WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:02.610 Mr Patrick and then Mr Adam Holt , 00:02.620 --> 00:05.840 followed by at least but not last . Mr 00:05.840 --> 00:09.640 Crist . Thank you . Chairwoman 00:09.650 --> 00:11.539 Mccollum , thanks for having this 00:11.539 --> 00:13.761 hearing . It . It's really an important 00:13.761 --> 00:15.872 issue in my district and I appreciate 00:15.872 --> 00:18.039 the time that our witnesses are taking 00:18.039 --> 00:21.660 to be your question . So my question is 00:21.660 --> 00:25.410 with Secretary Austin . So I represent 00:25.410 --> 00:27.670 a border district and keeping our 00:27.670 --> 00:29.630 border community safety is a top 00:29.630 --> 00:32.960 priority . It was recently reported 00:33.340 --> 00:35.118 that the Department of Homeland 00:35.118 --> 00:37.173 Security has requested Department of 00:37.173 --> 00:41.050 Defense Support Be extended into fiscal 00:41.050 --> 00:44.780 year 2022 . A recent G . A . O . 00:44.790 --> 00:47.710 Report published in february of this 00:47.710 --> 00:51.340 year stated the DHS anticipates 00:51.340 --> 00:53.820 meeting D . O . D . Support for the 00:53.820 --> 00:57.620 next 3 to 5 years . This same 00:57.620 --> 01:01.020 report also found that Dogg internal 01:01.020 --> 01:03.880 tracking of obligations excludes 01:03.880 --> 01:07.420 potentially significant cost of support , 01:07.430 --> 01:11.220 activities and considerations of 01:11.220 --> 01:14.500 previous requests for assistance did 01:14.500 --> 01:17.710 not fully evaluate the impact to 01:17.710 --> 01:21.010 military readiness . Are you 01:21.010 --> 01:25.000 seeing a negative impact ? Too long 01:25.000 --> 01:28.190 term military readiness of continued 01:28.190 --> 01:30.300 support along the Southwest border ? 01:30.310 --> 01:34.020 What budget shortfalls are you 01:34.020 --> 01:36.660 facing due to this continued support ? 01:37.440 --> 01:40.930 Are you asking for reimbursement from 01:40.930 --> 01:44.680 DHS when able ? And do you anticipate 01:44.690 --> 01:46.550 approving this next request for 01:46.550 --> 01:49.520 assistance ? Is the department working 01:49.520 --> 01:53.470 with DHS to define ways to return 01:53.470 --> 01:56.840 to a more traditional military 01:56.850 --> 01:59.170 posture along the 01:59.170 --> 02:02.140 work ? Yeah . 02:03.640 --> 02:05.690 Uh Thank you for the question . 02:05.700 --> 02:08.900 Congresswoman , first of all , the 02:08.910 --> 02:12.090 defense of our our borders is 02:12.090 --> 02:15.960 important . And uh and B . O B 02:16.340 --> 02:19.880 uh we'll do what's asked of us in 02:19.880 --> 02:22.620 support of a whole of government effort 02:22.620 --> 02:24.676 to address issues along the border , 02:24.676 --> 02:27.950 but also some of the root cause issues 02:28.340 --> 02:32.220 that that had happened , you know , in 02:32.230 --> 02:35.200 the countries that these migrants or 02:35.210 --> 02:38.180 refugees come from ? Uh that's the 02:38.190 --> 02:40.134 first piece . The second piece you 02:40.134 --> 02:43.070 asked if if DHS is requesting 02:43.080 --> 02:46.460 additional support ? The answer is yes . 02:46.460 --> 02:49.150 They have requested additional support . 