WEBVTT 00:00.250 --> 00:02.650 We will call this hearing back to order 00:02.650 --> 00:04.872 and we now recognize the gentleman from 00:04.872 --> 00:08.789 Texas , Mr . Latrell . Thank you 00:08.789 --> 00:11.609 Mr . Chairman . Mr . Secretary General . 00:13.170 --> 00:15.170 Thank you for your service and your 00:15.170 --> 00:17.503 continued service to this great country . 00:17.503 --> 00:20.219 Mr . Secretary , a few weeks ago , um , 00:20.360 --> 00:22.527 our commander in chief , the president 00:22.527 --> 00:25.450 signed an executive order . Over 00:26.030 --> 00:28.030 research on psychedelic medications 00:28.229 --> 00:30.819 hovering over the veteran space as well 00:30.819 --> 00:33.790 as active members , could you , uh , 00:33.909 --> 00:36.310 and I know you're aware of this . And 00:36.310 --> 00:38.477 the health and well-being of my of the 00:38.477 --> 00:40.477 service members and the veterans is 00:40.477 --> 00:42.689 very near and dear to my heart . We 00:42.689 --> 00:45.022 lose over 6000 veterans a day , uh , we , 00:45.022 --> 00:48.389 uh , a day , so a year . I would love 00:48.389 --> 00:50.445 to see that trajectory go to 0 . Can 00:50.445 --> 00:53.220 you ? At a high level 00:54.220 --> 00:57.279 Is the Department of War . Interested 00:57.279 --> 01:00.909 in kinda coming in with VA HHS 01:00.909 --> 01:03.979 NIH . And pushing this type of research . 01:05.839 --> 01:08.117 First of all , thank you , Congressman , 01:08.117 --> 01:10.283 for all the work you've done on this . 01:10.283 --> 01:12.339 You are , there's no more passionate 01:12.339 --> 01:12.160 advocate for him , and it was great to 01:12.160 --> 01:14.327 see you in the Oval Office , uh , with 01:14.327 --> 01:16.382 your brother and with , uh , so many 01:16.382 --> 01:18.716 other SEALs who are saying , hey , this , 01:18.716 --> 01:22.449 this . Option saved my life or or gave 01:22.449 --> 01:24.849 me a new lease on life and I've heard 01:24.849 --> 01:27.016 that time and time again based on that 01:27.016 --> 01:29.182 particular approach that the president 01:29.182 --> 01:31.405 has approved through the EO and I think 01:31.405 --> 01:33.571 our department has shown a willingness 01:33.571 --> 01:35.738 to be flexible and look at new options 01:35.738 --> 01:35.489 and new alternatives and I think if you 01:35.489 --> 01:37.600 talk to Secretary Collins at the VA . 01:37.600 --> 01:40.089 Uh , the partnership we've had is as 01:40.089 --> 01:42.089 deep as any partnership between the 01:42.089 --> 01:44.311 Department of War and , uh , the VA has 01:44.311 --> 01:46.311 ever existed . So we've got regular 01:46.311 --> 01:48.680 meetings between us as secretaries , 01:48.730 --> 01:50.730 but also our chiefs , and then down 01:50.730 --> 01:52.897 into the committees to ensure the flow 01:52.897 --> 01:55.119 is consistent . But if . Something that 01:55.119 --> 01:57.008 the VA is doing that we should be 01:57.008 --> 01:59.008 looking at that enables our service 01:59.008 --> 02:01.008 members to be better at their job , 02:01.008 --> 02:03.230 we're gonna entertain it . So I , I , I 02:03.230 --> 02:02.330 well , thank you for your advocacy on 02:02.330 --> 02:04.274 it , and we'll take a look at it . 02:04.274 --> 02:06.386 Thank you very much , and I , um , it 02:06.386 --> 02:08.497 excites me that , that , that , the , 02:08.497 --> 02:08.250 the two entities , one couldn't exist 02:08.250 --> 02:11.369 without the other , our veteran . I've 02:11.369 --> 02:13.369 had the opportunity to not not only 02:13.369 --> 02:15.591 travel the country but travel the world 02:15.591 --> 02:17.758 and visit the troop visit our troops , 02:17.758 --> 02:19.925 uh , either Oconis or CIS , and I have 02:19.925 --> 02:22.479 to say , sir , the , the morale , the 02:22.479 --> 02:25.720 well-being , just the sheer excitement 02:25.720 --> 02:28.399 our service members see or and how 02:28.399 --> 02:30.750 they're acting today , uh , it , it 02:30.750 --> 02:32.861 kind of takes me back to our , to our 02:32.861 --> 02:35.083 generation , if you will , uh , just to 02:35.083 --> 02:37.361 see that kind of that forward momentum , 02:37.361 --> 02:37.350 that intestinal fortitude kind of glows 02:37.350 --> 02:39.350 on them . Uh , and I think that's a 02:39.350 --> 02:41.572 direct correlation to your leadership , 02:41.572 --> 02:43.628 sir , as well as the president . Can 02:43.628 --> 02:45.770 you , from your perspective , I , I'm 02:45.770 --> 02:47.992 assuming you're seeing the same thing , 02:47.992 --> 02:49.779 um , and I , I think that . 02:52.600 --> 02:54.711 That that blue line that needed to be 02:54.711 --> 02:57.050 popped got popped and our service 02:57.050 --> 03:00.190 members are are absolutely 03:00.850 --> 03:03.460 leading from the front and there's . 03:04.559 --> 03:08.389 And the world has noticed . Tell me I'm 03:08.389 --> 03:10.611 not seeing that just from my own eyes . 03:10.789 --> 03:12.845 Um , no , you're not , Congressman , 03:12.845 --> 03:15.067 and I , I meant this when I said it . I 03:15.067 --> 03:17.233 would encourage every single member of 03:17.233 --> 03:19.345 this committee to talk to lieutenants 03:19.345 --> 03:18.990 and captors and majors and colonels and 03:18.990 --> 03:20.879 sergeants and staff sergeants and 03:20.879 --> 03:23.389 sergeants major and specialists who are 03:23.389 --> 03:25.445 doing the job right now on the front 03:25.445 --> 03:27.611 lines or across the country , and they 03:27.611 --> 03:29.389 have seen a sea change . In the 03:29.389 --> 03:31.333 environment and the morale and the 03:31.333 --> 03:33.333 spirit in their formations , and it 03:33.333 --> 03:35.550 isn't some secret sauce . It's don't 03:35.550 --> 03:37.772 treat us as a petri dish in your social 03:37.772 --> 03:40.050 justice exercise or your or uh your 03:40.050 --> 03:42.330 social engineering , uh , approach . 03:42.610 --> 03:44.690 Just let us do our job . Let us get 03:44.690 --> 03:47.490 back to basics . Let us train , let us , 03:47.570 --> 03:50.050 uh , choose people and elevate people 03:50.050 --> 03:53.410 simply on merit and merit . That's 03:53.410 --> 03:55.632 motivating for people . That's why they 03:55.632 --> 03:57.466 join . That's why they do really 03:57.466 --> 03:59.521 difficult things like you did , uh , 03:59.521 --> 04:01.688 and are away from their families for a 04:01.688 --> 04:03.743 very long time . They want to defend 04:03.743 --> 04:03.449 their kids and grandkids , but they 04:03.449 --> 04:05.338 don't wanna have distractions and 04:05.338 --> 04:07.505 debris on the inside . So when we talk 04:07.505 --> 04:09.616 to them , they , they are so grateful 04:09.616 --> 04:11.671 for the fact that we're just getting 04:11.671 --> 04:13.560 back to the basics of readiness , 04:13.560 --> 04:15.838 training , accountability , discipline , 04:15.838 --> 04:18.005 war fighting . Uh , commanders , squad 04:18.005 --> 04:20.060 leaders , you name it . And , and to 04:20.060 --> 04:22.282 those watching across the country , ask 04:22.282 --> 04:24.449 folks who have served , who've been in 04:24.449 --> 04:26.560 it , how they view it , uh , and they 04:26.560 --> 04:26.160 see it under President Trump's 04:26.160 --> 04:28.327 leadership , fundamentally different . 04:28.350 --> 04:30.461 And we don't , we haven't even talked 04:30.461 --> 04:32.739 about the border , which is now secure . 04:32.739 --> 04:34.794 Uh , I mean , there's the recruiting 04:34.794 --> 04:36.739 successes , the fitness and combat 04:36.739 --> 04:36.480 standards that have been restored . 04:36.559 --> 04:38.615 We're treating everybody at the same 04:38.615 --> 04:40.837 level . Sounds like basics , but it all 04:40.837 --> 04:42.726 translates into morale . And then 04:42.726 --> 04:44.892 morale translates into , Readiness and 04:44.892 --> 04:47.003 that translates into capabilities and 04:47.003 --> 04:49.226 then when you have a commander in chief 04:49.226 --> 04:48.709 that unleashes them , it turns into 04:48.709 --> 04:51.140 mission success and then the world pays 04:51.140 --> 04:53.362 attention to what the American military 04:53.362 --> 04:55.362 is capable of doing and it's on the 04:55.362 --> 04:57.584 shoulders of of leaders like you who've 04:57.584 --> 04:57.429 did it in previous generations and 04:57.429 --> 04:59.596 we're simply doing it again . So thank 04:59.596 --> 05:01.707 you for your leadership . Thank you , 05:01.707 --> 05:01.230 Mr . Secretary , and , and for everyone 05:01.230 --> 05:03.230 in the room that's in uniform . God 05:03.230 --> 05:05.397 bless each and every everyone for your 05:05.397 --> 05:07.619 service as well as your families , Mr . 05:07.619 --> 05:07.350 Speaker , I'm Mr . Speaker , Mr . 05:07.429 --> 05:10.279 Speaker , sorry about that . I thought 05:10.279 --> 05:12.501 you liked me . I did . I'm sorry . That 05:12.501 --> 05:14.720 slipped . You almost time we not go to 05:14.720 --> 05:16.887 the gentle lady from California , Miss 05:16.887 --> 05:19.540 Jacobs . Thank you Mr . Chairman . Mr . 05:19.549 --> 05:21.660 Secretary , as you know , I represent 05:21.660 --> 05:23.493 San Diego , the largest military 05:23.493 --> 05:25.630 community in the country right now as 05:25.630 --> 05:28.309 we are speaking , 2500 San Diego 05:28.309 --> 05:30.309 Marines are off the coast of Iran . 05:30.570 --> 05:32.403 Many , many other San Diegans in 05:32.403 --> 05:34.570 uniform have gotten 48 hour deployment 05:34.570 --> 05:37.630 notices , so this war in Iran is not 05:37.630 --> 05:39.241 theoretical for me or for my 05:39.241 --> 05:41.130 constituents . It's , it's deeply 05:41.130 --> 05:44.350 personal . Uh , as you also know , on 05:44.350 --> 05:46.470 Easter Sunday , President Trump 05:46.470 --> 05:48.526 threatened to destroy Iran's bridges 05:48.526 --> 05:50.581 and power plants , writing , quote , 05:50.829 --> 05:52.940 Open the fucking straight , you crazy 05:52.940 --> 05:55.218 bastards , or you'll be living in hell . 05:55.218 --> 05:57.107 Just watch . And two days later , 05:57.107 --> 05:59.329 President Trump wrote , quote , A whole 05:59.329 --> 06:01.440 civilization will die tonight , never 06:01.440 --> 06:03.662 to be brought back again . I don't want 06:03.662 --> 06:05.885 that to happen , but it probably will . 06:05.885 --> 06:07.940 My office's phones have been ringing 06:07.940 --> 06:10.107 off the hook . I've heard from so many 06:10.107 --> 06:12.218 military families concerned about the 06:12.218 --> 06:14.385 president's mental fitness and whether 06:14.385 --> 06:16.496 he's fit to serve as our commander in 06:16.496 --> 06:16.160 chief , given that he's sending their 06:16.160 --> 06:18.679 loved ones into harm's way . Our troops 06:18.679 --> 06:21.200 who have shown incredible bravery and 06:21.200 --> 06:23.660 tactical proficiency , deserve to know 06:23.660 --> 06:25.604 that their leaders are focused and 06:25.604 --> 06:28.279 stable . So , Mr . Secretary , you are 06:28.279 --> 06:30.839 with the president a lot . And it pains 06:30.839 --> 06:32.950 me to even have to ask this about our 06:32.950 --> 06:35.359 president , but my constituents' lives 06:35.359 --> 06:38.000 are at stake . Do you believe that the 06:38.000 --> 06:40.167 president is mentally stable enough to 06:40.167 --> 06:42.790 be the commander in chief ? Um , did 06:42.790 --> 06:44.957 you ask the same question of Joe Biden 06:44.957 --> 06:46.901 for 4 years , Mr . Secretary , Joe 06:46.901 --> 06:49.123 Biden is not the president . Mr . Trump 06:49.123 --> 06:51.290 has been president for 1.5 years , and 06:51.290 --> 06:53.457 I'm asking you right now , and I won't 06:53.457 --> 06:52.910 even engage with the level of 06:52.910 --> 06:54.966 disparagement that you're putting on 06:54.966 --> 06:57.243 the commander in chief who indeed , uh , 06:57.243 --> 06:59.466 is , I , I mean , every , I mean , Mr . 06:59.466 --> 07:01.354 Secretary every single day , Mr . 07:01.354 --> 07:03.688 Secretary Biden is not the presidentest , 07:03.688 --> 07:05.632 most insightful commander in chief 07:05.632 --> 07:07.577 we've had in generations , and you 07:07.577 --> 07:09.743 wanna compare , I mean , you wanna ask 07:09.743 --> 07:09.390 that question after you and your fellow 07:09.390 --> 07:11.557 Democrats defended . Biden , who could 07:11.557 --> 07:13.668 barely speak and didn't know what day 07:13.668 --> 07:13.434 of the week it was , you know , he 07:13.434 --> 07:15.345 governed to an autopen . He had a 07:15.345 --> 07:17.512 Secretary of Defense who went AWOL for 07:17.512 --> 07:19.678 a week . I can't be gone for 10 days , 07:19.678 --> 07:21.901 for 10 minutes . I will reclaim my time 07:21.901 --> 07:24.012 ladies , ladies' time . She reclaimed 07:24.012 --> 07:26.012 it . So astonishing as Mr . Jimenez 07:26.012 --> 07:28.123 said , we should be taking leaders at 07:28.123 --> 07:30.289 their word . So is there a reason that 07:30.289 --> 07:32.401 we should not be taking our leader at 07:32.401 --> 07:33.901 his word ? Iran should not 07:33.901 --> 07:35.901 underestimate the will of President 07:35.901 --> 07:38.234 Trump and the United States military to , 07:38.234 --> 07:40.401 uh , achieve our mission . OK , well , 07:40.401 --> 07:42.234 I want you to know this is not a 07:42.234 --> 07:44.401 partisan thing . In fact , many , many 07:44.401 --> 07:46.123 Democrats have had many , many 07:46.123 --> 07:48.456 Republicans have had the same questions . 07:48.456 --> 07:50.678 Marjorie Taylor Greene said he's out of 07:50.678 --> 07:52.845 control and he's gone insane . Candace 07:52.845 --> 07:55.012 Owens said the 25th Amendment needs to 07:55.012 --> 07:56.901 be invoked . Megyn Kelly , Tucker 07:56.901 --> 07:59.012 Carlson , who you used to work with , 07:59.012 --> 08:01.067 Alex Jones , Stephanie Grisham , the 08:01.067 --> 08:03.234 list could go on . So how do I explain 08:03.234 --> 08:05.401 to my constituents that while they are 08:05.401 --> 08:07.345 in harm's way , their commander in 08:07.345 --> 08:09.567 chief is posting these unhinged posts ? 08:10.119 --> 08:11.675 How did you explain to your 08:11.675 --> 08:13.897 constituents what happened on October ? 08:13.897 --> 08:16.119 Or what happened in Afghanistan or what 08:16.119 --> 08:18.008 happened with the debacle and the 08:18.008 --> 08:20.008 withdrawal in Afghanistan where the 08:20.008 --> 08:19.459 troops were left . But how did you 08:19.459 --> 08:21.126 explain that with Joe Biden's 08:21.126 --> 08:23.237 leadership ? How did you explain that 08:23.237 --> 08:25.459 to the Marines that didn't get medals , 08:25.459 --> 08:25.049 that we restored their medals because 08:25.049 --> 08:26.882 of that disastrous withdrawal in 08:26.882 --> 08:28.993 Afghanistan ? Did you explain that to 08:28.993 --> 08:31.049 your constituents when Joe Biden was 08:31.049 --> 08:33.216 asleep at the wheel and he had an AWOL 08:33.216 --> 08:32.799 Secretary of Defense ? I don't think 08:32.799 --> 08:35.070 you did . next post . How can I explain 08:35.070 --> 08:37.190 this next post to my constituents ? 08:41.440 --> 08:43.440 I'm Jewish , so , um , this doesn't 08:43.440 --> 08:45.662 really bother me , but my understanding 08:45.662 --> 08:48.200 is that this is quite offensive to many 08:48.200 --> 08:50.033 Christians . So how , how do you 08:50.033 --> 08:52.033 explain this post ? I'm not here to 08:52.033 --> 08:54.144 explain posts . We have an incredible 08:54.144 --> 08:56.311 commander in chief who puts our troops 08:56.311 --> 08:58.422 first . I'm here for a budget hearing 08:58.422 --> 09:00.533 about our troops . This is . Historic 09:00.533 --> 09:02.644 budget that's giving it a chance to , 09:02.644 --> 09:04.811 Mr . Secretary , our adversaries , and 09:04.811 --> 09:04.559 President Trump is doing that in 09:04.559 --> 09:06.615 world-class fashion . This is a lady 09:06.615 --> 09:08.948 has reclaimed her time , Mr . Secretary . 09:08.948 --> 09:10.892 This is about our troops . This is 09:10.892 --> 09:13.059 about who is commanding our troops and 09:13.059 --> 09:15.170 if our troops can trust that they are 09:15.170 --> 09:17.281 being sent into harm's way under good 09:17.281 --> 09:19.448 strategy . The mental stability of our 09:19.448 --> 09:21.615 commander in chief is deeply important 09:21.615 --> 09:23.726 to our troops . It's deeply important 09:23.726 --> 09:25.948 to this country . It is , it wasn't our 09:25.948 --> 09:28.059 to you during Joe Biden . I'll remind 09:28.059 --> 09:27.859 you that when there were concerns , 09:28.299 --> 09:30.466 Democrats came together and he was not 09:30.466 --> 09:32.299 our nominee for president . So I 09:32.299 --> 09:34.188 encourage you to do have the same 09:34.188 --> 09:36.077 courage that Democrats had , Mr . 09:36.077 --> 09:38.243 Secretary . You keep saying that he Is 09:38.243 --> 09:40.410 the best commander in chief we've ever 09:40.410 --> 09:42.989 had , the best the troops . 13 American 09:42.989 --> 09:45.869 troops have died . More than 380 have 09:45.869 --> 09:47.980 been wounded . The Strait of Hormuz , 09:47.980 --> 09:50.091 which was wide open , is now closed . 09:50.150 --> 09:52.700 Less than 90% of traffic through the 09:52.700 --> 09:54.811 strait is still not going despite the 09:54.811 --> 09:57.033 ceasefire . The Iranian regime is still 09:57.033 --> 09:59.033 in power . It still has new . Clear 09:59.033 --> 10:01.256 material . The war is costing Americans 10:01.256 --> 10:02.978 billions of dollars . And Mr . 10:03.000 --> 10:05.111 Secretary , if you think that this is 10:05.111 --> 10:07.333 what winning looks like , then maybe we 10:07.333 --> 10:09.222 should be questioning your mental 10:09.222 --> 10:11.111 stability . Maybe you are the one 10:11.111 --> 10:13.278 responsible for this failure , and the 10:13.278 --> 10:12.859 president should think about replacing 10:12.859 --> 10:15.159 you , Mr . Chairman . I yield back . 10:15.229 --> 10:18.179 lady that's not the lady from Virginia , 10:18.390 --> 10:21.549 Miss Kiggins . Thank you , Mr . Chair 10:21.549 --> 10:23.493 and thank you to our witnesses for 10:23.493 --> 10:25.716 being with us . I have the privilege of 10:25.716 --> 10:25.640 representing Virginia's 2nd 10:25.640 --> 10:27.640 congressional district , so Hampton 10:27.640 --> 10:29.862 Roads , home to a lot of our East Coast 10:29.862 --> 10:31.751 Navy , and I had the privilege of 10:31.751 --> 10:33.973 attending the BFA 106 Change of command 10:33.973 --> 10:35.696 on Friday , which is our fleet 10:35.696 --> 10:37.751 replacement squadron for the F-8 for 10:37.751 --> 10:39.696 the aging F-18s . Uh , but what an 10:39.696 --> 10:41.751 awesome event and to talk to some of 10:41.751 --> 10:43.918 the Navy leadership that was there and 10:43.918 --> 10:46.084 to listen to them say firsthand , uh , 10:46.084 --> 10:48.500 just about the , the morale of the 10:48.500 --> 10:50.611 squadrons that are currently deployed 10:50.611 --> 10:52.778 on the USS Ford , specifically talking 10:52.778 --> 10:54.889 to leadership , a lot of our children 10:54.889 --> 10:56.833 serve . It's a family business for 10:56.833 --> 10:56.489 those of us in naval aviation and . 10:57.039 --> 10:59.317 They're like , don't believe the media . 10:59.317 --> 11:01.483 The morale is amazing . Those guys are 11:01.483 --> 11:03.706 doing tip of the spear mission work . I 11:03.706 --> 11:05.872 live with a retired F-18 pilot husband 11:05.872 --> 11:07.928 who also is begging to find a way to 11:07.928 --> 11:07.489 get back in the cockpit because he's 11:07.489 --> 11:09.729 jealous of what he sees . So , so just 11:09.729 --> 11:11.896 that type of mentality . Thank you for 11:11.896 --> 11:13.951 that . I know that they're , they're 11:13.951 --> 11:15.785 doing a mission and keeping them 11:15.785 --> 11:15.489 engaged is an important part of the 11:15.489 --> 11:17.545 fight . Along those same lines about 11:17.545 --> 11:19.767 naval aviation , I would love to hear , 11:19.767 --> 11:21.822 Mr . Secretary , your thoughts about 11:21.822 --> 11:23.933 the future of naval aviation . I know 11:23.933 --> 11:26.100 that , uh , this is a budget hearing , 11:26.100 --> 11:28.100 so last year's budget , we had $900 11:28.100 --> 11:30.433 million that we were looking forward to , 11:30.433 --> 11:32.600 uh , using the FAXX program , and then 11:32.600 --> 11:34.767 the fiscal year 27 request was reduced 11:34.767 --> 11:36.878 to $140 million . And I , of course , 11:36.878 --> 11:38.933 keeping tabs on the Air Force , uh , 11:38.933 --> 11:41.770 you know , $5 billion for their F-47 11:41.770 --> 11:43.548 program . So , we love aircraft 11:43.548 --> 11:45.492 carriers . We love that mobile air 11:45.492 --> 11:47.714 superiority piece . What are your plans 11:47.714 --> 11:49.770 for the future of naval aviation ? I 11:49.770 --> 11:49.539 kick and scream every day of the week 11:49.539 --> 11:51.706 here in this committee about the F-35s 11:51.706 --> 11:53.650 and getting them at our East Coast 11:53.650 --> 11:55.706 master jet base . I know the FAXX is 11:55.706 --> 11:57.761 our next-generation strike fighter , 11:57.761 --> 11:57.580 but just would love to hear your plans 11:57.580 --> 11:59.691 and timelines for the future of naval 11:59.691 --> 12:01.802 aviation . Well , I appreciate your , 12:01.802 --> 12:03.969 your comments , and then I would defer 12:03.969 --> 12:06.191 to the chairman too on it , uh , on the 12:06.191 --> 12:08.358 utility remaining utility of the F-18s 12:08.358 --> 12:10.469 which are , are still flying critical 12:10.469 --> 12:12.691 missions right now off our carriers and 12:12.691 --> 12:15.024 do a fantastic job , uh , 30+ years old , 12:15.024 --> 12:17.250 but yes , yes , correct , uh , which is 12:17.250 --> 12:18.972 why the issue of the FAXX is . 12:18.972 --> 12:20.972 Important . It's not a matter of if 12:20.972 --> 12:23.083 it's a matter of when . It's a matter 12:23.083 --> 12:25.139 of trade-offs in industry and design 12:25.139 --> 12:27.250 and capabilities , ensuring we're not 12:27.250 --> 12:27.219 slowing other things down at the behest 12:27.219 --> 12:30.020 of others . So I think in August , the 12:30.020 --> 12:32.076 August time frame is , I , I'm , I'm 12:32.076 --> 12:34.242 sure you're familiar with that is what 12:34.242 --> 12:36.187 we're looking at . It's a critical 12:36.187 --> 12:35.979 capability that we , we need to fund 12:35.979 --> 12:38.140 for the future of naval aviation . I 12:38.140 --> 12:40.473 would defer if anything you want to add , 12:40.473 --> 12:42.751 sir , I , I think you covered it . The , 12:42.751 --> 12:44.696 you know , we don't need an access 12:44.696 --> 12:46.862 basing and overflight off of a CSG and 12:46.862 --> 12:49.099 a CBN , and so it gives , uh , the 12:49.099 --> 12:51.155 secretary and the president a lot of 12:51.155 --> 12:53.419 options . So , um , and I , I just want 12:53.419 --> 12:56.099 to echo the thanks for the Joint Force 12:56.099 --> 12:58.809 on behalf of the Joint Force for all 12:58.809 --> 13:00.920 three CSGs that are out there getting 13:00.920 --> 13:03.142 after it right now . I , I share , uh , 13:03.142 --> 13:06.380 your husband's jealousy . Um , uh , but , 13:06.419 --> 13:08.586 uh , I just want the force to know how 13:08.586 --> 13:10.697 much we appreciate , man , especially 13:10.697 --> 13:13.030 the Ford . Thank you . Thanks very much , 13:13.030 --> 13:12.070 General . And then , uh , Mr . 13:12.210 --> 13:13.766 Secretary , uh , just again 13:13.766 --> 13:15.932 representing a big Navy district and , 13:15.932 --> 13:18.154 and , uh , having just a , uh , concern 13:18.154 --> 13:20.321 for the Navy . Uh , could you shed any 13:20.321 --> 13:22.489 light on why the Secretary of the Navy 13:22.489 --> 13:24.656 was relieved and what that timeline to 13:24.656 --> 13:26.919 replace , replace him looks like for 13:26.919 --> 13:29.030 permanent leadership ? I think that's 13:29.030 --> 13:31.363 one of the reasons why we struggle with , 13:31.363 --> 13:33.586 uh , with even I think about the basing 13:33.586 --> 13:35.641 decisions and again naval aviation , 13:35.641 --> 13:37.808 and that's , I wish we would talk more 13:37.808 --> 13:39.475 about , about , uh , just the 13:39.475 --> 13:41.475 contributions of our aviators , but 13:41.475 --> 13:43.752 could you shed any light on that issue ? 13:43.752 --> 13:45.752 Well , as the president stated , we 13:45.752 --> 13:47.808 thank the previous secretary for his 13:47.808 --> 13:47.489 service . I appreciate a lot of the 13:47.489 --> 13:49.267 initiatives that he undertook . 13:49.267 --> 13:51.322 Ultimately , it was time for a new , 13:51.322 --> 13:53.433 new leadership and a new direction as 13:53.433 --> 13:55.267 far as running fast toward those 13:55.267 --> 13:57.211 objectives , and so we , we made a 13:57.211 --> 13:59.322 change . We think . Uh , it's hard to 13:59.322 --> 14:01.378 personnel is policy , and the sooner 14:01.378 --> 14:03.378 you identify , especially we talked 14:03.378 --> 14:05.656 about general officers , uh , you know , 14:05.656 --> 14:05.130 as you're evaluating whether they're 14:05.369 --> 14:07.591 running with , uh , the mission they've 14:07.591 --> 14:09.813 been given , you gotta make a change if 14:09.813 --> 14:12.036 they're not . The same with civilians , 14:12.036 --> 14:11.469 and in this case , we made that change . 14:11.729 --> 14:14.250 And any timeline to replace or have a 14:14.250 --> 14:16.250 new Secretary of the Navy , right , 14:16.250 --> 14:18.361 right now we have an acting , uh , in 14:18.361 --> 14:20.528 Hong Kou who's , uh , was , uh , did a 14:20.528 --> 14:22.528 fantastic job as the number 2 , and 14:22.528 --> 14:22.409 he'll be acting for now . And , um , I 14:22.409 --> 14:24.520 would imagine we'll , uh , we'll know 14:24.520 --> 14:26.465 in due time . Thank you . And then 14:26.465 --> 14:28.409 General Kane , I know you're a VMI 14:28.409 --> 14:30.576 graduate , and , uh , I know there's , 14:30.576 --> 14:32.631 you're watching some of the partisan 14:32.631 --> 14:34.687 attacks that have been going on with 14:34.687 --> 14:34.489 some of our senior military academies , 14:34.650 --> 14:36.706 specifically in Virginia , and I was 14:36.706 --> 14:38.761 wondering if you had any thoughts or 14:38.761 --> 14:40.872 have had any discussions about how we 14:40.872 --> 14:43.039 can remove some of our senior military 14:43.039 --> 14:45.039 academies from these partisan state 14:45.039 --> 14:47.206 politics . I , I , I think it requires 14:47.206 --> 14:49.317 a further discussion . We had 1 . The 14:49.317 --> 14:49.159 Army ROTC officers that we commissioned 14:49.159 --> 14:51.270 out of that school specifically , but 14:51.270 --> 14:53.603 we've seen pushes to shut down , defund , 14:53.760 --> 14:55.871 replace their board of visitors . Any 14:55.871 --> 14:57.593 thoughts on how we can be more 14:57.593 --> 14:59.482 protective of those , those great 14:59.482 --> 15:01.704 schools ? Well , ma'am , you , you sort 15:01.704 --> 15:03.816 of started where I'm going to land on 15:03.816 --> 15:05.927 the importance of staying politics as 15:05.927 --> 15:08.149 the chairman and not unintentionally or 15:08.149 --> 15:09.927 inadvertently . Stepping into a 15:09.927 --> 15:12.038 political matter where I should not , 15:12.038 --> 15:13.982 as the secretary said , people are 15:13.982 --> 15:16.229 policy and policies are things that we 15:16.229 --> 15:18.507 don't , we don't do in the joint force . 15:18.507 --> 15:20.618 I appreciate all of the commissioning 15:20.618 --> 15:22.618 sources that are out there . Gentle 15:22.618 --> 15:24.729 ladies , time's expired . Chair and I 15:24.729 --> 15:24.630 recognize the gentle lady from 15:24.630 --> 15:26.686 Washington , Ms . Strickland . Thank 15:26.686 --> 15:28.963 you , Chairman Rogers and Member Smith , 15:28.963 --> 15:30.908 and thank you to the witnesses for 15:30.908 --> 15:32.963 being here today . This committee is 15:32.963 --> 15:35.186 being asked to consider a $1.5 trillion 15:35.186 --> 15:37.352 DOD budget request that funds not only 15:37.352 --> 15:39.352 weapons and system programs but the 15:39.352 --> 15:41.463 people , leadership , readiness , and 15:41.463 --> 15:43.686 trust required to make them effective . 15:43.686 --> 15:45.463 When senior leaders are removed 15:45.463 --> 15:47.630 abruptly or merit-based promotions are 15:47.630 --> 15:49.741 disrupted without clear explanation , 15:49.741 --> 15:51.852 Congress does have the responsibility 15:51.852 --> 15:53.630 to understand the rationale and 15:53.630 --> 15:55.852 operational consequences . So I'm gonna 15:55.852 --> 15:58.186 focus on Secretary Hegseth and to start , 15:58.186 --> 15:59.963 no one is disputing that senior 15:59.963 --> 16:01.852 officers serve at the pleasure of 16:01.852 --> 16:03.797 civilian leadership . The issue in 16:03.797 --> 16:05.908 front of this is whether the decision 16:05.908 --> 16:07.630 to remove General Randy George 16:07.630 --> 16:09.630 strengthened the army or created an 16:09.630 --> 16:11.741 avoidable disruption during an active 16:11.741 --> 16:13.852 operational period . General George , 16:13.852 --> 16:15.963 who also served as commanding general 16:15.963 --> 16:18.186 at 1st Corps at JBLM , has been serving 16:18.186 --> 16:20.130 for 4 decades , including multiple 16:20.130 --> 16:22.074 command and operational leadership 16:22.074 --> 16:24.186 roles , culminating as Chief of Staff 16:24.186 --> 16:26.519 of the Army , responsible for readiness , 16:26.519 --> 16:28.630 force modernization , and the welfare 16:28.630 --> 16:30.352 of over a million soldiers and 16:30.352 --> 16:32.241 civilians . He was removed in the 16:32.241 --> 16:34.408 middle of an active conflict involving 16:34.408 --> 16:36.440 US operations against Iran when 16:36.440 --> 16:38.718 leadership continuity is most critical . 16:39.119 --> 16:41.341 Public reporting indicates that General 16:41.341 --> 16:43.286 George's removal may have followed 16:43.286 --> 16:45.175 disagreements over army personnel 16:45.175 --> 16:47.230 matters including concerns regarding 16:47.230 --> 16:49.286 withheld promotions so my question , 16:49.286 --> 16:51.359 Secretary , is this what specific 16:51.359 --> 16:54.020 national security risk , mission risk , 16:54.070 --> 16:56.200 or leadership concern did General 16:56.200 --> 16:58.479 George present that justified removing 16:58.479 --> 17:00.820 him in the middle of a conflict , or 17:00.960 --> 17:03.016 was he removed because he challenged 17:03.016 --> 17:05.989 some decisions being made ? Um , as I 17:05.989 --> 17:07.933 stated earlier , out of respect to 17:07.933 --> 17:09.989 these officers , I don't discuss the 17:09.989 --> 17:12.211 nature of the removal , but I would , I 17:12.211 --> 17:14.378 would ask an earnest question of you . 17:14.378 --> 17:16.489 Where does General George fall in the 17:16.489 --> 17:18.600 operational chain of command ? So I'm 17:18.600 --> 17:20.600 asking you , why did you fire him ? 17:20.600 --> 17:20.300 Don't change . You talked about , you 17:20.300 --> 17:22.356 talked about an operational moment . 17:22.356 --> 17:24.578 Where does General George fall in the ? 17:24.578 --> 17:26.800 No , it's a simple question . You're on 17:26.800 --> 17:26.640 the House Armed Services Committee . 17:26.780 --> 17:28.739 Leadership concern . What did he 17:28.739 --> 17:30.906 present that justified removing him in 17:30.906 --> 17:33.072 the middle of a conflict ? Do you know 17:33.072 --> 17:35.017 where General George serves in the 17:35.017 --> 17:37.128 operational chain ? Command . So my , 17:37.128 --> 17:36.765 I'm , I'm asking you my question one 17:36.765 --> 17:38.932 more time , sir . Don't try to flip it 17:38.932 --> 17:41.043 on me . Why was he removed ? Was he a 17:41.043 --> 17:43.265 national security risk , mission risk , 17:43.265 --> 17:45.487 or leadership concern ? We don't yes or 17:45.487 --> 17:47.654 no . We don't talk about the nature of 17:47.654 --> 17:49.709 removals , but you also won't answer 17:49.709 --> 17:51.932 where he is in the operational chain of 17:51.932 --> 17:53.932 command because he isn't in it . He 17:53.932 --> 17:55.932 isn't in the operational chain lady 17:55.932 --> 17:58.098 reclaimed your time . You wanna tie it 17:58.098 --> 17:57.805 to the war , but you don't even know 17:57.805 --> 17:59.916 where he is in the chain of command . 17:59.916 --> 18:02.083 It's the gentle lady from Washington's 18:02.083 --> 18:05.510 time . Under Doughty 1320.04 , the 18:05.510 --> 18:07.566 Secretary of Defense may withhold or 18:07.566 --> 18:09.621 disprove forwarding nomination after 18:09.621 --> 18:11.566 service recommendations in limited 18:11.566 --> 18:13.599 circumstances , including newly 18:13.599 --> 18:15.439 identified adverse information , 18:15.699 --> 18:18.079 pending investigations , reportable 18:18.079 --> 18:20.190 information , and questions regarding 18:20.190 --> 18:21.912 mental , physical , moral , or 18:21.912 --> 18:24.135 professional qualification , incomplete 18:24.135 --> 18:26.246 or noncompliant nomination packages , 18:26.246 --> 18:28.301 missing certifications , or the need 18:28.301 --> 18:30.412 for additional clarification from the 18:30.412 --> 18:32.579 military department . Several colonels 18:32.579 --> 18:34.468 reportedly selected for brigadier 18:34.468 --> 18:36.635 general were removed or withheld after 18:36.635 --> 18:38.857 board selection service certification . 18:38.857 --> 18:41.079 Which of these specific grounds applied 18:41.079 --> 18:42.968 to each withheld officer and what 18:42.968 --> 18:44.912 objective evidence supported these 18:44.912 --> 18:47.550 decisions ? Congressman , that was just 18:47.550 --> 18:49.717 one of many boards across the services 18:49.717 --> 18:51.939 where we will perform similar reviews , 18:51.939 --> 18:54.161 and I anticipate other officers will be 18:54.161 --> 18:56.272 removed also . OK , but what were the 18:56.272 --> 18:58.272 grounds for those ? Uh , again , we 18:58.272 --> 18:58.030 don't talk about out of respect for 18:58.030 --> 19:00.086 those officers . We don't talk about 19:00.086 --> 19:02.197 the nature of that , and we all serve 19:02.197 --> 19:01.790 at the pleasure of the president . 19:02.109 --> 19:04.310 We're solving for an institution that 19:04.310 --> 19:06.032 needs to be based on merit and 19:06.032 --> 19:08.032 professional , uh , execution , and 19:08.032 --> 19:10.339 there's been a lot of gender and 19:10.339 --> 19:12.339 demographic engineering that's been 19:12.339 --> 19:14.561 going on . Reasons other than the focus 19:14.561 --> 19:16.672 of exactly what we should be doing on 19:16.672 --> 19:18.839 the battlefield . So whether it's that 19:18.839 --> 19:20.783 or execution gender , you , that's 19:20.783 --> 19:22.561 implied in every statement that 19:22.561 --> 19:24.728 everybody makes . And so ultimately as 19:24.728 --> 19:24.290 we review all these boards , it has 19:24.290 --> 19:26.457 nothing to do with anything other than 19:26.457 --> 19:28.679 their performance on the battlefield or 19:28.679 --> 19:30.901 their performance in their career , and 19:30.901 --> 19:32.957 these people are thoroughly vetted . 19:32.957 --> 19:35.012 Thoroughly researched and I guess my 19:35.012 --> 19:37.179 question is , is this about loyalty to 19:37.179 --> 19:39.234 Trump or is it about what's good for 19:39.234 --> 19:41.750 the mission ? Um , I understand what 19:41.750 --> 19:43.806 you're implying , but it's about the 19:43.806 --> 19:45.917 Constitution and our military and its 19:45.917 --> 19:48.139 ability to execute , and I'm gonna make 19:48.139 --> 19:47.630 sure the president has the finest 19:47.630 --> 19:50.589 officers across the force prepared to 19:50.589 --> 19:52.709 deliver . So this committee funds 19:52.709 --> 19:54.619 weapons readiness , recruiting , 19:54.869 --> 19:56.591 professional development , and 19:56.591 --> 19:58.813 leadership pipelines , but no amount of 19:58.813 --> 20:00.925 money can compensate for a force that 20:00.925 --> 20:02.813 may lose trust in the fairness of 20:02.813 --> 20:05.036 advancement , and this is fairness . We 20:05.036 --> 20:07.258 believe in merit . We have always had a 20:07.258 --> 20:09.258 merit-based system . That's not the 20:09.258 --> 20:08.949 argument . No , we have not , not under 20:08.949 --> 20:11.171 the Biden administration . We did not . 20:11.171 --> 20:13.116 It became social engineering , not 20:13.116 --> 20:15.282 merit , and we're fixing it quick . We 20:15.282 --> 20:17.227 did not . It did not . And when we 20:17.227 --> 20:19.393 consider this budget request , we must 20:19.393 --> 20:21.227 ensure that taxpayer dollars are 20:21.227 --> 20:23.282 matched by sound judgment , credible 20:23.282 --> 20:25.282 leadership , and a personnel system 20:25.282 --> 20:27.282 worthy of those who serve . I yield 20:27.282 --> 20:27.150 back , Mr . Chair . Gentle lady yields 20:27.150 --> 20:29.094 back . Chair , and I recognize the 20:29.094 --> 20:31.206 gentleman from Georgia , Mr . Scott . 