WEBVTT 00:00.009 --> 00:02.231 The personnel subcommittee will come to 00:02.231 --> 00:05.440 order . The subcommittee meets today to 00:05.440 --> 00:07.829 mark up an original bill , the National 00:07.840 --> 00:09.896 Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 00:09.896 --> 00:13.130 year 2027 . We will hold the 00:13.130 --> 00:16.120 subcommittee markup in open session . I 00:16.120 --> 00:18.479 am confident that we can publicly 00:18.479 --> 00:20.701 conduct our business without disclosing 00:20.701 --> 00:22.760 classified information or adversely 00:22.760 --> 00:25.670 impacting the process . In this regard , 00:26.030 --> 00:28.309 I ask that any senator wishing to offer 00:28.309 --> 00:30.620 an amendment or raise an issue of a 00:30.620 --> 00:33.500 classified nature defer . That for the 00:33.500 --> 00:35.667 full committee's consideration . While 00:35.667 --> 00:37.722 this subcommittee meeting is in open 00:37.722 --> 00:39.778 session , the entire contents of the 00:39.778 --> 00:41.833 markup book are subject to amendment 00:42.099 --> 00:44.099 throughout its consideration by the 00:44.099 --> 00:45.932 Armed Services Committee and are 00:45.932 --> 00:48.380 therefore embargoed until passed by the 00:48.380 --> 00:50.324 full committee and reported to the 00:50.324 --> 00:52.060 Senate . Traditionally , the 00:52.060 --> 00:54.116 subcommittee has used the chairman's 00:54.116 --> 00:56.060 mark as a markup vehicle . Without 00:56.060 --> 00:57.869 objection , we will . Use the 00:57.869 --> 01:00.150 chairman's mark as a markup vehicle to 01:00.150 --> 01:02.150 include the budgetary lines as 01:02.470 --> 01:04.248 designated for the subcommittee 01:04.248 --> 01:06.192 contained in the general provision 01:06.192 --> 01:08.760 marked subject to amendment . There 01:08.760 --> 01:10.982 being no objection , it is so ordered . 01:12.089 --> 01:14.089 I remind members when calling up an 01:14.089 --> 01:16.145 amendment for consideration , please 01:16.145 --> 01:18.145 identify the amendment by amendment 01:18.145 --> 01:21.139 number . This courtesy will help 01:21.139 --> 01:23.080 eliminate confusion and speed up 01:23.080 --> 01:25.339 consideration of all amendments . 01:25.760 --> 01:27.593 Consistent with the practice and 01:27.593 --> 01:29.816 precedent of both this subcommittee and 01:29.816 --> 01:31.760 the full committee , the following 01:31.760 --> 01:33.760 amendments will not be in order and 01:33.760 --> 01:36.160 will not be considered . Amendments 01:36.160 --> 01:39.889 involving a significant matter that is 01:39.889 --> 01:41.889 not within the jurisdiction of this 01:41.889 --> 01:44.056 subcommittee . Amendments that contain 01:44.056 --> 01:46.056 a significant matter not within the 01:46.056 --> 01:48.111 jurisdiction of the full committee . 01:48.610 --> 01:50.720 Amendments that involve shared 01:50.720 --> 01:52.720 jurisdiction with another committee 01:52.720 --> 01:55.050 that has not agreed to consideration of 01:55.050 --> 01:57.370 the amendment for inclusion in this 01:57.370 --> 01:59.930 subcommittee's markup . Amendments that 01:59.930 --> 02:02.750 would constitute an earmark . 