02:49.540 --> 02:52.660 And uh so we're evaluating that request 02:52.670 --> 02:56.630 as we speak . Um I should 02:56.630 --> 02:59.470 do flying for you that the new 02:59.470 --> 03:03.210 secretary of DHS is and I had 03:03.210 --> 03:06.870 a really good conversation early on and 03:06.870 --> 03:10.070 I emphasize that he agreed that that 03:10.080 --> 03:13.760 DHS should really work to develop its 03:14.140 --> 03:17.610 it's inherent capability to address its 03:17.620 --> 03:19.950 mission requirements . And I think the 03:19.950 --> 03:22.370 Secretary of DHS is working beginning 03:22.370 --> 03:25.990 that work . And so I anticipate that 03:25.990 --> 03:28.330 there will be fewer if any requests 03:28.330 --> 03:30.740 going forward again . What we have 03:30.740 --> 03:32.880 provided as you know , is enabling 03:32.880 --> 03:36.850 capability uh to DHS and and not 03:37.240 --> 03:40.660 not uh we have not been focused on 03:41.040 --> 03:44.660 enforcement border activities 03:45.140 --> 03:48.660 or law enforcement activities um 03:49.540 --> 03:51.596 in terms of readiness . Uh there are 03:51.596 --> 03:54.880 many things that we have done in terms 03:54.880 --> 03:57.102 of providing enabling capabilities that 03:57.102 --> 03:59.550 actually helped increase rate as some 03:59.550 --> 04:02.160 of the flying hours that we 04:03.140 --> 04:07.080 um conducted along the along 04:07.080 --> 04:09.191 the border . there actually increased 04:09.191 --> 04:11.469 our proficiency in terms of our pilots . 04:11.469 --> 04:13.691 Right , And where we can do things like 04:13.691 --> 04:15.802 that and get get significant training 04:15.802 --> 04:17.802 value out of it , I think it's it's 04:17.802 --> 04:19.747 value out of and I'll stop there . 04:21.540 --> 04:23.510 Thank you so much for answer , I I 04:23.520 --> 04:25.687 really appreciate the work that you're 04:25.687 --> 04:28.950 doing at the border , good people down 04:28.950 --> 04:32.680 there . Um So uh thank you for that 04:32.680 --> 04:36.060 and I yield back thank you . Um 04:36.740 --> 04:38.960 Mr alcohol followed by Mr Crist . 04:45.340 --> 04:48.470 All right now I can hear you . Yes , 04:48.480 --> 04:50.720 thank you , madam Chairman and thanks 04:50.720 --> 04:52.720 for having this hearing and ranking 04:52.720 --> 04:55.990 member calvert and to our guest for the 04:55.990 --> 04:58.850 subcommittee today . Uh thank you both 04:58.850 --> 05:02.160 for being with us . Uh I apologize for 05:02.160 --> 05:05.270 getting on the this uh zoom call a 05:05.270 --> 05:07.159 little bit delayed , I'm actually 05:07.159 --> 05:09.980 traveling uh out of the country , May 05:09.980 --> 05:13.550 actually in Bosnia uh as uh as I speak 05:13.550 --> 05:16.270 to you now . So uh I'm glad I got to 05:16.280 --> 05:19.430 get on this for for a few minutes . Uh 05:19.430 --> 05:22.170 huh . And hear from you , uh Secretary 05:22.170 --> 05:25.500 Austin um congratulations on your on 05:25.500 --> 05:29.100 you appointment and confirmation . 05:29.190 --> 05:32.260 And glad to see uh your 05:32.840 --> 05:35.430 uh Alabama represented well in the 05:35.430 --> 05:38.030 Department of Defense , so glad to have 05:38.030 --> 05:41.610 you in that role . Um what I would like 05:41.610 --> 05:45.580 to uh as secretary Paulson is the about 05:45.580 --> 05:48.320 the nuclear triad . Of course , as you 05:48.320 --> 05:50.209 know , it is protected the United 05:50.209 --> 05:52.320 States from attack for more than five 05:52.320 --> 05:54.380 debates now . And the previous 05:54.380 --> 05:56.491 administration had made it a priority 05:57.040 --> 05:59.650 to modernize our nuclear arsenal in 05:59.650 --> 06:01.928 response to a growing threat worldwide . 