20:31.206 --> 20:33.428 Thank you , Mr . Chairman . Gentlemen , 20:33.428 --> 20:35.483 thank you for being here today . I'm 20:35.483 --> 20:37.594 sorry I was late . I was on the floor 20:37.594 --> 20:39.761 of the House of Representatives with a 20:39.761 --> 20:43.410 FISA rule vote . Um And I Did not hear 20:43.410 --> 20:46.170 the majority of the testimony , but uh . 20:47.380 --> 20:49.602 Secretary Hagseth , I , I respect you . 20:49.602 --> 20:51.491 I , I do want you to know , I , I 20:51.491 --> 20:53.491 disagree with the firing of General 20:53.491 --> 20:55.658 George . Um , I've sent you a letter . 20:55.658 --> 20:57.824 I hope you'll . Uh , I look forward to 20:57.824 --> 21:01.130 seeing the responses on that , um . And 21:01.130 --> 21:04.719 I , I just I mean , it , it takes 21:04.719 --> 21:06.830 218 votes to get something across the 21:06.830 --> 21:08.941 floor of the House of Representatives 21:08.941 --> 21:10.941 and , and with NDAA and with budget 21:10.941 --> 21:12.941 plus ups and everything else , um , 21:13.280 --> 21:15.280 we're gonna lose some Dem votes . I 21:15.280 --> 21:17.280 mean , we're gonna have to have , I 21:17.280 --> 21:19.502 mean , we're gonna lose some Republican 21:19.502 --> 21:21.558 votes . I mean , we're gonna have to 21:21.558 --> 21:21.380 have some Dem votes to do the things 21:21.839 --> 21:23.561 that we have to do to fund the 21:23.561 --> 21:27.339 Department of Defense , uh . And I just , 21:27.469 --> 21:31.020 uh . I , I would , I would 21:31.020 --> 21:33.131 encourage everybody to keep that in , 21:33.131 --> 21:35.131 in mind because we're gonna , we're 21:35.131 --> 21:37.409 going to lose some Republican votes on , 21:37.409 --> 21:40.459 on the , on the plus up . Uh , General 21:40.459 --> 21:43.229 Kaine , um , the joint staff . 21:44.489 --> 21:48.170 Uh , Plays a unique role in 21:48.390 --> 21:50.660 our strategic direction , uh , the 21:50.660 --> 21:52.770 integration of services , uh . 21:54.949 --> 21:57.010 Is what is what gives us a coherent 21:57.310 --> 21:59.430 joint force . I have , I have seen 21:59.430 --> 22:01.660 where disputes in the Air Force and the 22:01.660 --> 22:04.300 Army led to the elimination of systems 22:04.300 --> 22:06.750 that we needed . Uh , his department 22:06.750 --> 22:09.180 has made attempts to right size various 22:09.180 --> 22:11.849 components . Could you talk about the 22:11.849 --> 22:14.469 importance of the , of the joint staff 22:14.469 --> 22:16.525 and the , and the value to the joint 22:16.525 --> 22:20.479 force ? Uh , you , you 22:20.479 --> 22:22.535 bet , sir , and , and I'm , uh , I'm 22:22.535 --> 22:25.040 incredibly proud of the joint staff , 22:25.160 --> 22:28.160 you know , our , our job , um , is to 22:28.160 --> 22:30.959 integrate options , to deliver those 22:30.959 --> 22:32.737 options to our national command 22:32.737 --> 22:35.015 authority , work with all the services , 22:35.015 --> 22:37.390 and the one area of exclusivity we have , 22:37.719 --> 22:41.160 uh , pursuant to the 2017 NDAA is as a 22:41.160 --> 22:44.015 global . Integrator and our J2 , J3 , 22:44.165 --> 22:47.255 J5 , J7 team , J8 all do a 22:47.594 --> 22:50.275 fantastic job along with the 1 and the 22:50.275 --> 22:53.875 6 every day , and the 4 to , to really 22:53.875 --> 22:56.314 bring the totality of American combat 22:56.314 --> 22:58.915 capability together into a range of 22:58.915 --> 23:00.859 options and risks that we can then 23:00.859 --> 23:02.582 bring to the secretary and the 23:02.582 --> 23:04.304 president . So they are , uh , 23:04.354 --> 23:06.465 extraordinary in everything they do , 23:06.465 --> 23:08.687 and I , I appreciate the chance to brag 23:08.687 --> 23:10.687 on them a little bit . Well , I , I 23:10.687 --> 23:12.869 have watched as the Air Force was 23:12.869 --> 23:14.480 paying for a system that was 23:14.480 --> 23:16.739 predominantly used by the Army , uh , 23:16.780 --> 23:18.891 in the past . I'm talking about JSTAR 23:18.891 --> 23:21.002 specifically . It was a ground moving 23:21.002 --> 23:23.113 target indicator that the Army used , 23:23.113 --> 23:22.270 but it was coming out of the Air Force 23:22.270 --> 23:25.089 budget . And then , um , I think that 23:25.089 --> 23:27.449 dispute led to the stand down of a 23:27.449 --> 23:29.616 system before another system was ready 23:29.616 --> 23:32.170 to go . Um , and that's , and that's a 23:32.170 --> 23:35.689 dangerous , it's a dangerous thing . Um , 23:36.089 --> 23:38.422 I spent a fair amount of time in Africa , 23:38.719 --> 23:41.530 um , from this committee's work and 23:41.530 --> 23:44.969 from , uh , Hipsey's work . Uh , we 23:44.969 --> 23:48.010 lost Air Base 101 and 201 . Uh , all of 23:48.010 --> 23:50.066 you at that table know what happened 23:50.066 --> 23:52.689 there . Uh , I blame that on the State 23:52.689 --> 23:54.522 Department and the way the State 23:54.522 --> 23:56.930 Department handled that . Um , how do 23:56.930 --> 23:59.489 you intend to handle , one is , are we 23:59.489 --> 24:02.839 looking at and the potential to get 101 24:02.839 --> 24:06.760 and 201 back ? And , um , I do 24:06.760 --> 24:08.982 believe that , that an apology would go 24:08.982 --> 24:11.204 a long way with that country as someone 24:11.204 --> 24:13.538 who's met with the ministers over there , 24:13.538 --> 24:15.316 uh , and interestingly enough , 24:15.316 --> 24:17.427 Minister Tomba wanted tractors , uh , 24:17.427 --> 24:19.538 he wanted John Deere tractors is what 24:19.538 --> 24:21.649 he asked for , um . But where , where 24:21.649 --> 24:24.260 will we base out , out of if we can't 24:24.260 --> 24:27.640 get back , and are we looking at 24:27.640 --> 24:29.807 getting 101 and 201 back ? Yes , sir . 24:29.900 --> 24:32.122 Uh , well , we , we all want tractors . 24:32.122 --> 24:34.459 Um , so , uh , I , I echo his thoughts 24:34.459 --> 24:36.348 there . You know , I know General 24:36.348 --> 24:38.459 Anderson is doing a lot of work right 24:38.459 --> 24:40.237 now , leaning forward , doing a 24:40.237 --> 24:42.479 fantastic job along with , uh , his 24:42.479 --> 24:44.859 deputy commander , General Brennan on 24:44.859 --> 24:47.459 looking at the , the total requirements 24:47.459 --> 24:50.069 across the western flank . Uh , for 24:50.069 --> 24:52.125 access basing and overflight 101 and 24:52.125 --> 24:54.479 201 are one of many things that they're 24:54.479 --> 24:57.439 considering . I think the key is , uh , 24:57.680 --> 25:00.099 what are they going to be able to do 25:00.160 --> 25:02.160 with the resources that they have ? 25:02.160 --> 25:04.327 We're always in a resource constrained 25:04.327 --> 25:06.549 environment , Congressman . Uh , to put 25:06.549 --> 25:08.216 sufficient pressure on the CT 25:08.216 --> 25:10.438 adversaries there in order to hold them 25:10.438 --> 25:12.271 at bay . Well , the mill to mill 25:12.271 --> 25:14.271 relationships are still good . Um , 25:14.271 --> 25:16.216 I've been out with some of the ODA 25:16.216 --> 25:18.438 teams over there , uh , as a civilian , 25:18.438 --> 25:20.549 as a , as a member of Congress . It , 25:20.549 --> 25:22.716 it does . Bother me that our footprint 25:22.716 --> 25:24.938 has gotten so much smaller over there , 25:24.938 --> 25:24.574 but I do know with drones and other 25:24.574 --> 25:26.741 things it makes it much more difficult 25:26.741 --> 25:28.463 to have those outposts . But I 25:28.463 --> 25:28.375 appreciate all of you being here . 25:28.614 --> 25:30.781 Sorry that I have not been here . No , 25:30.781 --> 25:32.781 sir . I appreciate the other work , 25:32.781 --> 25:34.781 gentleman . Ys back , chair , and I 25:34.781 --> 25:37.058 recognize gentleman from New York , Mr . 25:37.058 --> 25:39.281 Ryan . Thank you , Mr . Chairman . Head 25:39.281 --> 25:42.130 wounds , heavy bleeding . And then just 25:42.130 --> 25:44.760 shrapnel all over . So folks are 25:44.760 --> 25:46.927 bleeding from their abdomen , bleeding 25:46.927 --> 25:49.229 from arms , bleeding from legs . 25:50.209 --> 25:52.209 Secretary Hagseth , do you know who 25:52.209 --> 25:55.579 said that ? Um , I'm not sure I do . It 25:55.579 --> 25:58.300 is one of our soldiers describing the 25:58.300 --> 26:00.300 devastating Iranian drone strike at 26:00.300 --> 26:02.900 Port Shuba March 1st in Kuwait . As you 26:02.900 --> 26:05.699 know , 6 of our soldiers killed , over 26:05.699 --> 26:09.439 30 wounded . Secretary , do you know 26:09.439 --> 26:12.239 the range of the Shahad 136 one-way 26:12.239 --> 26:14.520 attack drone approximately ? It depends 26:14.520 --> 26:16.576 on the variant , but it's , it's got 26:16.576 --> 26:18.742 serious distance , several 100 miles . 26:18.742 --> 26:20.909 Do you know how far Port Shuba is from 26:20.909 --> 26:23.500 Iran ? Um , there's a reason why we 26:23.500 --> 26:26.459 took , it's , it's extreme measures for 26:26.459 --> 26:28.515 protection because we understood the 26:28.515 --> 26:30.737 proximity challenges , Mr . Chair , I'm 26:30.737 --> 26:32.959 gonna reclaim my time . It's well under 26:32.959 --> 26:34.903 100 miles before the war started . 26:34.903 --> 26:36.792 There was clear intelligence that 26:36.792 --> 26:39.070 Shweiba was high on Iran's target list . 26:39.070 --> 26:41.126 Internal analysis that said the site 26:41.126 --> 26:43.348 was indefensible from aerial attack and 26:43.348 --> 26:46.229 should not be used , yet you . Sent our 26:46.229 --> 26:48.229 soldiers from the 103rd Sustainment 26:48.229 --> 26:50.770 Command there anyway . Is that true or 26:50.770 --> 26:53.650 false ? True or false ? Straightforward 26:53.650 --> 26:55.594 question . Are you gonna give me a 26:55.594 --> 26:57.761 chance to answer or just play gotcha ? 26:57.761 --> 26:59.910 Did you send them there or not ? I 26:59.910 --> 27:01.966 always , we have , we took proactive 27:01.966 --> 27:04.077 measures from the beginning to ensure 27:04.077 --> 27:06.243 force protection and defensive posture 27:06.243 --> 27:08.243 were maximized across the theater . 27:08.243 --> 27:10.466 Let's talk about what defenses they had 27:10.469 --> 27:12.580 prior to the attack . Officers on the 27:12.580 --> 27:14.858 ground knew our troops were vulnerable . 27:14.858 --> 27:16.858 In fact , they requested additional 27:16.858 --> 27:19.136 force protection . Did they receive it ? 27:19.839 --> 27:21.728 Wherever humanly possible , force 27:21.728 --> 27:23.839 protection and counter UAS was always 27:23.839 --> 27:26.280 made available . They did not . In fact , 27:26.359 --> 27:28.248 when asked to describe the base's 27:28.248 --> 27:30.959 defense , one survivor who's come 27:30.959 --> 27:33.699 forward from the unit said , quote . I 27:33.699 --> 27:36.520 mean I would put it in the none 27:36.520 --> 27:38.469 category , from a drone defense 27:38.469 --> 27:42.390 capability , none . So let's 27:42.390 --> 27:43.946 be clear , no counter drone 27:43.946 --> 27:45.779 capabilities , no counter rocket 27:45.779 --> 27:47.946 systems , no counter mortar or counter 27:47.946 --> 27:50.168 artillery . Not even the basic overhead 27:50.168 --> 27:52.479 protection that you and I had 20 years 27:52.479 --> 27:56.140 ago in Iraq , and now 6 of our 27:56.140 --> 28:00.040 soldiers . are dead . The next 28:00.040 --> 28:03.869 day , You downplayed the attack . 28:03.949 --> 28:05.869 You said it was a squirter that 28:05.869 --> 28:08.189 squeaked through fortified defenses . 28:09.709 --> 28:12.229 But since then , thankfully , brave 28:12.229 --> 28:14.459 survivors have come forward to set the 28:14.459 --> 28:17.300 record straight . One of our surviving 28:17.300 --> 28:19.520 soldiers told CBS , quote , 28:20.969 --> 28:23.719 Painting a picture that one squeak 28:23.719 --> 28:26.609 through is a falsehood . 28:28.849 --> 28:30.738 Another said the unit was quote , 28:30.738 --> 28:33.599 unprepared to provide any defense for 28:33.599 --> 28:36.510 itself . It was not a fortified 28:36.680 --> 28:39.170 position . Another survivor said the 28:39.170 --> 28:41.890 building's protection was about as weak 28:41.890 --> 28:45.109 as one gets . Secretary Hegseth , that 28:45.109 --> 28:48.109 is obviously in direct contradiction to 28:48.109 --> 28:50.276 what you said from the Pentagon podium 28:50.276 --> 28:52.739 the next day . So are you saying that 28:53.150 --> 28:55.219 these soldiers , our soldiers who 28:55.219 --> 28:57.552 survived this horrific attack are lying ? 29:00.010 --> 29:01.677 What I'm saying is before the 29:01.677 --> 29:03.843 commencement of of the conflict we put 29:03.843 --> 29:06.339 in maximum defensive posture we could . 29:06.969 --> 29:09.430 We moved 70 in this in this directing . 29:09.489 --> 29:11.489 I can I speak or are you just gonna 29:11.489 --> 29:13.600 monologue falsehoods all all over the 29:13.600 --> 29:15.822 place ? It's not a falsehood . We moved 29:15.822 --> 29:17.933 7500 troops off of the X based on the 29:17.933 --> 29:20.189 intel , based on the intel reclaiming 29:20.189 --> 29:22.300 my time because you yell doesn't make 29:22.300 --> 29:24.411 you right . Just because you yelled , 29:24.411 --> 29:26.411 I'm reclaiming my time on behalf of 29:26.411 --> 29:28.467 these survivors . You just said what 29:28.467 --> 29:30.780 they said is a falsehood . There's a 29:30.780 --> 29:32.836 much larger picture . There's a much 29:32.836 --> 29:34.669 larger picture at play here that 29:34.669 --> 29:36.613 included integrated air defenses , 29:36.613 --> 29:38.790 bunkers , moving people off the to 29:38.790 --> 29:40.901 ensure that they were not part of the 29:40.901 --> 29:43.068 target . We moved those troops and all 29:43.068 --> 29:44.957 across the theater , thousands of 29:44.957 --> 29:47.179 troops off the X , off of their bases , 29:47.179 --> 29:47.069 because we knew what Iran was going to 29:47.069 --> 29:49.180 try to strike . Right , we knew there 29:49.180 --> 29:51.347 was a tragic moment . There could be a 29:51.347 --> 29:53.569 tragic moment where something could get 29:53.569 --> 29:53.104 through . Of course , that's the 29:53.104 --> 29:55.064 consequence of conflict , and we 29:55.064 --> 29:57.175 remember those six every single day . 29:57.175 --> 29:59.175 But don't play games with , I'm not 29:59.175 --> 30:01.397 playing games . I wanna finish with one 30:01.397 --> 30:03.286 more quote from a survivor of the 30:03.286 --> 30:05.175 attack , and this on the record . 30:05.265 --> 30:08.025 Telling the truth is important , and 30:08.025 --> 30:09.858 we're not gonna learn from these 30:09.858 --> 30:11.969 mistakes if we pretend these mistakes 30:11.969 --> 30:14.170 didn't happen . Secretary Hag said , 30:14.390 --> 30:18.079 those soldiers told the truth . Those 30:18.079 --> 30:20.319 soldiers are braver than you are . I 30:20.319 --> 30:22.000 commend . They are asking for 30:22.000 --> 30:23.667 accountability . They deserve 30:23.750 --> 30:25.972 accountability , and I'm asking for the 30:25.972 --> 30:27.972 same , starting with you . And as I 30:27.972 --> 30:30.028 said a year ago , you need to resign 30:30.028 --> 30:32.250 immediately . I commend those . I yield 30:32.250 --> 30:34.417 back , gentlemen , yields back . Cheer 30:34.417 --> 30:36.583 I recognize the gentleman from Texas , 30:36.583 --> 30:38.583 Mr . Fallon . Uh , thank you , Mr . 30:38.583 --> 30:40.694 Chairman . Secretary Hageth , I wanna 30:40.694 --> 30:40.209 tell you something right now . You 30:40.209 --> 30:42.329 focused our military once again and 30:42.329 --> 30:44.551 finally , and you've shaped it into the 30:44.551 --> 30:46.551 meritocracy and you've dramatically 30:46.551 --> 30:48.773 increased the United States' ability to 30:48.773 --> 30:50.996 project power and when needed lethality 30:50.996 --> 30:53.229 and I mean , and as a result , our 30:53.229 --> 30:55.630 deterrence have never been more evident 30:55.729 --> 30:59.150 the world over . So thank you . General 30:59.150 --> 31:01.206 Kane , you mentioned in your opening 31:01.206 --> 31:02.761 remarks . George Marshall . 31:04.040 --> 31:06.119 Unfortunately some of your immediate 31:06.119 --> 31:09.640 predecessors , uh , were clearly , 31:09.660 --> 31:11.827 uh , one type of a general . They were 31:11.827 --> 31:13.993 Democratic generals . One of them even 31:13.993 --> 31:15.660 in this committee , uh , used 31:15.660 --> 31:17.660 politically charged rhetoric of the 31:17.660 --> 31:19.604 left , and I don't want Democratic 31:19.604 --> 31:21.771 generals and for that matter , I don't 31:21.771 --> 31:23.771 want Republican generals either . I 31:23.771 --> 31:25.827 want American generals . You , sir , 31:25.827 --> 31:27.771 are an American general . You know 31:27.771 --> 31:29.993 exactly what we're we need generals , a 31:29.993 --> 31:31.882 Joint Chief of Staff that knows , 31:31.882 --> 31:34.104 understands , respects , and embodies . 31:34.104 --> 31:36.319 Your role to serve this republic , the 31:36.319 --> 31:38.486 troops , and the mission , and that is 31:38.486 --> 31:40.486 precisely what you're doing , and I 31:40.486 --> 31:42.708 want to thank you because you do remind 31:42.708 --> 31:44.763 me of George C . Marshall . He was a 31:44.763 --> 31:46.541 great American and so are you . 31:46.541 --> 31:48.597 Secretary Hagith What do you know of 31:48.597 --> 31:50.597 any nation state that ever enriched 31:50.597 --> 31:52.763 uranium to 60% that then didn't make a 31:52.763 --> 31:54.930 nuclear weapon ? Well , first of all , 31:54.930 --> 31:56.986 I want to second your comments about 31:56.986 --> 31:58.708 the chairman , and I agree . I 31:58.708 --> 32:00.819 appreciate how he does his job . Uh , 32:00.819 --> 32:02.989 usually when a country , uh , pursues 32:02.989 --> 32:05.211 at that level , it's pursuing a nuclear 32:05.211 --> 32:07.211 weapon . 100% of the countries that 32:07.211 --> 32:09.410 have reached 60% enrichment have then 32:09.770 --> 32:12.109 produced a nuclear weapon . Uh , and is 32:12.109 --> 32:14.430 it true that , that Iran was in the 32:14.430 --> 32:16.829 process of building such a swarm of 32:16.829 --> 32:18.859 UAVs and ballistic missile shield 32:18.859 --> 32:20.915 conventionally , once they wanted to 32:20.915 --> 32:23.081 bake the cake because they had all the 32:23.081 --> 32:25.359 ingredients to make the nuclear weapon , 32:25.359 --> 32:24.859 it would have been near impossible for 32:24.859 --> 32:27.170 us or anyone else to prevent them . As 32:27.170 --> 32:29.281 I pointed to , the president was wise 32:29.281 --> 32:31.503 enough to understand that at a , at its 32:31.503 --> 32:33.726 weakest moment following the twelve-day 32:33.726 --> 32:35.726 War in Midnight Hammer , now is the 32:35.726 --> 32:37.670 time to degrade their conventional 32:37.670 --> 32:37.369 capabilities , the umbrella they were 32:37.369 --> 32:39.369 building of missiles , long range , 32:39.369 --> 32:41.609 short range cruise missiles , one-way 32:41.609 --> 32:43.720 attack drones that they were going to 32:43.720 --> 32:45.831 use to blackmail the countries around 32:45.831 --> 32:47.831 them to not do anything about their 32:47.831 --> 32:49.831 nuclear . Nuclear program when they 32:49.831 --> 32:52.053 broke out from 60% . We know that to be 32:52.053 --> 32:51.635 a , they knew that to be their 32:51.635 --> 32:53.802 intention and something had to be done 32:53.802 --> 32:55.968 about it , and President Trump had the 32:55.968 --> 32:55.875 courage to do it . Well , President 32:55.875 --> 32:58.042 Trump , there's been a lot of quotes , 32:58.042 --> 33:00.153 uh , that people have been mentioning 33:00.153 --> 33:00.114 in his words , and I wanted to mention 33:00.114 --> 33:02.281 some that I thought were interesting . 33:02.281 --> 33:04.503 Here's a quote , I will take no options 33:04.503 --> 33:06.447 off the table to prevent Iran from 33:06.447 --> 33:08.447 obtaining a nuclear weapon . Barack 33:08.447 --> 33:10.558 Obama . Iran will never get a nuclear 33:10.558 --> 33:12.447 weapon , Joe Biden . I will never 33:12.447 --> 33:14.281 hesitate to take whatever action 33:14.281 --> 33:16.503 necessary , and I will never allow Iran 33:16.503 --> 33:16.219 to acquire nuclear weapons . All 33:16.219 --> 33:18.108 options are on the table , Kamala 33:18.108 --> 33:20.260 Harris , and this one . We would 33:20.260 --> 33:22.204 totally obliterate Iran . That's a 33:22.204 --> 33:24.093 terrible thing to say , but those 33:24.093 --> 33:26.260 people who run Iran need to understand 33:26.260 --> 33:28.371 that . Hillary Clinton , 2008 . So it 33:28.371 --> 33:30.593 seems to me that Barack Obama , Hillary 33:30.593 --> 33:32.704 Clinton , Joe Biden , Kamala Harris , 33:32.704 --> 33:34.593 and Donald Trump had something in 33:34.593 --> 33:34.420 common . They weren't going to allow 33:34.420 --> 33:36.642 Iran to get a nuclear weapon , and some 33:36.642 --> 33:38.698 of them , 4 of them were all words , 33:38.698 --> 33:40.809 and one of them took action . There's 33:40.809 --> 33:42.920 93 million , we're involved in a land 33:42.920 --> 33:42.589 war in Asia . I get it , it's 33:42.589 --> 33:46.109 complicated . 93 million people , much 33:46.109 --> 33:48.510 larger than Iraq , but 80% of their 33:48.510 --> 33:50.566 country hates their guts . This is a 33:50.566 --> 33:52.677 regime that murdered 40,000 of them , 33:52.677 --> 33:54.566 gunned them down in the streets . 33:54.566 --> 33:56.399 They're responsible for over 600 33:56.399 --> 33:59.540 American deaths . Uh How long was World 33:59.540 --> 34:01.651 War Two ? Do you have any idea ? Uh , 34:01.651 --> 34:03.873 in days ? I , I have it right here . In 34:03.873 --> 34:05.984 days exactly . I got it multiplied by 34:05.984 --> 34:08.096 365 , but it's 1,347 days . Korea was 34:08.096 --> 34:11.199 1,1,129 , and our involvement in World 34:11.199 --> 34:13.310 War One , which is rather quick , was 34:13.310 --> 34:15.620 585 . How long we've been involved in 34:15.620 --> 34:19.608 Iran ? I'm just shy of 660 34:19.608 --> 34:22.289 days , 60 days , 2 months . And what is 34:22.289 --> 34:24.622 the degradation of their navy right now , 34:24.622 --> 34:26.733 Secretary ? Uh , their conventional , 34:26.733 --> 34:28.845 conventional navy is destroyed . They 34:28.845 --> 34:31.011 had , uh , 3 drone aircraft carriers . 34:31.011 --> 34:33.345 They have none . They had 11 submarines , 34:33.345 --> 34:35.122 they had none . They had , uh , 34:35.122 --> 34:37.233 different frigate classes , they have 34:37.233 --> 34:39.345 none . They may have small speedboats 34:39.345 --> 34:38.949 at this point , Coast Guard type 34:38.949 --> 34:41.060 vessels , but their conventional navy 34:41.060 --> 34:43.171 is gone . Air Force . Likewise , uh , 34:43.171 --> 34:45.227 functionally destroyed . Command and 34:45.227 --> 34:47.227 control , uh , they , it's hard for 34:47.227 --> 34:49.171 them . It's , there's a reason why 34:49.171 --> 34:50.727 there's a challenge in , in 34:50.727 --> 34:52.893 communicating around a deal is because 34:52.893 --> 34:52.409 their command and control is 34:52.409 --> 34:54.631 fundamentally broken as far as who's in 34:54.631 --> 34:56.780 control and how they communicate . We 34:56.780 --> 35:00.129 could make very good arguments that the 35:00.129 --> 35:02.100 serious nature of any action in a 35:02.100 --> 35:04.100 country like Iran , there's , there 35:04.100 --> 35:06.100 were good things to consider before 35:06.100 --> 35:08.156 doing it . There were also very good 35:08.156 --> 35:10.500 reasons to do it . The fact of the 35:10.500 --> 35:12.444 matter is , ladies and gentlemen , 35:12.444 --> 35:14.611 Republicans and Democrats , we're here 35:14.611 --> 35:16.830 now . This is an evil regime . We can 35:16.830 --> 35:19.110 fundamentally reshape not only that the 35:19.110 --> 35:21.277 region , but the world . They were the 35:21.277 --> 35:22.999 largest exporter of terror and 35:22.999 --> 35:24.999 ballistic missile technologies . We 35:24.999 --> 35:28.280 need gentlemen to win . Secretary 35:28.280 --> 35:31.100 General Kaine , when I yield back . 35:31.399 --> 35:33.621 Gentlemen , yields back . Chair , and I 35:33.621 --> 35:33.459 recognize the gentleman from 35:33.459 --> 35:35.792 Pennsylvania , Mr . Deluzio . Thank you , 35:35.792 --> 35:37.959 Mr . Chairman . Uh , we all just heard 35:37.989 --> 35:40.030 pretty powerful reporting , uh , 35:40.120 --> 35:42.287 courtesy of Mr . Ryan , uh , from many 35:42.287 --> 35:44.520 of our wounded troops who were injured 35:44.520 --> 35:47.050 in the attack in Kuwait . Uh , Mr . 35:47.070 --> 35:49.070 Secretary , you heard direct quotes 35:49.070 --> 35:51.014 from some of them , uh , via CBS's 35:51.014 --> 35:53.126 reporting . They were willing to talk 35:53.126 --> 35:55.181 to the press , things like they were 35:55.181 --> 35:57.292 unprepared to provide any defense for 35:57.292 --> 35:59.860 themselves in the unit . Things like We 35:59.860 --> 36:01.971 were moved closer to Iran to a deeply 36:01.971 --> 36:04.082 unsafe area that was a known target . 36:05.010 --> 36:07.689 Your spokesperson , Sean Parnell , in 36:07.689 --> 36:09.856 response to that reporting said it was 36:10.050 --> 36:12.719 not true . Do you agree with that ? He 36:12.719 --> 36:15.409 was calling these guys liars ? Um , I'm 36:15.409 --> 36:17.600 not calling our troops liars , and I 36:17.600 --> 36:19.767 don't know if what you're representing 36:19.767 --> 36:21.933 is , is correct or not . I'll take you 36:21.933 --> 36:24.044 at your word on that , but all I know 36:24.044 --> 36:26.156 is that we took every effort possible 36:26.156 --> 36:28.378 at the commencement of this campaign to 36:28.378 --> 36:27.770 ensure the defense of our troops , to 36:27.770 --> 36:30.870 include moving them off of known bases 36:30.969 --> 36:33.136 to places that were not known , and we 36:33.136 --> 36:35.247 had intelligence understood that that 36:35.247 --> 36:37.302 were not known , and then those were 36:37.302 --> 36:37.090 fortified with bunkers and other 36:37.090 --> 36:38.868 fortifications with theater air 36:38.868 --> 36:41.090 defenses was our concern that something 36:41.090 --> 36:43.257 could . I'm gonna , I'm gonna give you 36:43.257 --> 36:44.923 a chance , I'm gonna , you're 36:44.923 --> 36:47.090 disparaging me that I don't care . I'm 36:47.090 --> 36:46.685 asking you whether you think they're 36:46.685 --> 36:48.741 liars or not . That's what I asked . 36:48.741 --> 36:50.741 You are disparaging me that I don't 36:50.741 --> 36:50.475 care about the passing of our troops . 36:50.544 --> 36:52.655 Nope , I asked if you thought they're 36:52.655 --> 36:54.822 liars . Terry . That's disparaging and 36:54.822 --> 36:56.877 smearing in every way . Nobody cares 36:56.877 --> 36:58.877 more about the fate of our troops . 36:58.877 --> 37:00.933 Nobody cares about the health of our 37:00.933 --> 37:00.715 troops . Nobody wants to bring them all 37:00.715 --> 37:03.314 hope more than I . I understand , but 37:03.314 --> 37:05.554 he controls the time . He controls the 37:05.554 --> 37:07.915 time . You get to control your answer . 37:08.370 --> 37:10.592 And the gentleman's if we're allowed to 37:10.592 --> 37:12.648 answer , Mr . Chairman , thank you , 37:12.648 --> 37:14.537 Secretary . My question was clear 37:14.537 --> 37:16.703 whether you thought they were liars or 37:16.703 --> 37:16.010 not . You don't seem to want to answer 37:16.010 --> 37:18.250 it . We can move on . The other part of 37:18.250 --> 37:20.472 what your spokesman said , and you just 37:20.472 --> 37:22.417 reiterated here was that , and I'm 37:22.417 --> 37:24.639 quoting your spokesman , every possible 37:24.639 --> 37:26.861 measure has been taken to safeguard our 37:26.861 --> 37:28.972 troops , end quote . You mean to tell 37:28.972 --> 37:31.139 us , let's , I'll give you a chance to 37:31.139 --> 37:32.917 clarify , there is not a single 37:32.917 --> 37:32.649 additional thing you could have done to 37:32.649 --> 37:34.482 protect those troops who are now 37:34.482 --> 37:36.429 wounded , 6 of whom are dead . I'm 37:36.429 --> 37:38.870 telling you that as a department , we 37:38.870 --> 37:41.270 did every conceivable thing at my level 37:41.270 --> 37:44.389 and every echelon down . To ensure the 37:44.389 --> 37:46.722 maximum force protection for our troops , 37:46.722 --> 37:48.833 we live in a , in a dangerous world , 37:48.833 --> 37:50.556 in a dangerous place against a 37:50.556 --> 37:52.500 determined enemy that can't have a 37:52.500 --> 37:52.340 nuclear weapon , and that requires 37:52.340 --> 37:54.540 sacrifice and risk . And it , it 37:54.540 --> 37:56.760 tragically in this case , it meant 6 37:56.760 --> 37:58.871 Americans lost their lives and others 37:58.871 --> 38:01.038 were wounded , and I , and we all know 38:01.038 --> 38:03.038 that , and we all . That's , that's 38:03.038 --> 38:03.030 part of the cost , but it does not mean 38:03.030 --> 38:04.919 we didn't care , and it doesn't , 38:04.919 --> 38:07.086 doesn't mean we didn't commit you . It 38:07.086 --> 38:09.197 doesn't mean we didn'tt do everything 38:09.197 --> 38:08.610 possible , which we did . But what I , 38:08.679 --> 38:10.735 let's be clear about what was done . 38:10.735 --> 38:12.790 There were T-was there essentially . 38:12.790 --> 38:14.957 There was no overhead protection . The 38:14.957 --> 38:14.949 known threat in that environment , and 38:14.949 --> 38:17.116 I think we all here understand it , is 38:17.116 --> 38:19.171 overhead drone strike . There was no 38:19.171 --> 38:21.393 protection for overhead drone strikes . 38:21.393 --> 38:23.393 So I'm struggling to understand how 38:23.393 --> 38:25.393 your and your spokesman's answer is 38:25.393 --> 38:27.616 that every possible measure was taken . 38:27.616 --> 38:29.727 We can move on , um , Mr . Chairman . 38:29.727 --> 38:29.699 Uh , Chairman Kane , I wanna ask you 38:29.699 --> 38:31.977 something about a different topic . Um , 38:31.977 --> 38:34.032 folks at home know you're the senior 38:34.032 --> 38:36.310 military officer in our armed services . 38:36.310 --> 38:37.921 They may not have as much of 38:37.921 --> 38:40.143 understanding of your role in the chain 38:40.143 --> 38:39.489 of command . You're outside the 38:39.489 --> 38:41.656 operational chain of command , but you 38:41.656 --> 38:43.878 are the president's and the secretary's 38:43.878 --> 38:45.933 senior military advisor . So I wanna 38:45.933 --> 38:48.156 ask a very basic thing , what you would 38:48.156 --> 38:50.267 expect our commanders in the , in the 38:50.267 --> 38:52.550 field , uh , our troops to do should 38:52.770 --> 38:54.826 the enemy lay down their weapons and 38:54.826 --> 38:56.714 try to surrender ? What would you 38:56.714 --> 38:58.881 expect commanders in the field to do ? 38:59.620 --> 39:01.739 Well , sir , I think , um , I'll go 39:01.739 --> 39:03.850 back to something I said earlier with 39:03.850 --> 39:06.820 deep respect for your question , but I 39:06.820 --> 39:08.931 think you're trying to , uh , take me 39:08.931 --> 39:11.300 to a partisan place here , and I can't 39:11.300 --> 39:13.244 let you do that , General . I , as 39:13.244 --> 39:15.467 always , I respect your desire to avoid 39:15.467 --> 39:17.467 it . I'm not trying to put you in a 39:17.467 --> 39:19.689 partisan , no , no , and I , and I know 39:19.689 --> 39:19.090 that , but I , you know , our , our , 39:19.139 --> 39:21.540 uh , our officers and , and enlisted 39:21.540 --> 39:23.596 service members always follow lawful 39:23.596 --> 39:25.707 orders . There's a checklist for them 39:25.707 --> 39:28.389 to do that , and And , uh , I , I just , 39:28.419 --> 39:30.752 uh , I , I'll , I'll stay in the middle . 39:30.879 --> 39:33.101 understood , General Secretary , let me 39:33.101 --> 39:35.101 give you a chance , and you've been 39:35.101 --> 39:35.040 asked about this earlier and you said 39:35.040 --> 39:37.096 in , I think your press conference , 39:37.096 --> 39:39.318 essentially , and I'll quote you here , 39:39.318 --> 39:41.540 no quarter , no mercy for our enemies . 39:41.929 --> 39:44.040 That's the end of the quote . Is your 39:44.040 --> 39:46.889 guidance that you expect our troops in 39:46.889 --> 39:49.229 harm's way if there's a foreign enemy 39:49.449 --> 39:51.671 surrendering , laying down their arms , 39:51.671 --> 39:53.838 they're supposed to provide no quarter 39:53.838 --> 39:56.050 and kill them ? Um , you denied it , 39:56.209 --> 39:58.376 but you were indeed trying to take the 39:58.376 --> 40:00.598 chairman to a partisan place . That was 40:00.598 --> 40:02.765 General Milley . That was the previous 40:02.765 --> 40:04.931 administration which played politics . 40:04.931 --> 40:04.439 We don't play that . It's a simple 40:04.439 --> 40:06.606 question . I , I'm asking you what you 40:06.606 --> 40:08.828 meant to win and we ensure the rules of 40:08.828 --> 40:08.530 engagements are such that our , that 40:08.530 --> 40:10.308 our troops have every authority 40:10.308 --> 40:12.308 possible to . I'll give you another 40:12.308 --> 40:14.474 chance . Do you , in saying that , are 40:14.474 --> 40:16.419 you trying to tell commanders that 40:16.419 --> 40:16.260 that's what you expect ? You're in the 40:16.260 --> 40:18.979 chain of command . It's a simple 40:18.979 --> 40:20.757 question . I understand that my 40:20.757 --> 40:22.590 commanders know exactly what the 40:22.590 --> 40:24.923 guidance is with each and every mission , 40:24.923 --> 40:23.739 and they know every tool tool in 40:23.739 --> 40:26.020 refusing to be affected it . I think 40:26.020 --> 40:28.076 you speak volumes . I think that's a 40:28.076 --> 40:29.964 dangerous thing . We all know the 40:29.964 --> 40:32.187 expectations . We know the law of war . 40:32.187 --> 40:34.409 We know what is lawful . I'd expect our 40:34.409 --> 40:36.631 commanders to understand that as well . 40:36.631 --> 40:35.669 I yield back , Mr . Chairman . 40:35.739 --> 40:37.961 Gentleman , yields back . Chair , and I 40:37.961 --> 40:40.128 recognize a gentleman from Guam , Mr . 40:40.128 --> 40:44.080 Moylan . Thank you , thank 40:44.080 --> 40:46.302 you , Mr . Chairman , Secretary Head of 40:46.302 --> 40:48.469 Staff , thank you for your continued , 40:48.469 --> 40:50.247 uh , attention to Guam . Really 40:50.247 --> 40:52.469 appreciate it and while leading the War 40:52.469 --> 40:54.636 Department here and I'd like to remind 40:54.636 --> 40:56.747 my colleagues , uh , that one of your 40:56.747 --> 40:58.858 first official trips as secretary was 40:58.858 --> 41:01.000 to visit Guam and during your 41:01.000 --> 41:03.222 confirmation hearing you identified the 41:03.222 --> 41:05.320 island as America's most strategic . 41:06.149 --> 41:08.889 Location globally and this commitment 41:09.149 --> 41:11.205 does not go unnoticed sir so I thank 41:11.205 --> 41:14.179 you , Mr . Secretary for that . And as 41:14.179 --> 41:16.401 we continue our build up , uh , for the 41:16.401 --> 41:18.580 defense of our nation in Guam and the 41:18.580 --> 41:21.800 people of Guam , uh , as we have many , 41:21.979 --> 41:24.090 uh , active duties personnel , but we 41:24.090 --> 41:26.146 also have a lot of Department of War 41:26.146 --> 41:28.201 civilian personnel too and right now 41:28.201 --> 41:30.257 one of our most consistent , my most 41:30.257 --> 41:31.812 consistent question from my 41:31.812 --> 41:34.459 constituents have been asking is when 41:34.459 --> 41:36.515 would the Living Quarridor Allowance 41:36.515 --> 41:38.348 authorization for War Department 41:38.348 --> 41:40.739 civilians in Guam . When will it be 41:40.739 --> 41:42.906 implemented ? And recently your office 41:42.906 --> 41:45.017 confirmed that the guidance should be 41:45.017 --> 41:47.370 published early May . Will you work to 41:47.370 --> 41:49.592 keep that timeline and will you work to 41:49.592 --> 41:51.648 ensure living quarter allowance will 41:51.648 --> 41:54.419 properly incentivize local hires to 41:54.419 --> 41:57.449 stay on Guam ? Well , if that's what we 41:57.449 --> 41:59.449 stated , we need to stick with it . 41:59.449 --> 42:01.505 That's been our pledge . And , and I 42:01.505 --> 42:03.671 think , uh , it reiterates that , uh , 42:03.671 --> 42:05.782 the , the amount we're paying on , on 42:05.782 --> 42:07.893 to pay for housing and for quality of 42:07.893 --> 42:07.600 life and living at certain special 42:07.600 --> 42:09.790 unique locations is usually mismatched 42:09.790 --> 42:12.169 and it causes staffing and workforce 42:12.169 --> 42:14.391 problems that we need to address . In a 42:14.391 --> 42:16.613 tailored nature to some of those unique 42:16.613 --> 42:18.836 locations like Guam , like Hawaii , and 42:18.836 --> 42:21.113 others in , in Europe . So yes , we're , 42:21.113 --> 42:23.225 we're committed to that , and I would 42:23.225 --> 42:23.169 just note that in our budget we've got 42:23.169 --> 42:25.280 almost a billion for the Guam defense 42:25.280 --> 42:27.613 system . Also , we're investing in , uh , 42:27.613 --> 42:29.669 ensuring that that critical location 42:29.669 --> 42:31.558 you described is , is part of our 42:31.558 --> 42:33.613 theater umbrella . Excellent , sir . 