02:03.089 --> 02:05.529 Amendments to add funding that are not 02:05.529 --> 02:08.610 accompanied by an offset . If any 02:08.610 --> 02:10.554 senator proposed an amendment that 02:10.554 --> 02:12.554 would increase spending , he or she 02:12.554 --> 02:14.809 must also identify an offset to pay for 02:14.809 --> 02:17.479 it . Unless the offset can be made from 02:17.479 --> 02:19.590 funding under the jurisdiction of the 02:19.590 --> 02:21.699 subcommittee , the amendment must be 02:21.699 --> 02:25.339 offered at the full committee . Now 02:25.339 --> 02:27.450 that we have all these details behind 02:27.450 --> 02:29.617 us , I want to thank all of you , your 02:29.617 --> 02:31.783 staff for working together to get some 02:31.783 --> 02:33.950 important legislation done for service 02:33.950 --> 02:35.783 members and their families . The 02:35.783 --> 02:38.419 personnel subcommittee is FY 2027 NDAA 02:38.419 --> 02:40.940 mark strengthens military readiness and 02:40.940 --> 02:43.139 improves quality of life for service 02:43.139 --> 02:45.083 members and their families through 02:45.083 --> 02:47.417 targeted investments in force structure , 02:47.417 --> 02:49.220 compensation , healthcare , and 02:49.220 --> 02:52.050 workforce modernization . The package 02:52.050 --> 02:54.589 increases active duty and reserve end 02:54.589 --> 02:56.367 strengths across the services , 02:56.367 --> 02:59.429 enhanced base , special and incentive 02:59.429 --> 03:02.110 pays , and expands travel and 03:02.839 --> 03:04.910 PCS flexibilities to support 03:04.910 --> 03:07.509 recruitment . And retention . It also 03:07.509 --> 03:09.550 modernizes personnel management and 03:09.550 --> 03:11.272 military justice authorities , 03:11.589 --> 03:13.756 strengthens congressional oversight of 03:13.756 --> 03:15.750 promotions and force management 03:15.750 --> 03:17.694 decisions , and advances workforce 03:17.694 --> 03:20.509 reforms for both military and civilian 03:20.509 --> 03:22.750 personnel . In addition , the market 03:22.750 --> 03:25.470 expands sport support for military 03:25.470 --> 03:28.070 families through childcare , spouse 03:28.070 --> 03:29.789 employment , education , and 03:29.789 --> 03:31.750 exceptional family member program 03:31.750 --> 03:34.630 improvements . It enhances Tricare 03:34.630 --> 03:37.059 access , suicide prevention efforts , 03:37.320 --> 03:39.669 medical readiness , and combat health 03:39.669 --> 03:41.869 capabilities . Finally , it reinforces 03:41.869 --> 03:44.036 coordination between the Department of 03:44.036 --> 03:46.202 Defense and the Department of Veterans 03:46.202 --> 03:48.369 Affairs to improve healthcare delivery 03:48.369 --> 03:50.258 and long-term support for service 03:50.258 --> 03:52.480 members , veterans and their families . 03:52.669 --> 03:54.780 As I've said before , maintaining the 03:54.780 --> 03:56.780 world's strongest military requires 03:56.780 --> 03:58.891 ensuring that an equitable share . Of 03:58.891 --> 04:00.836 Department of Defense Resources is 04:00.836 --> 04:02.839 invested directly in the service 04:02.839 --> 04:04.728 members , families , and civilian 04:04.728 --> 04:06.710 workforce who underpin the force's 04:06.710 --> 04:09.419 readiness , resilience , and long-term 04:09.419 --> 04:11.586 effectiveness . So at this point , I'd 04:11.586 --> 04:13.697 like to invite Ranking Member Senator 04:13.697 --> 04:16.100 Warren to make a statement . Thank you , 04:16.140 --> 04:18.500 Mr . Chairman , and thank you for 04:18.500 --> 04:20.722 continuing the subcommittee's tradition 04:20.722 --> 04:23.779 of holding this markup in open session . 04:23.980 --> 04:26.579 I think it's critical that we show that 04:26.579 --> 04:28.579 Congress is continuing to work in a 04:28.579 --> 04:30.412 bipartisan manner to support our 04:30.412 --> 04:32.459 service members and our military 04:32.459 --> 04:35.350 families . This markup comes at a time 04:35.350 --> 04:37.294 when President Trump and Secretary 04:37.294 --> 04:39.517 Hegseth are risking the life of service 04:39.517 --> 04:42.510 members in an illegal war with Iran 04:42.510 --> 04:44.829 while making life more difficult for 04:44.829 --> 04:47.170 troops and their families back home . 