06:02.440 --> 06:04.960 The ground based strategic deterrent 06:05.340 --> 06:07.570 program would upgrade our aging , 06:07.570 --> 06:10.050 intercompany . Andrew carnal bliss . 06:10.060 --> 06:12.282 The force to meet the changing dynamics 06:12.540 --> 06:15.060 we face from Iran of course north Korea 06:15.440 --> 06:19.000 and even china . And I believe you 06:19.000 --> 06:21.056 yourself have said has said that the 06:21.056 --> 06:23.200 power to deter arrest 06:24.400 --> 06:27.250 it's heating clear , clearly understood 06:27.250 --> 06:29.540 ability to respond to aggression and 06:29.550 --> 06:31.770 time and manner of our choosing . My 06:31.770 --> 06:33.940 question is , do you believe that the 06:33.940 --> 06:36.950 United States is capable at this moment 06:37.440 --> 06:39.900 to respond to a nuclear threat using 06:39.900 --> 06:42.122 the ground based systems of the nuclear 06:42.122 --> 06:44.320 triad ? And do you believe that the 06:44.320 --> 06:46.670 land based deterrent methods will 06:46.670 --> 06:49.870 continue to be a critical component in 06:49.870 --> 06:51.426 future to deter the growing 06:51.426 --> 06:54.110 capabilities of those who would try to 06:54.110 --> 06:57.380 attack us ? Let me let me answer your 06:57.380 --> 07:00.430 question by saying yes . I believe that 07:00.440 --> 07:03.740 we we maintain the capability 07:03.740 --> 07:07.170 to the tour and and to be 07:07.170 --> 07:10.260 effective if that deterrence fails . I 07:10.270 --> 07:12.460 would also say that the nuclear try it 07:13.340 --> 07:16.160 triad underpins strategic deterrence . 07:16.740 --> 07:20.130 Uh it has been the bedrock of her , of 07:20.130 --> 07:22.241 our national defense over the years . 07:22.440 --> 07:25.740 Uh and I'd say further than I fully 07:25.740 --> 07:27.930 support and I'm committed to 07:27.940 --> 07:31.460 modernizing the try it . Um as you 07:31.940 --> 07:35.200 I think are well aware , we're going to 07:35.200 --> 07:37.780 conduct a nuclear posture review to 07:37.780 --> 07:40.280 make sure that we have the right 07:40.280 --> 07:43.060 balance in in terms of our capabilities . 07:43.540 --> 07:47.050 Um And of course , you also know that 07:47.540 --> 07:49.610 um where we stand on the day to day 07:49.610 --> 07:52.400 deterrence is not something that me and 07:52.400 --> 07:54.511 the chairman and the president guests 07:54.511 --> 07:58.370 at uh Chaz Richards , our commander on 07:58.370 --> 08:01.720 in strategic command Is on this 24 08:01.720 --> 08:04.170 hours a day , seven days a week . Uh 08:04.180 --> 08:06.347 and it's absolutely on his game as you 08:06.347 --> 08:08.520 would expect them to be . Uh And so I 08:08.520 --> 08:10.631 feel very confident in where we are . 08:10.740 --> 08:13.750 But I think uh you know , we're going 08:13.750 --> 08:15.972 to continue to move forward and support 08:15.972 --> 08:18.210 the modernization and recapitalization 08:18.210 --> 08:22.180 of the triad . Very good . Well , thank 08:22.180 --> 08:24.650 you for that . And I do think it's very 08:24.650 --> 08:27.510 important and that tried stays is 08:27.510 --> 08:29.950 modernized and thanks for response on 08:29.950 --> 08:32.740 that . Let me let me turn to uh return 08:32.740 --> 08:34.907 to the state of our military personnel 08:34.907 --> 08:37.570 and um I have some concerns with a 08:37.570 --> 08:40.080 recent article was published in 08:40.080 --> 08:42.136 brookings , that was titled the case 08:42.136 --> 08:44.302 for rethinking the politicalization of 08:44.302 --> 08:46.302 our military , in which the article 08:46.302 --> 08:48.080 tried to make the case that the 08:48.080 --> 08:51.520 military is not a political . Um Do you 08:51.530 --> 08:53.980 believe the military is a political and 08:53.980 --> 08:56.313 if so should should it remain a politic ? 