42:33.613 --> 42:35.780 Thank you for that . Uh , another long 42:35.780 --> 42:38.250 standing request I have from the War 42:38.250 --> 42:40.139 Department has been the increased 42:40.139 --> 42:42.610 support for Guam's power grid . As you 42:42.610 --> 42:45.090 know , we all , uh , the one island 42:45.090 --> 42:47.201 approach there and working together , 42:47.201 --> 42:50.250 our water , our power , our port , our 42:50.250 --> 42:52.929 airports , our hospital , it's all in 42:52.929 --> 42:55.250 support , uh , working together with 42:55.250 --> 42:57.083 the military . Well , one of the 42:57.083 --> 42:59.610 important ones , uh , for us is , uh , 42:59.729 --> 43:03.060 Guam's . Um , power grid , and most of 43:03.060 --> 43:05.227 Guam's grid is owned by the department 43:05.340 --> 43:07.118 and is leased to the Guam Power 43:07.118 --> 43:09.379 Authority and as it , as the military 43:09.379 --> 43:12.050 demands , uh , upon the power grid 43:12.050 --> 43:15.149 increases , do you see either 43:15.149 --> 43:18.540 ONM funds or military construction 43:18.540 --> 43:21.139 funds being the best path for the 43:21.139 --> 43:24.100 department to support Guam's power grid 43:24.100 --> 43:25.830 needs ? I 43:29.060 --> 43:31.004 I'd welcome your input , first and 43:31.004 --> 43:33.116 foremost as we have throughout . Um , 43:33.116 --> 43:35.100 but as was noted , we've got 450 43:35.100 --> 43:37.156 million for small modular reactors , 43:37.156 --> 43:39.156 which is a , a , a , a new approach 43:39.156 --> 43:41.378 we're taking , which we think makes our 43:41.378 --> 43:43.489 bases more resilient . If there's one 43:43.489 --> 43:45.822 place the American people count on , uh , 43:45.822 --> 43:47.711 being able to be prepared in that 43:47.711 --> 43:49.822 moment , it's our bases wherever they 43:49.822 --> 43:51.989 are , whether Kus or Oconis , uh , and 43:51.989 --> 43:54.100 these , these reactors are a key part 43:54.100 --> 43:56.100 of getting at it . So that would be 43:56.100 --> 43:55.090 part of how I would answer your 43:55.090 --> 43:57.090 question . I appreciate that , Mr . 43:57.090 --> 43:58.979 Secretary . Also , the Guam Power 43:58.979 --> 44:01.146 Authority is the only one in charge of 44:01.146 --> 44:03.257 all the transmission lines , so we're 44:03.257 --> 44:05.312 that power source , and I know there 44:05.312 --> 44:07.312 was some consideration of the small 44:07.312 --> 44:09.257 nuclear reactors as well , but the 44:09.257 --> 44:11.034 power authority will be the one 44:11.034 --> 44:12.590 transmitting , uh , for the 44:12.590 --> 44:14.812 transmission lines for all the power on 44:14.812 --> 44:16.757 the island . So looking forward to 44:16.757 --> 44:18.923 working with your office . Thank you , 44:18.923 --> 44:20.889 Mr . Secretary . Um , another deep 44:20.889 --> 44:23.111 concern for the people of Guam has been 44:23.111 --> 44:25.167 the cost of housing , which is often 44:25.167 --> 44:26.833 driven up by large numbers of 44:26.833 --> 44:29.840 servicemen living on base in Guam , off 44:29.840 --> 44:32.007 base on Guam , and I've been impressed 44:32.007 --> 44:34.229 by the recent efforts by Joint Regional 44:34.229 --> 44:36.689 Maryana to reduce the reliance on 44:36.689 --> 44:39.370 existing housing stock in both north 44:39.370 --> 44:42.250 and , uh , south of Guam . Can you tell 44:42.250 --> 44:44.729 us how department housing . Uh , 44:44.780 --> 44:47.580 strategy in Guam will work to keep 44:47.580 --> 44:51.290 homes affordable to locals and if , uh , 44:51.379 --> 44:53.219 and if increased private sector 44:53.219 --> 44:55.729 involvement would help address my 44:55.729 --> 44:58.379 constituents' concerns . Well , we've 44:58.379 --> 45:00.810 got about 4.5 billion for family 45:00.810 --> 45:02.939 housing in the FY 27 budget . It's 45:02.939 --> 45:05.050 something we recognize as a challenge 45:05.050 --> 45:06.995 and in places like that , a unique 45:06.995 --> 45:09.161 challenge . Uh , there's also been a . 45:09.161 --> 45:10.883 Uh , construction bureaucratic 45:10.883 --> 45:12.995 construction process which has been a 45:12.995 --> 45:12.669 huge impediment and you can imagine 45:12.669 --> 45:14.891 President Trump has demanded that we do 45:14.891 --> 45:16.947 something different and accelerate a 45:16.947 --> 45:18.891 different process to deliver those 45:18.891 --> 45:21.058 things in a more of a private sector , 45:21.058 --> 45:20.750 less bureaucratic fashion , and we look 45:20.750 --> 45:23.028 forward to employing those . Excellent , 45:23.028 --> 45:25.250 sir . And , and finally we did have one 45:25.250 --> 45:27.417 discussion when we first met in Guam , 45:27.417 --> 45:29.694 uh , regarding the Medal of Honor , um , 45:29.694 --> 45:31.861 possible recipients that are deserving 45:31.861 --> 45:34.030 of this . Now Guam has never had any 45:34.030 --> 45:37.129 Medal of Honor . Uh , recipients , and 45:37.129 --> 45:39.370 there's 33 names that we gentleman's 45:39.370 --> 45:41.689 time's expired . Thank you . Uh , I 45:41.689 --> 45:43.745 would like to point out , you know , 45:43.745 --> 45:45.856 once I recognize a member , they have 45:45.856 --> 45:47.856 control of that 5 minutes . If they 45:47.856 --> 45:49.967 wanna give a speech , they can give a 45:49.967 --> 45:52.133 speech . If they wanna ask questions , 45:52.133 --> 45:54.356 they can ask questions . But if you ask 45:54.356 --> 45:56.522 a question , I would hope you give the 45:56.522 --> 45:58.522 witness a chance to answer . But if 45:58.522 --> 46:00.633 they choose not to , then the witness 46:00.633 --> 46:00.620 has to recognize it's their time and 46:00.959 --> 46:03.126 cut it off and go back to them . But I 46:03.126 --> 46:05.237 want to stick , sorry . I , I want us 46:05.237 --> 46:07.403 to be able to respectful of each other 46:07.403 --> 46:09.237 and be able to , to make sure we 46:09.237 --> 46:11.237 maximize the use of this time . But 46:11.237 --> 46:13.292 everybody has to understand it's the 46:13.292 --> 46:15.515 member's 5 minutes . Uh , once , once I 46:15.515 --> 46:14.469 recognize the ranking member want to 46:14.469 --> 46:16.580 offer something ? Yeah , I just wanna 46:16.580 --> 46:18.580 second that . Yeah , it is members' 46:18.580 --> 46:18.080 time . I do hope members , you know , 46:18.370 --> 46:20.520 you do ask a question . Got to allow 46:20.520 --> 46:22.742 for more than two words , uh , yes , if 46:22.742 --> 46:24.687 the filibuster or don't answer the 46:24.687 --> 46:26.909 question . Feel free to interrupt , but 46:26.909 --> 46:29.076 I hope we can keep this respectful and 46:29.076 --> 46:28.719 it's more productive for us and , and 46:28.719 --> 46:30.497 for the witnesses and for those 46:30.497 --> 46:32.663 watching . So thank you , Mr . Chair . 46:32.663 --> 46:34.552 And with that we will recognize a 46:34.552 --> 46:36.663 gentle lady from Hawaii , Mr . Kuda . 46:36.663 --> 46:38.719 Thank you , Mr . Chair . On February 46:38.719 --> 46:40.775 2nd , President Trump said we should 46:40.775 --> 46:42.775 take over the voting in at least 15 46:42.775 --> 46:44.663 places . The Republicans ought to 46:44.663 --> 46:46.608 nationalize the voting despite the 46:46.608 --> 46:48.330 Constitution assigning primary 46:48.330 --> 46:48.254 responsibility for election . To the 46:48.254 --> 46:50.774 states , federal law also draws very 46:50.774 --> 46:53.094 clear limits under 18 US Code Section 46:53.094 --> 46:56.195 592 . Military officers are prohibited 46:56.415 --> 46:58.137 from deploying troops or armed 46:58.137 --> 47:00.175 personnel to polling places unless 47:00.175 --> 47:02.655 necessary to repel armed enemies of the 47:02.655 --> 47:04.955 United States . That is this exception , 47:05.094 --> 47:07.534 not politics , not suspicion , not 47:07.534 --> 47:10.185 conspiracy theories , armed enemies . 47:10.574 --> 47:12.463 Secretary Heg said , do you think 47:12.463 --> 47:14.407 American voters are enemies of the 47:14.407 --> 47:16.574 United States ? Simple yes or no would 47:16.574 --> 47:19.649 suffice . Um , I think , uh , legal 47:19.649 --> 47:21.816 voters , I think everybody who's legal 47:21.816 --> 47:23.982 should vote . Yes , so American voters 47:23.982 --> 47:26.149 are not enemies of the United States . 47:26.149 --> 47:28.371 Yes , you're agreeing with me . I think 47:28.371 --> 47:30.538 America's legal citizens should vote . 47:30.538 --> 47:32.538 Yes . How many armed enemies of the 47:32.538 --> 47:32.120 United States have attempted to 47:32.120 --> 47:33.953 interfere in the last election ? 47:36.760 --> 47:39.219 Um , can you recall any time when armed 47:39.219 --> 47:41.386 enemies of the United States attempted 47:41.386 --> 47:43.386 to fear in the last election or the 47:43.386 --> 47:45.969 2020 election ? We just had the King of 47:45.969 --> 47:48.770 England here that a while ago , but 250 47:48.770 --> 47:51.649 years ago . OK , very good . All right , 47:51.770 --> 47:53.992 well , Secretary Heck said if President 47:53.992 --> 47:56.103 Trump ordered you to deploy troops to 47:56.103 --> 47:57.992 polling places during the midterm 47:57.992 --> 47:59.881 elections this fall , which would 47:59.881 --> 48:01.937 violate the law I just cited , would 48:01.937 --> 48:04.048 you implement his order ? Yes or no ? 48:04.129 --> 48:06.351 What you're trying to insinuate is that 48:06.351 --> 48:08.240 the president would give unlawful 48:08.240 --> 48:10.185 orders and we would somehow deploy 48:10.185 --> 48:12.296 troops as a result , and the evidence 48:12.296 --> 48:11.919 of our department is that we've worked 48:11.919 --> 48:13.641 alongside law enforcement very 48:13.641 --> 48:15.697 effectively for 15 months . Uh , Los 48:15.697 --> 48:17.919 Angeles would have been on fire for the 48:17.919 --> 48:20.030 summer had we not come across . I , I 48:20.030 --> 48:22.197 disagree with that , but this is not a 48:22.197 --> 48:21.639 hypothetical situation that I'm 48:21.639 --> 48:23.806 inferring on your president in January 48:23.806 --> 48:25.861 of this year told the New York Times 48:25.861 --> 48:27.806 that he regretted not ordering the 48:27.806 --> 48:30.028 National Guard to seize voting machines 48:30.028 --> 48:32.250 in key states after the 2020 election . 48:32.250 --> 48:34.417 Last I heard . Heard from you the last 48:34.417 --> 48:36.528 time we had any kind of armed enemies 48:36.528 --> 48:38.583 at any type of voting places was 250 48:38.583 --> 48:40.750 years ago . We're talking 2020 . So if 48:40.750 --> 48:42.695 the president again I'm asking you 48:42.695 --> 48:44.528 orders you to break election law 48:44.528 --> 48:46.695 violate the constitution and the law , 48:46.695 --> 48:48.639 would you follow the orders of the 48:48.639 --> 48:50.861 president ? Yes or no ? The president , 48:50.861 --> 48:52.917 uh , uh , you like to insinuate that 48:52.917 --> 48:55.083 the president issued orders hasn't and 48:55.083 --> 48:55.020 does not . Who would you follow , the 48:55.020 --> 48:57.187 president or the constitution ? I will 48:57.187 --> 48:59.610 note that in 2024 troops were Joe Biden , 48:59.659 --> 49:01.881 by the way , Joe Biden were deployed to 49:01.881 --> 49:04.103 polling locations in 15 states . 2024 , 49:04.149 --> 49:06.280 Joe Biden troops deployed . Polling 49:06.280 --> 49:08.391 locations in 15 states . Explain that 49:08.391 --> 49:10.639 one to me . I am asking you a question 49:10.639 --> 49:12.972 now . You seem to really like Joe Biden . 49:13.000 --> 49:15.056 You've brought his name up more than 49:15.056 --> 49:18.000 many other topics today . Answer the 49:18.000 --> 49:20.333 question . Who are you beholden to , Mr . 49:20.333 --> 49:22.167 Secretary , the president of the 49:22.167 --> 49:24.820 Constitution ? Well , I can't answer 49:24.820 --> 49:26.987 that question , very proudly served as 49:26.987 --> 49:28.987 president , I very proudly swear an 49:28.987 --> 49:30.820 oath . Billy's in the leg in Los 49:30.820 --> 49:30.770 Angeles , he couldn't answer that 49:30.770 --> 49:32.937 either . So I think our answer is very 49:32.937 --> 49:34.881 clear . Obviously you have taken a 49:34.881 --> 49:37.048 loath of loyalty only to the president 49:37.048 --> 49:39.103 and not the people of this country . 49:39.103 --> 49:41.270 Let's move on now and let's talk about 49:41.270 --> 49:43.326 AI , the Marvin Smart System , which 49:43.326 --> 49:45.326 appears to be the program on record 49:45.326 --> 49:47.548 being . Used in Iran does the targeting 49:47.548 --> 49:49.770 work we know of about 2,000s called the 49:49.770 --> 49:51.937 Maven system , not the Marvin system . 49:51.937 --> 49:53.714 me . Thank you so much for that 49:53.714 --> 49:55.826 correction . It does it in a fraction 49:55.826 --> 49:55.235 of the time . The intention was to 49:55.235 --> 49:57.124 compress the kill chain , and the 49:57.124 --> 49:59.346 result was an attack that killed almost 49:59.346 --> 50:01.346 200 children . Would you agree that 50:01.346 --> 50:03.995 tragic actions like this prove that 50:03.995 --> 50:07.800 when we trade time . And humans 50:07.800 --> 50:09.719 for safety , people die . 50:12.320 --> 50:15.080 Uh , the Maven system is a very 50:15.080 --> 50:17.770 effective tool , uh , and inside that 50:17.770 --> 50:21.530 we use , we have very , Prescriptive 50:21.530 --> 50:24.540 processes by which we ensure , uh , as 50:24.540 --> 50:26.651 much precision as humanly possible in 50:26.651 --> 50:28.873 very complex battlefield . So you think 50:28.873 --> 50:30.984 we took every absolute effort to make 50:30.984 --> 50:33.040 sure that innocent civilians did not 50:33.040 --> 50:35.207 die in this attack . I know that there 50:35.207 --> 50:37.151 is no country on planet Earth that 50:37.151 --> 50:39.096 takes more measures to ensure that 50:39.096 --> 50:41.151 civilian harm or civilian casualties 50:41.151 --> 50:43.373 are minimized than the United States of 50:43.373 --> 50:43.219 America and this War Department , and 50:43.219 --> 50:45.552 that is a fact . OK . And yet , uh , Mr . 50:45.659 --> 50:47.381 Secretary , you eliminated the 50:47.381 --> 50:49.437 Department's civilian harm reduction 50:49.437 --> 50:51.603 staff . You eliminate it for a country 50:51.603 --> 50:53.939 that does takes great efforts , makes 50:53.939 --> 50:55.772 great efforts to make sure human 50:55.772 --> 50:58.909 casualties are reduced or eliminated , 50:59.540 --> 51:01.762 don't you think that that goes actually 51:01.762 --> 51:03.873 counter to what you just said ? Would 51:03.873 --> 51:05.929 these children not still be alive if 51:05.929 --> 51:07.929 you had not eliminated all of these 51:07.929 --> 51:10.110 staff working within CENTCOM ? Um , we 51:10.110 --> 51:12.166 didn't eliminate them . We made sure 51:12.166 --> 51:14.110 that they , those things that they 51:14.110 --> 51:16.166 normally accomplish are at the field 51:16.166 --> 51:18.166 level , which they are , and all of 51:18.166 --> 51:20.277 these processes are in place at every 51:20.277 --> 51:20.070 level . Something clearly has failed , 51:20.149 --> 51:22.629 whether it's our implementation of AI , 51:22.750 --> 51:25.790 whether it's understanding our human 51:25.790 --> 51:27.957 dependence on AI . Would you not agree 51:27.957 --> 51:29.957 something failed because almost 200 51:29.957 --> 51:32.012 children died in Iran as a result of 51:32.012 --> 51:33.957 our bombing . Uh , you're , you're 51:33.957 --> 51:35.679 insinuating something where an 51:35.679 --> 51:37.901 investigation is not complete . General 51:37.901 --> 51:39.623 Lee's time's expired . She now 51:39.623 --> 51:39.370 recognizes the gentleman from Georgia , 51:39.489 --> 51:42.189 Doctor McCormick . Thank you , Mr . 51:42.270 --> 51:46.239 Chair . Gentlemen , I'm uh Happy to 51:46.239 --> 51:48.406 have you here today and really excited 51:48.406 --> 51:50.461 about the things you've been able to 51:50.461 --> 51:52.572 accomplish , uh , just to , I'm gonna 51:52.572 --> 51:54.739 summarize this just sitting here for a 51:54.739 --> 51:56.795 few minutes listening to everybody . 51:56.795 --> 51:58.906 politicize what we've done . I'm just 51:58.906 --> 52:01.072 gonna break it down as best as I can , 52:01.072 --> 52:03.072 and then I'm gonna let you answer a 52:03.072 --> 52:02.620 couple of questions . First of all , 52:02.750 --> 52:04.750 just since the short period of time 52:05.149 --> 52:07.371 that the Trump administration has taken 52:07.371 --> 52:10.709 over , we've handed over . Control of 52:10.709 --> 52:12.876 Ukraine's destiny to Europe , where it 52:12.876 --> 52:16.350 belongs , uh , a conglomerate that has 52:16.350 --> 52:18.830 a $20 trillion economy versus a $2 52:18.830 --> 52:20.949 trillion Russian economy to actually 52:20.949 --> 52:22.949 take care of their own country in a 52:22.949 --> 52:25.149 very good way , their own continent . 52:25.810 --> 52:28.379 We've kept Iran , who has literally 52:28.379 --> 52:30.379 talked about raining down fire from 52:30.379 --> 52:32.435 heaven and talked about us being the 52:32.435 --> 52:34.546 great Satan , from becoming a nuclear 52:34.546 --> 52:36.768 power . We've reshaped the geopolitical 52:36.768 --> 52:38.657 space in the Persian Gulf . We've 52:38.657 --> 52:40.712 reestablished the Monroe Doctrine in 52:40.712 --> 52:42.435 the Western Hemisphere . We've 52:43.179 --> 52:46.610 basically . Executed two of the most 52:46.610 --> 52:50.250 amazing raids in history , uh , almost 52:50.250 --> 52:52.417 flawlessly , uh , that will be studied 52:52.417 --> 52:54.889 for a generation at least . Uh , we 52:54.889 --> 52:57.111 reduced senior administrative billets . 52:57.111 --> 53:00.050 Thank you . We've defeated Iran with 53:00.050 --> 53:03.989 under $30 billion spent . With minimal 53:04.270 --> 53:06.270 civilian casualties compared to any 53:06.270 --> 53:08.492 other war , people forget that in World 53:08.492 --> 53:10.603 War II , in one night we lost 100,000 53:10.603 --> 53:12.826 civilians , totally innocent , and fire 53:12.826 --> 53:15.048 bombings . That's before we dropped the 53:15.048 --> 53:17.381 nuclear bombs . War is a horrible thing , 53:17.381 --> 53:19.492 but I think we've executed as best as 53:19.492 --> 53:21.770 possible in a in a very hard and 53:21.770 --> 53:23.992 consequential environment . That's just 53:23.992 --> 53:26.214 to sum up a few things , not to mention 53:26.214 --> 53:28.270 the recruiting that went from dismal 53:28.270 --> 53:30.326 and really something that could have 53:30.326 --> 53:32.492 crippled our military to now a surplus 53:32.492 --> 53:34.548 just by a change in administration . 53:34.548 --> 53:36.603 That's pretty impressive for a short 53:36.603 --> 53:38.548 period of time . Thank you , and I 53:38.548 --> 53:40.714 commend you for your , your hardship , 53:40.714 --> 53:42.881 uh , overcoming those hardships . Um , 53:42.881 --> 53:42.709 a couple of things that I wanted to get 53:42.709 --> 53:44.820 through . 11 thing is we talked about 53:44.820 --> 53:46.987 the incentivized saving Act , which is 53:46.987 --> 53:46.540 something I wanted to apply to all 53:46.540 --> 53:48.651 bureaucracies , but when I was in the 53:48.651 --> 53:50.873 military as both an operational officer 53:50.873 --> 53:52.596 and a logistics officer for my 53:52.596 --> 53:54.830 squadrons and my jump places , um , we 53:54.830 --> 53:56.941 got to the end of fiscal year . If we 53:56.941 --> 53:58.941 didn't spend it , what happens ? We 53:58.941 --> 54:00.997 lose it , we get our budget shrink . 54:00.997 --> 54:00.830 Everybody knows that in the military , 54:01.040 --> 54:02.707 everybody knows that in every 54:02.707 --> 54:04.707 bureaucracy in America . One of the 54:04.707 --> 54:06.873 things I came up with is at the end of 54:06.873 --> 54:06.350 the fiscal year , if you don't spend it , 54:06.510 --> 54:08.732 you don't have anything , you know , we 54:08.732 --> 54:10.954 saved 10% of our budget for emergencies 54:10.954 --> 54:13.010 like we're facing right now . If you 54:13.010 --> 54:12.949 don't spend it , instead of spending it . 54:13.820 --> 54:15.987 You actually can save half of it . 49% 54:15.987 --> 54:18.219 rolls over to the next year . 49% goes 54:18.219 --> 54:20.441 back to debt and deficit , 2% to reward 54:20.441 --> 54:21.886 the people for being good 54:21.886 --> 54:25.229 administrators of the money . I don't 54:25.229 --> 54:27.451 see any downside . This is the way that 54:27.451 --> 54:29.451 we reinvent government , the way we 54:29.451 --> 54:31.507 spend money , and I just thought , I 54:31.507 --> 54:33.618 wanted your opinion on something like 54:33.618 --> 54:32.629 that . I thought I was thinking outside 54:32.629 --> 54:34.796 the box because I've seen wage , fraud 54:34.796 --> 54:36.796 and abuse . We're trying to address 54:36.796 --> 54:38.740 that . This should be a bipartisan 54:38.740 --> 54:40.796 bicameral approach to actually doing 54:40.796 --> 54:43.129 something right as we expand the budget , 54:43.129 --> 54:45.240 but also give us some wiggle room for 54:45.240 --> 54:44.939 putting money back and being good 54:44.939 --> 54:46.995 stewards of people's money . What do 54:46.995 --> 54:49.272 you think about an idea like that ? Um , 54:49.272 --> 54:51.439 I like , I very much like an idea like 54:51.439 --> 54:53.383 that , which creates all the right 54:53.383 --> 54:55.550 kinds of incentives . And I would just 54:55.550 --> 54:54.949 add , in addition to that , which is 54:54.949 --> 54:57.060 the type of thing that our department 54:57.060 --> 54:59.116 would support , the , the deals that 54:59.116 --> 55:01.338 we're cutting with these private sector 55:01.338 --> 55:03.429 companies on munitions ensures they 55:03.429 --> 55:05.318 build the plants , they build the 55:05.318 --> 55:07.429 assembly lines , which is exactly the 55:07.429 --> 55:09.596 right kind of incentive . If you spend 55:09.596 --> 55:11.780 on cap on , uh , on , on facilities , 55:11.949 --> 55:14.060 you're gonna make sure you make money 55:14.060 --> 55:16.171 on those facilities and the munitions 55:16.171 --> 55:18.227 that you produce . There's , there's 55:18.227 --> 55:18.100 ownership in that stake . There's the 55:18.100 --> 55:20.469 right incentive . The overturning the 55:20.469 --> 55:22.500 entire way the , the , the . The 55:22.500 --> 55:24.667 department does , uh , does business . 55:24.667 --> 55:26.778 So I agree with that . We're pointing 55:26.778 --> 55:28.778 at the defense contractors that the 55:28.778 --> 55:30.944 president has and saying , you need to 55:30.944 --> 55:30.770 do your , your business differently . 55:30.889 --> 55:32.722 This is not a gravy train of the 55:32.722 --> 55:34.778 government . You need to be , you're 55:34.850 --> 55:36.906 beholden to us actually . So I think 55:36.906 --> 55:39.017 we're , we're , the spirit of that is 55:39.017 --> 55:41.183 infused into everything we're doing at 55:41.183 --> 55:40.560 the department . And I think it's right 55:40.560 --> 55:42.727 in line with what you're talking about 55:42.727 --> 55:44.838 running it more like a business where 55:44.838 --> 55:46.671 we have accountability and we're 55:46.671 --> 55:45.810 pointed in the right direction . We do 55:45.810 --> 55:48.032 have a lot of old programs that we need 55:48.032 --> 55:50.199 to update . Um , one of the things you 55:50.199 --> 55:52.421 talked about is a 5 to 7-year period of 55:52.421 --> 55:54.588 time of updating . I think almost year 55:54.588 --> 55:53.919 by year now it's gonna be how we're 55:53.919 --> 55:55.919 gonna have to look at how we budget 55:55.919 --> 55:57.641 things in contract because the 55:57.641 --> 55:59.697 technologies are so dramatic as , as 55:59.697 --> 56:01.863 General Kane pointed out . Um , I know 56:01.863 --> 56:04.030 I'm running out of time real quickly , 56:04.030 --> 56:06.308 but I wanna also revisit the fact that , 56:06.308 --> 56:08.252 uh , you are still invited down to 56:08.252 --> 56:10.419 University of North Georgia . Uh , one 56:10.419 --> 56:10.229 of the Elite 8 schools , uh , we're 56:10.229 --> 56:12.118 looking forward to PTM with you . 56:12.118 --> 56:14.285 Appreciate you guys being here today . 56:14.285 --> 56:16.173 God bless you , and God bless our 56:16.173 --> 56:18.229 military service members with that , 56:18.229 --> 56:20.451 sir . I gotta say this guy over my left 56:20.451 --> 56:19.899 shoulder is a University of North 56:19.899 --> 56:22.010 Georgia graduate . He doesn't want me 56:22.010 --> 56:24.590 to tell you that , but he is . The 56:24.590 --> 56:26.757 president would be very , uh , happy . 56:26.757 --> 56:28.923 The president of the university , he's 56:28.923 --> 56:31.146 great . President Shannon would be very 56:31.146 --> 56:30.290 happy to hear that . Miss time's 56:30.290 --> 56:32.179 expired . Chair , and I recognize 56:32.179 --> 56:34.234 gentleman from North Carolina , Mr . 56:34.234 --> 56:36.346 Davis . Uh , thank you , Mr . Chair . 56:36.346 --> 56:38.623 Uh , also , thank you , Mr . Secretary . 56:38.919 --> 56:41.199 Chairman McCain and Mr . Hurst , shout 56:41.199 --> 56:44.409 out to Winterville . 13 US service 56:44.409 --> 56:47.949 members killed , 13 families . Forever 56:47.949 --> 56:50.540 changed . 13 heroes who put the uniform 56:50.540 --> 56:53.419 on paid the ultimate sacrifice . We owe 56:53.620 --> 56:57.000 remembrance , those families . I just 56:57.000 --> 56:59.280 want you to know we see you , we stand 56:59.280 --> 57:01.879 with you , we'll never forget . They're 57:01.879 --> 57:03.990 Gold Star families who are here today 57:03.990 --> 57:06.212 sitting in the room , carrying to honor 57:06.212 --> 57:09.320 and remember flags . Remember the 57:09.320 --> 57:12.699 sacrifice . And when we do so , words 57:12.699 --> 57:15.699 can't fully capture it . April 3rd , 57:15.820 --> 57:18.379 F-15E Strike Eagle pilots were rescued 57:18.379 --> 57:20.689 because we live by a simple promise . 57:20.979 --> 57:23.780 We do not leave anyone behind . The 57:23.780 --> 57:25.891 same spirit must be extended to those 57:25.891 --> 57:28.629 who are killed in action . That's why I 57:28.629 --> 57:31.149 raise , I rise again today and raise 57:31.149 --> 57:33.149 this question of the importance of 57:33.149 --> 57:36.250 passing HR 1363 , honor and remember 57:36.419 --> 57:39.139 flag recognition . Mr . Secretary , I 57:39.139 --> 57:41.310 raised this with you before and 57:41.310 --> 57:43.709 actually I come today to thank you for 57:43.709 --> 57:45.909 the response from your office and 57:45.909 --> 57:48.590 actually engaging with us in this . I 57:48.590 --> 57:50.534 rise again today and bring this up 57:50.534 --> 57:52.757 because we must never lose sight of the 57:52.757 --> 57:55.129 true cost of war . As we commemorate 57:55.129 --> 57:57.260 250 years in this country , the first 57:57.260 --> 58:00.560 call for independence , Halifax County 58:00.979 --> 58:03.379 delegates move forth with the first 58:03.379 --> 58:05.780 official action in my district . Our 58:05.780 --> 58:07.939 service members are the reason we are 58:07.939 --> 58:11.739 here today . They've delivered freedom . 58:12.820 --> 58:16.389 And I believe It would be amazing if we 58:16.389 --> 58:18.790 could deliver for their families , 58:18.909 --> 58:20.909 those who've sacrificed this flag , 58:21.149 --> 58:23.870 something to help them , ideally by 58:23.870 --> 58:26.310 Memorial Day , or at least commemorate 58:26.310 --> 58:30.270 their families . I was simply 58:30.270 --> 58:32.320 asked , do you have any thoughts 58:32.320 --> 58:35.739 whatsoever how we Continue to lift and 58:35.739 --> 58:38.379 honor those who have been killed 58:38.379 --> 58:41.540 serving our country . Well , thank you 58:41.540 --> 58:43.790 for what you do on that topic . Uh , I 58:43.790 --> 58:45.846 think first and foremost we do it by 58:45.846 --> 58:48.068 doing right by the legacy of those that 58:48.068 --> 58:50.123 we lose , whether it's those 13 from 58:50.123 --> 58:52.234 this conflict or any other conflict , 58:52.234 --> 58:54.290 um . I've been at Dover every single 58:54.290 --> 58:56.457 time , as has the chairman , as is the 58:56.457 --> 58:56.219 president , the vice president , when 58:56.219 --> 58:58.386 they can to greet that and respect and 58:58.386 --> 59:00.497 honor that . Uh , in our department , 59:00.497 --> 59:02.719 we established the first ever Gold Star 59:02.719 --> 59:04.719 task force , um , where we've got a 59:04.719 --> 59:06.830 Gold Star advocate right in our front 59:06.830 --> 59:08.997 office working these issues on a daily 59:08.997 --> 59:10.775 basis , which is why it doesn't 59:10.775 --> 59:10.639 surprise me that we so quickly got back 59:10.639 --> 59:12.750 to you . These are passionate . These 59:12.750 --> 59:14.806 are deep in our DNA , things that we 59:14.806 --> 59:16.806 care about , how you treat a family 59:16.959 --> 59:19.181 who's given everything in that moment , 59:19.181 --> 59:21.292 not just at Dover , but in every step 59:21.292 --> 59:23.237 of that process is a reflection of 59:23.237 --> 59:25.459 Secretary , thank you truly , um , just 59:25.459 --> 59:27.681 for time here and . I'd served mortuary 59:27.681 --> 59:29.848 and I've been to Dover . I deployed to 59:29.848 --> 59:32.219 Dover , so thank you there . I want to 59:32.219 --> 59:36.120 shift to Army . Cadet 59:36.679 --> 59:39.280 command , the senior ROTC programs 59:39.280 --> 59:41.280 rebalance optimization plan , North 59:41.280 --> 59:43.002 Carolina Central University in 59:43.002 --> 59:45.639 particular , their real access and 59:45.639 --> 59:48.080 logistical challenges that are before 59:48.080 --> 59:50.136 the cadets , and when we think about 59:50.136 --> 59:52.469 building the next generation of leaders , 59:52.469 --> 59:54.636 I would just ask us to think about how 59:54.636 --> 59:56.969 we're putting barriers in front of some , 59:56.969 --> 59:59.191 and I would just ask you quickly if you 59:59.191 --> 01:00:01.439 could please take a closer look at the 01:00:01.439 --> 01:00:05.300 impact on the cadets . I want to shift 01:00:05.300 --> 01:00:07.639 to another topic and , um , really 01:00:07.639 --> 01:00:10.270 spend the last moment here as I'm 01:00:10.270 --> 01:00:12.760 running short , uh , uh , your memo , 01:00:12.909 --> 01:00:15.530 April memo , the non-official Personal 01:00:15.530 --> 01:00:17.586 Protection Army in the Department of 01:00:17.586 --> 01:00:20.760 War , um , property . Um , my son is at 01:00:20.760 --> 01:00:22.760 Fort Benning right now , infantry . 01:00:22.760 --> 01:00:24.871 He's training , ideally . He wants to 01:00:24.871 --> 01:00:27.159 be 11 Bravo , and I shared the memo 01:00:27.159 --> 01:00:29.215 with him , and he shared it with his 01:00:29.215 --> 01:00:31.381 battle buddies to see the response and 01:00:31.381 --> 01:00:33.659 He's definitely 2nd Amendment enthused , 01:00:33.810 --> 01:00:37.330 um , an advocate . And they're really 01:00:37.330 --> 01:00:39.530 interested , you know , in this . Um , 01:00:39.649 --> 01:00:42.360 my question is simple , um , how do you 01:00:42.360 --> 01:00:45.370 plan to provide any guidance on the 01:00:45.370 --> 01:00:48.250 denials and how do you plan to track it ? 01:00:49.199 --> 01:00:51.199 Um , that was the intent is to make 01:00:51.199 --> 01:00:53.421 sure those men and women out there feel 01:00:53.421 --> 01:00:55.532 like they have their Second Amendment 01:00:55.532 --> 01:00:57.699 rights even when they're on post . And 01:00:57.699 --> 01:00:57.530 the burden of proof is on the command 01:00:57.530 --> 01:00:59.919 to , uh , as to why they would deny as 01:00:59.919 --> 01:01:02.030 opposed to the burden of proof on why 01:01:02.030 --> 01:01:04.197 they should allow . So the presumption 01:01:04.197 --> 01:01:06.141 is the same rights they would have 01:01:06.141 --> 01:01:08.308 outside the gate of a base , they have 01:01:08.308 --> 01:01:10.419 inside , uh , for personal protection 01:01:10.419 --> 01:01:12.308 purposes . Our bases shouldn't be 01:01:12.308 --> 01:01:14.475 gun-free zones except for the armory . 01:01:14.475 --> 01:01:16.641 Uh , and the MPs , so , uh , the , the 01:01:16.641 --> 01:01:16.520 burden of proof is something I'm gonna 01:01:16.520 --> 01:01:19.139 pay my , my last 15 seconds , uh , 01:01:19.399 --> 01:01:23.139 Chairman Kane , um , thank you again 01:01:23.399 --> 01:01:25.566 for the conversation , breakfast . Any 01:01:25.566 --> 01:01:27.560 final thoughts in terms of any 01:01:27.560 --> 01:01:30.000 reservations of how , uh , we're 01:01:30.000 --> 01:01:32.167 dealing with munitions , um , in terms 01:01:32.167 --> 01:01:34.167 of a supplement on the depletion of 01:01:34.167 --> 01:01:36.444 munitions , Gentlemen's time's expired . 01:01:36.444 --> 01:01:38.444 Chair and I recognize the gentleman 01:01:38.444 --> 01:01:40.556 from Louisiana , Mr . Higgins . Thank 01:01:40.556 --> 01:01:42.889 you , Mr . Chairman . General Kane , Mr . 01:01:42.889 --> 01:01:42.479 Secretary , thank you for being here 01:01:42.479 --> 01:01:44.860 today . Mr . Secretary , you stated in 01:01:44.860 --> 01:01:46.979 your opening statement . That 01:01:49.469 --> 01:01:51.409 One of the foundational . 01:01:52.750 --> 01:01:56.229 Endeavors that you embrace is to in 01:01:56.229 --> 01:01:59.949 your words forge a lethal arsenal of 01:01:59.949 --> 01:02:03.649 freedom . I don't think it could be 01:02:03.659 --> 01:02:05.719 more . More 01:02:07.830 --> 01:02:11.590 Accurately described . The spirit that 01:02:11.590 --> 01:02:14.340 you gentlemen are delivering . Within 01:02:14.340 --> 01:02:17.080 the Department of War , the men and 01:02:17.080 --> 01:02:20.500 women that you serve . It's , 01:02:20.919 --> 01:02:24.310 it's , it's notable . Or an American 01:02:24.310 --> 01:02:27.889 like me , army veteran , 65 years old , 01:02:28.550 --> 01:02:30.590 I don't believe in my lifetime I've 01:02:30.590 --> 01:02:33.719 witnessed this level of rebirth . 01:02:34.979 --> 01:02:38.760 And And focus . 01:02:39.540 --> 01:02:41.780 That I'm witnessing out of the Pentagon 01:02:41.780 --> 01:02:45.580 right now . And I just commend 01:02:45.580 --> 01:02:49.510 you for driving that . And please note 01:02:49.510 --> 01:02:51.621 that you have a great deal of support 01:02:51.879 --> 01:02:54.120 not just in this body and on this 01:02:54.120 --> 01:02:56.064 committee but across the country . 01:02:57.550 --> 01:02:59.949 Regular Americans that have served or 01:02:59.949 --> 01:03:01.949 have families that have served have 01:03:01.949 --> 01:03:05.459 taken note . General , you said your 01:03:05.800 --> 01:03:08.133 opening statement that have called upon . 01:03:09.550 --> 01:03:11.649 We win our wars around the world . 01:03:14.520 --> 01:03:17.709 Those are your words . And 01:03:18.469 --> 01:03:20.510 We're going to make certain through 01:03:20.510 --> 01:03:23.760 this committee . That you have the 01:03:23.760 --> 01:03:25.649 support , the equipment , and the 01:03:25.649 --> 01:03:28.520 funding that you need . To if called 01:03:28.520 --> 01:03:31.239 upon win wars across the world , but we 01:03:31.239 --> 01:03:34.419 expect a lot out of you gentlemen . We , 01:03:35.320 --> 01:03:38.800 we expect you . To liberate and secure 01:03:38.800 --> 01:03:40.967 the entire Western Hemisphere , one of 01:03:40.967 --> 01:03:43.879 my colleagues across the aisle . Stated 01:03:43.879 --> 01:03:46.101 that in a negative way . Let me flip it 01:03:46.101 --> 01:03:48.479 to positive . We absolutely do expect 01:03:48.479 --> 01:03:50.590 you to liberate and secure the entire 01:03:50.590 --> 01:03:53.610 Western Hemisphere . We expect you to 01:03:53.610 --> 01:03:56.219 drive Iran to its knees and free the 01:03:56.219 --> 01:03:58.441 world of the Iranian terrorist threat . 01:03:59.810 --> 01:04:02.250 We expect you to leverage NATO into an 01:04:02.250 --> 01:04:06.060 indomitable force . We 01:04:06.060 --> 01:04:08.060 expect you to set China back on its 01:04:08.060 --> 01:04:11.540 heels worldwide . We expect you to to 01:04:11.540 --> 01:04:14.340 drive peace and stability through the 01:04:14.340 --> 01:04:16.620 projection of military power . We 01:04:16.620 --> 01:04:19.179 expect you to secure the transit of 01:04:19.179 --> 01:04:21.899 affordable , transportable American 01:04:21.899 --> 01:04:24.260 energy product as the indisputable 01:04:24.260 --> 01:04:27.699 cornerstone of economic prosperity for 01:04:27.699 --> 01:04:30.179 every allied nation . That's a lot of 01:04:30.179 --> 01:04:32.979 expectations . And what you gentlemen 01:04:32.979 --> 01:04:35.899 have laid out today . As , as you've 01:04:35.899 --> 01:04:39.780 answered questions solid . You've made 01:04:39.780 --> 01:04:42.360 it clear that that's the path we're on . 