04:47.429 --> 04:49.929 It also comes at a time when the Trump 04:49.929 --> 04:52.096 administration continues to politicize 04:52.096 --> 04:54.670 the military to serve their own agenda . 04:55.109 --> 04:57.589 I am particularly disturbed by 04:57.589 --> 04:59.950 Secretary Hegseth's taking 04:59.950 --> 05:02.670 unprecedented actions to intervene in 05:02.670 --> 05:06.230 military promotions . In DOD's latest 05:06.230 --> 05:08.910 list of 22 Navy promotions to become 05:08.910 --> 05:12.190 one-star admirals , 0 of these 05:12.190 --> 05:14.880 promotions were women , and reporting 05:14.880 --> 05:16.991 indicates that the last time the Navy 05:16.991 --> 05:19.350 promoted a woman to a one-star role was 05:19.350 --> 05:22.380 last June . And Secretary Hegseth 05:22.380 --> 05:25.220 reportedly removed the nominations of 2 05:25.220 --> 05:28.420 women and 2 black men from the original 05:28.420 --> 05:31.859 promotion list . It is also unclear why 05:31.859 --> 05:34.980 Secretary Hegseth has also now blocked 05:34.980 --> 05:37.850 the appointment of 9 Air Force colonels . 05:38.339 --> 05:40.700 He has also reportedly delayed the 05:40.700 --> 05:44.000 promotion of at least 2 dozen senior 05:44.000 --> 05:46.222 Air Force officers . While the Pentagon 05:46.222 --> 05:49.755 reviews their ties to 05:49.755 --> 05:52.355 diversity , equity , and inclusion 05:52.355 --> 05:55.635 policies , President Trump also 05:55.635 --> 05:57.894 continues to politicize the military 05:58.154 --> 06:01.234 for cheap political theater , including 06:01.234 --> 06:03.795 his most recent reported stunt to 06:03.795 --> 06:06.274 recruit hundreds of troops to watch his 06:06.274 --> 06:08.994 UFC cage fighting event at the White 06:08.994 --> 06:12.489 House . This politicization will create 06:12.489 --> 06:15.010 lasting damage to our military and 06:15.010 --> 06:18.880 lasting damage to our country . DOD 06:18.880 --> 06:21.559 has also shown a blatant disregard for 06:21.559 --> 06:25.440 the critical role DOD civilians play to 06:25.440 --> 06:28.820 support our military . It was shameful 06:28.959 --> 06:31.160 that this administration failed to 06:31.160 --> 06:34.559 include any pay raises for civilian 06:34.559 --> 06:37.640 employees in its budget request . This 06:37.640 --> 06:40.239 mark includes some funding for 06:40.239 --> 06:43.250 civilians through bonuses . But at a 06:43.250 --> 06:45.489 time when President Trump's policies 06:45.489 --> 06:48.450 drive up costs for all Americans , it 06:48.450 --> 06:51.850 is unfair and insulting to deny 06:51.850 --> 06:55.700 DOD civilians a pay raise . Now , 06:55.899 --> 06:58.570 all of that said , I am proud of the 06:58.570 --> 07:00.299 bipartisan work done by the 07:00.299 --> 07:03.100 subcommittee to take care of our troops 07:03.100 --> 07:05.700 and military families . I would like to 07:05.700 --> 07:07.533 thank the chairman and thank the 07:07.533 --> 07:09.859 chairman's staff for their continued 07:09.859 --> 07:11.779 collaboration and adherence to 07:11.779 --> 07:14.700 tradition during the drafting of this 07:14.700 --> 07:17.459 mark . I am glad this mark includes 07:17.459 --> 07:19.739 funding for the chronically underfunded 07:19.739 --> 07:22.489 defense health program . So that we can 07:22.489 --> 07:24.322 better support the health of our 07:24.322 --> 07:27.089 warfighters and their families . It 07:27.089 --> 07:30.529 also fully funds Defense POW MIA 07:30.529 --> 07:33.429 Accounting