02:10:40,681 with what's going on . We will continue 3341 02:10:40,681 --> 02:10:42,848 to fund that . I think in a bipartisan 3342 02:10:42,848 --> 02:10:44,848 and bicameral way . Um , I , I will 3343 02:10:44,848 --> 02:10:47,015 close by saying this again . Thank you 3344 02:10:47,015 --> 02:10:49,237 to each , every one of you all for your 3345 02:10:49,237 --> 02:10:51,515 tremendous service to our country . Uh , 3346 02:10:51,515 --> 02:10:53,626 I did mention I represent Oak Ridge . 3347 02:10:53,626 --> 02:10:53,600 I'm very proud of that great city . Uh , 3348 02:10:53,609 --> 02:10:55,831 but my home city , which I'm not native 3349 02:10:55,831 --> 02:10:58,109 to actually is Chattanooga , Tennessee . 3350 02:10:58,109 --> 02:11:00,109 Um , I would let everyone here know 3351 02:11:00,109 --> 02:11:02,370 that we are going to be having our 75th 3352 02:11:02,379 --> 02:11:04,770 uninterrupted Armed Forces Day Parade 3353 02:11:04,950 --> 02:11:07,117 secretary . I know we have reached out 3354 02:11:07,117 --> 02:11:08,950 to you . I will ask you to maybe 3355 02:11:08,950 --> 02:11:10,839 contact me , uh , offline in that 3356 02:11:10,839 --> 02:11:12,839 regard , uh , uninterrupted . I , I 3357 02:11:12,839 --> 02:11:14,810 would maintain that Chattanooga is 3358 02:11:14,819 --> 02:11:16,819 probably the most patriotic city in 3359 02:11:16,819 --> 02:11:18,875 America . Uh , our veterans are near 3360 02:11:18,875 --> 02:11:20,875 and dear to us as our great men and 3361 02:11:20,875 --> 02:11:23,041 women who are serving our armed forces 3362 02:11:23,041 --> 02:11:25,097 today . And with that , I will yield 3363 02:11:25,097 --> 02:11:27,689 back . I thank the gentleman and , uh , 3364 02:11:27,700 --> 02:11:30,509 thank the gentle lady from Minnesota uh 3365 02:11:31,500 --> 02:11:35,080 for her interest in this and doing the 3366 02:11:35,089 --> 02:11:37,033 great job that she does . And uh I 3367 02:11:37,033 --> 02:11:39,145 wanna thank all three of you for your 3368 02:11:39,145 --> 02:11:41,422 service . Uh And uh before we conclude , 3369 02:11:41,422 --> 02:11:43,700 I want to thank you for your testimony . 3370 02:11:43,700 --> 02:11:45,533 And also , if you have any , any 3371 02:11:45,533 --> 02:11:47,645 members who have any questions uh for 3372 02:11:47,645 --> 02:11:49,478 the record , I ask the witnesses 3373 02:11:49,478 --> 02:11:51,645 respond in a reasonable period of time 3374 02:11:51,645 --> 02:11:53,867 with that . Thank you . The subcomittee 3375 02:11:53,867 --> 02:11:56,870 is adjourned if you're pretty good on 3376 02:11:56,879 --> 02:11:57,729 time . Good job .