08:57.540 --> 08:59.850 I absolutely believe that the military 08:59.850 --> 09:02.250 is a political , it is a reputation 09:02.250 --> 09:04.361 that we have enjoyed over the years . 09:04.361 --> 09:06.530 It is a reputation and I will fight to 09:06.540 --> 09:09.500 maintain . Uh and when I talked to 09:09.500 --> 09:12.210 leaders in in in the department , I 09:12.210 --> 09:16.090 emphasize uh frequently how important 09:16.090 --> 09:20.090 this is . Uh uh you know , I will 09:20.090 --> 09:23.090 continue to do so . I think this is uh 09:23.100 --> 09:25.610 you know , we are we swear an oath to 09:25.610 --> 09:27.832 the Constitution of the United States . 09:27.832 --> 09:31.350 I take that seriously and I I encourage 09:31.360 --> 09:33.650 every member of this organization , 09:33.660 --> 09:37.060 military civilian , uh , to do the same . 09:37.540 --> 09:40.150 Uh you have a you have a certain 09:40.150 --> 09:42.261 expectation for the , from the people 09:42.261 --> 09:44.483 that are in this department and we will 09:44.483 --> 09:46.706 live up to the expectations . I believe 09:46.706 --> 09:48.950 the chairman probably as a as a desire 09:48.950 --> 09:51.061 to make a statement on this as well . 09:51.540 --> 09:53.429 Well , I would just echo what the 09:53.429 --> 09:55.596 secretary said . I mean , it all comes 09:55.596 --> 09:57.818 down to the oath and we didn't swear an 09:57.818 --> 10:00.151 oath to a person of tribal king , queen , 10:00.151 --> 09:59.880 tyrant , dictator or anything . We 09:59.880 --> 10:02.047 swore an oath to the constitution . Uh 10:02.047 --> 10:05.020 and by definition , we must be a 10:05.020 --> 10:07.187 political meaning . We're not going to 10:07.187 --> 10:09.298 be playing the partisan politics . We 10:09.298 --> 10:11.576 must remain in a political institution . 10:11.576 --> 10:13.631 It's important for the health of the 10:13.631 --> 10:13.280 republic , that the guys with the guns 10:13.280 --> 10:15.860 remain a political , so to speak . So 10:15.940 --> 10:18.910 we fought this hard uh and we'll 10:18.910 --> 10:20.966 continue to maintain our a political 10:20.966 --> 10:22.854 stance now and forever the United 10:22.854 --> 10:25.080 States military is and will always be 10:25.090 --> 10:27.423 in a political institution of the U . S . 10:27.423 --> 10:29.700 Government . Well , thank you for that 10:29.700 --> 10:32.100 answer and I think you're exactly right 10:32.100 --> 10:35.140 that oh and any any form we make sure 10:35.140 --> 10:38.650 that we are not going down a political . 10:39.140 --> 10:41.460 So with that I see my time has ended . 10:41.460 --> 10:43.850 So thank you Madam Chair and I go back , 10:44.240 --> 10:46.462 thank you . Safe travels back home , Mr 10:46.462 --> 10:49.690 Overholt , Mr Crist , Thank you Madam 10:49.690 --> 10:52.720 Chair and thank you ranking member for 10:52.720 --> 10:54.942 holding this hearing appreciate it very 10:54.942 --> 10:56.831 much and to the secretary and the 10:56.831 --> 10:58.998 general , appreciate you being with us 10:58.998 --> 11:02.160 as witnesses today . Secretary Austin 11:02.640 --> 11:04.362 in this same hearing with your 11:04.362 --> 11:06.500 predecessor about two years ago , I 11:06.500 --> 11:09.060 asked about the situation in Venezuela . 