Agency , which is critical 07:33.429 --> 07:36.209 for bringing home service members to 07:36.209 --> 07:38.920 their families . I would also like to 07:38.920 --> 07:41.130 highlight just a few other important 07:41.130 --> 07:43.369 provisions that have made it into this 07:43.369 --> 07:46.390 bipartisan march . Bismarck continues 07:46.390 --> 07:48.750 to push DOD to ensure our service 07:48.750 --> 07:51.470 members and their families have access 07:51.470 --> 07:54.929 to high-quality childcare by fully 07:54.929 --> 07:57.670 updating its pay scales for childcare 07:57.670 --> 08:00.549 workers , including those who support 08:00.549 --> 08:03.269 kids with special needs . I am also 08:03.269 --> 08:05.350 glad that MC increases funding for 08:05.350 --> 08:07.989 childcare and youth programs . While 08:07.989 --> 08:10.565 the services have made some Progress in 08:10.565 --> 08:13.605 updating these pay scales . It is long 08:13.605 --> 08:17.154 past time for all branches to fully 08:17.165 --> 08:19.385 update them based on the requirements 08:19.684 --> 08:21.924 that Congress passed in the FY 08:21.924 --> 08:25.684 2025 NDAA . The 08:25.684 --> 08:28.125 committee will be watching closely to 08:28.125 --> 08:30.364 make sure that happens . I guarantee 08:30.364 --> 08:34.104 that . This mark also requires GAO 08:34.104 --> 08:36.804 to review the TriCare Pharmacy program . 08:37.338 --> 08:39.458 Including whether the Defense Health 08:39.458 --> 08:41.778 Agency is effectively assessing 08:41.778 --> 08:44.379 conflicts of interest in the program 08:44.379 --> 08:47.458 due to vertical integration . Express 08:47.458 --> 08:49.625 Scripts , the largest pharmacy benefit 08:49.625 --> 08:52.098 manager in the United States , has held 08:52.098 --> 08:55.439 the exclusive TriCare pharmacy contract 08:55.718 --> 08:58.898 for nearly 20 years , and during that 08:58.898 --> 09:02.098 time , it has forced thousands of local 09:02.098 --> 09:04.958 pharmacies out of the Tricare network , 09:05.508 --> 09:07.619 allowing the company . To potentially 09:07.619 --> 09:10.224 steer more business to its own 09:10.364 --> 09:13.205 mail-order pharmacies . This makes it 09:13.205 --> 09:15.044 harder for our troops and their 09:15.044 --> 09:17.266 families to fill prescriptions at their 09:17.266 --> 09:19.844 local pharmacies , and it allows 09:19.844 --> 09:23.025 Express Scripts to rake in more profits 09:23.164 --> 09:26.164 and allegedly to charge DOD a higher 09:26.164 --> 09:29.099 rate . We need to be doing more to stop 09:29.099 --> 09:31.260 this apparent profiteering at the 09:31.260 --> 09:34.280 expense of our service members , their 09:34.280 --> 09:36.940 families , and the American taxpayer . 09:38.719 --> 09:40.880 We unfortunately continue to hear of 09:40.880 --> 09:43.320 cases of sexual assault in the military , 09:43.830 --> 09:47.700 such as the cases of an Army OBGYN who 09:47.700 --> 09:50.159 has been accused of recording videos of 09:50.159 --> 09:52.640 nearly 100 female patients without 09:52.640 --> 09:56.119 their consent . DHA took an important 09:56.119 --> 09:58.239 step last December to establish a 09:58.239 --> 10:01.719 policy requiring all military treatment 10:01.719 --> 10:04.880 facilities to offer a chaperone to any 10:04.880 --> 10:06.713 patient during sensitive medical 10:06.713 --> 10:09.989 examinations . This policy helps keep 10:09.989 --> 10:12.229 patients safe . So I am glad that the 10:12.229 --> 10:14.770 mark directs the Defense Health Agency 10:15.070 --> 10:17.729 to review which hospitals are compliant 10:17.729 --> 10:21.260 with required chaperone policies