01:04:43.750 --> 01:04:45.528 And I support you . My Democrat 01:04:45.528 --> 01:04:47.830 colleagues have have made it clear 01:04:47.830 --> 01:04:49.774 today that after careful study and 01:04:49.774 --> 01:04:51.830 thorough research of world history , 01:04:51.909 --> 01:04:53.909 they've come to the conclusion that 01:04:53.909 --> 01:04:55.798 soldiers , sailors , airmen , and 01:04:55.798 --> 01:04:57.965 marines are far safer if they're never 01:04:57.965 --> 01:05:01.929 deployed in conflict . You've made it 01:05:01.929 --> 01:05:04.570 very clear that you take your business 01:05:04.570 --> 01:05:08.409 seriously and we support you . I 01:05:08.409 --> 01:05:10.959 certainly do . Mr . Secretary , in 01:05:10.959 --> 01:05:13.399 consultation with your staff reflective 01:05:13.399 --> 01:05:15.732 of your goals and your mission and your , 01:05:15.732 --> 01:05:19.290 your , your stated intentions . In 01:05:19.290 --> 01:05:21.123 consultation with your staff and 01:05:21.123 --> 01:05:23.639 personnel and readiness , I proposed 01:05:23.639 --> 01:05:25.870 legislation to codify your guidance 01:05:26.010 --> 01:05:28.479 that combat fitness standards must be 01:05:28.479 --> 01:05:30.649 rigorous with no separate scoring 01:05:30.649 --> 01:05:33.070 scales , adjusted standards , or 01:05:33.070 --> 01:05:35.409 accommodations . There'd be only a 01:05:35.409 --> 01:05:38.360 single uncompromising standard , not to 01:05:38.360 --> 01:05:41.479 exclude any American . From any 01:05:41.479 --> 01:05:43.610 opportunity but to ensure we have the 01:05:43.610 --> 01:05:46.330 best , most capable Americans in the 01:05:46.330 --> 01:05:48.530 most critical positions , would you 01:05:48.530 --> 01:05:50.697 welcome this body making your guidance 01:05:50.697 --> 01:05:53.989 into law in the NDAA ? I would welcome 01:05:53.989 --> 01:05:55.711 Congressman . Thank you , Mr . 01:05:55.711 --> 01:05:58.000 Secretary , for clarifying that , um . 01:05:58.750 --> 01:06:00.972 A question about Iran and I'll give you 01:06:00.972 --> 01:06:03.189 the the final 30 seconds to answer . 01:06:03.629 --> 01:06:06.610 Was Iran moving precipitously towards 01:06:08.290 --> 01:06:10.189 nuclear weapons capability , Mr . 01:06:10.350 --> 01:06:13.780 Secretary ? Even after the obliteration 01:06:13.780 --> 01:06:15.947 of Midnight Hammer , what was clear is 01:06:15.947 --> 01:06:18.330 that the intention of Iran remained in 01:06:18.330 --> 01:06:20.386 the pursuit of nuclear weapons , and 01:06:20.386 --> 01:06:22.497 after , as , as hard as they were hit 01:06:22.497 --> 01:06:24.608 by Israel , it created an opportunity 01:06:24.608 --> 01:06:26.830 to get rid of the conventional shield . 01:06:26.830 --> 01:06:26.500 That's why we talked about missile 01:06:26.500 --> 01:06:28.722 production and the navy and the defense 01:06:28.722 --> 01:06:30.944 industrial base , to set them back from 01:06:30.944 --> 01:06:33.056 blackmailing the region and the world 01:06:33.056 --> 01:06:35.167 in pursuit of nuclear weapons because 01:06:35.167 --> 01:06:37.056 we understood how much they could 01:06:37.056 --> 01:06:39.222 continue to pursue them . Roger that . 01:06:39.222 --> 01:06:41.444 Thank you , gentlemen . Mr . Chairman , 01:06:41.444 --> 01:06:41.310 how are you , gentlemen , this time's 01:06:41.310 --> 01:06:43.254 expired here , and I recognize the 01:06:43.254 --> 01:06:45.088 gentleman from California , Mr . 01:06:45.088 --> 01:06:47.254 Cisneros . Thank you , Mr . Chairman . 01:06:47.254 --> 01:06:49.366 Uh , thank you and the ranking member 01:06:49.366 --> 01:06:48.969 for bringing us here today for this 01:06:48.969 --> 01:06:51.250 hearing , very important to the nation . 01:06:51.689 --> 01:06:53.856 I wanna thank our witnesses , uh , for 01:06:53.856 --> 01:06:56.340 all being here today , um . Mr . 01:06:56.379 --> 01:06:58.601 Secretary , the president recently made 01:06:58.601 --> 01:07:00.323 an announcement that the state 01:07:00.323 --> 01:07:02.379 activated National Guard would start 01:07:02.379 --> 01:07:04.490 receiving active duty pay for federal 01:07:04.490 --> 01:07:04.459 missions , and I believe you kind of 01:07:04.459 --> 01:07:06.780 made similar remarks as well . I'm 01:07:06.780 --> 01:07:08.947 happy to see that announcement because 01:07:08.947 --> 01:07:11.169 it brought the much needed attention to 01:07:11.169 --> 01:07:13.391 this disparity . Um , whether you agree 01:07:13.391 --> 01:07:15.336 with missions or not , when , when 01:07:15.336 --> 01:07:17.558 guard men are called up for active duty 01:07:17.558 --> 01:07:19.669 and they really have no choice in the 01:07:19.669 --> 01:07:21.724 matter for homeland missions . Often 01:07:21.724 --> 01:07:23.891 they're receiving inconsistent pay and 01:07:23.891 --> 01:07:25.947 benefits depending on their status . 01:07:25.947 --> 01:07:28.113 This issue has persisted for decades . 01:07:28.113 --> 01:07:30.113 This is why earlier this year Brett 01:07:30.113 --> 01:07:32.169 Bergman and I introduced duty status 01:07:32.169 --> 01:07:34.113 Reform Act which would address the 01:07:34.113 --> 01:07:36.224 issue head on . I believe this is the 01:07:36.224 --> 01:07:38.336 right time to push us over the finish 01:07:38.336 --> 01:07:40.280 line . It's something the National 01:07:40.280 --> 01:07:42.447 Guard Bureau supports , the Council of 01:07:42.447 --> 01:07:44.669 Governors support . Uh , just the other 01:07:44.669 --> 01:07:46.502 week , service , the , the , the 01:07:46.502 --> 01:07:48.724 service personnel chiefs are all here . 01:07:48.724 --> 01:07:51.370 They support it . Tags support it . So 01:07:51.370 --> 01:07:53.610 Mr . Secretary , as a former member of 01:07:53.610 --> 01:07:55.666 the National Guard , I am asking you 01:07:55.666 --> 01:07:57.790 here today , would you consider 01:07:58.370 --> 01:08:00.729 supporting consolidating the 29 duty 01:08:00.729 --> 01:08:03.209 statuses for the military reserve 01:08:03.209 --> 01:08:05.139 component . Into a balanced and 01:08:05.139 --> 01:08:08.219 equitable system . That would also help 01:08:08.439 --> 01:08:10.840 the National Guard receive retirement 01:08:10.840 --> 01:08:13.062 points when they're called up for these 01:08:13.062 --> 01:08:15.118 federal missions . Would you support 01:08:15.118 --> 01:08:17.340 that ? Congressman , thank you for your 01:08:17.340 --> 01:08:19.340 efforts on this . It makes a ton of 01:08:19.340 --> 01:08:21.396 sense , and we support these efforts 01:08:21.396 --> 01:08:23.451 for duty status reform in pursuit of 01:08:23.451 --> 01:08:25.673 things that work for the department and 01:08:25.673 --> 01:08:27.896 for the troops because they deserve the 01:08:27.896 --> 01:08:29.951 kind of , uh , pay and benefits that 01:08:29.951 --> 01:08:31.840 are commensurate with active duty 01:08:31.840 --> 01:08:33.896 troops . So we would look forward to 01:08:33.896 --> 01:08:36.118 working with your office , uh , to , to 01:08:36.118 --> 01:08:35.930 get at duty status reform . I think now 01:08:35.930 --> 01:08:38.208 is the right time . Thank you for that . 01:08:38.208 --> 01:08:40.097 General Kane , I ask you the same 01:08:40.097 --> 01:08:42.509 question as , uh , an individual who's 01:08:42.509 --> 01:08:44.453 served in the Air National Guard , 01:08:44.830 --> 01:08:46.774 would you consider supporting duty 01:08:46.774 --> 01:08:48.774 status reform that's gonna simplify 01:08:48.774 --> 01:08:51.052 this and help our National Guard troop ? 01:08:51.052 --> 01:08:53.274 Sir , I'll , I'll be careful to stay in 01:08:53.274 --> 01:08:55.052 my lane . My personal , not the 01:08:55.052 --> 01:08:57.219 chairman's opinion , as somebody who's 01:08:57.219 --> 01:08:59.441 lived the house of pain of 30 different 01:08:59.441 --> 01:09:01.552 duty statuses would support it as the 01:09:01.552 --> 01:09:03.774 chairman . Leave personnel and you know 01:09:03.774 --> 01:09:05.608 this from your prior life to our 01:09:05.608 --> 01:09:07.830 civilian leaders who do that , but I do 01:09:07.830 --> 01:09:09.886 think we owe a better set of options 01:09:09.886 --> 01:09:11.941 for our guardsmen and our reservists 01:09:11.941 --> 01:09:13.941 across the force . Well , thank you 01:09:13.941 --> 01:09:16.108 both for that . This is something that 01:09:16.108 --> 01:09:15.679 I think needs to get done and something 01:09:15.679 --> 01:09:18.079 I've been working on for years now . Uh , 01:09:18.119 --> 01:09:20.230 the National Guard Bureau supports it 01:09:20.230 --> 01:09:22.508 and so I hope you will , like you said , 01:09:22.508 --> 01:09:24.508 work with us to get that done . OMB 01:09:24.599 --> 01:09:26.543 seems to be our roadblock , so I'm 01:09:26.543 --> 01:09:28.377 hoping you can kind of push that 01:09:28.377 --> 01:09:30.488 roadblock down so that we can finally 01:09:30.488 --> 01:09:32.821 get this done . Um , next question , Mr . 01:09:32.821 --> 01:09:35.019 Secretary , um , I take what we do for 01:09:35.019 --> 01:09:37.241 our personnel very seriously , and that 01:09:37.241 --> 01:09:39.186 sometimes I , I know you've stated 01:09:39.186 --> 01:09:41.408 right here today our troops are ready , 01:09:41.408 --> 01:09:43.408 they will do anything if asked upon 01:09:43.408 --> 01:09:45.630 them , but I think as leaders sometimes 01:09:45.630 --> 01:09:47.963 we need to kind of protect them as well , 01:09:47.963 --> 01:09:49.963 um , and I worry about the USS Ford 01:09:49.963 --> 01:09:51.963 which is now kind of been out there 01:09:51.963 --> 01:09:53.963 over 10 months . It's probably well 01:09:53.963 --> 01:09:56.130 over 300 days by the time it gets back 01:09:56.130 --> 01:09:58.130 to the United States . I just saw a 01:09:58.130 --> 01:10:00.352 thing today it's . Gonna be headed back 01:10:00.352 --> 01:10:03.229 here in a few days , um , you know , 01:10:03.430 --> 01:10:05.597 these people have gone pretty much all 01:10:05.597 --> 01:10:04.839 over the world . They crossed the 01:10:04.839 --> 01:10:08.439 equator multiple times , um , but I am 01:10:08.439 --> 01:10:10.550 interested , you know , I'm sure that 01:10:10.550 --> 01:10:12.550 was not in the gift map when it was 01:10:12.550 --> 01:10:14.717 first assigned when they were deployed 01:10:14.717 --> 01:10:16.939 and so what were some of the concerns , 01:10:16.939 --> 01:10:19.279 you know , that the Navy had when you 01:10:19.279 --> 01:10:21.223 made this modification when it was 01:10:21.223 --> 01:10:23.390 brought forward to you that hey . This 01:10:23.390 --> 01:10:25.501 is what extending them out to past 10 01:10:25.501 --> 01:10:27.612 months is going to do . This is , you 01:10:27.612 --> 01:10:29.668 know , both on the troops and on the 01:10:29.668 --> 01:10:31.890 ship . What concerns did the Navy bring 01:10:31.890 --> 01:10:33.890 up for this ? Um , it's a very fair 01:10:33.890 --> 01:10:35.890 question , and I can tell you every 01:10:35.890 --> 01:10:38.001 week I stare at an orders book , uh , 01:10:38.001 --> 01:10:40.223 where I'm looking at troop movements or 01:10:40.223 --> 01:10:42.279 asset movements , and , and multiple 01:10:42.279 --> 01:10:42.229 times that included the Ford , and 01:10:42.229 --> 01:10:43.951 multiple times the operational 01:10:43.951 --> 01:10:46.062 requirements , whether it was down in 01:10:46.062 --> 01:10:48.118 the , in , uh , in SouthCom or up to 01:10:48.118 --> 01:10:50.340 Centcom , demanded additional assets in 01:10:50.340 --> 01:10:52.340 real time , which , which through a 01:10:52.340 --> 01:10:54.562 tough decision making process led to an 01:10:54.562 --> 01:10:56.618 extension . In consultation with the 01:10:56.618 --> 01:10:58.729 Navy , Admiral Caudle and his staff , 01:10:58.729 --> 01:11:00.896 uh , they fairly represented readiness 01:11:00.896 --> 01:11:03.007 trade-offs , maintenance trade-offs , 01:11:03.007 --> 01:11:02.890 which are real things are the concerns ? 01:11:02.910 --> 01:11:04.966 What , what trade-offs are we making 01:11:04.966 --> 01:11:07.132 right here ? I mean , really , we have 01:11:07.132 --> 01:11:09.299 3 carriers in the area right now . How 01:11:09.299 --> 01:11:08.810 many do we really need ? It's rather , 01:11:08.970 --> 01:11:11.303 I mean , it's a , a great show of force , 01:11:11.303 --> 01:11:13.581 but do we really need 3 carriers there ? 01:11:13.581 --> 01:11:15.803 And you got 1 arc there and another one 01:11:15.803 --> 01:11:18.026 on the way . You know this is gonna set 01:11:18.026 --> 01:11:20.081 back possibly deployments later on . 01:11:20.081 --> 01:11:22.248 It's gonna have ramifications down the 01:11:22.248 --> 01:11:24.303 road extending for this much and not 01:11:24.303 --> 01:11:26.470 only talking about , you know , we had 01:11:26.470 --> 01:11:28.470 service members that were kept away 01:11:28.470 --> 01:11:30.581 from their family for almost 1 year . 01:11:30.581 --> 01:11:32.748 How many missed the birth of a child , 01:11:32.748 --> 01:11:32.600 you know , before , you know , 01:11:32.930 --> 01:11:35.330 extending them in , in another 4 months . 01:11:35.819 --> 01:11:38.041 We need to keep this in consideration . 01:11:38.041 --> 01:11:40.152 We kind of make these modifications , 01:11:40.152 --> 01:11:40.100 and I hope these issues are being 01:11:40.100 --> 01:11:42.330 raised when you do these SO books , 01:11:42.379 --> 01:11:44.839 right ? And people are actually making 01:11:44.839 --> 01:11:46.783 these gentlemen , time's expired . 01:11:46.783 --> 01:11:48.783 Chair and I recognize the gentleman 01:11:48.783 --> 01:11:50.839 from Virginia , Mr . McGuire . Thank 01:11:50.839 --> 01:11:53.117 you , Mr . Chairman . Thank you to our , 01:11:53.117 --> 01:11:55.228 um , witnesses today . Um , Secretary 01:11:55.228 --> 01:11:57.172 Hegseth , I really appreciate your 01:11:57.172 --> 01:11:58.950 return to warrior ethos and the 01:11:58.950 --> 01:12:01.172 priorities of our military , merit over 01:12:01.172 --> 01:12:03.560 performance . Is how you win and it's 01:12:03.560 --> 01:12:05.919 how you save lives and your love of our 01:12:05.919 --> 01:12:07.975 military comes out in everything you 01:12:07.975 --> 01:12:10.197 say . So we really support you and your 01:12:10.197 --> 01:12:12.252 team and what you're doing . General 01:12:12.252 --> 01:12:14.419 Kane , uh , your , um , comments about 01:12:14.419 --> 01:12:16.086 being in the middle and being 01:12:16.086 --> 01:12:18.279 apolitical also saves lives . I think 01:12:18.279 --> 01:12:20.335 all of the , uh , fellow veterans in 01:12:20.335 --> 01:12:22.557 this room , military guys would agree . 01:12:22.557 --> 01:12:24.779 That if somebody saved your life on the 01:12:24.779 --> 01:12:26.723 battlefield , you wouldn't care if 01:12:26.723 --> 01:12:28.723 they're a male or female , black or 01:12:28.723 --> 01:12:30.501 white , Democrat , Republican , 01:12:30.501 --> 01:12:32.446 Independent , whatever , we're all 01:12:32.446 --> 01:12:34.557 Americans , and we're all on the same 01:12:34.557 --> 01:12:36.890 team , and we put our differences aside . 01:12:36.890 --> 01:12:38.835 And work as a team we can turn the 01:12:38.835 --> 01:12:40.779 impossible to a possible we can be 01:12:40.779 --> 01:12:43.001 outnumbered and still win . So I wanted 01:12:43.001 --> 01:12:45.168 to commend you guys for supporting our 01:12:45.168 --> 01:12:47.335 troops so they can best survive . Uh , 01:12:47.335 --> 01:12:49.446 let's see , the border . Nobody talks 01:12:49.446 --> 01:12:51.612 about the border , Mr . Secretary , as 01:12:51.612 --> 01:12:53.779 you say , but it's incredible what you 01:12:53.779 --> 01:12:55.835 guys did in just a matter of weeks . 01:12:55.835 --> 01:12:58.001 The missions in Ukraine , Honduras . I 01:12:58.001 --> 01:12:59.835 don't know any other military in 01:12:59.835 --> 01:13:01.529 history who has been able to 01:13:01.899 --> 01:13:03.510 successfully do something so 01:13:03.510 --> 01:13:05.732 complicated , but it talks to the unity 01:13:05.732 --> 01:13:08.459 and the teamwork of all the , uh , the 01:13:08.459 --> 01:13:10.403 joint force and how well they work 01:13:10.403 --> 01:13:12.515 together . I got a lot of questions . 01:13:12.515 --> 01:13:14.870 I'll try to go fast . $1.5 trillion 01:13:14.870 --> 01:13:17.160 budget . Um , in that budget , um , I 01:13:17.160 --> 01:13:19.720 want to echo what Rep Jackson said 01:13:19.720 --> 01:13:22.490 about US SOCOM . We are often , uh , 01:13:22.560 --> 01:13:24.782 deploy , deploy , deploy , deploy , and 01:13:24.782 --> 01:13:26.838 we seem to be doing more with less , 01:13:26.838 --> 01:13:29.004 and we don't complain , and they won't 01:13:29.004 --> 01:13:31.227 be that voice . So for us in Congress , 01:13:31.227 --> 01:13:33.282 we want to be that voice . It's just 01:13:33.282 --> 01:13:35.504 take a look at the budget and see if we 01:13:35.504 --> 01:13:37.671 can . Can help them with that . Also , 01:13:37.671 --> 01:13:39.671 um , I wanna talk to you guys about 01:13:39.671 --> 01:13:41.782 solid Rocket Motors . I know that the 01:13:41.782 --> 01:13:43.949 Secretary of War , I know that in this 01:13:43.949 --> 01:13:46.004 budget we've , uh , we've picked one 01:13:46.004 --> 01:13:45.509 particular company that we put a lot of 01:13:45.509 --> 01:13:47.509 money in , and I think it's a great 01:13:47.509 --> 01:13:49.620 company and they do a great job , but 01:13:49.620 --> 01:13:51.676 what is your plan to also have other 01:13:51.676 --> 01:13:53.842 companies come to the table to help us 01:13:53.842 --> 01:13:55.787 with a shortfall with solid Rocket 01:13:55.787 --> 01:13:58.810 Motors ? Mhm You're right on , on SOCOM 01:13:58.810 --> 01:14:00.810 and we're , we will absolutely work 01:14:00.810 --> 01:14:02.866 with you and look at that . On solid 01:14:02.866 --> 01:14:04.921 rocket motors , it's such a critical 01:14:04.921 --> 01:14:04.450 component . You gotta go with your 01:14:04.450 --> 01:14:06.617 fastest runner , uh , to get caught up 01:14:06.617 --> 01:14:08.728 as , as quickly as you can and giving 01:14:08.728 --> 01:14:10.894 them incentives , but you , we've also 01:14:10.894 --> 01:14:13.006 learned on multiple domains that just 01:14:13.006 --> 01:14:15.061 one option means zero options , uh , 01:14:15.061 --> 01:14:17.228 when you're stuck , you know , 1 is 02 01:14:17.228 --> 01:14:19.009 is 11 is none . Uh , so we need 01:14:19.009 --> 01:14:21.231 multiple avenues on that approach . And 01:14:21.231 --> 01:14:23.065 we look forward to finding other 01:14:23.065 --> 01:14:22.740 companies that can do it as well . 01:14:23.040 --> 01:14:24.818 Thank you , General Kane , uh , 01:14:24.818 --> 01:14:26.818 National Guard . I'm thinking about 01:14:26.818 --> 01:14:28.818 counter drone with FIFA coming up , 01:14:28.818 --> 01:14:30.762 Super Bowls , and all these things 01:14:30.762 --> 01:14:32.984 going on . Have you considered , and if 01:14:32.984 --> 01:14:35.151 you haven't , will you consider , uh , 01:14:35.151 --> 01:14:37.373 training National Guardsmen ? Send them 01:14:37.373 --> 01:14:36.879 to counter drone school so they can 01:14:36.879 --> 01:14:39.046 come back and train law enforcement so 01:14:39.046 --> 01:14:41.660 we can increase our ability to protect , 01:14:42.000 --> 01:14:44.509 uh , critical infrastructure . Sir , uh , 01:14:44.649 --> 01:14:46.649 for sure they , they may already be 01:14:46.649 --> 01:14:48.705 doing that . Please let me take that 01:14:48.705 --> 01:14:50.816 one and come back to you . I know the 01:14:50.816 --> 01:14:52.871 Title 32 force in advance of all the 01:14:52.871 --> 01:14:55.093 domestic things are on the horizon here 01:14:55.093 --> 01:14:57.093 with America's 250 are looking at a 01:14:57.093 --> 01:14:59.260 range of capabilities . So if you'd be 01:14:59.260 --> 01:15:01.482 OK , we'll , we'll get back to that one 01:15:01.482 --> 01:15:03.649 on Ukraine . Whoever could answer this 01:15:03.649 --> 01:15:05.816 is . You know , they have 60% enriched 01:15:05.816 --> 01:15:07.982 uranium . They say they have enough to 01:15:07.982 --> 01:15:10.509 build 11 bombs , and even at 60% , is 01:15:10.509 --> 01:15:12.676 that enough to make a bomb ? Is that a 01:15:12.676 --> 01:15:14.898 yes or no ? Does anybody have an answer 01:15:14.898 --> 01:15:17.065 for that ? I mean , I wouldn't want to 01:15:17.065 --> 01:15:19.398 state anything that might be classified , 01:15:19.398 --> 01:15:21.509 so I wouldn't talk about that in this 01:15:21.509 --> 01:15:21.040 setting . And by the way , in World War 01:15:21.040 --> 01:15:22.984 II , a congressman was in a closed 01:15:22.984 --> 01:15:25.399 briefing and learned that the reason 01:15:25.399 --> 01:15:27.439 the Japanese hadn't sunk any US 01:15:27.439 --> 01:15:29.383 submarines is they didn't know our 01:15:29.383 --> 01:15:31.640 submarines could go below 250 ft . So 01:15:31.640 --> 01:15:33.807 we went out to the media and told them 01:15:33.807 --> 01:15:36.029 that , and we started losing submarines 01:15:36.029 --> 01:15:37.973 and losing American sailors . So a 01:15:37.973 --> 01:15:40.084 lesson for all of us in Congress , be 01:15:40.084 --> 01:15:42.251 careful how we , uh , so thank you for 01:15:42.251 --> 01:15:44.362 considering that . I would say this , 01:15:44.362 --> 01:15:46.584 if they had a nuclear bomb , would that 01:15:46.584 --> 01:15:48.696 kill hundreds of people potentially , 01:15:48.696 --> 01:15:50.751 thousands of people potentially , or 01:15:50.751 --> 01:15:54.589 millions of people potentially ? The 01:15:54.589 --> 01:15:56.470 history shows us what the lethal 01:15:56.470 --> 01:15:58.637 potential is of a nuclear weapon , and 01:15:58.637 --> 01:16:00.803 so you'd have to assume the higher end 01:16:00.803 --> 01:16:02.748 of that raid range . And given the 01:16:02.748 --> 01:16:04.859 radical nature of this regime and the 01:16:04.859 --> 01:16:07.081 likelihood of them to use it , it gives 01:16:07.081 --> 01:16:09.137 you a sense of the threat . Well , I 01:16:09.137 --> 01:16:08.790 think the threat is too great to wait , 01:16:08.830 --> 01:16:10.997 and I have to commend this president , 01:16:10.997 --> 01:16:12.830 President Trump , for having the 01:16:12.830 --> 01:16:14.997 fortitude and the Secretary of War and 01:16:14.997 --> 01:16:17.549 the joint force for making sure we stop 01:16:17.549 --> 01:16:19.716 this threat for the world . Also , I'm 01:16:19.716 --> 01:16:22.790 a big supporter of the AH 64 Apache . I 01:16:22.790 --> 01:16:26.020 understand . And operations , um , uh , 01:16:26.359 --> 01:16:28.526 absolute resolve and everything else . 01:16:28.526 --> 01:16:30.692 It's been very effective in countering 01:16:30.692 --> 01:16:32.637 drones . I'm glad that in the NDAA 01:16:32.637 --> 01:16:34.803 we're keeping that program going . And 01:16:34.803 --> 01:16:34.439 I just saw that you're going to keep 01:16:34.439 --> 01:16:36.959 the A-10 program going . And a good 01:16:36.959 --> 01:16:38.959 friend of mine said , long live the 01:16:38.959 --> 01:16:41.070 warthog . But if there's ways that we 01:16:41.070 --> 01:16:43.292 can bring some of the warthogs back and 01:16:43.292 --> 01:16:45.810 or , um , Are there any other 01:16:45.810 --> 01:16:47.699 capabilities that can replace the 01:16:47.699 --> 01:16:49.810 warthog ? I don't think so . Is there 01:16:49.810 --> 01:16:49.569 anything that can do what the warthog 01:16:49.569 --> 01:16:51.569 does ? Gentlemen's time's expired . 01:16:51.569 --> 01:16:53.569 Chair , and I recognize a gentleman 01:16:53.569 --> 01:16:55.680 from Illinois , Mr . Sorenson . Thank 01:16:55.680 --> 01:16:57.791 you , Mr . Chairman . Uh , to General 01:16:57.791 --> 01:16:57.560 Kane , on behalf of myself and my 01:16:57.560 --> 01:16:59.649 constituents , we thank you for your 01:16:59.649 --> 01:17:01.760 service and your leadership , uh , to 01:17:01.760 --> 01:17:03.816 our military men and women , um , to 01:17:03.816 --> 01:17:05.705 our service members and , and the 01:17:05.705 --> 01:17:07.593 veterans that I see , um , in our 01:17:07.593 --> 01:17:09.649 committee today , um , thank you for 01:17:09.649 --> 01:17:11.927 your support of our great country , um . 01:17:11.927 --> 01:17:14.359 Mr . Hegseth , I hear from your 01:17:14.359 --> 01:17:16.526 officials in our briefings here on the 01:17:16.526 --> 01:17:18.581 Hill , and because I live in an army 01:17:18.581 --> 01:17:20.803 town , I now hear from neighbors at the 01:17:20.803 --> 01:17:23.026 grocery store who are worried about our 01:17:23.026 --> 01:17:25.149 munition stockpiles that are now down 01:17:25.149 --> 01:17:27.390 to critical levels and , um , and they 01:17:27.390 --> 01:17:29.501 sure don't want another forever war . 01:17:29.501 --> 01:17:31.723 So Mr . Secretary , first of all , talk 01:17:31.723 --> 01:17:34.310 to us about the need to renew munition 01:17:34.310 --> 01:17:36.350 stockpiles and tell us what happens 01:17:36.350 --> 01:17:38.430 when munitions stockpiles become 01:17:38.430 --> 01:17:41.410 depleted . Well , first of all , I 01:17:41.410 --> 01:17:43.632 would , I would note that as you know , 01:17:43.632 --> 01:17:45.743 we give weekly briefings on munitions 01:17:45.743 --> 01:17:47.521 to this committee , so it's not 01:17:47.521 --> 01:17:47.120 something that's withheld from any of 01:17:47.120 --> 01:17:50.350 the members here and but it's also a , 01:17:50.470 --> 01:17:52.660 uh , a topic that . Um , isn't 01:17:52.660 --> 01:17:54.549 something that should be publicly 01:17:54.549 --> 01:17:56.271 discussed , uh , as far as any 01:17:56.271 --> 01:17:58.493 shortfalls that may exist , but I would 01:17:58.493 --> 01:18:00.160 assure you that there are not 01:18:00.160 --> 01:18:02.382 shortfalls that exist in our ability to 01:18:02.382 --> 01:18:04.604 execute the missions around the world . 01:18:04.604 --> 01:18:04.450 And the reason we're investing in the 01:18:04.450 --> 01:18:06.500 defense industrial base with $1.5 01:18:06.500 --> 01:18:08.611 trillion is to make sure the greatest 01:18:08.611 --> 01:18:10.833 companies in the world , which has been 01:18:10.833 --> 01:18:12.667 falling behind for decades , are 01:18:12.667 --> 01:18:14.889 running faster than ever before to give 01:18:14.889 --> 01:18:17.111 us 2 . X 3X4X of the critical munitions 01:18:17.111 --> 01:18:19.389 your Patriots , your TAAs , your SM-3s , 01:18:19.389 --> 01:18:21.611 uh , every other standard missile and , 01:18:21.611 --> 01:18:23.778 and my , my neighbors work really hard 01:18:23.778 --> 01:18:25.611 to make sure that we can jobs in 01:18:25.611 --> 01:18:27.611 America . It's what our warfighters 01:18:27.611 --> 01:18:29.722 need . So could you tell me why we're 01:18:29.722 --> 01:18:31.778 firing the people at Joint Munitions 01:18:31.778 --> 01:18:33.833 Command for no cause other than just 01:18:33.833 --> 01:18:35.722 telling them they're overhired or 01:18:35.722 --> 01:18:37.556 they're surplus employee . Joint 01:18:37.556 --> 01:18:39.556 munitions command . I would have to 01:18:39.556 --> 01:18:41.722 look into the particular circumstances 01:18:41.722 --> 01:18:43.778 of that , but there have been places 01:18:43.778 --> 01:18:43.459 where we haven't been moving fast 01:18:43.459 --> 01:18:45.681 enough with munitions , and when people 01:18:45.681 --> 01:18:47.348 don't move fast enough in the 01:18:47.348 --> 01:18:47.140 Department of War , we find someone 01:18:47.140 --> 01:18:49.362 else that will run fast . This is Joint 01:18:49.362 --> 01:18:51.251 Munitions command . I mean , your 01:18:51.251 --> 01:18:50.979 department says that you're 01:18:50.979 --> 01:18:53.390 prioritizing munitions . Yet you cut 01:18:53.390 --> 01:18:55.640 58% of joint munitions command at Rock 01:18:55.640 --> 01:18:57.473 Island . But let me move on . My 01:18:57.473 --> 01:18:59.418 district is also munitions are not 01:18:59.418 --> 01:19:01.640 built by commands . Munitions are built 01:19:01.640 --> 01:19:03.696 by , they're the ones that are , and 01:19:03.696 --> 01:19:03.450 we're very good at building commands 01:19:03.450 --> 01:19:05.506 and bureaucracies and slapping three 01:19:05.506 --> 01:19:07.506 and four-star generals in charge of 01:19:07.506 --> 01:19:09.394 things that don't move things any 01:19:09.394 --> 01:19:11.506 faster . So our job is to unleash the 01:19:11.506 --> 01:19:13.617 private sector to get it divide if we 01:19:13.617 --> 01:19:15.672 don't have joint munitions command . 01:19:15.672 --> 01:19:15.129 But let me move on . Uh , we also have 01:19:15.129 --> 01:19:17.129 Army Sustainment Command . In my 01:19:17.129 --> 01:19:19.296 district . Could you tell me why we're 01:19:19.296 --> 01:19:21.129 firing folks at Army sustainment 01:19:21.129 --> 01:19:23.296 Command , when now is the time that we 01:19:23.296 --> 01:19:25.296 should be giving our soldiers every 01:19:25.296 --> 01:19:27.407 piece of sustainment that we can give 01:19:27.407 --> 01:19:29.407 them . Because as I've stated , the 01:19:29.407 --> 01:19:31.462 status quo at this department before 01:19:31.462 --> 01:19:31.350 the Trump administration was 01:19:31.350 --> 01:19:33.406 unacceptable , and changes had to be 01:19:33.406 --> 01:19:35.572 made . Do you think it's acceptable to 01:19:35.572 --> 01:19:37.683 fire veterans from jobs where they've 01:19:37.683 --> 01:19:39.739 been , you know , I , I talked to my 01:19:39.739 --> 01:19:41.961 neighbors and at , at the arsenal , and 01:19:41.961 --> 01:19:44.128 they've worked there 2030 years on top 01:19:44.128 --> 01:19:46.294 of their service to this country , and 01:19:46.294 --> 01:19:48.239 they're doing it exemplary . Great 01:19:48.239 --> 01:19:50.294 performers will always have a job at 01:19:50.294 --> 01:19:50.140 the Department of War , and when you 01:19:50.140 --> 01:19:52.196 reestablish merit , sometimes things 01:19:52.196 --> 01:19:54.418 happen , but we're grateful for all the 01:19:54.418 --> 01:19:56.529 vets that serve . And in fact , we've 01:19:56.529 --> 01:19:58.696 created a Patriot pipeline for service 01:19:58.696 --> 01:19:58.660 members to get into the defense 01:19:58.660 --> 01:20:00.882 industrial-based manufacturing business 01:20:00.882 --> 01:20:02.993 to consider that as a second career . 01:20:02.993 --> 01:20:05.160 So we're leaning into vets and service 01:20:05.160 --> 01:20:07.327 members as the workforce of the future 01:20:07.327 --> 01:20:09.549 in our department . And this isn't me . 01:20:09.549 --> 01:20:09.419 I mean , they tell me that , you know , 01:20:09.529 --> 01:20:11.751 they feel you're taking a wrecking ball 01:20:11.751 --> 01:20:13.751 to the civilian workforce , but you 01:20:13.751 --> 01:20:16.029 know , I , I wanna go and follow up on . 01:20:16.029 --> 01:20:18.140 Um , Congressman Norcross's questions 01:20:18.140 --> 01:20:20.140 about why you terminated collective 01:20:20.140 --> 01:20:22.196 bargaining earlier this month , this 01:20:22.196 --> 01:20:24.029 affects hundreds of thousands of 01:20:24.029 --> 01:20:26.196 hardworking DOD employees . So many of 01:20:26.196 --> 01:20:28.140 them are veterans who've honorably 01:20:28.140 --> 01:20:30.362 served our country . Um , you testified 01:20:30.362 --> 01:20:32.696 that if you work hard , you do the work , 01:20:32.696 --> 01:20:34.640 you keep your job , but that's not 01:20:34.640 --> 01:20:36.973 what's happening , and you allege it is , 01:20:36.973 --> 01:20:39.140 is being done to maximize efficiency . 01:20:39.140 --> 01:20:38.899 Explain that . I should , yeah , I 01:20:38.899 --> 01:20:41.010 thank you . Ask that question , I'd , 01:20:41.010 --> 01:20:42.859 I'd love to clarify , uh , I 01:20:42.859 --> 01:20:45.081 fundamentally believe the Department of 01:20:45.081 --> 01:20:47.303 War should not be subject to collective 01:20:47.303 --> 01:20:49.248 bargaining , full stop . So people 01:20:49.248 --> 01:20:51.248 shouldn't be able to fight for good 01:20:51.248 --> 01:20:53.669 wages and being treated well . I think 01:20:53.669 --> 01:20:55.447 our department does a great job 01:20:55.447 --> 01:20:57.669 evaluating and providing , uh , pay and 01:20:57.669 --> 01:20:59.780 benefits for folks across the love to 01:20:59.780 --> 01:21:01.891 invite you to the Rock Island Arsenal 01:21:01.891 --> 01:21:04.002 so you can look these patriots in the 01:21:04.002 --> 01:21:06.225 eyes and tell them that , um , how does 01:21:06.225 --> 01:21:08.336 creating chaos for long term civilian 01:21:08.336 --> 01:21:10.502 workers actually maximize efficiency , 01:21:10.502 --> 01:21:12.669 um . Do you have any comment on that ? 01:21:12.669 --> 01:21:14.447 There are plenty of examples of 01:21:14.447 --> 01:21:16.336 shipyards and other manufacturing 01:21:16.336 --> 01:21:18.502 plants where there are restraints that 01:21:18.502 --> 01:21:20.780 limit the hours , limit the ability of , 01:21:20.780 --> 01:21:22.947 of leaders to ensure we're providing , 01:21:22.947 --> 01:21:22.939 meeting the goals we're supposed to , 01:21:23.040 --> 01:21:25.040 and I don't think we should live to 01:21:25.040 --> 01:21:27.207 those constrictions . OK , OK . Well , 01:21:27.207 --> 01:21:29.429 you know what , I wanna use the rest of 01:21:29.429 --> 01:21:31.540 my time . To the men and women of our 01:21:31.540 --> 01:21:31.470 armed forces , please go forth with the 01:21:31.470 --> 01:21:33.637 integrity and the morality that you've 01:21:33.637 --> 01:21:35.859 carried before this administration took 01:21:35.859 --> 01:21:38.069 us down a path that has allies turning 01:21:38.069 --> 01:21:40.339 away and American citizens objecting . 01:21:40.589 --> 01:21:42.756 Do what's right , even if you're asked 01:21:42.756 --> 01:21:44.756 to do otherwise , Mr . Chairman , I 01:21:44.756 --> 01:21:46.922 yield back . Gentlemen , yields back . 01:21:46.922 --> 01:21:49.033 Chair , and I recognize the gentleman 01:21:49.033 --> 01:21:48.899 from Florida , Mr . Mills . Thank you 01:21:48.899 --> 01:21:50.899 so much , Mr . Chairman , uh , Mr . 01:21:50.899 --> 01:21:53.089 Secretary , General Kane , and the 01:21:53.089 --> 01:21:55.450 Honorable , we'd love to just thank you 01:21:55.450 --> 01:21:57.506 for this opportunity for coming here 01:21:57.569 --> 01:21:59.736 and for continuing to push forward the 01:21:59.736 --> 01:22:01.958 warfighter ethos , for making sure that 01:22:01.958 --> 01:22:04.013 the realities , regardless of what's 01:22:04.013 --> 01:22:06.236 said in here , are the realities on the 01:22:06.236 --> 01:22:05.970 battlefield that we're getting day in 01:22:05.970 --> 01:22:08.250 and day out . I asked the chairman for 01:22:08.250 --> 01:22:10.417 unanimous consent to enter a couple of 01:22:10.417 --> 01:22:12.528 documents into record without without 01:22:12.528 --> 01:22:14.417 objection . I'll be entering into 01:22:14.417 --> 01:22:16.810 record my DD 214 published in 2003 01:22:16.810 --> 01:22:18.810 indicating my Bronze Star and other 01:22:18.810 --> 01:22:21.410 wartime medals and decorations . I'd 01:22:21.410 --> 01:22:23.299 also like to present the document 01:22:23.299 --> 01:22:25.466 provided by the Department of the Army 01:22:25.466 --> 01:22:28.689 in 2024 that also authorizes vets and 01:22:28.689 --> 01:22:31.810 verifies all medals and or awards , as 01:22:31.810 --> 01:22:34.450 well as a document by Paul Savitzky , 01:22:34.609 --> 01:22:36.609 former Special Forces member , that 01:22:36.609 --> 01:22:38.831 annotates the two explosions that I was 01:22:38.831 --> 01:22:40.498 involved in in Baghdad . With 01:22:40.498 --> 01:22:42.831 objections are ordered . Mr . Secretary , 01:22:42.850 --> 01:22:45.629 as you know . You're pretty familiar 01:22:45.629 --> 01:22:47.907 with the ideas of slander , defamation , 01:22:47.907 --> 01:22:49.629 and attack on character . So I 01:22:49.629 --> 01:22:51.518 apologize for having to take that 01:22:51.518 --> 01:22:53.407 moment to be able to go ahead and 01:22:53.407 --> 01:22:55.185 correct the record , but it was 01:22:55.185 --> 01:22:55.069 necessary . I would also note that my 01:22:55.069 --> 01:22:58.350 OMPF file that was FOIA by the 01:22:58.350 --> 01:23:00.406 Department of the Army , or that was 01:23:00.406 --> 01:23:02.406 FOIA , was actually released by the 01:23:02.406 --> 01:23:04.572 Department of the Army the same day as 01:23:04.572 --> 01:23:06.794 yours was . So everything is sitting on 01:23:06.794 --> 01:23:08.794 the actual website itself if people 01:23:08.794 --> 01:23:08.069 aren't too lazy to look at it . 