11:09.640 --> 11:11.760 Since then the humanitarian crisis in 11:11.760 --> 11:15.060 Venezuela has further deteriorated and 11:15.060 --> 11:17.350 we have increasing instability in other 11:17.350 --> 11:19.990 countries in south com . The situation 11:19.990 --> 11:22.046 has been made significantly worse by 11:22.046 --> 11:23.934 the coronavirus epidemic with the 11:23.934 --> 11:25.768 countries in South um having the 11:25.768 --> 11:27.823 highest per capita death rate in the 11:27.823 --> 11:29.879 world . Can you speak to the biggest 11:29.879 --> 11:32.212 problem areas in this part of the world ? 11:32.212 --> 11:34.900 What investments are we're making to 11:34.900 --> 11:37.011 increase stability and counter Russia 11:37.011 --> 11:39.270 and china in the region ? And how does 11:39.270 --> 11:41.326 stability in the caribbean and latin 11:41.326 --> 11:43.437 America fit into the national defense 11:43.437 --> 11:46.740 strategy ? Yes . Uh huh . 11:47.540 --> 11:49.540 Obviously , I mean , thanks for the 11:49.540 --> 11:51.651 question . Obviously stability in the 11:51.651 --> 11:53.980 in the region in in our neighborhood is 11:53.980 --> 11:55.980 very , very important to us . And I 11:55.980 --> 11:57.910 would say that while there are 11:57.920 --> 12:00.550 challenges , uh we work hard to make 12:00.550 --> 12:02.439 sure that we're pulling the right 12:02.439 --> 12:04.383 levers to ensure that , you know , 12:04.383 --> 12:06.870 we're as best we can , moving things 12:06.870 --> 12:09.460 back to the direction of 12:09.840 --> 12:13.370 increased security and stability . 12:13.380 --> 12:16.750 Uh and so that's what Admiral Fowler in 12:16.750 --> 12:19.260 the Southern Command is focused on each 12:19.260 --> 12:22.320 and every day . We work as a part of a 12:22.320 --> 12:25.750 whole of government effort to to to uh 12:25.760 --> 12:27.760 to use every instrument of national 12:27.760 --> 12:30.790 power to do what I just described . Uh 12:30.800 --> 12:33.022 and in some cases , you know , economic 12:33.022 --> 12:36.150 power can is far more relevant than uh 12:36.160 --> 12:38.570 than military power . Of course , in 12:38.570 --> 12:40.990 this , in this region , that is , you 12:40.990 --> 12:44.730 know , in most cases the case , uh 12:44.740 --> 12:48.070 you've seen our Vice President , Vice 12:48.070 --> 12:51.960 President Harris uh begin to focus on 12:51.970 --> 12:54.080 helping the countries in the region 12:54.090 --> 12:57.260 address the root causes of the 12:57.260 --> 12:59.750 migration that we've seen here recently . 12:59.760 --> 13:03.360 Uh and uh and so we look the department 13:03.360 --> 13:07.120 looks forward to working as a key part 13:07.120 --> 13:09.600 of that the whole of government effort . 13:09.600 --> 13:11.711 And I say key because we have we have 13:11.711 --> 13:13.822 some knowledge of the a lot of detail 13:13.822 --> 13:16.044 knowledge of the of the area and we can 13:16.044 --> 13:19.920 inform her efforts . But again , uh 13:19.930 --> 13:23.090 many of the levers that that that will 13:23.100 --> 13:25.760 that will pull to to do what I what I 13:25.770 --> 13:27.826 described , you know , moving things 13:27.826 --> 13:30.103 towards greater stability and security . 13:30.103 --> 13:32.381 Uh we'll be things other than military . 