and to 10:21.260 --> 10:23.289 develop a plan and recommendations 10:23.289 --> 10:25.510 based on their findings . Congress 10:25.510 --> 10:27.750 should go further by mandating this 10:27.750 --> 10:30.590 policy and law . I am glad that this 10:30.590 --> 10:33.229 mark also continues to push DOD to 10:33.229 --> 10:35.510 prioritize the brain health of our 10:35.510 --> 10:38.070 warfighters . I've been proud to work 10:38.070 --> 10:41.630 on this on a bipartisan basis for years , 10:41.659 --> 10:43.979 and I want to thank Senator Ernst for 10:43.979 --> 10:47.270 her partnership . This year's bill 10:47.270 --> 10:49.214 continues to make progress on this 10:49.214 --> 10:52.309 issue by requiring DOD to brief this 10:52.309 --> 10:54.710 committee on the feasibility of regular 10:54.710 --> 10:57.700 cognitive testing . And establishing 10:57.700 --> 11:00.270 blast overpressure and traumatic brain 11:00.270 --> 11:03.820 injury logs to better catch these brain 11:03.820 --> 11:06.359 injuries earlier when they are more 11:06.359 --> 11:09.239 susceptible to treatment . Traumatic 11:09.239 --> 11:11.289 brain injuries have become the 11:11.719 --> 11:14.679 signature injury of the war against 11:14.679 --> 11:16.919 Iran , and the sooner we begin to 11:16.919 --> 11:19.559 implement these logs and do a better 11:19.559 --> 11:22.400 job tracking these injuries and making 11:22.400 --> 11:24.640 regular assessments to catch brain 11:24.640 --> 11:26.799 injuries , the better we can ensure 11:26.799 --> 11:29.390 that service members get the care they 11:29.390 --> 11:32.500 need . I am also glad that the MARC 11:32.500 --> 11:34.869 encourages DOD to improve early 11:34.869 --> 11:37.169 identification of brain injuries , 11:37.869 --> 11:39.758 including through partnering with 11:39.758 --> 11:42.650 nonprofit organizations that specialize 11:42.950 --> 11:45.729 in treating these injuries . The MAC 11:45.729 --> 11:48.210 requires DOD to brief the committee on 11:48.210 --> 11:50.830 opportunities with existing nonprofit 11:50.830 --> 11:53.909 partnerships for TBI treatment and 11:53.909 --> 11:55.909 early intervention . I want to call 11:56.330 --> 11:58.108 organizations like Home Base in 11:58.108 --> 12:00.900 Massachusetts that have a strong track 12:00.900 --> 12:04.159 record of getting 95% of the special 12:04.159 --> 12:06.159 operators that they treat for these 12:06.159 --> 12:08.849 types of brain injuries back into the 12:08.849 --> 12:11.520 field . DOD should continue to work 12:11.520 --> 12:13.570 with them to ensure service members 12:13.570 --> 12:15.979 have access to the care they need , and 12:15.979 --> 12:18.146 I , I really do want to pause here for 12:18.146 --> 12:20.312 a minute just to say , I know how many 12:20.312 --> 12:22.312 of you have fought . For this for a 12:22.312 --> 12:24.535 very long time . Senator Blumenthal has 12:24.535 --> 12:26.701 brought us one story after another . I 12:26.701 --> 12:28.701 want to compliment the chairman for 12:28.701 --> 12:30.868 your work on this . This is a hard one 12:30.868 --> 12:32.868 and it's easy to leave behind . And 12:32.868 --> 12:34.812 also Senator Scott , who was quite 12:34.812 --> 12:36.969 aggressive in earlier years in making 12:36.969 --> 12:39.619 sure that we got this in front of , um , 12:39.690 --> 12:42.320 into our mark each year as we could . 