01:23:09.120 --> 01:23:11.287 Secretary Hegseth , thank you for your 01:23:11.287 --> 01:23:13.287 testimony and for the time that you 01:23:13.287 --> 01:23:15.620 have here today . As the chairman noted , 01:23:15.620 --> 01:23:17.509 President Trump's incredible $1.5 01:23:17.509 --> 01:23:19.620 trillion investment into our national 01:23:19.620 --> 01:23:21.787 defense is set to reverse the years of 01:23:21.787 --> 01:23:23.959 atrophy that our defense industrial 01:23:23.959 --> 01:23:26.070 base has faced over time , especially 01:23:26.640 --> 01:23:28.959 small innovative businesses , uh , and 01:23:28.959 --> 01:23:31.000 needs of a solid demand that signal 01:23:31.000 --> 01:23:33.240 that our War Department is ready to buy 01:23:33.240 --> 01:23:35.407 American . I witnessed myself as I was 01:23:35.407 --> 01:23:37.573 with you in Merritt Island , Florida , 01:23:37.573 --> 01:23:39.629 as we went on the Arsenal tour , and 01:23:39.629 --> 01:23:41.796 unfortunately , I didn't get to do the 01:23:41.796 --> 01:23:43.851 cool things like fly in a jet really 01:23:43.851 --> 01:23:45.962 quick and buzz around while we're all 01:23:45.962 --> 01:23:48.073 actually doing hard work here . But I 01:23:48.073 --> 01:23:47.799 wanted to just say , Mr . Secretary , 01:23:47.919 --> 01:23:50.200 that can you detail for us how the 01:23:50.200 --> 01:23:52.256 Department of War has eased the path 01:23:52.256 --> 01:23:54.089 for American small businesses to 01:23:54.089 --> 01:23:56.689 contract with the department ? Well , 01:23:56.890 --> 01:23:58.668 Congressman , thank you for the 01:23:58.668 --> 01:24:00.890 question . That , that has been core to 01:24:00.890 --> 01:24:03.001 our mission is the recognition , uh , 01:24:03.001 --> 01:24:04.668 that we have a problem at the 01:24:04.668 --> 01:24:06.779 Department , previously Department of 01:24:06.779 --> 01:24:09.001 Defense and now the Department of War , 01:24:09.001 --> 01:24:11.112 and that problem is us . That problem 01:24:11.112 --> 01:24:13.223 is our bureaucracy , our process that 01:24:13.223 --> 01:24:15.334 is meant to block out new competitors 01:24:15.334 --> 01:24:17.557 and protect existing primes . And , and 01:24:17.557 --> 01:24:19.557 there are great primes that provide 01:24:19.557 --> 01:24:19.410 great products and we continue to 01:24:19.410 --> 01:24:21.577 support them . But to build an arsenal 01:24:21.577 --> 01:24:23.743 of freedom , you need more than just 5 01:24:23.743 --> 01:24:25.632 or more than just 6 . You need an 01:24:25.632 --> 01:24:27.799 entire network of small , medium , and 01:24:27.799 --> 01:24:29.966 large companies contributing to the US 01:24:29.966 --> 01:24:31.743 manufacturing and supply base , 01:24:31.743 --> 01:24:33.799 delivering weapons ahead of schedule 01:24:33.799 --> 01:24:36.069 and under budget that don't only have 01:24:36.069 --> 01:24:38.236 defense business , but also commercial 01:24:38.236 --> 01:24:40.720 business . Uh , and , and when we see 01:24:40.765 --> 01:24:42.987 We need something that can move quickly 01:24:42.987 --> 01:24:45.209 and adapt accordingly because there are 01:24:45.209 --> 01:24:46.987 multiple options . So our , our 01:24:46.987 --> 01:24:49.321 acquisitions , transformation , uh , uh , 01:24:49.321 --> 01:24:51.487 speech and , and memo and directive we 01:24:51.487 --> 01:24:51.404 rolled out on that , the Arsenal of 01:24:51.404 --> 01:24:53.515 Freedom tour going out there with the 01:24:53.515 --> 01:24:55.571 hard hats and saying you are part of 01:24:55.571 --> 01:24:57.682 the workforce , you have the backs of 01:24:57.682 --> 01:24:59.904 our warriors , just changing the entire 01:24:59.904 --> 01:25:01.960 dynamic to say you shouldn't have to 01:25:01.960 --> 01:25:04.126 sue the department . In order to get a 01:25:04.126 --> 01:25:04.060 contract with the department . We're 01:25:04.060 --> 01:25:06.060 opening the doors with , with small 01:25:06.060 --> 01:25:08.282 business loans , whether it's SIRSitter 01:25:08.282 --> 01:25:10.504 or DIU or OSC . The Office of Strategic 01:25:10.504 --> 01:25:12.449 Capital hasn't even been discussed 01:25:12.449 --> 01:25:14.560 today . $20 billion that gets levered 01:25:14.560 --> 01:25:16.939 into $200 billion so that companies can 01:25:16.939 --> 01:25:19.106 invest in ways they otherwise wouldn't 01:25:19.106 --> 01:25:21.272 have the capital to do and it's not on 01:25:21.272 --> 01:25:23.106 our balance sheet . So we've got 01:25:23.106 --> 01:25:25.217 businessmen , the Deputy Secretary of 01:25:25.217 --> 01:25:27.217 War who should be deemed a national 01:25:27.217 --> 01:25:29.272 asset . Uh , for what he understands 01:25:29.272 --> 01:25:31.328 and how he works , we're opening the 01:25:31.328 --> 01:25:33.495 aperture of our department in historic 01:25:33.495 --> 01:25:35.550 ways , uh , and I think our , I know 01:25:35.550 --> 01:25:37.772 our manufacturing base is gonna see the 01:25:37.772 --> 01:25:37.370 benefit from it . Thank you so much . I 01:25:37.370 --> 01:25:39.370 also want to thank you for your due 01:25:39.370 --> 01:25:41.370 diligence and making sure that task 01:25:41.370 --> 01:25:43.537 force audit will come forward , and we 01:25:43.537 --> 01:25:43.379 will see the Department of War for the 01:25:43.379 --> 01:25:45.879 first time in 2028 with a clean audit , 01:25:45.979 --> 01:25:47.535 something that the previous 01:25:47.535 --> 01:25:49.646 administration was never able to do , 01:25:49.646 --> 01:25:51.868 and many before that . I believe it was 01:25:51.868 --> 01:25:51.779 28 years if I'm not mistaken , Mr . 01:25:51.790 --> 01:25:53.790 Secretary , since we've had a clean 01:25:53.790 --> 01:25:56.012 audit . That is right , and this is not 01:25:56.012 --> 01:25:58.179 a thing . We just announced we've been 01:25:58.179 --> 01:26:00.179 doing it for 15 months . Jay's been 01:26:00.179 --> 01:26:00.069 integrally involved . We just launched 01:26:00.069 --> 01:26:02.291 a joint task force audit . We are going 01:26:02.291 --> 01:26:04.291 to pass an audit as a department by 01:26:04.299 --> 01:26:06.521 2028 because the taxpayer , and this is 01:26:06.521 --> 01:26:08.743 why we're so honored to have you as our 01:26:08.743 --> 01:26:10.743 Secretary of War and General Kane . 01:26:10.743 --> 01:26:12.632 We're honored to have you as well 01:26:12.632 --> 01:26:14.743 leading our forces , Mr . Secretary . 01:26:14.743 --> 01:26:14.470 With the last few seconds I have , from 01:26:14.470 --> 01:26:16.248 ships to bombs to bullets , our 01:26:16.248 --> 01:26:18.581 industrial base in dire need of support , 01:26:18.581 --> 01:26:20.470 even as these defense markers are 01:26:20.470 --> 01:26:22.303 strengthened , as a former small 01:26:22.303 --> 01:26:24.192 business owner , I understand how 01:26:24.192 --> 01:26:26.470 bottlenecks can hold up good contracts . 01:26:26.470 --> 01:26:26.330 And move from the speed at which we 01:26:26.330 --> 01:26:28.200 need for our warfighters . Mr . 01:26:28.209 --> 01:26:30.153 Secretary , can you detail how the 01:26:30.153 --> 01:26:32.320 department has moved , uh , to promote 01:26:32.320 --> 01:26:34.320 diversity in our defense industrial 01:26:34.320 --> 01:26:38.220 base ? in 12 seconds . Well , 01:26:38.290 --> 01:26:40.568 if you will , can we submit for record ? 01:26:44.120 --> 01:26:46.231 Sorry , every aspect is opening it up 01:26:46.231 --> 01:26:48.287 to , to provide as much running room 01:26:48.287 --> 01:26:50.342 for new entrants as possible . Thank 01:26:50.342 --> 01:26:52.120 you so much , Mr . Chairman . I 01:26:52.120 --> 01:26:52.040 appreciate it that I yield back . Chair 01:26:52.040 --> 01:26:54.096 and I recognize a gentleman from New 01:26:54.096 --> 01:26:56.373 Mexico , Mr . Vasquez . Thank you , Mr . 01:26:56.373 --> 01:26:58.151 Chairman , and thank you to our 01:26:58.151 --> 01:27:00.262 witnesses for being here today . Uh , 01:27:00.262 --> 01:27:02.373 you're here before us requesting $1.5 01:27:02.373 --> 01:27:04.484 trillion for the Defense Department , 01:27:04.484 --> 01:27:06.707 the the largest one-year increase since 01:27:06.707 --> 01:27:08.873 World War Two . While I will recognize 01:27:08.873 --> 01:27:11.096 that your budget does include increases 01:27:11.096 --> 01:27:13.096 for pay and quality of life , these 01:27:13.096 --> 01:27:15.262 increases are outweighed by the rising 01:27:15.262 --> 01:27:17.262 cost of living and the department's 01:27:17.262 --> 01:27:19.040 ongoing failures on childcare , 01:27:19.040 --> 01:27:21.096 education , medical care , and other 01:27:21.096 --> 01:27:23.096 quality of life factors . Just like 01:27:23.096 --> 01:27:25.151 other families , the soaring cost of 01:27:25.151 --> 01:27:27.262 gas , groceries , housing , and child 01:27:27.262 --> 01:27:29.096 care have left military families 01:27:29.096 --> 01:27:30.873 underwater . Yet the department 01:27:30.873 --> 01:27:33.040 continues to put other priorities like 01:27:33.040 --> 01:27:35.151 a $25 billion war of choice in Iran . 01:27:35.151 --> 01:27:37.207 And slightly photo ops with Kid Rock 01:27:37.207 --> 01:27:39.207 ahead of improving the lives of our 01:27:39.207 --> 01:27:41.429 troops and their families . It's deeply 01:27:41.429 --> 01:27:43.429 troubling to me that the department 01:27:43.429 --> 01:27:45.484 received a historic $1 trillion last 01:27:45.484 --> 01:27:47.651 year , including $9 billion under HR 1 01:27:47.651 --> 01:27:49.873 for improving troops' quality of life . 01:27:49.873 --> 01:27:51.873 But the new Mexican service members 01:27:51.873 --> 01:27:53.818 that I have and I've talked to are 01:27:53.818 --> 01:27:55.873 still living in barracks that are at 01:27:55.873 --> 01:27:58.040 capacity , setting their . Kids to run 01:27:58.040 --> 01:28:00.262 down schools and lack access to on base 01:28:00.262 --> 01:28:02.484 child care . Here's an example . During 01:28:02.484 --> 01:28:04.484 my most recent visit to White Sands 01:28:04.484 --> 01:28:06.707 Missile Range , I saw severely aging on 01:28:06.707 --> 01:28:08.818 base infrastructure , specifically an 01:28:08.818 --> 01:28:10.984 elementary school that is in need of a 01:28:10.984 --> 01:28:13.151 complete rebuild . Secretary Hegseth , 01:28:13.151 --> 01:28:15.207 last fall you said . That quality of 01:28:15.207 --> 01:28:17.207 life for our warriors is a critical 01:28:17.207 --> 01:28:19.540 component of reviving the warrior ethos . 01:28:19.540 --> 01:28:21.651 In a video you posted to social media 01:28:21.651 --> 01:28:23.540 last November , you said that the 01:28:23.540 --> 01:28:25.596 places where our war fighters reside 01:28:25.596 --> 01:28:27.596 need to be safe , comfortable , and 01:28:27.596 --> 01:28:29.707 clean . And in your opening statement 01:28:29.707 --> 01:28:31.707 today , you said quality of life is 01:28:31.707 --> 01:28:33.818 front and center in this budget . But 01:28:33.818 --> 01:28:36.040 when it comes to our troops' quality of 01:28:36.040 --> 01:28:38.207 life , I fear that this is more of all 01:28:38.207 --> 01:28:37.959 talk because I can tell you the 01:28:37.959 --> 01:28:40.070 outdated barracks that I saw at White 01:28:40.070 --> 01:28:42.181 Sands Missile Range were anything but 01:28:42.181 --> 01:28:44.126 safe , comfortable , clean , and I 01:28:44.126 --> 01:28:46.070 haven't heard from service members 01:28:46.070 --> 01:28:48.070 about any improvements since you've 01:28:48.070 --> 01:28:49.959 assumed this role as Secretary of 01:28:49.959 --> 01:28:51.403 Defense , do you take any 01:28:51.403 --> 01:28:53.237 accountability for the continued 01:28:53.237 --> 01:28:55.126 quality of life concerns that New 01:28:55.126 --> 01:28:57.237 Mexico's military service members and 01:28:57.237 --> 01:28:59.570 family face today under your leadership ? 01:28:59.570 --> 01:29:01.570 Well , I , I appreciate your , uh , 01:29:01.570 --> 01:29:03.681 attention to the matter of quality of 01:29:03.681 --> 01:29:05.903 life , which is incredibly important to 01:29:05.903 --> 01:29:08.070 us and it's reflected in this budget . 01:29:08.070 --> 01:29:10.292 I mean , historic amounts in barracks , 01:29:10.292 --> 01:29:12.348 in family housing , in , uh , family 01:29:12.348 --> 01:29:14.515 support like child development , youth 01:29:14.515 --> 01:29:16.570 program . I mean , this budget . The 01:29:16.570 --> 01:29:18.570 surpasses anything you've seen from 01:29:18.570 --> 01:29:20.626 this department , uh , in quite some 01:29:20.626 --> 01:29:22.237 time to include replacing or 01:29:22.237 --> 01:29:24.070 eliminating all poor and failing 01:29:24.070 --> 01:29:26.292 barracks . So we've seen those photos . 01:29:26.292 --> 01:29:25.720 We responded to them with a barracks 01:29:25.720 --> 01:29:27.609 task force with a billion dollars 01:29:27.609 --> 01:29:29.831 initially , and now we have billions of 01:29:29.831 --> 01:29:31.998 dollars behind it to make sure they're 01:29:31.998 --> 01:29:34.220 safe and clean . Uh , and quality , but 01:29:34.220 --> 01:29:34.149 also that where they need to be 01:29:34.149 --> 01:29:36.482 replaced , they're rebuilt and replaced , 01:29:36.482 --> 01:29:38.593 and the president has charged me with 01:29:38.593 --> 01:29:38.350 doing that , and we're focused on doing 01:29:38.350 --> 01:29:40.406 that . Thank you , Secretary , and I 01:29:40.406 --> 01:29:42.350 hope that the next photos that you 01:29:42.350 --> 01:29:42.270 receive and the next photos that I 01:29:42.270 --> 01:29:44.437 receive and reports that I receive are 01:29:44.437 --> 01:29:46.326 of improved conditions and of new 01:29:46.326 --> 01:29:48.103 barracks and of quality of life 01:29:48.103 --> 01:29:50.214 improvements because this has gone on 01:29:50.214 --> 01:29:50.189 for far too long . Uh , let me give you 01:29:50.189 --> 01:29:52.411 another example . At Haldeman Air Force 01:29:52.411 --> 01:29:54.633 Base , the child development centers on 01:29:54.633 --> 01:29:56.856 base faced critical staffing issues for 01:29:56.856 --> 01:29:58.856 many years and . Uh , just recently 01:29:58.856 --> 01:30:01.078 gave military families , our airmen and 01:30:01.078 --> 01:30:02.856 women , just 9 days to find new 01:30:02.856 --> 01:30:04.967 childcare providers . One parent said 01:30:04.967 --> 01:30:06.856 she felt she had no choice but to 01:30:06.856 --> 01:30:08.800 resign from her job as a physician 01:30:08.800 --> 01:30:11.022 assistant when her son lost his spot in 01:30:11.022 --> 01:30:12.779 on-base care . And one patient 01:30:12.779 --> 01:30:14.668 describing his experience seeking 01:30:14.668 --> 01:30:16.668 healthcare at Cannon Air Force Base 01:30:16.668 --> 01:30:18.279 said , Good luck if you need 01:30:18.279 --> 01:30:20.279 specialized care . Referrals take 6 01:30:20.279 --> 01:30:21.890 months or more , and regular 01:30:21.890 --> 01:30:24.057 appointments are booking a month out . 01:30:24.057 --> 01:30:26.279 And so spending a billion dollars a day 01:30:26.279 --> 01:30:28.279 on a war overseas while leaving our 01:30:28.279 --> 01:30:30.168 service members out to dry is not 01:30:30.168 --> 01:30:32.057 America first , it's a betrayal . 01:30:32.057 --> 01:30:34.001 Secretary Hegseth , I voted for $1 01:30:34.001 --> 01:30:35.946 trillion for the defense budget in 01:30:35.946 --> 01:30:38.057 committee last year , and I've yet to 01:30:38.057 --> 01:30:40.057 see the results come home . Service 01:30:40.057 --> 01:30:42.057 members back home have said nothing 01:30:42.057 --> 01:30:44.390 about progress or improvements underway . 01:30:44.390 --> 01:30:46.557 Within 30 days . Secretary , would you 01:30:46.557 --> 01:30:48.779 commit to sending me a detailed list of 01:30:48.779 --> 01:30:48.479 every dollar that is going to improve 01:30:48.479 --> 01:30:50.439 the quality of life at bases in my 01:30:50.439 --> 01:30:53.620 district ? We will get you whatever we 01:30:53.620 --> 01:30:55.731 can , but that doesn't meet with what 01:30:55.731 --> 01:30:57.842 we've seen , which is running as fast 01:30:57.842 --> 01:31:00.009 as this department ever has on quality 01:31:00.009 --> 01:30:59.939 of life issues because I've been in 01:30:59.939 --> 01:31:02.106 their shoes . I've seen those barracks 01:31:02.106 --> 01:31:04.383 and I've seen them recently . And , uh , 01:31:04.383 --> 01:31:06.383 it may not have happened under this 01:31:06.383 --> 01:31:05.850 administration , but this 01:31:05.850 --> 01:31:07.906 administration's gonna fix it , uh , 01:31:07.906 --> 01:31:09.906 and ultimately this budget reflects 01:31:09.906 --> 01:31:12.017 that kind of priority across . Well , 01:31:12.017 --> 01:31:14.239 thank you , Secretary , and I will just 01:31:14.239 --> 01:31:13.700 suggest that it needs to run faster . 01:31:13.740 --> 01:31:15.962 It needs to run at the speed of light . 01:31:15.962 --> 01:31:18.184 It needs to cross time travel . I don't 01:31:18.184 --> 01:31:20.296 care what it takes , but it's gone on 01:31:20.296 --> 01:31:22.462 for far too long . And so I appreciate 01:31:22.462 --> 01:31:22.259 your attention to this issue , but we 01:31:22.259 --> 01:31:24.481 have got to get it done , and we cannot 01:31:24.481 --> 01:31:26.648 be here again next year discussing the 01:31:26.648 --> 01:31:28.648 improvements that haven't been done 01:31:28.648 --> 01:31:30.703 despite what's in the budget today . 01:31:30.703 --> 01:31:30.379 And so let me be clear that these 01:31:30.379 --> 01:31:32.490 issues have . Existed for years under 01:31:32.490 --> 01:31:34.601 both administrations on both sides of 01:31:34.601 --> 01:31:36.823 the aisle , the department has received 01:31:36.823 --> 01:31:38.879 billions of taxpayer dollars as this 01:31:38.879 --> 01:31:40.935 committee has continued to work in a 01:31:40.935 --> 01:31:42.823 bipartisan fashion to support our 01:31:42.823 --> 01:31:42.629 troops and their families . And at a 01:31:42.629 --> 01:31:44.629 time when cost of living is the top 01:31:44.629 --> 01:31:46.685 issue for families , including those 01:31:46.685 --> 01:31:48.907 who serve , the department is in the in 01:31:48.907 --> 01:31:51.073 the position to address these costs of 01:31:51.073 --> 01:31:53.240 housing , child care , groceries , and 01:31:53.240 --> 01:31:55.240 other needs . I hope the department 01:31:55.240 --> 01:31:54.700 chooses to do that . Thank you , 01:31:54.750 --> 01:31:56.861 Chairman . I yield back . Gentlemen , 01:31:56.861 --> 01:31:59.028 yields back here , and I recognize the 01:31:59.028 --> 01:31:58.910 gentleman from Texas , Mr . Gooden . 01:31:59.680 --> 01:32:01.791 Thank you Mr . Chairman and thank you 01:32:01.791 --> 01:32:03.902 Secretary for being here and the work 01:32:03.902 --> 01:32:06.013 you're doing . Over the past decade , 01:32:06.013 --> 01:32:08.236 Bitcoin has evolved from a fringe asset 01:32:08.236 --> 01:32:10.291 into a matter of national security . 01:32:10.291 --> 01:32:12.513 Iran has demanded Bitcoin as a toll for 01:32:12.513 --> 01:32:14.680 transit through the Strait of Hormuz . 01:32:14.680 --> 01:32:16.402 North Korean cyber actors have 01:32:16.402 --> 01:32:18.569 leveraged it in ransomware campaigns , 01:32:18.569 --> 01:32:20.791 and China is believed to be stockpiling 01:32:20.791 --> 01:32:22.680 substantial holdings as part of a 01:32:22.680 --> 01:32:24.736 strategic reserve . Just last week , 01:32:24.736 --> 01:32:26.736 Ndo Paycom commander Admiral Paparo 01:32:26.736 --> 01:32:28.458 stated that Bitcoin has direct 01:32:28.458 --> 01:32:30.680 implications for power projection . And 01:32:30.680 --> 01:32:32.847 he noted that Endo Paycom is operating 01:32:32.847 --> 01:32:34.680 a node on the Bitcoin network in 01:32:34.680 --> 01:32:37.013 furtherance of that mission . Secretary , 01:32:37.013 --> 01:32:39.124 do you share the opinion that Bitcoin 01:32:39.124 --> 01:32:41.069 is a tool to project power and are 01:32:41.069 --> 01:32:43.180 there any department-wide initiatives 01:32:43.180 --> 01:32:45.236 to ensure the US secures a strategic 01:32:45.236 --> 01:32:47.069 advantage in Bitcoin and combats 01:32:47.069 --> 01:32:49.350 China's digital authoritarianism ? Um , 01:32:49.430 --> 01:32:51.486 I guess my short answer would be yes 01:32:51.486 --> 01:32:53.649 and yes . Long and enthusiast of , of 01:32:53.709 --> 01:32:55.876 Bitcoin and crypto potential and a lot 01:32:55.876 --> 01:32:57.987 of the things we're doing enabling it 01:32:57.987 --> 01:32:59.987 or defeating it , uh , is our , our 01:32:59.987 --> 01:33:01.987 classified efforts that are ongoing 01:33:01.987 --> 01:33:03.931 inside our department , which I do 01:33:03.931 --> 01:33:05.765 provide , do provide us a lot of 01:33:05.765 --> 01:33:05.645 leverage . a lot of different scenarios . 01:33:05.745 --> 01:33:07.912 I appreciate that and I , I share your 01:33:07.912 --> 01:33:10.023 views . I thank you for that . Uh , I 01:33:10.023 --> 01:33:12.134 also wanted an update , uh , with our 01:33:12.134 --> 01:33:14.134 operations in Qatar . How are those 01:33:14.134 --> 01:33:16.356 going , uh , since the Iran war and how 01:33:16.356 --> 01:33:18.467 has , uh , Qatar been as a partner to 01:33:18.467 --> 01:33:20.634 work with over these last few months ? 01:33:20.634 --> 01:33:22.801 Uh , I think it's fair to say that the 01:33:22.801 --> 01:33:25.023 Gulf states , to include , uh , Qatar , 01:33:25.023 --> 01:33:27.245 have , uh , done a nice job integrating 01:33:27.245 --> 01:33:29.467 on air defenses specifically and then , 01:33:29.467 --> 01:33:31.689 uh , providing access base , basing and 01:33:31.689 --> 01:33:33.745 overflight . Um , Qatar being one of 01:33:33.745 --> 01:33:35.967 them , UAE , uh , Saudi , Kuwait , uh , 01:33:35.967 --> 01:33:38.134 Bahrain , um , they've , they've lived 01:33:38.134 --> 01:33:40.301 the threat of Iran . Um , there's some 01:33:40.301 --> 01:33:42.412 complicated aspects with Qatar , uh , 01:33:42.412 --> 01:33:44.245 but ultimately they've , they've 01:33:44.245 --> 01:33:46.467 provided support to what we need in the 01:33:46.467 --> 01:33:46.419 theater . I appreciate that . I , uh , 01:33:46.430 --> 01:33:48.541 I also appreciate the job that , that 01:33:48.541 --> 01:33:50.597 our men and women are doing there at 01:33:50.597 --> 01:33:52.430 that base . I , I realize , uh , 01:33:52.430 --> 01:33:54.652 they're going through a lot . We really 01:33:54.652 --> 01:33:56.763 appreciate the work you do , and I'll 01:33:56.763 --> 01:33:59.041 yield back to you , Mr . Chairman . Uh , 01:33:59.041 --> 01:33:58.470 chair and I , we're gonna recognize a 01:33:58.470 --> 01:34:00.581 gentle lady from New Hampshire , Ms . 01:34:00.581 --> 01:34:02.450 Goodlander . I want to thank our 01:34:02.450 --> 01:34:05.209 witnesses for being here today , and I 01:34:05.209 --> 01:34:08.540 want to begin , uh . By getting right 01:34:08.540 --> 01:34:11.220 to it since my time is limited on this 01:34:11.220 --> 01:34:13.890 $1.5 trillion dollar budget request , 01:34:14.209 --> 01:34:16.419 Mr . Hegseth , you testified last year 01:34:16.419 --> 01:34:18.689 and you testified again today , uh , 01:34:18.709 --> 01:34:21.660 that you will be accountable for every 01:34:21.660 --> 01:34:23.979 American taxpayer dollar that comes to 01:34:23.979 --> 01:34:26.819 the department , where it goes and why . 01:34:27.220 --> 01:34:29.331 Uh , that's really important since as 01:34:29.331 --> 01:34:31.060 it has been pointed out , the 01:34:31.060 --> 01:34:34.680 department has failed 8 audits , uh . 01:34:35.229 --> 01:34:38.149 The department remains on GAO's high 01:34:38.149 --> 01:34:40.830 risk list . The Inspector general just 01:34:40.830 --> 01:34:43.069 last year alone identified billions of 01:34:43.069 --> 01:34:45.069 dollars that could have been put to 01:34:45.069 --> 01:34:48.180 better use and in questioned costs , 01:34:48.270 --> 01:34:50.939 that is spending that raised red flags . 01:34:51.229 --> 01:34:53.470 Uh , so this is , this is a crisis 01:34:53.470 --> 01:34:55.609 right now in accountability of where 01:34:56.069 --> 01:34:58.229 the dollars of the American taxpayers 01:34:58.229 --> 01:35:00.507 who are in the middle of a cost crisis , 01:35:00.507 --> 01:35:02.840 where this money is going . I , I wanna , 01:35:02.959 --> 01:35:06.830 I wanna ask about your war in Iran and 01:35:06.839 --> 01:35:08.839 Mr . Hurst , you testified earlier 01:35:08.839 --> 01:35:12.319 today that $25 billion has been spent 01:35:12.319 --> 01:35:14.375 to date , and I just want to clarify 01:35:14.375 --> 01:35:16.208 that that is money that taxpayer 01:35:16.208 --> 01:35:18.430 dollars that have been spent already in 01:35:18.430 --> 01:35:22.140 this war . $25 01:35:22.140 --> 01:35:24.307 reflects the cost of the war , right ? 01:35:24.307 --> 01:35:26.418 So we've already spent the dollars on 01:35:26.418 --> 01:35:28.418 munitions and things like that . So 01:35:28.418 --> 01:35:27.939 we're factoring in cost of munitions 01:35:27.939 --> 01:35:30.500 expended in that total . So how much of 01:35:30.500 --> 01:35:32.740 that has gone towards munitions ? Does 01:35:32.740 --> 01:35:34.796 that include the munitions that have 01:35:34.796 --> 01:35:37.359 been spent to date ? Yeah , that 01:35:37.359 --> 01:35:39.470 reflects the munitions that have been 01:35:39.470 --> 01:35:41.803 spent today and other operational costs . 01:35:41.803 --> 01:35:44.089 Um , can you give us a breakdown of 01:35:44.089 --> 01:35:46.470 what those costs are ? Uh , we'll work 01:35:46.470 --> 01:35:48.526 to get you guys a product that has a 01:35:48.526 --> 01:35:50.526 detailed breakdown of those costs . 01:35:50.526 --> 01:35:52.359 Yeah , my concern here is , Mr . 01:35:52.359 --> 01:35:54.470 Hegseth , you've testified repeatedly 01:35:54.470 --> 01:35:56.526 that you're gonna be accountable for 01:35:56.526 --> 01:35:58.748 each and every American taxpayer dollar 01:35:58.748 --> 01:36:00.581 that you spend , you're gonna be 01:36:00.581 --> 01:36:02.803 accountable for the rationale . Here we 01:36:02.803 --> 01:36:04.859 are 60 days in your war of choice in 01:36:04.859 --> 01:36:07.026 Iran , and you can't give us an answer 01:36:07.026 --> 01:36:09.137 on a breakdown of the basic breakdown 01:36:09.137 --> 01:36:11.303 of American taxpayer dollars that have 01:36:11.303 --> 01:36:13.248 been spent in your war of choice . 01:36:13.540 --> 01:36:15.707 That's a question for Mr . Hurst . You 01:36:15.707 --> 01:36:17.596 right now , as you sit here now , 01:36:17.596 --> 01:36:17.490 you're happy to give you a breakdown . 01:36:17.500 --> 01:36:19.667 We'll provide you a product after this 01:36:19.667 --> 01:36:21.778 hearing . Well , I would love for you 01:36:21.778 --> 01:36:23.667 to give us this breakdown now and 01:36:23.667 --> 01:36:25.667 explain to us , was this unbudgeted 01:36:25.667 --> 01:36:27.556 costs , or was this something the 01:36:27.556 --> 01:36:29.778 department planned for in advance since 01:36:29.778 --> 01:36:31.944 you were appropriated $1 trillion last 01:36:31.944 --> 01:36:33.778 year . The department deals with 01:36:33.778 --> 01:36:35.778 contingency operations all the time 01:36:35.778 --> 01:36:37.944 within its normal budget , so this was 01:36:37.944 --> 01:36:40.990 not budgeted for . My , my point here 01:36:40.990 --> 01:36:43.268 is , you know , and , and General Kane , 01:36:43.268 --> 01:36:45.229 you've testified to this . We all 01:36:45.229 --> 01:36:47.700 understand for you to do your jobs you 01:36:47.700 --> 01:36:49.867 need Congress to pass budgets . For us 01:36:49.867 --> 01:36:53.520 to do our jobs , we need you to give us 01:36:53.700 --> 01:36:55.867 the details and to , to be accountable 01:36:55.867 --> 01:36:58.033 to American taxpayers . And so I gotta 01:36:58.033 --> 01:37:00.367 say it's , it's , it's an extraordinary . 01:37:00.367 --> 01:37:02.422 Dereliction that as you sit here you 01:37:02.422 --> 01:37:04.589 cannot account for billions of dollars 01:37:04.589 --> 01:37:06.700 that have already been spent . You're 01:37:06.700 --> 01:37:08.811 briefed on munitions every week . You 01:37:08.811 --> 01:37:10.922 and your entire staff have every just 01:37:10.922 --> 01:37:13.144 so the American public know it's not as 01:37:13.144 --> 01:37:12.703 if you don't have munitions levels . 01:37:12.712 --> 01:37:14.823 You do from us every single week , so 01:37:14.823 --> 01:37:16.823 you know exactly the numbers you're 01:37:16.823 --> 01:37:16.513 talking about . Seth . You have 01:37:16.513 --> 01:37:19.152 testified that American taxpayers need 01:37:19.152 --> 01:37:21.374 to know where their dollars are going . 01:37:21.374 --> 01:37:23.485 And as you sit here today , you can't 01:37:23.485 --> 01:37:25.596 provide us with a basic answer to the 01:37:25.596 --> 01:37:27.819 most simple question that you should be 01:37:27.819 --> 01:37:29.652 able to answer to each and every 01:37:29.652 --> 01:37:31.819 American . You're asking a question to 01:37:31.819 --> 01:37:31.655 an answer with an answer you already 01:37:31.655 --> 01:37:33.488 have . No , I'm asking you for a 01:37:33.488 --> 01:37:35.675 breakdown where you said you will be 01:37:35.675 --> 01:37:37.897 accountable for every taxpayer dollar . 01:37:37.897 --> 01:37:40.565 You cannot tell us where any of the $5 01:37:40.565 --> 01:37:42.609 billion . Dollars in taxpayer funds 01:37:42.609 --> 01:37:44.553 that have gone to fund your war of 01:37:44.553 --> 01:37:46.720 choice in Iran , and I look forward to 01:37:46.720 --> 01:37:48.665 getting details from our witnesses 01:37:48.665 --> 01:37:50.887 after this hearing because the American 01:37:50.887 --> 01:37:53.109 taxpayers need to know . Mr . Hegseth , 01:37:53.109 --> 01:37:55.331 can I ask you , do you know what , what 01:37:55.331 --> 01:37:57.553 the average cost of a gallon of gas was 01:37:57.553 --> 01:37:59.776 in this country on , on February 28th ? 01:38:00.649 --> 01:38:02.760 Well , it depends on where you live . 01:38:02.760 --> 01:38:04.927 If you live in California , it's $8.02 01:38:04.927 --> 01:38:07.149 dollars 83 cents . Do you know what the 01:38:07.149 --> 01:38:09.093 average cost of a gallon of gas is 01:38:09.093 --> 01:38:11.093 today ? Much higher in California . 01:38:11.093 --> 01:38:13.279 $4.23 . I gotta say , Mr . Hegseth , 01:38:13.540 --> 01:38:15.810 you said you've got a crack economic 01:38:15.810 --> 01:38:17.921 team that's looking at the impacts of 01:38:17.921 --> 01:38:20.143 this war on the American taxpayer , and 01:38:20.143 --> 01:38:22.477 you can answer this basic question , uh , 01:38:22.477 --> 01:38:24.588 that should shock the conscience of . 01:38:24.588 --> 01:38:26.643 American Miss General Kane , I wanna 01:38:26.643 --> 01:38:28.532 come back to something , a really 01:38:28.532 --> 01:38:30.588 important principle , and my time is 01:38:30.588 --> 01:38:32.810 limited . You testified to an important 01:38:32.810 --> 01:38:34.921 and bedrock principle of American law 01:38:34.921 --> 01:38:37.174 that our service members follow lawful 01:38:37.174 --> 01:38:39.396 orders and lawful orders only . Is that 01:38:39.396 --> 01:38:41.730 right ? Do you agree with the statement , 01:38:41.730 --> 01:38:43.618 quote , the military won't follow 01:38:43.618 --> 01:38:47.200 unlawful orders ? I do . Mr . 01:38:47.279 --> 01:38:49.112 Hegseth , do you agree with that 01:38:49.112 --> 01:38:51.740 statement ? I do , but I understand 01:38:51.740 --> 01:38:53.851 what you're insinuating at a partisan 01:38:53.851 --> 01:38:55.796 point . I , I'm not . I'm actually 01:38:55.796 --> 01:38:57.907 quoting you directly , Mr . Hegseth , 01:38:57.907 --> 01:39:00.129 from April 12 , 2016 , and I appreciate 01:39:00.129 --> 01:39:02.129 that on the record you've clarified 01:39:02.129 --> 01:39:02.080 this important principle of American 01:39:02.080 --> 01:39:04.080 ladies' time's expired here , and I 01:39:04.080 --> 01:39:05.913 recognize a gentleman from North 01:39:05.913 --> 01:39:08.136 Carolina , Mr . Harrigan . Well , thank 01:39:08.136 --> 01:39:07.790 you , Mr . Chairman , and , uh , thank 01:39:07.790 --> 01:39:10.068 you , Mr . Secretary and Chairman Kane . 01:39:10.068 --> 01:39:12.401 It's always a pleasure to have you here . 01:39:12.401 --> 01:39:14.779 Uh , I'm gonna fall in line with the 01:39:14.779 --> 01:39:17.001 chairman's earlier statements so we can 01:39:17.001 --> 01:39:19.279 do whatever we want with our 5 minutes , 01:39:19.279 --> 01:39:21.557 and I'm gonna give you all a brief , a , 01:39:21.557 --> 01:39:23.779 a break from , uh , the conflict here , 01:39:23.779 --> 01:39:25.835 and I'm gonna tell you a story , and 01:39:25.835 --> 01:39:27.946 it's a story that's important to me . 01:39:27.946 --> 01:39:27.729 And I'm gonna start with a proposed 01:39:27.729 --> 01:39:30.640 citation . And it's a rare point of 01:39:30.740 --> 01:39:32.907 personal privilege for me to do this , 01:39:32.907 --> 01:39:35.200 but I haven't asked of you , but I'm 01:39:35.200 --> 01:39:37.256 gonna start with a proposed citation 01:39:37.256 --> 01:39:39.660 for a Medal of Honor award upgrade from 01:39:39.660 --> 01:39:42.450 a Silver Star . Sergeant First Class 01:39:42.450 --> 01:39:44.672 Thomas J . Grasso distinguished himself 01:39:44.672 --> 01:39:46.839 by acts of gallantry and intrepidity . 01:39:46.850 --> 01:39:48.739 Above and beyond the call of duty 01:39:48.739 --> 01:39:50.961 between September 29 , 2015 and October 01:39:50.961 --> 01:39:53.128 4th , 2015 , while serving as a senior 01:39:53.128 --> 01:39:55.529 communications sergeant . Operational 01:39:55.529 --> 01:39:58.620 detachment Alpha 3133 . Advanced 01:39:58.620 --> 01:40:00.398 Operations Base North , Special 01:40:00.398 --> 01:40:03.209 Operations Task Force Afghanistan . In 01:40:03.209 --> 01:40:05.529 support of Operation Resolute Support , 01:40:05.930 --> 01:40:08.152 Sergeant First Class Grasso was part of 01:40:08.152 --> 01:40:10.152 a small Special Forces element that 01:40:10.152 --> 01:40:12.374 seized Kunduz , a provincial capital of 01:40:12.374 --> 01:40:15.069 over 300,000 civilians from the Taliban . 01:40:15.410 --> 01:40:18.160 Outnumbered 60 to 1 , the US Special 01:40:18.160 --> 01:40:20.216 Forces element faced an overwhelming 01:40:20.216 --> 01:40:22.529 enemy force of 2000 confirmed Taliban 01:40:22.529 --> 01:40:25.330 fighters . On September 29th , facing a 01:40:25.330 --> 01:40:27.386 Taliban advance on Kunduz airfield , 01:40:27.529 --> 01:40:29.751 Sergeant First Class Grasso established 01:40:29.751 --> 01:40:31.918 a sniper overwatch position in the air 01:40:31.918 --> 01:40:34.140 traffic control tower . With enemy fire 01:40:34.140 --> 01:40:36.362 converging from 3 directions , Sergeant 01:40:36.362 --> 01:40:38.473 First Class Grosso risked his life to 01:40:38.473 --> 01:40:40.585 engage a hostile anti-aircraft team . 01:40:40.585 --> 01:40:42.696 Successfully clearing the way for air 01:40:42.696 --> 01:40:44.862 support . On September 30th , fighting 01:40:44.862 --> 01:40:46.918 through relentless ambushes on their 01:40:46.918 --> 01:40:48.918 subsequent movement into the city , 01:40:48.918 --> 01:40:51.085 Sergeant First Class Grasso repeatedly 01:40:51.085 --> 01:40:53.307 dismounted his vehicle while exposed to 01:40:53.307 --> 01:40:55.529 intense enemy fire to engage insurgents 01:40:55.529 --> 01:40:57.473 and shield the convoy . During one 01:40:57.473 --> 01:40:59.585 encounter while under withering enemy 01:40:59.585 --> 01:41:01.751 fire , he disregarded his own safety , 01:41:01.751 --> 01:41:03.696 maneuvered into the kill zone of a 01:41:03.696 --> 01:41:05.973 complex near ambush , saving the lives . 01:41:05.973 --> 01:41:05.842 Lives of 5 trapped special forces 01:41:05.842 --> 01:41:07.922 teammates , 1 Romanian partner and 01:41:07.922 --> 01:41:09.866 their interpreter . Sergeant First 01:41:09.866 --> 01:41:11.866 Class Grasso again came under heavy 01:41:11.866 --> 01:41:14.033 machine gun fire when he dismounted to 01:41:14.033 --> 01:41:16.366 direct the element to the city compound . 01:41:16.366 --> 01:41:18.311 To enable the remaining element to 01:41:18.311 --> 01:41:20.033 safely enter the compound , he 01:41:20.033 --> 01:41:19.842 effectively returned fire and 01:41:19.842 --> 01:41:21.953 suppressed the enemy positions . From 01:41:21.953 --> 01:41:23.962 October 1st through 4th , Sergeant 01:41:23.962 --> 01:41:26.184 First Class Grasso anchored the defense 01:41:26.184 --> 01:41:27.962 of the compound , absorbing the 01:41:27.962 --> 01:41:30.240 heaviest . Concentration of enemy fire . 01:41:30.240 --> 01:41:32.184 He repeatedly subjected himself to 01:41:32.184 --> 01:41:34.351 heavy machine gun and rocket propelled 01:41:34.351 --> 01:41:36.573 grenade fire from distances as close as 01:41:36.573 --> 01:41:38.755 15 m , repelling dozens of enemy 01:41:38.755 --> 01:41:40.916 attacks . On October 1st , a rocket 01:41:40.916 --> 01:41:42.860 propelled grenade directly hit his 01:41:42.860 --> 01:41:45.083 position , inflicting a traumatic brain 01:41:45.083 --> 01:41:47.194 injury . Bleeding , disoriented , and 01:41:47.194 --> 01:41:49.083 going 60 hours without sleep , he 01:41:49.083 --> 01:41:50.860 checked on his teammates before 01:41:50.860 --> 01:41:52.916 returning to his exposed post . From 01:41:52.916 --> 01:41:55.083 there , he single-handedly neutralized 01:41:55.083 --> 01:41:56.860 continuous waves of attackers , 01:41:56.860 --> 01:41:58.916 attempting to detonate vehicle-borne 01:41:58.916 --> 01:42:01.027 IEDs , forcing the enemy to request a 01:42:01.027 --> 01:42:02.749 temporary ceasefire . During a 01:42:02.749 --> 01:42:04.749 subsequent rocket propelled grenade 01:42:04.749 --> 01:42:06.509 attack near his position , he 01:42:06.509 --> 01:42:08.731 eliminated a follow-on explosive filled 01:42:08.731 --> 01:42:10.620 rickshaw , preventing a perimeter 01:42:10.620 --> 01:42:12.620 breach . As the fight wore on , the 01:42:12.620 --> 01:42:14.842 enemy began throwing hand grenades into 01:42:14.842 --> 01:42:17.120 the compound from an adjacent building . 