13:32.540 --> 13:35.820 Uh We remain engaged . We uh we 13:35.820 --> 13:38.610 conducted some nine joint operations 13:38.620 --> 13:42.300 joy to training events here 13:42.310 --> 13:46.260 in the recent past and or 13:46.940 --> 13:49.190 you know , in the near future . Uh and 13:49.190 --> 13:52.220 so this is creating a greater partner 13:52.220 --> 13:55.600 capacity uh and uh and again an 13:55.600 --> 13:57.670 important region . We're engaged , 13:57.670 --> 14:01.520 we're strengthening our partnerships 14:01.520 --> 14:04.250 and alliances and we're helping to uh 14:04.260 --> 14:07.080 to address key issues in places where 14:07.080 --> 14:10.070 there are problems . Thank Thank you , 14:10.070 --> 14:12.300 Mr Secretary . I appreciate that . Um 14:12.310 --> 14:15.600 My home state before war is home to 14:15.600 --> 14:18.110 dozens of Coast Guard pans and my 14:18.110 --> 14:20.221 district has among the highest number 14:20.221 --> 14:22.332 of active and reserve Coast is in the 14:22.332 --> 14:24.443 country . Well , we all know that the 14:24.443 --> 14:26.721 Coast Guard is under Homeland Security . 14:26.721 --> 14:28.832 Many of their missions are in support 14:28.832 --> 14:31.110 of and collaboration with the pentagon . 14:31.110 --> 14:33.221 Could you tell us how the Coast Guard 14:33.221 --> 14:35.277 fits into our military community and 14:35.277 --> 14:37.332 from a joint chief perspective , how 14:37.332 --> 14:39.554 closely does the Coast Guard leadership 14:39.554 --> 14:41.666 work with you in support of your role 14:41.666 --> 14:41.410 advising the president and informing 14:41.410 --> 14:43.466 the security decisions for America ? 14:45.540 --> 14:48.280 Uh get all turned over the chairman , 14:48.280 --> 14:50.410 second uh Congressman . But I would 14:50.410 --> 14:53.300 just say that the Coast Guard is a part 14:53.300 --> 14:55.411 of just about everything we do in the 14:55.411 --> 14:57.710 Department of Defense . Uh It's been a 14:57.710 --> 14:59.766 long time since I had a uniform on . 14:59.766 --> 15:01.877 But I would tell you that when I wore 15:01.877 --> 15:03.821 uniform , I want a lot of places , 15:03.821 --> 15:05.988 there was no place that I went , where 15:05.988 --> 15:07.599 I didn't find Coast Guard uh 15:07.599 --> 15:10.210 participation uh and uh and adding 15:10.210 --> 15:13.600 value to our overall efforts . That's 15:13.600 --> 15:15.544 been especially true in the in the 15:15.544 --> 15:17.850 Middle East . Uh and we see it to be 15:17.850 --> 15:20.290 the case also in in the end of pacific 15:20.300 --> 15:22.530 which is as you know , you know , our 15:22.530 --> 15:24.650 main main effort right now . 15:26.040 --> 15:28.870 So uh Congressman with respect to 15:28.880 --> 15:31.000 working on the Joint Chiefs , Admiral 15:31.000 --> 15:33.340 Schultz and uh first of all , great 15:33.340 --> 15:35.396 individual , great Admiral and great 15:35.396 --> 15:37.284 leader of the Coast Guard , fully 15:37.284 --> 15:39.618 integrated into the joints Chiefs . Not , 15:39.618 --> 15:41.784 not nestle by law , but it ends all of 15:41.784 --> 15:43.896 our meetings as valuable input uh and 15:43.896 --> 15:47.200 provides tremendous advice annoyed to 15:47.210 --> 15:49.377 to me and the other Joint Chiefs , but 15:49.377 --> 15:51.710 also to the Secretary and the President . 15:51.710 --> 15:53.766 So he's fully integrated . Uh and we 15:53.766 --> 15:55.654 have Coast Guard capabilities and 15:55.654 --> 15:57.877 assets and Central Command South com uh 15:57.877 --> 15:59.988 We haven't ate into become etcetera . 