12:42.559 --> 12:45.469 It frustrates me that it has been a 12:46.070 --> 12:49.549 Kicking and scratching to get DOD to do 12:49.549 --> 12:51.869 what is necessary to protect the brain 12:51.869 --> 12:54.349 health of our war fighters . And when 12:54.349 --> 12:56.869 we fail to do that , we pay a terrible 12:56.869 --> 12:59.669 price back at home , and the families 12:59.669 --> 13:01.891 pay a price , communities pay a price , 13:01.891 --> 13:03.891 and it's got to stop . So I want to 13:03.891 --> 13:06.058 thank you all for being part of this . 13:06.058 --> 13:08.169 I also want to thank Senator Hirona , 13:08.169 --> 13:10.336 who has also talked about this issue . 13:10.336 --> 13:12.558 So thank you . Um , these are just some 13:12.558 --> 13:14.780 of the key provisions in the Chairman's 13:14.780 --> 13:16.891 mark . I look forward to working with 13:16.891 --> 13:19.058 my colleagues on this subcommittee and 13:19.058 --> 13:21.225 the full committee to see what else we 13:21.225 --> 13:23.169 can do to improve the lives of our 13:23.169 --> 13:25.225 service members and our families . I 13:25.225 --> 13:27.447 want to thank all of the members of the 13:27.447 --> 13:27.109 subcommittee and full committee for 13:27.109 --> 13:29.165 their work on this bill , as well as 13:29.165 --> 13:31.390 their staff . I especially want to 13:31.390 --> 13:34.489 thank the committee staff . John Clark , 13:34.799 --> 13:38.369 Gary Leeling , Andy Scott , Jenny Davis , 13:38.659 --> 13:42.419 Noah Sisk , Sophia Kamali , Glenn 13:42.419 --> 13:45.099 Deal , Megan Galindo , Madeleine 13:45.099 --> 13:47.969 Gunther , Brendan Gavin , Katie Magnus , 13:48.250 --> 13:51.460 Isaac uh Gel Cullen . Did I get that 13:51.460 --> 13:54.640 right ? Gel Cunnen , um , Greg Lilly , 13:54.770 --> 13:57.099 and Leah Beaver . So , thank you all . 13:57.169 --> 13:59.280 All I ever say is , Isaac , thank you 13:59.280 --> 14:01.330 very much . Uh , appreciate all the 14:01.330 --> 14:03.552 help we've gotten . Thank you , Senator 14:03.552 --> 14:06.919 Warren . I had trouble with that name 14:06.919 --> 14:10.000 also . Thank you . Uh , now we've 14:10.000 --> 14:12.640 received 58 amendments , starting with 14:12.640 --> 14:14.862 Senator Banks , number 18 and finishing 14:14.862 --> 14:18.010 with Senator Rosen . Number 630 . 14:18.729 --> 14:20.896 that have been cleared by both sides . 14:22.169 --> 14:24.359 Is there any objection to adopting 14:24.359 --> 14:26.530 these amendments ? Without objection , 14:26.809 --> 14:30.690 the manager's package is adopted . Are 14:30.690 --> 14:32.301 there any other amendments ? 14:35.559 --> 14:37.503 I will entertain a motion that the 14:37.503 --> 14:39.281 subcommittee adopt these agreed 14:39.281 --> 14:41.281 amendments as well as the budgetary 14:41.281 --> 14:43.448 lines designated for this subcommittee 14:43.448 --> 14:45.670 contained in the general provision mark 14:45.670 --> 14:47.781 as part of the personnel subcommittee 14:47.781 --> 14:51.679 mark . Is there a second ? All in 14:51.679 --> 14:54.950 favor say aye . I'll oppose to say nay . 14:55.849 --> 14:58.049 The motion is agreed to . I move that 14:58.049 --> 15:00.271 the recommendations of the subcommittee 15:00.271 --> 15:02.493 be reported to the full committee . And 15:02.493 --> 15:04.605 that the staff be authorized to draft 15:04.605 --> 15:06.716 bill and report language implementing 15:06.716 --> 15:08.771 agreements reached today and to make 15:08.771 --> 15:10.716 necessary technical and conforming 15:10.716 --> 15:13.559 changes . Move 15:14.840 --> 15:17.489 Thank you . Is there a second ? All in 15:17.489 --> 15:20.340 favor say aye . All opposed say nay . 15:21.630 --> 15:23.989 The motion is agreed to . Is there any 15:23.989 --> 15:25.878 other business to come before the 15:25.878 --> 15:29.489 subcommittee ? Subcommittee is 15:29.489 --> 15:30.049 adjourned .