01:42:17.120 --> 01:42:17.049 Sergeant First Class Grasso ran through 01:42:17.049 --> 01:42:19.290 the blast to hurl grenades back , then 01:42:19.290 --> 01:42:21.457 established a clear line of sight from 01:42:21.457 --> 01:42:23.401 an exposed staircase to enable his 01:42:23.401 --> 01:42:25.568 command to call in a danger close F-16 01:42:25.568 --> 01:42:28.009 strafing run , bullets hitting 15 m 01:42:28.009 --> 01:42:30.370 from his position . When partner forces 01:42:30.370 --> 01:42:32.370 were decisively engaged , without 01:42:32.370 --> 01:42:34.259 sufficient ammunition outside the 01:42:34.259 --> 01:42:36.148 perimeter , he maneuvered without 01:42:36.148 --> 01:42:37.926 regard for his own safety under 01:42:37.926 --> 01:42:39.870 devastating fire to resupply their 01:42:39.870 --> 01:42:42.092 position . And employed accurate sniper 01:42:42.092 --> 01:42:44.259 fire , destroying another advance . On 01:42:44.259 --> 01:42:46.481 October 4th , he unhesitatingly stepped 01:42:46.481 --> 01:42:48.370 into the enemy's line of sight to 01:42:48.370 --> 01:42:50.592 destroy the fighter preparing to fire a 01:42:50.592 --> 01:42:50.390 rocket propelled grenade at two trapped 01:42:50.390 --> 01:42:53.080 teammates . Throughout 130 hours of 01:42:53.080 --> 01:42:55.240 grueling sleepless combat , Sergeant 01:42:55.240 --> 01:42:57.184 First Class Grasso's extraordinary 01:42:57.184 --> 01:42:59.351 heroism , unwavering dedication to his 01:42:59.351 --> 01:43:01.518 teammates , and complete disregard for 01:43:01.518 --> 01:43:03.740 his own life , ensured the recapture of 01:43:03.740 --> 01:43:05.839 Kunduz with zero friendly personnel 01:43:05.839 --> 01:43:08.439 killed in action . As these severe 01:43:08.439 --> 01:43:10.661 conditions took a toll on the element , 01:43:10.661 --> 01:43:10.620 his ability to fight through a 01:43:10.620 --> 01:43:13.060 traumatic brain injury with indomitable 01:43:13.060 --> 01:43:15.339 will and lethal precision inspired 01:43:15.339 --> 01:43:17.561 those around him . Sergeant First Class 01:43:17.561 --> 01:43:19.729 Thomas J . Grasso's heroism and 01:43:19.729 --> 01:43:21.785 selflessness are in keeping with the 01:43:21.785 --> 01:43:23.951 highest traditions of military service 01:43:23.951 --> 01:43:26.173 and reflect great credit upon himself , 01:43:26.173 --> 01:43:28.229 his unit in the United States Army . 01:43:28.729 --> 01:43:31.169 I'm asking you to direct . 01:43:35.330 --> 01:43:38.209 The board chair of HRC . Awards and 01:43:38.209 --> 01:43:41.259 decorations branch to board Sergeant 01:43:41.259 --> 01:43:43.660 First Class Thomas J . Grasso's packet . 01:43:44.479 --> 01:43:46.590 I know these things to be true inside 01:43:46.590 --> 01:43:48.919 of this packet because I was there . 01:43:50.160 --> 01:43:53.080 And I'm here today only because I was 01:43:53.080 --> 01:43:55.560 one of those 5 that he rescued out of 01:43:55.560 --> 01:43:58.180 that near complex ambush . 01:44:00.220 --> 01:44:02.276 And I'm grateful for your service to 01:44:02.276 --> 01:44:04.689 our nation . Thank you . Um , we'll do 01:44:04.689 --> 01:44:06.856 it , and I'd love to meet the Sergeant 01:44:06.856 --> 01:44:08.967 First Class . Thank you . I think the 01:44:08.967 --> 01:44:10.911 gentleman yields , um , the , uh , 01:44:10.911 --> 01:44:13.022 chair , and I recognize a gentle lady 01:44:13.022 --> 01:44:15.078 from Maryland , Miss Elfrith . Thank 01:44:15.078 --> 01:44:14.609 you , Mr . Chair . I wanna start by 01:44:14.609 --> 01:44:17.120 thanking CA Isom and General Keene for 01:44:17.120 --> 01:44:19.453 inviting a number of us to the Pentagon . 01:44:19.453 --> 01:44:21.509 Uh , last week to talk about the 1.8 01:44:21.509 --> 01:44:23.509 million enlisted service members we 01:44:23.509 --> 01:44:25.731 have , the challenges and opportunities 01:44:25.731 --> 01:44:27.898 that we can work together . Every base 01:44:27.898 --> 01:44:30.064 that I go to internationally and every 01:44:30.064 --> 01:44:29.979 single major military base in Maryland 01:44:29.979 --> 01:44:31.812 over the last year , I insist on 01:44:31.812 --> 01:44:33.757 meeting . With service members and 01:44:33.757 --> 01:44:35.923 hearing , um , hearing what we can all 01:44:35.923 --> 01:44:37.979 do better , Mr . Secretary , I wanna 01:44:37.979 --> 01:44:40.201 assure you I insist on those meetings . 01:44:40.201 --> 01:44:42.423 There's a whole lot we could talk about 01:44:42.423 --> 01:44:41.959 today , war in Iran , and I , I too 01:44:41.959 --> 01:44:44.279 want to thank the families of the 14 01:44:44.279 --> 01:44:46.446 service members we have lost , uh , in 01:44:46.446 --> 01:44:48.557 this war so far . Boat strikes in the 01:44:48.557 --> 01:44:50.779 Caribbean and the East Pacific , firing 01:44:50.779 --> 01:44:53.001 of a number of people we all respect on 01:44:53.001 --> 01:44:55.057 this diocese on both sides , 61 days 01:44:55.057 --> 01:44:57.168 into . This war , but I want to start 01:44:57.168 --> 01:44:59.335 with the quality of life issues , Mr . 01:44:59.335 --> 01:45:01.557 Secretary . Um , a number of members of 01:45:01.557 --> 01:45:03.279 this committee met with , uh , 01:45:03.279 --> 01:45:03.174 survivors of sexual assault at Fort 01:45:03.174 --> 01:45:05.118 Hood , enlisted members and family 01:45:05.118 --> 01:45:07.404 members . Um , you sat here last year 01:45:07.404 --> 01:45:09.237 and you said , quote , I applaud 01:45:09.237 --> 01:45:11.460 Congress for the efforts that have been 01:45:11.460 --> 01:45:13.515 ongoing to address sexual assaults , 01:45:13.515 --> 01:45:15.515 which we have , we do need to drive 01:45:15.515 --> 01:45:15.265 down to zero . That funding has not 01:45:15.265 --> 01:45:17.689 been reduced . I appreciate that . But 01:45:17.689 --> 01:45:19.800 the budget we have before us is level 01:45:19.800 --> 01:45:22.022 funded from last year , which you would 01:45:22.022 --> 01:45:24.300 agree is a realized cut year over year . 01:45:24.300 --> 01:45:26.411 So I want to give you the opportunity 01:45:26.411 --> 01:45:28.633 to talk about how you're still going to 01:45:28.633 --> 01:45:28.490 drive those sexual assault numbers down 01:45:28.490 --> 01:45:30.729 to 0 via flat funding . 01:45:32.359 --> 01:45:34.640 I'm told we've , we've added 5% , so 01:45:34.640 --> 01:45:36.899 it's actually not flat , but we remain 01:45:36.899 --> 01:45:39.066 committed to that , and I think you've 01:45:39.066 --> 01:45:41.232 seen throughout the force reductions , 01:45:41.232 --> 01:45:43.399 not enough . We want more . We want to 01:45:43.399 --> 01:45:45.621 go to zero , but we remain committed to 01:45:45.621 --> 01:45:44.270 that . We're going to hold you 01:45:44.270 --> 01:45:46.214 accountable accountable for that . 01:45:46.214 --> 01:45:48.048 Thank you . I want to move on to 01:45:48.048 --> 01:45:50.159 Ukraine . Um , I don't normally agree 01:45:50.159 --> 01:45:49.640 with Mitch McConnell , but , uh , as 01:45:49.640 --> 01:45:51.251 you know , the department is 01:45:51.251 --> 01:45:53.362 withholding approximately 400 million 01:45:53.362 --> 01:45:55.529 in appropriated security assistance to 01:45:55.529 --> 01:45:57.807 Ukraine despite some public belittling . 01:45:57.807 --> 01:45:59.807 Ukraine has stepped up perhaps more 01:45:59.807 --> 01:46:01.862 than any other ally . Uh , for us in 01:46:01.862 --> 01:46:03.918 the Middle East , they're harnessing 01:46:03.918 --> 01:46:05.640 the superiority that they have 01:46:06.100 --> 01:46:08.211 generated from a hard fought war with 01:46:08.211 --> 01:46:10.378 Russia . They are intercepting Iranian 01:46:10.378 --> 01:46:12.378 drones that threaten US and partner 01:46:12.378 --> 01:46:14.711 forces in the Middle East . Uh , but Mr . 01:46:14.711 --> 01:46:16.767 Secretary , I'm , I'm very concerned 01:46:16.767 --> 01:46:18.656 about that $400 million . Can you 01:46:18.656 --> 01:46:20.822 please let this committee know , folks 01:46:20.822 --> 01:46:23.156 watching at home , the Ukrainian people , 01:46:23.156 --> 01:46:25.433 when they can expect that $400 million . 01:46:25.433 --> 01:46:27.544 In Ukraine support passed by Congress 01:46:27.544 --> 01:46:29.656 bipartisanly last year to be released 01:46:29.656 --> 01:46:31.211 and put on contract for its 01:46:31.211 --> 01:46:33.378 congressionally intended purpose , the 01:46:33.378 --> 01:46:35.544 defense of Ukraine . So the department 01:46:35.544 --> 01:46:37.830 recognizes that 400 million was uh was 01:46:37.830 --> 01:46:39.720 allocated for European capacity 01:46:39.720 --> 01:46:41.720 building and as of yesterday it has 01:46:41.720 --> 01:46:44.160 been released as it released and under 01:46:44.160 --> 01:46:46.382 contract released as of yesterday . How 01:46:46.382 --> 01:46:49.319 would you describe it , Jay ? Not under 01:46:49.319 --> 01:46:51.541 contract , but released to be put under 01:46:51.541 --> 01:46:53.597 contract . Let me , let me ask you a 01:46:53.597 --> 01:46:55.763 different way , Mr . Hurst . When will 01:46:55.763 --> 01:46:58.310 it actually be on the ground in Ukraine ? 01:46:58.439 --> 01:47:00.606 That depends on what they buy with the 01:47:00.606 --> 01:47:02.828 money , and we're gonna take the advice 01:47:02.828 --> 01:47:04.995 of the UCO commanders who employ those 01:47:04.995 --> 01:47:07.217 funds for best use . OK , we're gonna , 01:47:07.217 --> 01:47:07.160 we're gonna keep on that because it's , 01:47:07.200 --> 01:47:09.422 it's incredibly important , as we heard 01:47:09.422 --> 01:47:11.533 from , from everybody , including the 01:47:11.533 --> 01:47:13.589 King of England yesterday . Um , I'm 01:47:13.589 --> 01:47:15.644 gonna stay on our allies here . It's 01:47:15.644 --> 01:47:15.529 clear that the president didn't account 01:47:15.529 --> 01:47:17.751 for the Strait of Hormuz being closed , 01:47:17.770 --> 01:47:19.992 global market , oil market disruption , 01:47:20.290 --> 01:47:22.680 gas prices skyrocketing . Mr . 01:47:22.689 --> 01:47:24.522 Secretary , gas in my district , 01:47:24.522 --> 01:47:27.600 Maryland , not California , $4.11 . The 01:47:27.600 --> 01:47:31.100 president did not notify allies abroad 01:47:31.120 --> 01:47:33.759 or Congress before he went to war . He 01:47:33.759 --> 01:47:36.279 has repeatedly berated and belittled 01:47:36.279 --> 01:47:38.879 our NATO allies , and I am not 01:47:38.879 --> 01:47:40.990 interested in Twitter diplomacy . I'm 01:47:40.990 --> 01:47:43.157 interested in our actual exit strategy 01:47:43.157 --> 01:47:45.268 from this war . So I'm actually going 01:47:45.268 --> 01:47:45.069 to pose it to General Kaine if I could . 01:47:45.180 --> 01:47:47.402 Well , the president did understand the 01:47:47.402 --> 01:47:49.569 risks and had the courage to undertake 01:47:49.569 --> 01:47:49.520 the endeavor nonetheless , which the 01:47:49.520 --> 01:47:51.687 American people voted for that kind of 01:47:51.687 --> 01:47:53.631 courage and taking on that Iranian 01:47:53.631 --> 01:47:57.000 nuclear threat . General Kane , uh , 01:47:57.160 --> 01:47:59.327 have you or what have you formally and 01:47:59.327 --> 01:48:01.271 specifically requested of our NATO 01:48:01.271 --> 01:48:03.104 allies and European partners for 01:48:03.104 --> 01:48:05.327 operations in the strait ? Can you tell 01:48:05.327 --> 01:48:07.104 me duties , air defense , peace 01:48:07.104 --> 01:48:09.271 enforcement , specific requests of our 01:48:09.271 --> 01:48:12.080 NATO allies ? Both us and state have 01:48:12.770 --> 01:48:15.310 reached out through a variety of 01:48:15.310 --> 01:48:19.000 mechanisms to pulse our international 01:48:19.000 --> 01:48:21.569 partners , not just in Europe but in 01:48:21.569 --> 01:48:24.490 the Pacific as well to see what 01:48:24.490 --> 01:48:26.660 capabilities could be brought to bear 01:48:26.930 --> 01:48:29.209 down there as this is largely , um , 01:48:29.810 --> 01:48:32.600 you know , this is largely a , uh , uh , 01:48:32.729 --> 01:48:35.007 we don't move much trade through there . 01:48:35.007 --> 01:48:37.118 I'll defer to energy , commerce , and 01:48:37.118 --> 01:48:39.340 treasury , but we've been specific with 01:48:39.340 --> 01:48:41.673 our allies about what we need . We have , 01:48:41.673 --> 01:48:43.785 OK , can I ask you for specificity on 01:48:43.785 --> 01:48:45.840 another issue that's been brought up 01:48:45.840 --> 01:48:48.062 today from a military perspective , not 01:48:48.062 --> 01:48:50.062 a policy perspective ? What will it 01:48:50.062 --> 01:48:49.669 require of our service members to 01:48:49.669 --> 01:48:51.919 actually eradicate any Iranian nuclear 01:48:51.919 --> 01:48:53.919 threat ? Can you help us understand 01:48:53.919 --> 01:48:56.141 that ? Uh , there , there's such a wide 01:48:56.141 --> 01:48:58.569 range , ma'am , of options in there , 01:48:59.290 --> 01:49:01.529 all of which are classified . It would 01:49:01.529 --> 01:49:03.790 be out of my swim lane , but we always 01:49:03.790 --> 01:49:06.209 deliver the full range of options , the 01:49:06.209 --> 01:49:08.810 associated risks and the advice to go 01:49:08.810 --> 01:49:11.032 do the things that we would be asked to 01:49:11.032 --> 01:49:13.930 do . There , there's a , Uh , many , I 01:49:13.930 --> 01:49:15.819 can't speak for everybody on this 01:49:15.819 --> 01:49:15.359 committee , but I know we would like 01:49:15.359 --> 01:49:17.415 the gentlewoman's time has expired . 01:49:17.415 --> 01:49:19.415 The , the chair now recognizes Mr . 01:49:19.415 --> 01:49:21.526 Messimer from Indiana for 5 minutes . 01:49:21.526 --> 01:49:23.637 Uh , thank you , Chairman , and thank 01:49:23.637 --> 01:49:25.915 you , Secretary Hegseth , General Kane , 01:49:25.915 --> 01:49:25.330 and Comptroller Hurst for being here 01:49:25.330 --> 01:49:27.441 today . Congratulations to all of you 01:49:27.441 --> 01:49:29.330 for rolling out the $1.5 trillion 01:49:29.330 --> 01:49:31.274 defense budget . I'd like to offer 01:49:31.274 --> 01:49:33.330 special thanks to Mr . Hurst and his 01:49:33.330 --> 01:49:35.441 Comptroller team for the work that it 01:49:35.441 --> 01:49:37.774 takes to put , put this budget together . 01:49:37.774 --> 01:49:39.830 It's a monumental task for and , and 01:49:39.830 --> 01:49:38.890 important for our nation and our 01:49:38.890 --> 01:49:41.450 well-being . Secretary Hegseth , as you 01:49:41.450 --> 01:49:43.672 know , the theme of this year's NDAA is 01:49:43.672 --> 01:49:45.894 expanding the defense industrial base , 01:49:45.930 --> 01:49:48.097 and one of the key bottlenecks to that 01:49:48.097 --> 01:49:50.152 expansion is our workforce size . We 01:49:50.152 --> 01:49:52.319 are not producing enough skilled young 01:49:52.319 --> 01:49:54.541 workers and , and too many regions with 01:49:54.541 --> 01:49:56.652 strong manufacturing potential remain 01:49:56.652 --> 01:49:58.649 underutilized . Would you support 01:49:58.649 --> 01:50:00.871 Congress working across committees on a 01:50:00.871 --> 01:50:03.093 national defense strategy workforce , a 01:50:03.093 --> 01:50:04.927 workforce strategy that promotes 01:50:04.927 --> 01:50:07.093 technical training , apprenticeships , 01:50:07.093 --> 01:50:09.427 and proven school to industry pipelines ? 01:50:10.419 --> 01:50:12.475 Absolutely , I think you'll find our 01:50:12.475 --> 01:50:14.641 budget fully aligned with the theme of 01:50:14.641 --> 01:50:16.863 the NDAA . And when it comes to skilled 01:50:16.863 --> 01:50:16.669 workers , whether it's DoDa schools , 01:50:16.790 --> 01:50:18.679 do wea schools , whether it's the 01:50:18.679 --> 01:50:20.957 Patriot pipeline or any form of trades , 01:50:20.990 --> 01:50:23.212 we're investing in that because we need 01:50:23.212 --> 01:50:25.379 those folks invested in our industrial 01:50:25.379 --> 01:50:27.546 base . Excellent . I'd look forward to 01:50:27.546 --> 01:50:29.768 working , uh , you working with my team 01:50:29.768 --> 01:50:29.350 to ensure those efforts align with the 01:50:29.350 --> 01:50:31.239 Department of Defense , the indus 01:50:31.239 --> 01:50:33.790 industrial workforce workforce 01:50:33.790 --> 01:50:36.339 priorities . So my , my office will be 01:50:36.339 --> 01:50:38.395 reaching out . Also , Secretary Heck 01:50:38.395 --> 01:50:40.617 Seth , we are in a shipment in crisis . 01:50:40.617 --> 01:50:42.783 As the department implements President 01:50:42.783 --> 01:50:44.783 Trump's vision for a larger fleet , 01:50:44.783 --> 01:50:46.783 should the Navy leverage a model of 01:50:46.783 --> 01:50:48.895 distributed modular shipbuilding that 01:50:48.895 --> 01:50:50.839 taps industrial strength in , uh , 01:50:50.839 --> 01:50:53.061 outside of traditional shipyards , such 01:50:53.061 --> 01:50:55.283 as , uh , in the Midwest , in the Great 01:50:55.283 --> 01:50:57.339 Lakes in Ohio and Mississippi Valley 01:50:57.339 --> 01:50:59.395 regions to help expand capacity , to 01:50:59.395 --> 01:51:01.728 ease pressure on overburdened shipyards , 01:51:01.728 --> 01:51:01.660 and cut down on maintenance backlogs . 01:51:03.450 --> 01:51:05.339 Um , in , in short , yes , and 01:51:05.339 --> 01:51:07.450 including international options where 01:51:07.450 --> 01:51:09.395 we can work with partners who have 01:51:09.395 --> 01:51:11.561 specific capabilities that would speed 01:51:11.561 --> 01:51:13.783 up the timeline on shipyards that are , 01:51:13.783 --> 01:51:13.740 that are behind , uh , in our own 01:51:13.740 --> 01:51:16.120 country , but you'll find $65 billion 01:51:16.120 --> 01:51:18.379 in this budget on shipbuilding , a lot 01:51:18.379 --> 01:51:20.268 of which builds on those types of 01:51:20.268 --> 01:51:22.379 capabilities . Excellent . Uh , would 01:51:22.379 --> 01:51:24.323 you also agree that platforms like 01:51:24.323 --> 01:51:26.379 unmanned surface vessels , tenders , 01:51:26.379 --> 01:51:28.379 and other , uh , support ships seem 01:51:28.379 --> 01:51:30.323 well suited for production outside 01:51:30.323 --> 01:51:32.379 traditional shipyards ? Absolutely . 01:51:32.379 --> 01:51:34.546 And in fact , some of those facilities 01:51:34.546 --> 01:51:36.657 were precisely the ones we visited on 01:51:36.657 --> 01:51:38.712 the Arsenal of Freedom tour , USVs , 01:51:38.712 --> 01:51:40.768 UUVs , where you don't need the same 01:51:40.768 --> 01:51:42.990 capabilities you would in a traditional 01:51:42.990 --> 01:51:45.101 shipyard , or you can invest in a new 01:51:45.101 --> 01:51:47.268 type of shipyard specifically tailored 01:51:47.268 --> 01:51:49.490 to those more bespoke capabilities that 01:51:49.490 --> 01:51:51.435 can be scaled for the fight of the 01:51:51.435 --> 01:51:51.180 future for sure . Perfect . Thank you , 01:51:51.750 --> 01:51:53.806 Secretary Hegseth and General Kane . 01:51:54.169 --> 01:51:55.836 Many from the department have 01:51:55.836 --> 01:51:58.002 reiterated support for the nuclear sea 01:51:58.002 --> 01:52:00.225 launched cruise missile , and I believe 01:52:00.225 --> 01:52:02.169 President Trump needs more support 01:52:02.169 --> 01:52:04.391 options in the form of expanded theater 01:52:04.391 --> 01:52:06.391 nuclear capability . Uh , from your 01:52:06.391 --> 01:52:08.558 perspective , what specific deterrence 01:52:08.558 --> 01:52:10.391 problem does Slickamin solve the 01:52:10.391 --> 01:52:12.558 current capabilities do not , and what 01:52:12.558 --> 01:52:14.780 risk do we assume if if that capability 01:52:14.780 --> 01:52:17.770 is not fielded ? Take it first . Uh , 01:52:17.790 --> 01:52:20.169 Slickamend provides , it's part of the 01:52:20.870 --> 01:52:22.926 multiple layers of nuclear deterrent 01:52:22.926 --> 01:52:24.926 that we , that any president has to 01:52:24.926 --> 01:52:26.926 have at their disposal that creates 01:52:26.926 --> 01:52:28.926 dilemmas for enemies who are either 01:52:28.926 --> 01:52:31.092 nuclear capable or not and ensures the 01:52:31.092 --> 01:52:33.314 kind of leverage required and defense , 01:52:33.314 --> 01:52:35.314 uh , required , deterrence required 01:52:35.390 --> 01:52:37.501 that the nation , that , that sort of 01:52:37.501 --> 01:52:39.668 underwrites everything we do . So more 01:52:39.668 --> 01:52:41.612 options on that that the adversary 01:52:41.612 --> 01:52:43.834 can't account for is only good for us . 01:52:44.299 --> 01:52:46.620 One thing I'll add is , uh , as we 01:52:46.620 --> 01:52:48.787 mentioned a little bit earlier , sir , 01:52:48.787 --> 01:52:51.009 we continue to modernize the , the full 01:52:51.009 --> 01:52:53.064 range of the triad . This is another 01:52:53.064 --> 01:52:55.700 tool in that regional normally , so 01:52:55.700 --> 01:52:58.339 it's , it's something I support . Thank 01:52:58.339 --> 01:53:00.339 you . As we look beyond the current 01:53:00.339 --> 01:53:02.283 program , should the department be 01:53:02.283 --> 01:53:04.228 thinking about a future sea launch 01:53:04.228 --> 01:53:05.783 nuclear system with greater 01:53:05.783 --> 01:53:07.895 survivability , maneuverability , and 01:53:07.895 --> 01:53:11.029 potential hypersonic capability ? Uh , 01:53:11.160 --> 01:53:13.589 yes , and , and I know we are . OK . 01:53:14.509 --> 01:53:18.350 Thank you . Secretary Hegseth 01:53:18.350 --> 01:53:20.350 and General Kane , one of the major 01:53:20.350 --> 01:53:22.406 bottlenecks in expanding the defense 01:53:22.406 --> 01:53:24.461 industrial base is , uh , test range 01:53:24.461 --> 01:53:26.683 access . Companies are waiting too long 01:53:26.683 --> 01:53:28.461 for range time , and that slows 01:53:28.461 --> 01:53:30.350 fielding at speed modern conflict 01:53:30.350 --> 01:53:32.517 demands . What is the department doing 01:53:32.517 --> 01:53:34.517 to expand and modernize the testing 01:53:34.517 --> 01:53:38.390 architecture ? Um , $5.2 billion worth 01:53:38.390 --> 01:53:40.390 of investment , but I'll tell you , 01:53:40.390 --> 01:53:42.612 when we sit with industry , and I , I , 01:53:42.612 --> 01:53:44.834 I simply ask the question , what can we 01:53:44.834 --> 01:53:44.779 do for you ? How do we empower you ? 01:53:45.109 --> 01:53:47.331 Test ranges come up almost every single 01:53:47.331 --> 01:53:49.387 time and the limits and the timeline 01:53:49.387 --> 01:53:51.609 limits they create . So we're trying to 01:53:51.609 --> 01:53:53.665 blow that open and create a lot more 01:53:53.665 --> 01:53:55.665 options for them . Thank you , uh , 01:53:55.665 --> 01:53:57.776 Secretary Heckseth and General Kane , 01:53:57.776 --> 01:53:59.831 I'd like to extend an invitation for 01:53:59.831 --> 01:54:01.831 both of you to come and visit Naval 01:54:01.831 --> 01:54:04.053 Surface Warship Center Crane , uh , and 01:54:04.053 --> 01:54:06.220 see what a great , great work is being 01:54:06.220 --> 01:54:05.819 done in Southwest Indiana to support 01:54:05.819 --> 01:54:07.986 the warfighter and ensure our military 01:54:07.986 --> 01:54:10.208 edge . And with that , I'll close and , 01:54:10.208 --> 01:54:12.208 and , uh , surrender the rest of my 01:54:12.208 --> 01:54:14.263 time . The chair now recognizes Mr . 01:54:14.263 --> 01:54:16.097 Whitesides from California for 5 01:54:16.097 --> 01:54:17.930 minutes . Thank you , Chairman . 01:54:17.930 --> 01:54:20.041 Chairwoman , um , Secretary Hegseth , 01:54:20.041 --> 01:54:22.152 General Kane , Mr . Hurst , thank you 01:54:22.152 --> 01:54:24.152 for testifying today , uh , and for 01:54:24.152 --> 01:54:26.263 your service to the nation . Over the 01:54:26.263 --> 01:54:28.430 past few weeks , military and civilian 01:54:28.430 --> 01:54:28.009 leaders of many of the DOD components 01:54:28.009 --> 01:54:30.089 have testified about their FY 27 01:54:30.089 --> 01:54:32.160 posture . We appreciate their 01:54:32.160 --> 01:54:34.216 professionalism and their service to 01:54:34.216 --> 01:54:36.327 the country and the time that they've 01:54:36.327 --> 01:54:38.438 spent to , uh , testify before us . I 01:54:38.438 --> 01:54:40.493 want to start with Mr . Hurst . Mr . 01:54:40.493 --> 01:54:40.069 Hurst , you testified at the beginning 01:54:40.069 --> 01:54:42.209 of this , that you said that the 01:54:42.310 --> 01:54:44.477 estimated cost of the war is about $25 01:54:44.477 --> 01:54:46.532 billion . In March , you stated that 01:54:46.532 --> 01:54:48.990 the first week of the war cost $11 01:54:48.990 --> 01:54:51.589 billion . Uh , so , is it right to say 01:54:51.589 --> 01:54:53.589 that the following seven weeks have 01:54:53.589 --> 01:54:56.250 cost about $14 billion total or $2 01:54:56.250 --> 01:54:58.319 billion per week ? Yeah , the most 01:54:58.319 --> 01:55:00.208 intense phase of the conflict was 01:55:00.208 --> 01:55:02.208 obviously at the beginning . That's 01:55:02.208 --> 01:55:04.208 when most munitions were used , and 01:55:04.208 --> 01:55:04.109 that's the basic expense from the war , 01:55:04.689 --> 01:55:06.911 right ? So , so that you , and you also 01:55:06.911 --> 01:55:08.979 said just now that the $25 billion 01:55:08.979 --> 01:55:10.923 includes the cost of the munitions 01:55:10.923 --> 01:55:12.979 deployed . Is that right ? Um , this 01:55:12.979 --> 01:55:15.146 question is for the CFO , sir . Yeah , 01:55:15.146 --> 01:55:17.201 that's correct . OK , so I , I guess 01:55:17.201 --> 01:55:19.423 I'm confused then . It makes sense that 01:55:19.423 --> 01:55:21.535 if that's the cost , then the cost to 01:55:21.535 --> 01:55:23.590 refill those stocks would be no more 01:55:23.590 --> 01:55:25.590 than $25 billion . Am I right about 01:55:25.590 --> 01:55:27.646 that ? When we estimate costs of the 01:55:27.646 --> 01:55:29.368 conflict , we're using current 01:55:29.368 --> 01:55:31.312 replacement costs for these weapon 01:55:31.312 --> 01:55:31.049 systems , right ? You're using current 01:55:31.049 --> 01:55:33.049 replacement costs . So it's frankly 01:55:33.049 --> 01:55:35.271 pretty surprising that the estimate for 01:55:35.271 --> 01:55:37.950 the supplemental would be $200 billion . 01:55:38.250 --> 01:55:40.306 You don't , if you'd like to explain 01:55:40.306 --> 01:55:42.417 that , you can , but but that's not , 01:55:42.417 --> 01:55:44.583 that's not accurate . We don't have an 01:55:44.583 --> 01:55:44.370 estimate for the cost . OK , that's 01:55:44.370 --> 01:55:46.592 what's publicly reported . So it's good 01:55:46.592 --> 01:55:48.759 to hear that it's gonna be less . Um , 01:55:48.759 --> 01:55:50.981 Mr . Hurst , do you have signal on your 01:55:50.981 --> 01:55:53.720 phone ? I'm sorry , why is this 01:55:53.720 --> 01:55:55.831 relevant ? Do you have signal on your 01:55:55.831 --> 01:55:57.998 phone ? What does this have to do with 01:55:57.998 --> 01:56:00.109 the budget ? I'm gonna take that as a 01:56:00.109 --> 01:56:02.276 yes . Um , Mr . Kane , sorry , General 01:56:02.276 --> 01:56:04.609 Kane , do you have signal on your phone ? 01:56:05.319 --> 01:56:07.839 I do , sir . Yes . OK , so I want to 01:56:07.839 --> 01:56:09.839 talk about Signal . Last year , the 01:56:09.839 --> 01:56:11.783 secretary and other administration 01:56:11.783 --> 01:56:13.672 officials discussed sensitive and 01:56:13.672 --> 01:56:15.895 almost certainly classified information 01:56:15.895 --> 01:56:15.359 about a strike in Yemen using the 01:56:15.359 --> 01:56:18.370 unclassified Signal app . Mr . Hurst , 01:56:18.479 --> 01:56:21.200 what's the current policy for Signal on 01:56:21.200 --> 01:56:23.580 official DOD devices ? I'm the 01:56:23.580 --> 01:56:26.339 comptroller . I don't do CIO work . So 01:56:26.339 --> 01:56:29.939 therefore it is , uh , allowed . Is 01:56:29.939 --> 01:56:31.883 that your statement that it is now 01:56:31.883 --> 01:56:34.106 allowed to have signal on your device , 01:56:34.106 --> 01:56:36.328 Mr . White said , my statement is I run 01:56:36.328 --> 01:56:38.550 the budget for DOD . Yeah , OK . Well , 01:56:38.550 --> 01:56:40.772 he's got it on his phone , so therefore 01:56:40.772 --> 01:56:42.717 it must be permitted . Toronto . I 01:56:42.717 --> 01:56:44.772 gotta go back and look if it's on my 01:56:44.772 --> 01:56:44.180 official phone . I was talking about my 01:56:44.180 --> 01:56:46.402 personal phone . I'm not exactly sure . 01:56:46.402 --> 01:56:48.680 I'll go back and look though , OK . Um , 01:56:48.870 --> 01:56:51.299 last month , FBI Director Kash Patel 01:56:51.709 --> 01:56:53.931 made a public announcement that Russian 01:56:53.931 --> 01:56:56.098 hackers are targeting signal app users 01:56:56.098 --> 01:56:58.320 in the government , specifically stated 01:56:58.320 --> 01:56:58.069 they were targeting individuals of high 01:56:58.069 --> 01:57:00.279 intelligence value , including current 01:57:00.279 --> 01:57:02.759 and former US government officials . Um , 01:57:03.029 --> 01:57:06.410 I hope that it is not official policy 01:57:06.410 --> 01:57:08.243 that you can have signal on your 01:57:08.243 --> 01:57:10.354 official phones , and I would love to 01:57:10.354 --> 01:57:12.077 get a response from , uh , the 01:57:12.077 --> 01:57:14.243 department on that . We have now asked 01:57:14.243 --> 01:57:16.299 this question about 5 separate times 01:57:16.299 --> 01:57:18.632 and have never gotten a straight answer . 01:57:18.632 --> 01:57:20.743 Um , I wanna close by talking about , 01:57:20.743 --> 01:57:23.021 uh , helicopters . Mr . Secretary , um , 01:57:23.021 --> 01:57:24.910 I wanna ask about the Army Apache 01:57:24.910 --> 01:57:26.966 helicopter that flew over Kid Rock's 01:57:26.966 --> 01:57:29.439 property on March 28th . Uh , an 01:57:29.529 --> 01:57:31.751 investigation was launched by the 101st 01:57:31.751 --> 01:57:33.529 Combat Aviation Brigade Command 01:57:33.529 --> 01:57:35.696 Leadership , but before that review is 01:57:35.696 --> 01:57:37.362 completed on March 31st , you 01:57:37.362 --> 01:57:39.473 terminated it via social media post . 01:57:39.473 --> 01:57:41.585 Did you personally direct termination 01:57:41.585 --> 01:57:44.359 of that review ? Uh , I did . OK . Now , 01:57:44.399 --> 01:57:46.839 the , the president said they probably 01:57:46.839 --> 01:57:48.950 shouldn't have been doing it and that 01:57:48.950 --> 01:57:51.172 I'd take a look at it . So did you talk 01:57:51.172 --> 01:57:53.172 to the president before terminating 01:57:53.172 --> 01:57:55.395 that review ? Well , I , I don't , uh , 01:57:55.395 --> 01:57:57.561 relay what I talk about . OK , I think 01:57:57.561 --> 01:57:59.672 unfortunately that means that you did 01:57:59.672 --> 01:57:59.529 talk to him , which in turn means that 01:57:59.529 --> 01:58:01.529 you've just confirmed the president 01:58:01.529 --> 01:58:03.751 himself overruled the leadership of the 01:58:03.751 --> 01:58:05.862 101st Airborne . Mr . Secretary , you 01:58:05.862 --> 01:58:07.973 yourself have affirmed repeatedly the 01:58:07.973 --> 01:58:10.029 need for higher standards and higher 01:58:10.029 --> 01:58:12.140 accountability at every level of your 01:58:12.140 --> 01:58:14.362 agency . Commanders rely on established 01:58:14.362 --> 01:58:16.473 processes to uphold these standards . 01:58:16.473 --> 01:58:18.640 How does canceling a command-initiated 01:58:18.640 --> 01:58:20.862 review by the 101st Airborne Leadership 01:58:20.862 --> 01:58:20.660 support a culture of accountability ? 01:58:20.740 --> 01:58:22.962 Actually , I think I'll ask that of the 01:58:22.962 --> 01:58:26.319 chairman . Sir , um , back to my 01:58:26.319 --> 01:58:28.430 earlier comments about the importance 01:58:28.430 --> 01:58:30.541 in my role of staying in the middle , 01:58:30.541 --> 01:58:33.879 um , what you're alluding to is in my 01:58:33.879 --> 01:58:35.990 assessment with deep respect for your 01:58:35.990 --> 01:58:37.935 ask is a partisan question , and I 01:58:37.935 --> 01:58:40.101 think it would be inappropriate for me 01:58:40.101 --> 01:58:42.323 to answer that , Mr. , sir . I actually 01:58:42.323 --> 01:58:44.212 don't think it is . I think it is 01:58:44.212 --> 01:58:46.323 actually a very fundamental principle 01:58:46.323 --> 01:58:48.435 of accountability in our . Department 01:58:48.435 --> 01:58:48.084 and , and I think it was the wrong 01:58:48.084 --> 01:58:50.028 decision . I'm gonna close by just 01:58:50.028 --> 01:58:52.251 saying one thing , Mr . Secretary , you 01:58:52.251 --> 01:58:52.205 started this hearing by politicizing it , 01:58:52.274 --> 01:58:54.274 and I want to make one point . Poll 01:58:54.274 --> 01:58:56.218 after poll shows that the American 01:58:56.218 --> 01:58:58.274 public does not support this war and 01:58:58.274 --> 01:59:00.441 support is dropping every day . We are 01:59:00.441 --> 01:59:02.663 all representing our constituents , our 01:59:02.663 --> 01:59:04.218 constituents , which is our 01:59:04.218 --> 01:59:06.441 constitutional duty . And to state that 01:59:06.441 --> 01:59:09.154 we are politicizing it is an affront to 01:59:09.154 --> 01:59:11.805 Congress and every member in this house , 01:59:11.884 --> 01:59:14.825 and I yield back . You are politicizing 01:59:14.825 --> 01:59:17.410 it , Congressman . The gentleman's time 01:59:17.410 --> 01:59:19.577 has expired . The chair now recognizes 01:59:19.577 --> 01:59:21.854 Mr . Schmidt from Kansas for 5 minutes . 01:59:21.854 --> 01:59:24.077 Thank you , Madam Chair , and I want to 01:59:24.077 --> 01:59:26.132 thank all three of our witnesses for 01:59:26.132 --> 01:59:25.689 being here today and , uh , answering 01:59:25.689 --> 01:59:27.800 our questions . Uh , Mr . Secretary , 01:59:27.800 --> 01:59:29.911 let me start with you . Uh , a little 01:59:29.911 --> 01:59:32.189 bit off topic for today , but relevant . 01:59:32.189 --> 01:59:34.411 Uh , we are now more than 2 months into 01:59:34.411 --> 01:59:36.633 the funding shutdown for the Department 01:59:36.633 --> 01:59:38.770 of Homeland Security because folks at 01:59:38.770 --> 01:59:40.770 this end of the avenue have not yet 01:59:40.770 --> 01:59:42.937 been able to get to yes . I hope we're 01:59:42.937 --> 01:59:45.159 gonna get to yes here shortly . I think 01:59:45.159 --> 01:59:44.850 we made some progress , uh , here today 01:59:44.850 --> 01:59:47.183 while we've been in this gathering . Uh , 01:59:47.183 --> 01:59:49.294 it's been necessary , as I understand 01:59:49.294 --> 01:59:51.700 it , for the administration to scrape 01:59:51.700 --> 01:59:53.478 out the pennies under the couch 01:59:53.478 --> 01:59:55.589 cushions in order to keep DHS running 01:59:55.589 --> 01:59:57.756 and , and honestly running , uh , uh , 01:59:57.756 --> 01:59:59.978 not at full speed . Has your department 01:59:59.978 --> 02:00:02.144 had any , uh , role in contributing to 02:00:02.144 --> 02:00:04.256 the ongoing operations of DHS while , 02:00:04.256 --> 02:00:07.430 um , things have not been funded ? Well , 02:00:07.490 --> 02:00:09.601 I wouldn't comment on the status of , 02:00:09.601 --> 02:00:11.823 of DHS . I'll just say the ways that we 02:00:11.823 --> 02:00:13.990 cooperate with them have continued . I 02:00:13.990 --> 02:00:13.850 mean , look at the southern , uh , look 02:00:13.850 --> 02:00:15.961 at the southern border and the 11,000 02:00:15.961 --> 02:00:17.850 troops we have there , task force 02:00:17.850 --> 02:00:19.850 southern border , ensuring that our 02:00:19.850 --> 02:00:21.794 border is locked down . Uh , we've 02:00:21.794 --> 02:00:21.649 worked with law enforcement from day 02:00:21.649 --> 02:00:23.871 one on DHS to do that just like we have 02:00:23.871 --> 02:00:25.982 with local law enforcement across the 02:00:25.982 --> 02:00:27.816 country . So , uh , obviously we 02:00:27.816 --> 02:00:29.649 welcome DHS funding , but in the 02:00:29.649 --> 02:00:31.482 meantime we're gonna protect the 02:00:31.482 --> 02:00:33.593 country , protect the homeland , uh , 02:00:33.593 --> 02:00:32.919 and that's what we're doing with them . 02:00:33.089 --> 02:00:35.799 Do what is necessary . Very good . Uh , 02:00:35.930 --> 02:00:38.490 General , let me ask you , uh , if it's 02:00:38.490 --> 02:00:40.546 more appropriate for the secretary , 02:00:40.546 --> 02:00:43.069 we'll defer , but , um . We , we , you 02:00:43.069 --> 02:00:45.180 know , we've obviously been following 02:00:45.180 --> 02:00:45.149 with interest , uh , all of the 02:00:45.149 --> 02:00:47.260 developments in the publicly reported 02:00:47.260 --> 02:00:49.371 developments in Operation Epic Fury . 02:00:49.371 --> 02:00:51.205 There was some public reported , 02:00:51.205 --> 02:00:53.205 publicly reported activity , um , a 02:00:53.205 --> 02:00:55.316 while back that I had reason to think 02:00:55.316 --> 02:00:57.205 might involve some Kansas service 02:00:57.205 --> 02:00:57.180 personnel . We didn't know from the 02:00:57.180 --> 02:01:00.029 public reporting . Uh , we have simply 02:01:00.029 --> 02:01:02.196 been trying to find out , uh , whether 02:01:02.196 --> 02:01:04.196 our folks were involved or not . We 02:01:04.196 --> 02:01:06.196 finally did get an answer . It took 02:01:06.196 --> 02:01:08.418 about 4 weeks and when we got it , uh , 02:01:08.418 --> 02:01:10.585 it was for the most part everything we 02:01:10.585 --> 02:01:10.310 read in the press with one exception , 02:01:10.470 --> 02:01:13.629 one exception . I , I , it's a bit 02:01:13.629 --> 02:01:15.899 unsatisfactory , uh , when we're just 02:01:15.910 --> 02:01:18.021 trying to do our job and figure out , 02:01:18.021 --> 02:01:20.132 uh , whether our folks are implicated 02:01:20.132 --> 02:01:21.910 and whether we need to be doing 02:01:21.910 --> 02:01:21.270 something to help them , their families , 02:01:21.310 --> 02:01:23.629 or their folks back home . Uh , I know 02:01:23.629 --> 02:01:25.685 you take seriously the importance of 02:01:25.685 --> 02:01:27.740 providing that information , but can 02:01:27.740 --> 02:01:27.709 you just offer some reassurance that 02:01:27.709 --> 02:01:29.820 you do take those inquiries seriously 02:01:29.820 --> 02:01:31.987 and that , that that was perhaps not , 02:01:31.987 --> 02:01:34.153 we do , sir . I'm not exactly sure the 02:01:34.153 --> 02:01:34.069 situation you're talking about , but 02:01:34.069 --> 02:01:36.259 I'll get the teams together and , and 02:01:36.259 --> 02:01:38.481 figure out , uh , what broke down there 02:01:38.481 --> 02:01:40.648 and fix it . Appreciate it very , very 02:01:40.648 --> 02:01:42.648 much . Mr . Secretary , let me come 02:01:42.648 --> 02:01:45.390 back to you , um , in talking with , uh , 02:01:45.799 --> 02:01:47.910 Kansans who either have been deployed 02:01:47.910 --> 02:01:49.966 or in support of folks who have been 02:01:49.966 --> 02:01:51.688 deployed , uh , I am under the 02:01:51.688 --> 02:01:53.521 impression that there has been a 02:01:53.521 --> 02:01:55.743 particularly high , especially early in 02:01:55.743 --> 02:01:57.910 the operation prior to the ceasefire , 02:01:57.910 --> 02:02:00.132 particularly high , uh , amount of , of 02:02:00.132 --> 02:02:02.466 concussive activity , and that we might , 02:02:02.466 --> 02:02:04.466 uh , be well advised to be prepared 02:02:04.466 --> 02:02:06.243 when folks come home for . Uh , 02:02:06.243 --> 02:02:08.355 concussive injuries , uh , for , uh , 02:02:08.355 --> 02:02:10.577 combat-related PTSD , perhaps at levels 02:02:10.577 --> 02:02:12.577 we , we aren't expecting , at least 02:02:12.577 --> 02:02:12.100 those of us watching from the outside 02:02:12.100 --> 02:02:14.540 of the operation . Uh , can you say 02:02:14.540 --> 02:02:16.207 anything either about that in 02:02:16.207 --> 02:02:18.429 particular or more generally about what 02:02:18.429 --> 02:02:20.596 types of , uh , health and post-combat 02:02:20.596 --> 02:02:22.707 related , uh , health issues we ought 02:02:22.707 --> 02:02:24.707 to be preparing for when folks come 02:02:24.707 --> 02:02:26.984 home from this operation in particular ? 02:02:26.984 --> 02:02:29.207 Well , I know Congressman , all of that 02:02:29.207 --> 02:02:31.262 is tracked very closely , uh , as it 02:02:31.262 --> 02:02:33.373 pertains to this budget , there's $70 02:02:33.373 --> 02:02:35.651 million for more research on that , uh , 02:02:35.651 --> 02:02:37.762 but I would note that as it's tracked 02:02:37.762 --> 02:02:39.984 and identified , also 90% of those with 02:02:39.984 --> 02:02:42.207 injuries in this conflict have returned 02:02:42.207 --> 02:02:44.262 to duty . Uh , so , but that doesn't 02:02:44.262 --> 02:02:44.209 mean there couldn't still be , uh , a 02:02:44.209 --> 02:02:46.487 lingering effect , which is , is noted , 02:02:46.529 --> 02:02:48.585 uh , and will continue to be tracked 02:02:48.585 --> 02:02:50.807 throughout . And can I follow on that ? 02:02:50.807 --> 02:02:53.029 I appreciate that answer very much with 02:02:53.029 --> 02:02:55.251 respect particularly to guard personnel 02:02:55.251 --> 02:02:54.810 who have been deployed and may when 02:02:54.810 --> 02:02:56.921 they come . Back they return to their 02:02:56.921 --> 02:02:58.699 civilian roles . They may be in 02:02:58.699 --> 02:03:00.866 communities far from a military post . 02:03:00.866 --> 02:03:02.921 Uh , they may be in communities that 02:03:02.921 --> 02:03:04.754 don't have dedicated health care 02:03:04.754 --> 02:03:06.643 services that may be particularly 02:03:06.643 --> 02:03:08.921 focused on , uh , concussive damage or , 02:03:08.921 --> 02:03:10.866 um , uh , uh , uh , post traumatic 02:03:10.866 --> 02:03:12.532 stress damage . Uh , is there 02:03:12.532 --> 02:03:12.475 particular thought on things we ought 02:03:12.475 --> 02:03:14.785 to be doing to prepare to serve that 02:03:14.785 --> 02:03:16.785 population when those men and women 02:03:16.785 --> 02:03:18.896 come home ? I think the , the biggest 02:03:18.896 --> 02:03:21.007 one is identifying it upfront , doing 02:03:21.007 --> 02:03:23.118 that testing upfront to identify what 02:03:23.118 --> 02:03:25.174 has occurred and then the ability to 02:03:25.174 --> 02:03:24.779 track those service members . I know as 02:03:24.779 --> 02:03:26.946 a frontline leader that became part of 02:03:26.946 --> 02:03:29.001 my responsibility as well , tracking 02:03:29.001 --> 02:03:31.335 those who may be more susceptible to it , 02:03:31.335 --> 02:03:33.446 whether they have a formal network to 02:03:33.446 --> 02:03:35.112 address it or not . So , uh , 02:03:35.112 --> 02:03:37.168 definitely something we care about . 02:03:37.168 --> 02:03:37.020 TriCare , ensuring they have increased 02:03:37.020 --> 02:03:39.020 access in places where there aren't 02:03:39.020 --> 02:03:41.020 military facilities is an important 02:03:41.020 --> 02:03:41.009 part of it . Thank you , Mr . Secretary . 02:03:41.060 --> 02:03:43.171 we care as well . We wanna be helpful 02:03:43.171 --> 02:03:45.171 in that front , uh , when our folks 02:03:45.171 --> 02:03:47.004 come home . Last question , uh , 02:03:47.004 --> 02:03:49.227 particular to , to , uh , some folks in 02:03:49.227 --> 02:03:48.810 Kansas , when you were here last year , 02:03:48.890 --> 02:03:51.057 Mr . Secretary , I talked about , uh , 02:03:51.057 --> 02:03:53.240 cooperation between , uh , the , the , 02:03:53.250 --> 02:03:55.470 uh , Veterans Health Agency and . Uh , 02:03:55.600 --> 02:03:57.767 DHA and some work we've been trying to 02:03:57.767 --> 02:03:59.933 do at Irwin Army Community Hospital at 02:03:59.933 --> 02:04:01.933 Fort Riley . This committee and the 02:04:01.933 --> 02:04:03.822 Congress and the president , uh , 02:04:03.822 --> 02:04:05.711 enacted into law a provision that 02:04:05.711 --> 02:04:07.933 causes some cooperation between the two 02:04:07.933 --> 02:04:10.100 to happen , and we are very excited to 02:04:10.100 --> 02:04:09.709 report they're looking very good , uh , 02:04:09.720 --> 02:04:12.120 out at Irwin . Um , the reason I raised 02:04:12.120 --> 02:04:14.342 this with you today , some of the folks 02:04:14.342 --> 02:04:16.009 who made that happen were the 02:04:16.009 --> 02:04:18.287 commanding general at the 1st Infantry , 02:04:18.287 --> 02:04:20.564 General Ran , who's about to deploy to , 02:04:20.564 --> 02:04:20.359 uh , Europe , uh , I believe in early 02:04:20.359 --> 02:04:22.526 June . His chief medical officer who's 02:04:22.526 --> 02:04:24.248 about to leave for a different 02:04:24.248 --> 02:04:26.359 assignment . The gentleman's time has 02:04:26.359 --> 02:04:28.248 expired . Can we get those things 02:04:28.248 --> 02:04:30.303 signed before they leave ? The chair 02:04:30.303 --> 02:04:31.970 now recognizes Mr . Tran from 02:04:31.970 --> 02:04:34.390 California for 5 minutes . Thank you so 02:04:34.390 --> 02:04:36.446 much , Chairwoman . Thank you , uh , 02:04:36.446 --> 02:04:38.668 Secretary Hegseth , General Kane , Mr . 02:04:38.668 --> 02:04:40.890 Hurst for being here today . You know , 02:04:40.890 --> 02:04:43.112 after I was , uh , honorably discharged 02:04:43.112 --> 02:04:45.112 from the Army Reserve , the GI Bill 02:04:45.112 --> 02:04:47.223 helped me go to school and ultimately 02:04:47.223 --> 02:04:48.946 become a lawyer . My focus was 02:04:48.946 --> 02:04:50.612 representing clients who were 02:04:50.612 --> 02:04:52.334 wrongfully terminated or faced 02:04:52.334 --> 02:04:54.390 discrimination and harassment at the 02:04:54.390 --> 02:04:56.446 work . Mr . Secretary , if I were in 02:04:56.446 --> 02:04:58.612 the courtroom trying to prove that you 02:04:58.612 --> 02:05:00.501 discriminate against our military 02:05:00.501 --> 02:05:02.612 heroes , I wouldn't have to look very 02:05:02.612 --> 02:05:04.819 far or very hard . In just 16 months , 02:05:04.910 --> 02:05:07.132 you have fired more than a dozen senior 02:05:07.132 --> 02:05:09.188 military leaders . You've delayed or 02:05:09.188 --> 02:05:11.299 canceled the promotion of even more . 02:05:11.549 --> 02:05:13.716 Your chief of staff told the Secretary 02:05:13.716 --> 02:05:16.270 of the Army that President Trump would 02:05:16.270 --> 02:05:18.381 not want to stand . That's not true . 02:05:18.390 --> 02:05:20.580 That was totally false reporting . Get 02:05:20.580 --> 02:05:24.399 no question yet , Mr . Secretary . Yeah , 02:05:24.819 --> 02:05:27.220 you , you told the president , uh sorry , 02:05:27.299 --> 02:05:29.259 the secretary of the Army that the 02:05:29.259 --> 02:05:31.426 president would not want to stand next 02:05:31.426 --> 02:05:33.259 to a black female officer at the 02:05:33.259 --> 02:05:36.000 military events . But you know , 02:05:36.169 --> 02:05:38.169 despite all of this , I remain very 02:05:38.169 --> 02:05:41.649 hopeful that you can and will do better 02:05:41.649 --> 02:05:43.371 for the men and women who have 02:05:43.371 --> 02:05:45.427 dedicated their lives to protect our 02:05:45.427 --> 02:05:47.839 great country . You're here to ask for 02:05:47.839 --> 02:05:51.600 $1.5 trillion . That's a huge budget , 02:05:51.799 --> 02:05:53.910 and I want to make sure that you have 02:05:53.910 --> 02:05:56.339 the ability to manage it . Sar Hegseth 02:05:57.049 --> 02:05:59.729 You would agree with me when I say that 02:05:59.729 --> 02:06:01.785 we want the most qualified people in 02:06:01.785 --> 02:06:03.618 every position of our military , 02:06:03.618 --> 02:06:06.649 correct ? That's a question . Yes , 02:06:06.930 --> 02:06:09.041 thank you , General Kaine . You would 02:06:09.041 --> 02:06:12.700 want the same . Yes , 02:06:13.259 --> 02:06:15.203 thank you . You know , I share the 02:06:15.203 --> 02:06:18.040 bipartisan concern uh about firing , 02:06:18.279 --> 02:06:20.799 the firing of General George , and what 02:06:20.799 --> 02:06:22.855 I and what the American people wanna 02:06:22.855 --> 02:06:24.879 know from you is , did you ask the 02:06:24.879 --> 02:06:27.101 president for his permission before you 02:06:27.101 --> 02:06:28.935 fired General George , Secretary 02:06:28.935 --> 02:06:31.700 Hegseth ? Um , it is my responsibility 02:06:31.700 --> 02:06:33.811 to confer with the commander in chief 02:06:33.811 --> 02:06:35.756 on especially high level personnel 02:06:35.756 --> 02:06:37.922 matters , and ultimately I won't relay 02:06:37.922 --> 02:06:40.089 what was discussed , but , uh , he was 02:06:40.089 --> 02:06:39.479 aware of the action that would be taken . 02:06:39.660 --> 02:06:41.879 OK , great . Thank you for that . And 02:06:41.990 --> 02:06:43.939 when you made the decision to fire 02:06:43.939 --> 02:06:46.020 General George did you consult 02:06:46.020 --> 02:06:49.390 Secretary Driscoll ? Um , there had 02:06:49.390 --> 02:06:51.729 been multiple , uh , consultations over , 02:06:51.819 --> 02:06:54.750 over a year , yes . Do you and uh uh do 02:06:54.750 --> 02:06:56.917 you and Secretary Driscoll have a good 02:06:56.917 --> 02:06:59.140 working relationship ? Yes , I 02:06:59.140 --> 02:07:01.307 appreciate the work he's doing for the 02:07:01.307 --> 02:07:03.418 army . And for the record , would you 02:07:03.418 --> 02:07:05.584 agree that Secretary Driscoll is doing 02:07:05.584 --> 02:07:04.879 a great job as the Secretary of the 02:07:04.879 --> 02:07:07.910 Army ? I appreciate the work that the 02:07:07.910 --> 02:07:09.854 secretary is doing and uh made the 02:07:09.854 --> 02:07:11.910 personnel change change based on the 02:07:11.910 --> 02:07:14.132 chief of the army . In fact , he was so 02:07:14.132 --> 02:07:16.354 good that at his job that the president 02:07:16.354 --> 02:07:18.299 sent him to Ukraine to negotiate a 02:07:18.299 --> 02:07:20.410 peace deal . Uh , do you know why the 02:07:20.410 --> 02:07:22.577 president chose to send him over you ? 02:07:23.080 --> 02:07:24.913 Um , I'm , I'm grateful that the 02:07:24.913 --> 02:07:27.080 president puts in players at the key 02:07:27.080 --> 02:07:29.136 moments to advance policy priorities 02:07:29.136 --> 02:07:31.191 and , and that's what occurred there 02:07:31.191 --> 02:07:33.358 and I was very supportive of it at the 02:07:33.358 --> 02:07:35.413 time . Recently , Secretary Driscoll 02:07:35.413 --> 02:07:34.790 testified in front of the 02:07:34.790 --> 02:07:36.623 Appropriations Committee that he 02:07:36.623 --> 02:07:38.568 refused to strike the names of two 02:07:38.568 --> 02:07:40.623 female and two black officers from a 02:07:40.623 --> 02:07:42.734 promotion list due to their exemplary 02:07:42.734 --> 02:07:44.846 service , names which were ultimately 02:07:44.846 --> 02:07:46.957 removed . Did you order him to strike 02:07:46.957 --> 02:07:49.399 those names ? I know , uh , we removed 02:07:49.399 --> 02:07:52.799 those names . I did . Why ? 02:07:54.459 --> 02:07:56.515 Uh , because we review every general 02:07:56.515 --> 02:07:58.459 officer , you mentioned 12 general 02:07:58.459 --> 02:08:00.348 officers have been reviewed . The 02:08:00.348 --> 02:08:00.180 numbers much higher than that . I would 02:08:00.180 --> 02:08:03.339 also note that under Barack Obama , 197 02:08:03.339 --> 02:08:05.561 general officers were removed . So this 02:08:05.561 --> 02:08:07.660 is not something , uh , specific to 02:08:07.660 --> 02:08:10.540 this administration . every officer 02:08:10.540 --> 02:08:12.873 serves at the pleasure of the president . 02:08:12.873 --> 02:08:14.873 And when they need to be removed in 02:08:14.873 --> 02:08:16.762 order to ensure we have the right 02:08:16.762 --> 02:08:18.873 leadership in those services , I will 02:08:18.873 --> 02:08:21.096 make those calls regardless of what you 02:08:21.096 --> 02:08:20.649 might say from the dais . You know , 02:08:20.770 --> 02:08:22.992 about a year ago , the army began their 02:08:22.992 --> 02:08:24.770 transform , uh , transformation 02:08:24.770 --> 02:08:26.437 initiative . Uh , I'm all for 02:08:26.437 --> 02:08:28.603 modernization , but this process seems 02:08:28.603 --> 02:08:30.826 to have been completely rushed in a way 02:08:30.826 --> 02:08:32.659 that compromises our readiness , 02:08:32.659 --> 02:08:34.492 including deactivating a medical 02:08:34.492 --> 02:08:36.492 evacuation Black Hawk unit at Joint 02:08:36.492 --> 02:08:38.603 Training Forces Base , Los Alamitos . 02:08:38.729 --> 02:08:40.785 I've heard recently from senior army 02:08:40.785 --> 02:08:42.951 officials who support slowing down the 02:08:42.951 --> 02:08:44.785 Army transformation initiative , 02:08:45.000 --> 02:08:47.278 specifically as it relates to aviation . 02:08:47.290 --> 02:08:49.401 Secretary Hegseth , can you commit to 02:08:49.401 --> 02:08:51.319 slowing down ATI as it relates to 02:08:51.319 --> 02:08:55.069 aviation ? There are multiple 02:08:55.069 --> 02:08:57.589 places inside ATI that we are reviewing 02:08:57.589 --> 02:08:59.367 to ensure that we do not create 02:08:59.367 --> 02:09:01.367 capability gaps inside today's army 02:09:01.367 --> 02:09:03.478 based on the fights we have today and 02:09:03.478 --> 02:09:05.478 the fights of the future , and this 02:09:05.478 --> 02:09:07.645 budget reflects ensuring that we don't 02:09:07.645 --> 02:09:09.867 have any operational gaps , uh , in the 02:09:09.867 --> 02:09:11.811 army or any of the services . Mr . 02:09:11.811 --> 02:09:13.811 Secretary , during your opening you 02:09:13.811 --> 02:09:13.709 brought up this beautiful slide , and 02:09:13.709 --> 02:09:16.042 you talked about the arsenal of freedom . 02:09:16.042 --> 02:09:17.876 It's an arsenal of freedom slide 02:09:17.876 --> 02:09:20.042 talking about private investment , you 02:09:20.042 --> 02:09:22.649 know , from the $1.5 billion . Uh , RTX 02:09:22.649 --> 02:09:24.927 was on there , Boeing , GE , L3 Harris , 02:09:24.927 --> 02:09:27.500 Lockheed . My question to you is , do 02:09:27.500 --> 02:09:29.444 you or your wife have any personal 02:09:29.444 --> 02:09:32.950 investment in those companies ? No , 02:09:33.330 --> 02:09:35.386 thank you . The gentleman's time has 02:09:35.386 --> 02:09:37.608 expired . The chair now recognizes Mr . 02:09:37.608 --> 02:09:39.608 Crank from Colorado for 5 minutes . 02:09:39.608 --> 02:09:41.608 Thank you , uh , Madam Chair . Mr . 02:09:41.608 --> 02:09:43.552 Secretary , the department's FY 27 02:09:43.552 --> 02:09:45.859 military construction request includes 02:09:45.859 --> 02:09:48.419 plans for a new $250 million Space 02:09:48.419 --> 02:09:50.770 Force operations facility at Shchriever 02:09:50.770 --> 02:09:52.881 Space Force Base . When constructed , 02:09:52.881 --> 02:09:54.937 this facility will support essential 02:09:54.937 --> 02:09:57.103 national security missions like Golden 02:09:57.103 --> 02:09:59.048 Dome , the National Reconnaissance 02:09:59.048 --> 02:10:01.214 Office , intelligence surveillance and 02:10:01.214 --> 02:10:03.214 reconnaissance missions , and other 02:10:03.214 --> 02:10:05.103 Space Command requirements with a 02:10:05.103 --> 02:10:07.270 projected workforce that includes over 02:10:07.270 --> 02:10:09.680 2600 . High paying civilian jobs . How 02:10:09.680 --> 02:10:11.736 will the department compete with the 02:10:11.736 --> 02:10:13.902 private sector to recruit and hire the 02:10:13.902 --> 02:10:16.240 highly skilled talent needed for those 02:10:16.240 --> 02:10:18.462 positions ? And how will the department 02:10:18.462 --> 02:10:20.629 work with uh El Paso County , which is 02:10:20.629 --> 02:10:22.407 my county and , and the city of 02:10:22.407 --> 02:10:24.184 Colorado Springs , who strongly 02:10:24.184 --> 02:10:26.351 supported this administration , by the 02:10:26.351 --> 02:10:28.518 way , to meet the growing needs of the 02:10:28.518 --> 02:10:30.851 Space Force . Well , first and foremost , 02:10:30.851 --> 02:10:33.018 and I mean this , I would welcome your 02:10:33.018 --> 02:10:35.184 input . That's usually what I say when 02:10:35.184 --> 02:10:35.020 I'm on the , on the road and in the 02:10:35.020 --> 02:10:37.242 field with commanders is , OK , you ask 02:10:37.242 --> 02:10:39.353 me , uh , we , we meet with battalion 02:10:39.353 --> 02:10:41.464 and brigade commanders all the time . 02:10:41.464 --> 02:10:41.459 They ask me a really detailed question 02:10:41.459 --> 02:10:43.626 and the first thing I say is , what do 02:10:43.626 --> 02:10:45.737 you think ? And usually they know the 02:10:45.737 --> 02:10:45.729 problem set much better than us , and 02:10:45.729 --> 02:10:47.951 we take that feedback back to HQ and we 02:10:47.951 --> 02:10:50.062 action it . So I would welcome how we 02:10:50.062 --> 02:10:51.951 can ensure that that workforce is 02:10:51.951 --> 02:10:54.062 properly cared , cared for , uh , and 02:10:54.062 --> 02:10:56.173 competitive considering how important 02:10:56.173 --> 02:10:58.285 the Space Force is , which is doubled 02:10:58.285 --> 02:11:00.507 in this budget in size , that domain of 02:11:00.507 --> 02:11:02.840 warfare we have to get right . Yes , OK , 02:11:02.840 --> 02:11:05.720 uh , Mr . Secretary , sometimes , uh , 02:11:05.850 --> 02:11:07.517 here in Congress and on these 02:11:07.517 --> 02:11:09.794 committees , sometimes we do oversight , 02:11:09.794 --> 02:11:12.109 but sometimes we just overact . And 02:11:12.109 --> 02:11:14.442 there's been a little bit of that today . 02:11:14.442 --> 02:11:16.390 It's been some overacting . Um , I 02:11:16.390 --> 02:11:18.557 would hope that when I look back on my 02:11:18.557 --> 02:11:20.668 congressional career , I've only been 02:11:20.668 --> 02:11:22.723 here a little while . I do know that 02:11:22.723 --> 02:11:24.779 when President Biden , uh , did some 02:11:24.779 --> 02:11:27.001 military operations , I supported him . 02:11:27.001 --> 02:11:29.112 I wasn't here , but I supported those 02:11:29.112 --> 02:11:31.168 operations because it's important to 02:11:31.168 --> 02:11:31.040 support the men and women of the 02:11:31.040 --> 02:11:33.399 military , and it's important to 02:11:33.399 --> 02:11:36.109 support our commander in chief when he 02:11:36.109 --> 02:11:38.053 makes the decision to deploy those 02:11:38.053 --> 02:11:40.439 troops . Um , uh , and I'd hope that 02:11:40.439 --> 02:11:42.439 when I look back on my career years 02:11:42.439 --> 02:11:44.606 from now , I will say the same thing . 02:11:44.606 --> 02:11:46.661 That I didn't choose what to support 02:11:46.661 --> 02:11:48.883 based on who the party was in the White 02:11:48.883 --> 02:11:51.106 House , but based on whether it was the 02:11:51.106 --> 02:11:53.272 best thing for our national security . 02:11:53.272 --> 02:11:55.383 And I hope that some of my colleagues 02:11:55.383 --> 02:11:57.550 who , who don't seem to hold that same 02:11:57.550 --> 02:12:00.330 standard would introspectively look , 02:12:00.410 --> 02:12:02.410 look at what , what they do . But I 02:12:02.410 --> 02:12:04.577 wanna give you a minute . There's been 02:12:04.577 --> 02:12:06.577 a lot said about Iran and about the 02:12:06.577 --> 02:12:08.688 mission in Iran , and I think there's 02:12:08.688 --> 02:12:10.910 been a lot of misinformation here , and 02:12:10.910 --> 02:12:13.021 I want to give you the opportunity to 02:12:13.021 --> 02:12:14.688 correct the record . Well , I 02:12:14.688 --> 02:12:16.910 appreciate that , um . We are fortunate 02:12:16.910 --> 02:12:19.290 to have a president who understands the 02:12:19.290 --> 02:12:21.290 nature of the threat we face from a 02:12:21.290 --> 02:12:23.401 nuclear-armed Iran . Full stop . Uh , 02:12:23.401 --> 02:12:25.512 we know what they say they would do . 02:12:25.512 --> 02:12:27.623 We know that they were pursuing , and 02:12:27.623 --> 02:12:29.846 we know that at their weakest moment we 02:12:29.846 --> 02:12:29.709 had an opportunity to do something 02:12:29.709 --> 02:12:31.931 about it before they had a conventional 02:12:31.931 --> 02:12:34.098 shield of missiles and drones so large 02:12:34.098 --> 02:12:36.153 that they could never be contested . 02:12:36.153 --> 02:12:38.376 And then without inspections and from a 02:12:38.376 --> 02:12:40.487 bad deal they would race , they could 02:12:40.487 --> 02:12:42.709 possibly race to a bomb . So the threat 02:12:42.709 --> 02:12:44.931 was right there in front of us . All it 02:12:44.931 --> 02:12:47.098 took was the courage to act , which no 02:12:47.098 --> 02:12:46.709 other president had done , and he gave 02:12:46.709 --> 02:12:48.820 us a clear set of objectives that the 02:12:48.820 --> 02:12:50.876 chairman and I talked about from day 02:12:50.876 --> 02:12:52.931 one in pursuit of ensuring that Iran 02:12:52.931 --> 02:12:55.000 gets a nuclear weapon . You degrade 02:12:55.000 --> 02:12:57.056 their missile program , defeat their 02:12:57.056 --> 02:12:58.778 missile program , get at their 02:12:58.778 --> 02:13:00.778 conventional navy , and ensure they 02:13:00.778 --> 02:13:03.000 don't have a defense industrial base so 02:13:03.000 --> 02:13:05.111 they can rebuild those capabilities . 02:13:05.111 --> 02:13:07.389 That's what we briefed from the podium , 02:13:07.389 --> 02:13:06.439 that's what we talked about , that's 02:13:06.439 --> 02:13:08.272 what we were focused on . And in 02:13:08.272 --> 02:13:10.200 service of that had overwhelming 02:13:10.479 --> 02:13:12.590 military victories in pursuit of it . 02:13:12.590 --> 02:13:14.646 And we've never seen an air campaign 02:13:14.646 --> 02:13:16.812 like what we did alongside the Israeli 02:13:16.812 --> 02:13:19.035 Air Force , not to mention . The rescue 02:13:19.035 --> 02:13:18.959 of those two pilots and the 02:13:18.959 --> 02:13:20.959 professionalism of that joint force 02:13:20.959 --> 02:13:23.160 that went downtown twice , once in the 02:13:23.160 --> 02:13:25.319 day and once in the night to leave no 02:13:25.319 --> 02:13:27.399 man behind , that is a call the 02:13:27.399 --> 02:13:29.510 commander in chief makes , and he had 02:13:29.510 --> 02:13:31.732 the guts to make it . And as a result , 02:13:31.732 --> 02:13:33.843 we're in a ceasefire in the middle of 02:13:33.843 --> 02:13:35.843 negotiations in a very strong place 02:13:35.843 --> 02:13:38.066 with a blockade . That will ensure that 02:13:38.066 --> 02:13:40.399 when this is done , when a deal is said , 02:13:40.399 --> 02:13:42.621 it's a deal on the president's terms to 02:13:42.621 --> 02:13:44.955 ensure Iran never gets a nuclear weapon . 02:13:44.955 --> 02:13:47.010 That's a fight worth having . And if 02:13:47.010 --> 02:13:49.232 the American people remember 47 years , 02:13:49.232 --> 02:13:51.455 Americans remember 47 years of what the 02:13:51.455 --> 02:13:50.850 Iranians have done to us , targeting 02:13:50.850 --> 02:13:52.961 and killing Americans . If they had a 02:13:52.961 --> 02:13:55.017 nuclear weapon , they would use it . 02:13:55.017 --> 02:13:56.850 This president has unleashed his 02:13:56.850 --> 02:13:58.961 military to do something . About it . 02:13:58.961 --> 02:14:01.072 We've had historic successes , and if 02:14:01.072 --> 02:14:03.072 we need to go at it again to ensure 02:14:03.072 --> 02:14:05.294 that success , we are prepared to , but 02:14:05.294 --> 02:14:07.294 we're hopeful over time that a deal 02:14:07.294 --> 02:14:09.628 will be compelled and compelled quickly . 02:14:09.628 --> 02:14:11.572 So this talk about endless wars or 02:14:11.572 --> 02:14:13.794 forever wars , the president points out 02:14:13.794 --> 02:14:15.961 rightfully what this town tolerated in 02:14:15.961 --> 02:14:18.183 Iraq and Afghanistan and Vietnam , that 02:14:18.183 --> 02:14:20.017 is not this . This is a discreet 02:14:20.017 --> 02:14:22.128 mission . To pursue US objectives and 02:14:22.128 --> 02:14:24.294 we're doing it in a historic fashion . 02:14:24.294 --> 02:14:26.350 I support this president's operation 02:14:26.350 --> 02:14:28.128 right now in Iran . I supported 02:14:28.128 --> 02:14:30.350 President Obama when he said he opposed 02:14:30.350 --> 02:14:32.452 a nuclear Iran and would do what was 02:14:32.452 --> 02:14:34.861 necessary to to not to do that , and I , 02:14:34.932 --> 02:14:37.043 I supported President Clinton when he 02:14:37.043 --> 02:14:39.154 did the same . It's time to act , and 02:14:39.154 --> 02:14:41.099 I'm glad that this president did . 02:14:41.099 --> 02:14:43.432 Thank you . The chair now recognizes Mr . 02:14:43.432 --> 02:14:45.488 Vinman from Virginia for 5 minutes . 02:14:45.488 --> 02:14:47.600 Thank you . Um , earlier Secretary 02:14:47.600 --> 02:14:49.600 Hegseth , you talked about flexible 02:14:49.600 --> 02:14:51.822 realism . So let's , uh , see if we can 02:14:51.822 --> 02:14:53.989 figure out how much of it is realistic 02:14:53.989 --> 02:14:56.100 and how much of it is just flexible . 02:14:56.100 --> 02:14:58.211 Secretary Hegseth , last year I asked 02:14:58.211 --> 02:15:00.267 you some questions about Indo-Paycom 02:15:00.267 --> 02:15:00.240 and threats in Europe , and you had a 02:15:00.240 --> 02:15:02.351 hard time answering those questions . 02:15:02.351 --> 02:15:04.407 I'm sure you prep better this year , 02:15:04.407 --> 02:15:06.518 and I'm hoping you can answer some of 02:15:06.518 --> 02:15:08.684 these basic questions since now we are 02:15:08.684 --> 02:15:10.629 at war . Uh , do you know what the 02:15:10.629 --> 02:15:13.850 price of oil is today ? I don't know 02:15:13.850 --> 02:15:16.209 where it's gone as , as , uh , this 02:15:16.209 --> 02:15:18.376 time this hearing , but roughly $100 a 02:15:18.376 --> 02:15:20.487 barrel . It's actually closer to $120 02:15:20.487 --> 02:15:22.653 117 dollars . Well , it depends on the 02:15:22.653 --> 02:15:22.649 index you're looking at . I'm looking 02:15:22.649 --> 02:15:25.419 at , uh , Brent . Uh , do you know what 02:15:25.419 --> 02:15:28.180 the price , uh , was the day before of 02:15:28.180 --> 02:15:30.700 Brent , the day before he went to war ? 02:15:32.149 --> 02:15:34.038 Uh , it was certainly lower . You 02:15:34.038 --> 02:15:36.205 understand you're taking some economic 02:15:36.205 --> 02:15:38.427 risk , but I would note a lot lower the 02:15:38.427 --> 02:15:38.149 energy dominance this president has 02:15:38.149 --> 02:15:40.260 unleashed has put us in an incredible 02:15:40.260 --> 02:15:43.149 question . Thank you . So it's $72 and 02:15:43.149 --> 02:15:46.899 so now we have a 62% increase . Uh , by 02:15:46.899 --> 02:15:49.121 the way , the department obviously will 02:15:49.121 --> 02:15:51.343 be paying those extra fuel costs . It's 02:15:51.343 --> 02:15:53.343 gonna be not insignificant , but so 02:15:53.343 --> 02:15:55.566 will the American people . Now , at its 02:15:55.566 --> 02:15:57.732 narrowest point , uh , how wide is the 02:15:57.732 --> 02:16:01.200 Strait of Hormuz ? I think it's about 02:16:01.200 --> 02:16:03.422 12 miles , but I'd have to check . It's 02:16:03.422 --> 02:16:05.644 24 miles , but 12 miles is actually the 02:16:05.644 --> 02:16:07.589 relevant number because that's the 02:16:07.589 --> 02:16:09.311 navigable channel . That's the 02:16:09.311 --> 02:16:08.990 international water navigable channel 02:16:08.990 --> 02:16:11.310 point . And do you know how many 02:16:11.310 --> 02:16:13.477 barrels of oil transited the Strait of 02:16:13.477 --> 02:16:15.754 Hormuz each day before the war started ? 02:16:16.279 --> 02:16:18.279 I don't know the exact number , but 02:16:18.279 --> 02:16:20.390 you're looking at over 100 , uh , oil 02:16:20.390 --> 02:16:22.600 tankers usually transited a day or 120 02:16:22.600 --> 02:16:24.933 a day would transport the strait . Yeah , 02:16:24.933 --> 02:16:27.600 and so 2020 million barrels a day , and 02:16:27.600 --> 02:16:30.319 right now they're at an 81% reduction . 02:16:31.080 --> 02:16:33.136 So , it sounds like you've done your 02:16:33.136 --> 02:16:35.136 homework , you're , you're , you're 02:16:35.136 --> 02:16:37.136 tracking pretty well with the , the 02:16:37.136 --> 02:16:40.940 strategic situation is . Um . So A 02:16:40.940 --> 02:16:43.269 couple of questions , um , were you 02:16:43.269 --> 02:16:45.669 aware that if we struck Iran that it 02:16:45.669 --> 02:16:47.725 would , they would most likely close 02:16:47.725 --> 02:16:51.500 the Strait of Hormuz ? Uh , of , of 02:16:51.500 --> 02:16:53.667 course our department was prepared and 02:16:53.667 --> 02:16:56.000 planning for every possible contingency , 02:16:56.000 --> 02:16:58.167 being front and center as as something 02:16:58.167 --> 02:17:00.167 they may do in a desperate state to 02:17:00.167 --> 02:17:02.222 attempt to , which is what they take 02:17:02.222 --> 02:17:02.110 some kind of control , and I appreciate 02:17:02.110 --> 02:17:04.089 that . And earlier you told Mr . 02:17:04.150 --> 02:17:06.372 Moulton that this , this department has 02:17:06.372 --> 02:17:08.372 looked at all , uh , aspects of the 02:17:08.372 --> 02:17:10.483 risk and that the president got every 02:17:10.483 --> 02:17:12.261 possible perspective . And then 02:17:12.261 --> 02:17:14.039 recently you just said that the 02:17:14.039 --> 02:17:16.206 president did understand the risks and 02:17:16.206 --> 02:17:18.250 had the courage to undertake . The 02:17:18.250 --> 02:17:20.450 endeavor nonetheless , and that's 02:17:20.450 --> 02:17:22.617 leadership , or words to that effect , 02:17:22.617 --> 02:17:24.672 pretty close . And so I just want to 02:17:24.672 --> 02:17:26.617 kind of give you the state of play 02:17:26.617 --> 02:17:28.950 right now . It's been two months of war . 02:17:28.950 --> 02:17:31.061 Uh , we have hopes for a resolution , 02:17:31.061 --> 02:17:33.283 but the war continues really . Iran has 02:17:33.283 --> 02:17:35.450 closed the strait , and we've now gone 02:17:35.450 --> 02:17:38.990 in and blockaded their ports . 1/5 of 02:17:38.990 --> 02:17:41.410 the world's oil is unable to transit 02:17:41.410 --> 02:17:44.110 the strait , and the American people 02:17:44.360 --> 02:17:46.416 and the department are paying , um , 02:17:46.610 --> 02:17:49.120 significantly more . And you also said 02:17:49.120 --> 02:17:51.519 that this is what the American people 02:17:51.519 --> 02:17:54.919 actually voted for , but actually , um . 02:17:55.750 --> 02:17:57.990 The American people voted for a promise 02:17:57.990 --> 02:18:00.360 not to get into Middle Eastern wars , 02:18:00.830 --> 02:18:02.774 and they voted , voted for lower , 02:18:02.774 --> 02:18:04.830 lower prices , and this is the exact 02:18:04.830 --> 02:18:07.169 opposite of what they got . So let me 02:18:07.169 --> 02:18:09.889 ask you this , um , the president 02:18:09.889 --> 02:18:12.056 ordered the strike , is that correct ? 02:18:13.468 --> 02:18:15.690 The president's been saying for over 30 02:18:15.690 --> 02:18:17.524 years that Iran can never have a 02:18:17.524 --> 02:18:19.468 nuclear weapon , so he's been very 02:18:19.468 --> 02:18:21.579 clear as a position when the American 02:18:21.579 --> 02:18:21.079 people voted for President Trump 02:18:21.079 --> 02:18:23.135 overwhelmingly , they voted for that 02:18:23.135 --> 02:18:25.190 position , but the president ordered 02:18:25.190 --> 02:18:27.246 the strike . Is that correct ? Which 02:18:27.246 --> 02:18:29.135 strike are you referring to ? The 02:18:29.135 --> 02:18:31.135 strike on Iran , the , the war that 02:18:31.135 --> 02:18:33.468 we're in , in . Oh , of course , I mean , 02:18:33.468 --> 02:18:32.860 he's the commander in chief . He's made 02:18:32.860 --> 02:18:35.027 sounds made the calls . It sounds like 02:18:35.027 --> 02:18:37.249 you're blaming Daddy for the mess we're 02:18:37.249 --> 02:18:39.304 in , and I don't think he's gonna be 02:18:39.304 --> 02:18:41.304 particularly happy with you . I see 02:18:41.304 --> 02:18:43.416 what you're trying to do . There's no 02:18:43.416 --> 02:18:45.749 daylight in this administration on this , 02:18:45.749 --> 02:18:45.250 on this campaign , and I'm happy you've 02:18:45.250 --> 02:18:47.139 been admonished stand shoulder to 02:18:47.139 --> 02:18:49.361 shoulder with this reclaiming my time . 02:18:49.361 --> 02:18:51.361 So let's shift gears . Last time we 02:18:51.361 --> 02:18:53.194 were here , I asked you if you'd 02:18:53.194 --> 02:18:55.139 apologize to the mother of an F-18 02:18:55.139 --> 02:18:57.083 pilot whose son you endangered for 02:18:57.083 --> 02:18:59.083 sharing classified information on a 02:18:59.083 --> 02:19:01.139 signal chat . You refused . On March 02:19:01.139 --> 02:19:03.139 1st , 6 army soldiers , including a 02:19:03.139 --> 02:19:05.361 constituent of mine , were killed by an 02:19:05.361 --> 02:19:05.259 Iranian drone strike . Do you take any 02:19:05.259 --> 02:19:07.148 responsibility for those deaths ? 02:19:09.769 --> 02:19:11.769 Um , I was there at Dover when they 02:19:11.769 --> 02:19:13.380 came back . Of course I take 02:19:13.380 --> 02:19:15.658 responsibility for every aspect . Well , 02:19:15.658 --> 02:19:17.713 I appreciate that because , uh , you 02:19:17.713 --> 02:19:19.713 also complained about the fact that 02:19:19.713 --> 02:19:21.880 tragic things happen on the news makes 02:19:21.880 --> 02:19:23.880 it front page news . The press only 02:19:23.880 --> 02:19:26.047 wants to make the president look bad . 02:19:26.047 --> 02:19:28.269 Is it about the soldiers or is it about 02:19:28.269 --> 02:19:30.380 the president looking bad ? Uh , it's 02:19:30.380 --> 02:19:32.547 not just the president who wants the , 02:19:32.547 --> 02:19:32.429 the media that wants to make him look 02:19:32.429 --> 02:19:34.639 bad , it's you . Um , it's actually 02:19:34.639 --> 02:19:36.750 about the soldiers , and it's frankly 02:19:36.750 --> 02:19:38.917 reprehensible that you would make that 02:19:38.917 --> 02:19:40.972 statement . And so , um , you know . 02:19:41.309 --> 02:19:43.531 Truman had a sign on his desk that said 02:19:43.531 --> 02:19:45.142 the buck stops here and this 02:19:45.142 --> 02:19:47.087 gentleman's time has expired . The 02:19:47.087 --> 02:19:49.142 chair now recognizes Mr . Van Norden 02:19:49.142 --> 02:19:51.198 from Wisconsin for 5 minutes . Thank 02:19:51.198 --> 02:19:53.531 you , Madam Chair . Uh , Mr . Secretary , 02:19:53.531 --> 02:19:55.698 it's great to see you , General Kane . 02:19:55.698 --> 02:19:57.809 Honorable Mr . Hurst , of course , my 02:19:58.019 --> 02:20:00.959 dear friend of over 3 decades , Master 02:20:00.959 --> 02:20:03.169 Chief Isam , how are you doing ? Um , 02:20:03.309 --> 02:20:07.240 hey , Uh , I , I have to 02:20:07.240 --> 02:20:10.830 be very clear here . Um , I spent my 02:20:10.830 --> 02:20:13.030 entire adult life training for war , 02:20:13.190 --> 02:20:15.301 training others for war , or at war , 02:20:15.301 --> 02:20:17.709 and you very astutely mentioned to some 02:20:17.709 --> 02:20:19.653 of my Democrat colleagues that our 02:20:19.653 --> 02:20:21.830 generation has been involved , was 02:20:21.830 --> 02:20:24.830 involved in an endless war , a , a 02:20:24.830 --> 02:20:27.969 morass , and it , I , I've had . 02:20:28.799 --> 02:20:31.599 With Matthew Burns I've had 22 of my 02:20:31.599 --> 02:20:33.919 friends commit suicide and I know that 02:20:33.919 --> 02:20:37.349 you have recently instituted a 02:20:37.349 --> 02:20:39.959 specific office to help lower active 02:20:39.959 --> 02:20:41.790 duty and veterans suicide in 02:20:41.790 --> 02:20:44.849 conjunction . With my great friend 02:20:44.849 --> 02:20:46.905 Secretary Collins , so I wanna thank 02:20:46.905 --> 02:20:50.740 you for that . Uh , 2 months does not a 02:20:50.740 --> 02:20:53.139 morass make . However , it could be the 02:20:53.139 --> 02:20:55.610 start of one . And the difference 02:20:55.610 --> 02:20:57.666 between this administration and many 02:20:57.666 --> 02:20:59.888 previous administrations , I think that 02:20:59.888 --> 02:21:01.999 you understand , particularly because 02:21:01.999 --> 02:21:04.166 of your background . And your SCA back 02:21:04.166 --> 02:21:06.429 there and General Kane . You understand 02:21:06.889 --> 02:21:10.290 what it means to fight to win . And , 02:21:10.450 --> 02:21:12.450 and we didn't fight to win in 02:21:12.450 --> 02:21:14.672 Afghanistan . We didn't fight to win in 02:21:14.672 --> 02:21:18.299 Iraq . And it's palpable . I have 02:21:18.599 --> 02:21:20.766 more friends than I can count that are 02:21:20.766 --> 02:21:22.988 still on active duty in every branch of 02:21:22.988 --> 02:21:25.099 service , including the Coast Guard , 02:21:25.099 --> 02:21:24.879 and for a Navy guy , that's a big 02:21:24.879 --> 02:21:28.540 stretch . The morale of the men and 02:21:28.540 --> 02:21:30.860 women in the Department of War , and in 02:21:30.860 --> 02:21:32.471 their case the Department of 02:21:32.471 --> 02:21:34.360 Transportation , is exponentially 02:21:34.360 --> 02:21:36.416 higher than I've ever seen it ever , 02:21:36.416 --> 02:21:38.638 and that comes from leadership starting 02:21:38.638 --> 02:21:41.049 with President Trump going through you 02:21:41.049 --> 02:21:43.271 to General Kaine and through your SEA . 02:21:44.009 --> 02:21:46.480 And what some of my colleagues refuse 02:21:47.019 --> 02:21:50.080 to admit is that that's how you win . 02:21:50.179 --> 02:21:52.401 It starts with the man . It's the first 02:21:52.401 --> 02:21:54.568 soft truth . Humans are more important 02:21:54.568 --> 02:21:56.679 than hardware , and I wanna thank you 02:21:56.679 --> 02:21:58.790 for setting that environment . Um , I 02:21:58.790 --> 02:22:00.623 don't wanna be at war . But Iran 02:22:00.623 --> 02:22:02.679 declared war on the United States of 02:22:02.679 --> 02:22:05.000 America 47 years ago , and those 02:22:05.000 --> 02:22:07.080 bastards are responsible for killing 02:22:07.080 --> 02:22:10.150 and maiming many of my friends . So 02:22:10.150 --> 02:22:12.150 this is not some esoteric political 02:22:12.150 --> 02:22:14.372 argument for me . This is the fact that 02:22:14.372 --> 02:22:17.450 President Trump . By using you as the 02:22:17.450 --> 02:22:19.690 Secretary of War and General Kaine as 02:22:19.690 --> 02:22:22.129 CJCS and Master Chief Iisson , what 02:22:22.129 --> 02:22:24.240 you're doing is you're going to end a 02:22:24.240 --> 02:22:27.490 war that was declared on us . And I of 02:22:27.490 --> 02:22:30.190 all times when we should unite as 02:22:30.190 --> 02:22:32.301 Americans , especially in this puzzle 02:22:32.301 --> 02:22:34.523 palace up here , is when we're at war . 02:22:35.429 --> 02:22:37.262 And it is a war of choice by the 02:22:37.262 --> 02:22:40.919 mullahs . That that is who chose to 02:22:40.919 --> 02:22:43.141 fight this war , and we're going to end 02:22:43.141 --> 02:22:46.230 it . I don't really have a question for 02:22:46.230 --> 02:22:49.490 you . I trust your judgment , General 02:22:49.490 --> 02:22:51.601 Kane . I trust your judgment . Master 02:22:51.601 --> 02:22:53.601 Chief , I trust your judgment . And 02:22:53.601 --> 02:22:55.712 when you're coming here with , with a 02:22:55.712 --> 02:22:57.657 request for a tremendous amount of 02:22:57.657 --> 02:22:59.823 money . Um , I understand that there's 02:22:59.823 --> 02:23:02.410 no fluff in there . That this is what's 02:23:02.410 --> 02:23:04.879 required to end this war that the 02:23:04.879 --> 02:23:08.870 mullahs chose to declare against us 02:23:09.450 --> 02:23:12.049 and I'm telling you right now we have 02:23:12.049 --> 02:23:14.049 your back and there are a lot of my 02:23:14.049 --> 02:23:15.882 Democrat colleagues that do also 02:23:15.882 --> 02:23:18.049 they're just afraid to say it out loud 02:23:18.049 --> 02:23:20.216 because they'll be crushed by the left 02:23:20.216 --> 02:23:21.769 of their party and that is 02:23:21.769 --> 02:23:25.650 reprehensible . Um , so with that , 02:23:26.230 --> 02:23:28.119 whatever you guys need , you just 02:23:28.119 --> 02:23:30.519 holler . OK , Mr . Secretary , I 02:23:30.519 --> 02:23:32.686 couldn't say it any better . Thank you 02:23:32.686 --> 02:23:34.519 very much , Congressman . You're 02:23:34.519 --> 02:23:34.200 welcome , sir . With that , I yield 02:23:34.200 --> 02:23:36.478 back . Gentlemen , yields back , Chair , 02:23:36.478 --> 02:23:38.422 and I recognize the gentleman from 02:23:38.422 --> 02:23:40.644 Missouri , Mr . Bale . Thank you , Mr . 02:23:40.644 --> 02:23:42.756 Chair . Uh , Mr . Secretary , I don't 02:23:42.756 --> 02:23:44.978 trust your judgment . Um , you made the 02:23:44.978 --> 02:23:47.200 comment to my colleague that there's no 02:23:47.200 --> 02:23:46.679 daylight between you and the president , 02:23:46.759 --> 02:23:49.080 which calls into question your role and 02:23:49.080 --> 02:23:52.040 again , accountability . And so I gotta 02:23:52.040 --> 02:23:54.262 ask , has there ever been any time that 02:23:54.262 --> 02:23:56.484 you disagree with the president on this 02:23:56.484 --> 02:23:59.019 war or anything in general ? I would 02:23:59.019 --> 02:24:01.130 never betray conversations that we've 02:24:01.130 --> 02:24:03.130 had . He , the commander can't even 02:24:03.130 --> 02:24:05.019 acknowledge that you've ever even 02:24:05.019 --> 02:24:06.908 disagreed with the man , like his 02:24:06.908 --> 02:24:09.130 choice of tie , that dance , anything . 02:24:09.130 --> 02:24:11.130 You haven't disagreed on anything . 02:24:11.130 --> 02:24:13.186 I've never related the discussions I 02:24:13.186 --> 02:24:15.352 had with the commander in chief . OK , 02:24:15.352 --> 02:24:17.575 because it seems to me that rather than 02:24:17.575 --> 02:24:19.630 being Trump's Secretary of Defense , 02:24:19.630 --> 02:24:21.575 that sounds like you're just being 02:24:21.575 --> 02:24:23.797 Trump's secretary , and we need someone 02:24:23.797 --> 02:24:25.575 who's going to be there that is 02:24:25.575 --> 02:24:27.408 actually advising , that is also 02:24:27.408 --> 02:24:30.019 pushing back when necessary and serving 02:24:30.240 --> 02:24:32.559 the country as opposed to the , the uh 02:24:32.559 --> 02:24:34.615 president . So you said you've never 02:24:34.615 --> 02:24:36.670 called , you've never called him out 02:24:36.670 --> 02:24:38.919 pri privately or publicly because we 02:24:38.919 --> 02:24:41.160 know that hasn't done . But have you 02:24:41.160 --> 02:24:43.160 ever said the words , and you don't 02:24:43.160 --> 02:24:45.160 have to tell me what it was about . 02:24:45.160 --> 02:24:45.160 Have you ever said the words , Mr . 02:24:45.169 --> 02:24:49.099 President , I disagree with you . As I 02:24:49.099 --> 02:24:50.932 said , I don't relay the private 02:24:50.932 --> 02:24:53.155 conversations that a commander in chief 02:24:53.155 --> 02:24:55.266 deserves that . Like , if you've just 02:24:55.266 --> 02:24:57.210 said , Mr . President , I , you're 02:24:57.210 --> 02:24:59.377 wrong about this or you're wrong about 02:24:59.377 --> 02:24:59.339 that , you , you can't even acknowledge , 02:24:59.459 --> 02:25:01.459 you can't even admit that if that's 02:25:01.459 --> 02:25:03.626 happened . You can ask it again if you 02:25:03.626 --> 02:25:05.681 want , but I don't relay the private 02:25:05.681 --> 02:25:07.903 conversations that a commander in chief 02:25:07.903 --> 02:25:09.903 deserve objectives of this war have 02:25:09.903 --> 02:25:11.959 constantly shifted and changed . You 02:25:11.959 --> 02:25:14.126 see that though , right ? Like you can 02:25:14.126 --> 02:25:16.292 acknowledge that because one minute it 02:25:16.292 --> 02:25:18.348 was to dismantle the Iranian nuclear 02:25:18.348 --> 02:25:20.403 program . But how , you know , but , 02:25:20.403 --> 02:25:22.237 you know , I don't know how that 02:25:22.237 --> 02:25:26.200 objective , um , has not now been the 02:25:26.200 --> 02:25:27.919 listed objectives as far as I 02:25:27.919 --> 02:25:30.799 understand . Uh , then there was regime 02:25:30.799 --> 02:25:33.120 change . Um , Trump even said when 02:25:33.120 --> 02:25:35.231 announcing the start of the war , the 02:25:35.231 --> 02:25:37.398 hour of your freedom is at hand , it , 02:25:37.398 --> 02:25:39.564 it's yours to take . He also posted on 02:25:39.564 --> 02:25:41.787 True Social in January , help is on the 02:25:41.787 --> 02:25:43.731 way to the Iranians posting in the 02:25:43.731 --> 02:25:46.709 street , um . Do you still believe in 02:25:46.709 --> 02:25:50.290 this particular objective ? Uh , the 02:25:50.290 --> 02:25:52.290 objectives have been clear from the 02:25:52.290 --> 02:25:54.123 beginning and I've supported the 02:25:54.123 --> 02:25:53.889 president throughout in having the 02:25:53.889 --> 02:25:56.000 courage to take on this threat . OK , 02:25:56.000 --> 02:25:58.650 so , um , so then let's talk about what 02:25:58.650 --> 02:26:00.959 else , what else has he said ? Like , 02:26:01.129 --> 02:26:03.407 so let's talk about the Trump doctrine . 02:26:03.407 --> 02:26:05.351 So on , on , on November 6th , the 02:26:05.351 --> 02:26:07.518 president said he was all about ending 02:26:07.518 --> 02:26:09.573 wars , not starting new . Yet in the 02:26:09.573 --> 02:26:11.685 so-called doctrine , the conflict has 02:26:11.685 --> 02:26:13.907 not answered why we're in the war , the 02:26:13.907 --> 02:26:15.907 objectives have changed , we're not 02:26:15.907 --> 02:26:17.907 sure about the exit exit strategy . 02:26:17.907 --> 02:26:19.685 This to me is the definition of 02:26:19.685 --> 02:26:21.685 open-ended or forever war , and you 02:26:21.685 --> 02:26:23.905 cannot claim to end forever wars while 02:26:23.905 --> 02:26:27.589 engaging in one , And then here's the 02:26:27.589 --> 02:26:30.349 one that really gets me . So , I'll 02:26:30.349 --> 02:26:32.460 know when it's over when I feel it in 02:26:32.460 --> 02:26:35.240 my bones . So , Mr . Secretary , war 02:26:35.240 --> 02:26:37.400 decisions should be based on defined 02:26:37.400 --> 02:26:39.456 military objectives . You agree with 02:26:39.456 --> 02:26:43.400 that statement , correct ? Um , 02:26:43.519 --> 02:26:45.630 it's the commander in chief makes the 02:26:45.630 --> 02:26:47.741 call on behalf of the American people 02:26:47.741 --> 02:26:50.075 when our objectives are , are completed . 02:26:50.075 --> 02:26:52.297 There should be clear , clearly defined 02:26:52.297 --> 02:26:51.990 military objectives . That's safe to 02:26:51.990 --> 02:26:54.740 say . Ultimately the commander in chief 02:26:54.740 --> 02:26:56.629 makes the decision about when the 02:26:56.629 --> 02:26:58.962 objectives are , OK , because according , 02:26:59.110 --> 02:27:01.379 because I'm just trying to figure out 02:27:01.379 --> 02:27:04.610 like what kind of analysis evaluation 02:27:04.610 --> 02:27:06.777 are we looking at with objectives when 02:27:06.777 --> 02:27:09.250 it's just what the what the president 02:27:09.250 --> 02:27:11.580 feels in his bones like . Are we 02:27:11.580 --> 02:27:13.413 talking about like some da Vinci 02:27:13.413 --> 02:27:15.580 Petruvian man or what like what are we 02:27:15.580 --> 02:27:17.691 talking about when we just talk about 02:27:17.691 --> 02:27:19.802 feeling it in your bones ? Because my 02:27:19.802 --> 02:27:22.024 thing is we're not set up here to trust 02:27:22.024 --> 02:27:23.913 anyone's judgment , we're here to 02:27:23.913 --> 02:27:25.969 represent our district and districts 02:27:25.969 --> 02:27:28.080 and the American people . And so my , 02:27:28.080 --> 02:27:32.040 my next question is . The problem 02:27:32.040 --> 02:27:34.040 that I'm that I'm concerned with is 02:27:34.040 --> 02:27:36.151 that Iran continues to increase their 02:27:36.151 --> 02:27:38.500 negotiating leverage with us . And so 02:27:38.639 --> 02:27:41.120 we've been , we've been told that the , 02:27:41.370 --> 02:27:43.959 um , we've won this war , it'll be over 02:27:43.959 --> 02:27:47.519 in a few days , um , but now they 02:27:47.530 --> 02:27:49.752 didn't control the Strait of Hormuz and 02:27:49.752 --> 02:27:52.080 now they do have leverage in the Strait 02:27:52.080 --> 02:27:54.024 of Hormuz . I remember even in the 02:27:54.024 --> 02:27:57.339 strikes in , in June . After the 02:27:57.339 --> 02:27:59.450 strikes in June , I should say , they 02:27:59.450 --> 02:28:02.870 struck Al-Aid . And we never responded 02:28:02.870 --> 02:28:05.190 to that . As a matter of fact , Trump 02:28:05.190 --> 02:28:07.150 even said he knew that strike was 02:28:07.150 --> 02:28:09.870 coming and he was , he allowed it . Do 02:28:09.870 --> 02:28:13.019 you agree with that ? Ultimately , the 02:28:13.019 --> 02:28:14.852 president's been clear about his 02:28:14.852 --> 02:28:16.741 objectives , and if you , if Iran 02:28:16.741 --> 02:28:18.908 thinks they're gonna out-deal the best 02:28:18.908 --> 02:28:20.852 dealmaker on the planet , they got 02:28:20.852 --> 02:28:20.169 another thing coming , but they struck 02:28:20.169 --> 02:28:22.113 us and we didn't strike back , and 02:28:22.113 --> 02:28:24.336 you're OK with that . He even like said 02:28:24.336 --> 02:28:26.447 he authorized like he allowed it . He 02:28:26.447 --> 02:28:28.558 said that , and you're OK with that . 02:28:28.690 --> 02:28:30.912 The president has done many bold things 02:28:30.912 --> 02:28:33.023 for this country to ensure Iran never 02:28:33.023 --> 02:28:34.968 has a nuclear weapon . OK , well , 02:28:34.968 --> 02:28:37.079 allowing another country to attack us 02:28:37.079 --> 02:28:39.246 in that treason , allowing Iran to get 02:28:39.246 --> 02:28:41.468 a nuclear weapons expired . I recognize 02:28:41.468 --> 02:28:43.690 a gentleman from Arizona , Mr . Amade . 02:28:44.969 --> 02:28:48.209 I wanna thank your team behind you for 02:28:48.209 --> 02:28:50.320 having the discipline and stamina for 02:28:50.320 --> 02:28:52.320 being here . I know what work I was 02:28:52.320 --> 02:28:54.598 involved in doing this type of hearing , 02:28:54.598 --> 02:28:56.950 so thank you all . Um , Mr . Secretary , 02:28:57.209 --> 02:28:59.487 I wanna ask you about the A-10 Warthog . 02:28:59.487 --> 02:29:01.709 Uh , how effective has it been in the , 02:29:01.709 --> 02:29:04.469 the war in Iran ? Uh , as I'm sure you 02:29:04.469 --> 02:29:06.469 know , it's , it's a very effective 02:29:06.469 --> 02:29:08.780 platform . Yes . And so why is the Air 02:29:08.780 --> 02:29:11.002 Force , I mean , they've been trying to 02:29:11.002 --> 02:29:13.224 retire this platform for 40 years since 02:29:13.224 --> 02:29:16.190 1984 . And it seems like it keeps 02:29:16.190 --> 02:29:17.801 proving itself no matter the 02:29:17.801 --> 02:29:19.968 technological advances that we have in 02:29:19.968 --> 02:29:22.079 the military . So why is there a need 02:29:22.079 --> 02:29:25.080 or push to retire this platform ? Well , 02:29:25.120 --> 02:29:27.120 the push to retire the platform was 02:29:27.120 --> 02:29:29.231 previous administrations , uh , based 02:29:29.231 --> 02:29:31.453 on mostly requests from the Air Force . 02:29:31.453 --> 02:29:33.990 But given how , I mean , anybody of our 02:29:33.990 --> 02:29:36.480 generation knows , uh , how impactful , 02:29:36.719 --> 02:29:38.775 important , and significant the A-10 02:29:38.775 --> 02:29:40.886 and the Warthog has been . And that's 02:29:40.886 --> 02:29:42.997 what you want when you need close air 02:29:42.997 --> 02:29:42.400 support . Full stop . Everybody knows 02:29:42.400 --> 02:29:44.567 it . To include when you've got downed 02:29:44.567 --> 02:29:46.900 pilots and you need to go downtown . Uh , 02:29:46.900 --> 02:29:49.067 Iran , and it was incredibly effective 02:29:49.067 --> 02:29:51.289 in those missions . Now there are other 02:29:51.289 --> 02:29:53.511 places where it's less survivable , and 02:29:53.511 --> 02:29:53.269 I understand that , but there's still 02:29:53.450 --> 02:29:55.617 most of the world where it is the most 02:29:55.617 --> 02:29:57.783 effective close air support platform . 02:29:57.783 --> 02:29:59.783 That's why I got with the Air Force 02:29:59.783 --> 02:30:01.839 Secretary . We extended it to 2030 , 02:30:01.839 --> 02:30:01.610 and we're , uh , per the president's 02:30:01.610 --> 02:30:03.943 guidance going to look at other options , 02:30:03.943 --> 02:30:06.110 maybe other variants and ways in which 02:30:06.110 --> 02:30:08.277 we can keep the A-10 , uh , capability 02:30:08.277 --> 02:30:10.443 or platform on the battlefield for our 02:30:10.443 --> 02:30:12.666 warfighters who want that kind of close 02:30:12.666 --> 02:30:14.832 air support . Thank you , I appreciate 02:30:14.832 --> 02:30:16.999 that . Just , you know , as technology 02:30:16.999 --> 02:30:16.780 advances , sometimes we forget , 02:30:17.059 --> 02:30:18.910 sometimes the old school , uh , 02:30:19.139 --> 02:30:21.306 machinery we have works just as well . 02:30:21.306 --> 02:30:23.472 I know you just , you know , got the , 02:30:23.472 --> 02:30:25.361 the Apache helicopters . I mean , 02:30:25.361 --> 02:30:27.361 that's a 50 year old frame . If you 02:30:27.361 --> 02:30:29.528 look at the AK-47s , my God . It's one 02:30:29.528 --> 02:30:31.528 of the most effective rifles and uh 02:30:31.528 --> 02:30:33.750 from 1947 , so I don't wanna lose sight 02:30:33.750 --> 02:30:33.250 of that , you know , I think too much , 02:30:33.459 --> 02:30:35.515 too much is spent on so many defense 02:30:35.515 --> 02:30:37.570 companies coming here selling us the 02:30:37.570 --> 02:30:39.792 newest , greatest product , but warfare 02:30:39.792 --> 02:30:42.015 warfare ultimately is about killing the 02:30:42.015 --> 02:30:44.070 enemy , and we know that Warhog does 02:30:44.070 --> 02:30:45.959 that . Um , I wanna shift focus a 02:30:45.959 --> 02:30:47.903 little bit to actually kind of old 02:30:47.903 --> 02:30:49.959 school as well . Um , I know the SOF 02:30:49.959 --> 02:30:52.126 and PsyO right now , there's been 3000 02:30:52.126 --> 02:30:54.237 positions cut , uh , mostly on psyops 02:30:54.237 --> 02:30:56.348 and civil affairs . Um , how is . You 02:30:56.348 --> 02:30:58.681 know , I've been wondering , there's no , 02:30:58.681 --> 02:31:00.809 we have air superiority in Iran . And 02:31:00.809 --> 02:31:02.698 it seems like there's no internet 02:31:02.698 --> 02:31:04.920 connectivity in Iran . Are we doing any 02:31:04.920 --> 02:31:07.480 leaflet drops over there ? Um , we've 02:31:07.480 --> 02:31:09.647 explored a variety of different , uh , 02:31:09.647 --> 02:31:11.924 actions , many of which are classified , 02:31:11.924 --> 02:31:13.813 but that could restore additional 02:31:13.813 --> 02:31:15.647 communications capability to the 02:31:15.647 --> 02:31:17.536 Iranian people . I would love for 02:31:17.536 --> 02:31:19.702 President Trump's Truth social post to 02:31:19.702 --> 02:31:19.230 be leafletted all over Iran , to be 02:31:19.230 --> 02:31:21.397 honest with you . I think that would , 02:31:21.397 --> 02:31:23.619 uh , encourage them to actually take to 02:31:23.619 --> 02:31:26.000 the streets . Uh , moving to Iraq , uh , 02:31:26.320 --> 02:31:28.264 I think there's a budget right now 02:31:28.264 --> 02:31:30.487 about $118 million to the government of 02:31:30.487 --> 02:31:32.764 Iraq for the counter ISIS mission . Um , 02:31:32.764 --> 02:31:34.709 we know the problems that the Iraq 02:31:34.709 --> 02:31:36.969 government are facing right now , and . 02:31:38.040 --> 02:31:40.096 You have personally said that you're 02:31:40.096 --> 02:31:42.318 gonna have , you're gonna certify . You 02:31:42.318 --> 02:31:44.429 know , the spending on , I mean , how 02:31:44.429 --> 02:31:46.596 do you think that this is an effective 02:31:46.596 --> 02:31:48.596 use of our money to give it to this 02:31:48.596 --> 02:31:50.818 government that we know is aligned with 02:31:50.818 --> 02:31:52.984 Iran and seems like it's becoming more 02:31:52.984 --> 02:31:55.207 difficult to deal with ? It's very much 02:31:55.207 --> 02:31:55.139 an open question . We're paying very 02:31:55.139 --> 02:31:57.459 close attention to the new government 02:31:57.459 --> 02:31:59.737 there and the counterterrorism efforts , 02:32:00.059 --> 02:32:02.281 some of which have been successful over 02:32:02.281 --> 02:32:04.337 time and others of which have not in 02:32:04.337 --> 02:32:06.170 this conflict where Iraq has not 02:32:06.170 --> 02:32:08.392 stepped up in those efforts , and we're 02:32:08.392 --> 02:32:10.615 reviewing funding , basing every aspect 02:32:10.615 --> 02:32:12.948 accordingly , just like we did in Syria . 02:32:12.948 --> 02:32:15.003 The president directed that we leave 02:32:15.003 --> 02:32:14.500 Syria . We had 8 bases . We went down 02:32:14.500 --> 02:32:17.000 to 42 , and then 1 , and now , um , 02:32:17.009 --> 02:32:19.540 ultimately are in northern Iraq , and 02:32:19.540 --> 02:32:21.762 we'll review our posture throughout the 02:32:21.762 --> 02:32:23.818 region . Great . With that , I yield 02:32:23.818 --> 02:32:25.984 back Mr . Chair . Chair I recognizes a 02:32:25.984 --> 02:32:27.929 gentleman from New Jersey , Doctor 02:32:27.929 --> 02:32:29.707 Conaway . Uh , thank you , Mr . 02:32:29.707 --> 02:32:31.651 Chairman and thank you and Ranking 02:32:31.651 --> 02:32:33.707 Member , uh , Smith for holding this 02:32:33.707 --> 02:32:35.929 hearing today . Thanks to the witnesses 02:32:35.929 --> 02:32:38.207 for presenting themselves , uh , to us , 02:32:38.207 --> 02:32:40.373 uh , to answer questions . Uh , at the 02:32:40.373 --> 02:32:42.484 outset , let me say that I'm proud of 02:32:42.484 --> 02:32:42.469 the work that our service members do 02:32:42.469 --> 02:32:44.691 every day to keep our nation safe , and 02:32:44.691 --> 02:32:47.410 I have profound respect over those , uh , 02:32:47.419 --> 02:32:49.752 who voluntarily put on the uniform , uh , 02:32:49.830 --> 02:32:53.339 to serve and protect our country . The 02:32:53.339 --> 02:32:55.117 Trump administration's reckless 02:32:55.117 --> 02:32:57.228 military actions are driving up costs 02:32:57.228 --> 02:32:59.395 for everyday Americans . This war , as 02:32:59.395 --> 02:33:02.379 you know , is , is not supported by a 02:33:02.379 --> 02:33:04.490 significant majority of the people in 02:33:04.490 --> 02:33:07.099 this country . The administration has 02:33:07.099 --> 02:33:09.155 increased military operations around 02:33:09.155 --> 02:33:11.099 the globe , including strikes in 8 02:33:11.099 --> 02:33:13.620 countries , and the war in Iran is 02:33:13.620 --> 02:33:15.842 costing taxpayers billions of dollars . 02:33:15.940 --> 02:33:18.051 Estimates are by the time it's over , 02:33:18.051 --> 02:33:19.940 it could cost $1 trillion to the 02:33:19.940 --> 02:33:21.940 American people , a lot of that off 02:33:21.940 --> 02:33:24.610 budget . It's estimated that the 1st 6 02:33:24.610 --> 02:33:26.832 days of the war cost around $12 billion 02:33:27.129 --> 02:33:29.296 alone , and we are now hitting 60 days 02:33:30.209 --> 02:33:33.639 of war fighting without a plan to 02:33:33.639 --> 02:33:37.049 exit this conflict . The administration 02:33:37.049 --> 02:33:39.650 has failed to transparently tell the 02:33:39.650 --> 02:33:41.706 Congress or the American people what 02:33:41.706 --> 02:33:43.928 the costs of the war are and and why we 02:33:43.928 --> 02:33:46.730 are at war , uh , and expects Americans 02:33:46.730 --> 02:33:49.290 to keep footing the bill . Uh , the 02:33:49.290 --> 02:33:51.290 comptroller has , uh thank you for 02:33:51.290 --> 02:33:53.068 coming , sir , uh , given us an 02:33:53.068 --> 02:33:55.123 incomplete number , and I understand 02:33:55.123 --> 02:33:57.234 we're in the midst of war and there's 02:33:57.234 --> 02:33:56.769 some , uh , you do have some challenges 02:33:56.769 --> 02:33:59.030 in that regard . Uh , but , uh , 02:33:59.419 --> 02:34:01.586 Congress , I think my colleagues would 02:34:01.586 --> 02:34:03.879 have appreciated , um , a more 02:34:03.879 --> 02:34:06.299 thoroughgoing cost estimate , uh , so 02:34:06.299 --> 02:34:08.410 that we may properly , uh , conduct , 02:34:08.410 --> 02:34:12.059 uh , oversight as is our duty . Um , 02:34:12.309 --> 02:34:14.365 I would agree with my colleague Ms . 02:34:14.365 --> 02:34:16.587 Goodlander about the department sharing 02:34:16.587 --> 02:34:16.309 the full breakdown of the cost of this 02:34:16.309 --> 02:34:20.209 war , uh , and , um . Uh , uh , 02:34:20.419 --> 02:34:22.641 understanding , uh , where every dollar 02:34:22.641 --> 02:34:24.586 is , uh , going , uh , that , uh , 02:34:24.586 --> 02:34:26.808 number does not likely reflect the full 02:34:26.808 --> 02:34:30.019 costs of war , as you know , um , there 02:34:30.019 --> 02:34:32.130 are many estimates out there that say 02:34:32.130 --> 02:34:34.130 that this , uh , war will cost much 02:34:34.130 --> 02:34:36.352 more than , uh , the , uh , you and the 02:34:36.352 --> 02:34:38.241 administration are , uh , putting 02:34:38.241 --> 02:34:41.490 before the American people , um . If 02:34:41.490 --> 02:34:44.120 you look at our past conflicts , uh , 02:34:44.209 --> 02:34:46.265 when we went to war in World War 1 , 02:34:46.265 --> 02:34:48.209 and this has been mentioned , uh , 02:34:48.209 --> 02:34:50.376 Wilson went to Congress and called for 02:34:50.376 --> 02:34:52.598 the American people to help pay for the 02:34:52.598 --> 02:34:54.820 war . Franklin Roosevelt , uh , went to 02:34:54.820 --> 02:34:56.931 Congress , asked for a declaration of 02:34:56.931 --> 02:34:59.042 war , and the Americans pitched in to 02:34:59.042 --> 02:35:01.376 pay for this war . Conflicts after that , 02:35:01.376 --> 02:35:03.598 sadly , many , too many of them are off 02:35:03.598 --> 02:35:03.209 budget and are leaving Americans with 02:35:03.209 --> 02:35:06.370 trillions of dollars in debt . Average 02:35:06.370 --> 02:35:07.926 Americans are suffering the 02:35:07.926 --> 02:35:09.870 consequences of this war in Iran , 02:35:09.870 --> 02:35:12.410 including increased fuel prices in my 02:35:12.410 --> 02:35:14.632 home state of New Jersey , where gas is 02:35:14.632 --> 02:35:17.769 now on average $4.20 a gallon . Diesel 02:35:17.769 --> 02:35:20.610 is almost $6 per gallon . In addition 02:35:20.610 --> 02:35:22.721 to increased fuel prices , everything 02:35:22.721 --> 02:35:25.009 costs more groceries , uh , housing 02:35:25.009 --> 02:35:27.320 costs , and people , uh , the people 02:35:27.320 --> 02:35:29.570 who have to pay for it , have not asked 02:35:29.570 --> 02:35:31.514 for this war , and I think we're a 02:35:31.514 --> 02:35:33.626 little bit bewildered as to why we're 02:35:33.626 --> 02:35:35.626 in this war . I'm not disputing the 02:35:35.626 --> 02:35:38.490 fact that the Iranian regime is a 02:35:38.490 --> 02:35:41.379 malignant , dangerous regime that has 02:35:41.379 --> 02:35:43.459 killed its own people and indeed has 02:35:43.459 --> 02:35:46.299 killed Americans over the decades . I 02:35:46.299 --> 02:35:48.410 think where we disagree is what's the 02:35:48.410 --> 02:35:50.188 best way to get at Iran . Do we 02:35:50.188 --> 02:35:51.966 negotiate with them and control 02:35:54.580 --> 02:35:57.660 their access to nuclear weapons in a 02:35:58.049 --> 02:36:01.379 multilateral way that includes included 02:36:01.379 --> 02:36:03.740 even Russia in the deal . Uh , and the 02:36:03.740 --> 02:36:05.907 agreement that President Obama brought 02:36:05.907 --> 02:36:07.962 forward , or do we go and try to and 02:36:07.962 --> 02:36:10.129 and engage in a costly war in order to 02:36:10.129 --> 02:36:12.296 get at those nuclear weapons ? I think 02:36:12.296 --> 02:36:14.296 that's where the principal conflict 02:36:14.296 --> 02:36:16.629 lies . How do we achieve the same goals , 02:36:16.629 --> 02:36:18.796 costly war or through negotiation . Um 02:36:19.429 --> 02:36:22.929 And we've seen that apparently 02:36:23.799 --> 02:36:26.160 There wasn't a plan to deal with the . 02:36:27.059 --> 02:36:29.549 Action that Iran had to take , that is 02:36:29.549 --> 02:36:31.660 to close the Strait of Hormuz because 02:36:31.660 --> 02:36:33.882 it's the only thing you can do when you 02:36:33.882 --> 02:36:36.105 are the weaker country in an asymmetric 02:36:36.105 --> 02:36:35.780 conflict , of course they were going to 02:36:35.780 --> 02:36:37.891 do that , and I wonder whether or not 02:36:37.891 --> 02:36:40.224 the president was apprised of this , uh , 02:36:40.224 --> 02:36:42.391 before he took the actions that he has 02:36:42.391 --> 02:36:44.900 taken , so let me just ask this 02:36:44.900 --> 02:36:48.799 question um . And before 02:36:48.799 --> 02:36:51.599 let's make this comment too , uh , this 02:36:51.599 --> 02:36:55.059 war is just , uh , uh , 60 days so far , 02:36:55.400 --> 02:36:57.456 uh , and this thought that Americans 02:36:57.456 --> 02:36:59.289 wish to bear the consequences of 02:36:59.289 --> 02:37:01.400 increased fuel prices , I don't think 02:37:01.400 --> 02:37:03.456 is borne out of the fact that , um , 02:37:03.456 --> 02:37:06.280 you know , those costs impact people on 02:37:06.280 --> 02:37:08.799 a weekly basis , biweekly basis , uh , 02:37:08.879 --> 02:37:10.935 mortgages come and have to be paid , 02:37:10.935 --> 02:37:13.157 groceries have to be bought on a weekly 02:37:13.157 --> 02:37:15.212 basis , and those gas prices squeeze 02:37:15.212 --> 02:37:17.490 are squeezing the American public . Uh , 02:37:17.490 --> 02:37:19.940 so can you tell us , um , whether or 02:37:19.940 --> 02:37:22.580 not it was planning to deal with the in 02:37:22.580 --> 02:37:24.691 advance , to deal with the closing of 02:37:24.691 --> 02:37:27.669 the strait or hormones given . Uh , the 02:37:27.669 --> 02:37:29.891 likely impact on world fuel prices that 02:37:29.891 --> 02:37:32.058 will have to be for the record because 02:37:32.058 --> 02:37:34.225 men and gentlemen's time has expired . 02:37:34.225 --> 02:37:36.336 Uh , chair not recognizes the ranking 02:37:36.336 --> 02:37:35.950 member for any closing comments he may 02:37:35.950 --> 02:37:37.950 have . Uh , well , first of all , I 02:37:37.950 --> 02:37:39.672 want to thank the chairman for 02:37:39.672 --> 02:37:39.629 conducting this hearing . Obviously 02:37:39.629 --> 02:37:41.907 there's a lot of passion on both sides , 02:37:41.950 --> 02:37:44.006 a lot of partisan stuff being thrown 02:37:44.006 --> 02:37:45.950 around . I think on this committee 02:37:45.950 --> 02:37:48.061 we're all trying to serve the men and 02:37:48.061 --> 02:37:47.870 women who serve us as well as we 02:37:47.870 --> 02:37:50.160 possibly can . He handled it very well 02:37:50.160 --> 02:37:52.327 and in a difficult time . I appreciate 02:37:52.327 --> 02:37:54.382 the fairness of that . Um , yes , we 02:37:54.382 --> 02:37:54.320 have a lot of issues , but at the end 02:37:54.320 --> 02:37:56.153 of the day , the Iran war is the 02:37:56.153 --> 02:37:58.376 biggest issue that we face , and I hope 02:37:58.376 --> 02:38:00.542 that you all , you gentlemen will take 02:38:00.542 --> 02:38:02.598 seriously the concerns we have about 02:38:02.598 --> 02:38:04.931 where it's going and how it's gonna end . 02:38:04.931 --> 02:38:07.098 Yes , it has not yet lasted as long as 02:38:07.098 --> 02:38:09.153 Vietnam or , uh , World War II , but 02:38:09.153 --> 02:38:11.320 we're also told it was going to last 4 02:38:11.320 --> 02:38:11.000 to 5 weeks when it started . We were 02:38:11.000 --> 02:38:13.111 given an idea of what the mission has 02:38:13.111 --> 02:38:15.278 been . It's clearly gone beyond that . 02:38:15.290 --> 02:38:17.346 We did not contemplate that we would 02:38:17.346 --> 02:38:19.512 have , you know , the Strait of Hormuz 02:38:19.512 --> 02:38:21.457 shut down or that we would have to 02:38:21.457 --> 02:38:23.679 implement a blockade . So how we get to 02:38:23.679 --> 02:38:25.790 the result is something we really are 02:38:25.790 --> 02:38:27.901 going to want to hear from all of you 02:38:27.901 --> 02:38:30.068 about on a regular basis and what role 02:38:30.068 --> 02:38:29.849 the service members who are over there , 02:38:30.009 --> 02:38:32.759 some 50,000 , are going to play in that . 02:38:32.769 --> 02:38:34.769 And we all agree , Mr . Secretary , 02:38:34.769 --> 02:38:36.769 that Iran should not have a nuclear 02:38:36.769 --> 02:38:38.713 weapon . Is this really getting us 02:38:38.713 --> 02:38:40.825 there ? That's the connection we want 02:38:40.825 --> 02:38:42.991 to see and you can say , well , we had 02:38:42.991 --> 02:38:42.809 to start , start a war to stop the 02:38:42.809 --> 02:38:45.009 nuclear weapon . That in of itself 02:38:45.009 --> 02:38:47.690 doesn't make it true . Um , how is the 02:38:47.690 --> 02:38:50.049 war and the military action actually 02:38:50.049 --> 02:38:52.271 stopping that nuclear weapon ? How does 02:38:52.271 --> 02:38:54.327 it put us into a better position ? I 02:38:54.327 --> 02:38:56.327 think that's what we really need to 02:38:56.327 --> 02:38:56.129 hear , um , and what we'll have to 02:38:56.129 --> 02:38:58.240 continue to work on , uh , long after 02:38:58.240 --> 02:38:59.962 this hearing , but I thank our 02:38:59.962 --> 02:39:02.185 witnesses , uh , for coming before us . 02:39:02.185 --> 02:39:04.407 It is the democratic process , um , you 02:39:04.407 --> 02:39:04.169 know , we're all part of representative 02:39:04.169 --> 02:39:06.280 democracy . I have never met too many 02:39:06.280 --> 02:39:08.502 people at the Pentagon who loved coming 02:39:08.502 --> 02:39:10.558 over and talking to Congress . I get 02:39:10.558 --> 02:39:12.613 that , but I hope you understand how 02:39:12.613 --> 02:39:14.780 important and how necessary it is that 02:39:14.780 --> 02:39:16.947 the people's voices are heard , and we 02:39:16.947 --> 02:39:19.280 do have an opportunity to , to question , 02:39:19.280 --> 02:39:18.889 uh , and challenge the decisions that 02:39:18.889 --> 02:39:21.111 are made by our executive branches . We 02:39:21.111 --> 02:39:22.722 have a right to do under the 02:39:22.722 --> 02:39:24.833 Constitution , actually an obligation 02:39:24.833 --> 02:39:24.809 to do under the Constitution . So I 02:39:24.809 --> 02:39:26.531 look forward to continuing the 02:39:26.531 --> 02:39:28.531 conversation . I thank the chairman 02:39:28.531 --> 02:39:30.587 again and I yield back . I thank the 02:39:30.587 --> 02:39:32.309 ranking member and I thank the 02:39:32.309 --> 02:39:34.309 witnesses . Uh , thank you for your 02:39:34.309 --> 02:39:36.476 service to our country . Thank you for 02:39:36.476 --> 02:39:38.420 6 hours of tough duty , and , uh , 02:39:38.420 --> 02:39:40.642 you've done a great job . I want to end 02:39:40.642 --> 02:39:42.642 this hearing the way I started it . 02:39:42.642 --> 02:39:45.009 This is a historic budget request by 02:39:45.009 --> 02:39:48.019 this administration . We are in , uh , 02:39:48.089 --> 02:39:50.959 unacceptably low levels of spending 02:39:50.959 --> 02:39:53.570 historically . And this president is 02:39:53.570 --> 02:39:55.403 meeting the moment with a budget 02:39:55.403 --> 02:39:57.969 request that meets the requirements 02:39:57.969 --> 02:40:00.330 that we have to meet if we want to 02:40:00.330 --> 02:40:02.809 remain at peace . This is about peace 02:40:02.809 --> 02:40:04.809 through strength . This budget will 02:40:04.809 --> 02:40:06.929 help us have peace through strength , 02:40:06.990 --> 02:40:09.330 and I urge , uh , my colleagues who are 02:40:09.330 --> 02:40:11.552 not in this chamber to pay attention to 02:40:11.552 --> 02:40:13.719 what we talked about today . Uh , this 02:40:13.719 --> 02:40:15.774 department , I think , is , is , has 02:40:15.774 --> 02:40:17.941 done an admirable job of defending the 02:40:17.941 --> 02:40:20.108 budget . And with that , thank you for 02:40:20.108 --> 02:40:21.049 being here . This hearing is adjourned .