15:59.988 --> 16:01.710 They provide a wide variety of 16:01.710 --> 16:03.877 tremendously important capability , so 16:03.877 --> 16:06.099 fully integrated into the Joint Force . 16:06.099 --> 16:08.154 And thanks for the question . Well , 16:08.154 --> 16:10.043 thank you gentlemen very much . I 16:10.043 --> 16:12.210 appreciate that . I noticed my time is 16:12.210 --> 16:11.820 up , but I think the Coast Guard 16:11.820 --> 16:14.360 questions important to our chair . She 16:14.360 --> 16:16.780 has a lot of coastline on Lake Superior . 16:16.780 --> 16:19.890 So thank you , madam Chair , always 16:19.890 --> 16:21.779 looking for a safe harbor on Lake 16:21.779 --> 16:24.650 Superior . Um Gentlemen , we have 16:24.660 --> 16:26.771 enough time for the committee members 16:26.771 --> 16:28.938 that are remaining to ask a two minute 16:28.938 --> 16:31.510 question and mr calvert , I have a 16:31.510 --> 16:33.732 question for you . Would you like to go 16:33.732 --> 16:35.899 early in the order ? Would you like to 16:35.899 --> 16:39.830 pause with me ? How 16:39.830 --> 16:42.360 close with you ? Thank you . Thank you . 16:42.740 --> 16:46.710 Mr square two minutes . Yes 16:46.710 --> 16:48.932 ma'am . Thank you so much . Gentlemen , 16:48.932 --> 16:51.680 I want to ask you questions about uh 16:51.690 --> 16:53.820 earth minerals , says you know , the 16:53.820 --> 16:55.709 United States needs to do more to 16:55.709 --> 16:58.880 secure the supply critical middle . Um 16:58.890 --> 17:01.810 one of the things that we are looking 17:01.810 --> 17:04.570 at that , even as domestic rare earth 17:04.570 --> 17:07.860 metal has planned by 40% in 2020 , 17:08.240 --> 17:10.720 um the you know , the department is 17:10.720 --> 17:13.090 still working with some foreign 17:13.090 --> 17:15.520 investments . I know that My Texans 17:15.520 --> 17:19.130 know also that we are 17:19.140 --> 17:21.420 doing some work here in Texas and Mr 17:21.420 --> 17:23.550 Secretary , the court of the 17:23.560 --> 17:25.750 president's recent executive order on 17:25.750 --> 17:28.190 America supply chain . You all are 17:28.190 --> 17:30.960 doing a 100 day review of critical 17:30.970 --> 17:33.490 materials . So I just want to see what 17:33.500 --> 17:36.580 are y'all doing to address this issue . 17:36.580 --> 17:39.110 So we stopped depending or stop the 17:39.110 --> 17:41.930 domination of China . Uh and I know 17:41.930 --> 17:44.760 that here in texas mr carter , uh Miss 17:44.760 --> 17:47.290 Granger know this , that there are uh 17:47.300 --> 17:49.820 some mineral interests uh husband 17:49.820 --> 17:51.764 county in texas , that will be the 17:51.764 --> 17:54.170 largest heavy rare earth project 17:54.180 --> 17:57.540 outside of china once it's done in 20 17:57.550 --> 17:59.050 think in 2023 18:01.040 --> 18:03.460 I would just say congressman , and this 18:03.460 --> 18:05.880 is a very , very important issue to us , 18:05.890 --> 18:09.180 uh and it is all about supply chains 18:09.580 --> 18:12.460 and we are constantly assessing 18:13.040 --> 18:15.490 our supply chain and supply chain 18:15.490 --> 18:18.180 vulnerability and we know that this is 18:18.180 --> 18:20.291 something that we're going to have to 18:20.291 --> 18:24.160 remain focus on . Uh And this will 18:24.160 --> 18:27.560 cause us is causing us rightfully 18:28.040 --> 18:31.370 to really push to invest in uh in our 18:31.370 --> 18:33.610 defense industrial base here at home 18:33.620 --> 18:36.520 and create capabilities that again that 18:36.520 --> 18:38.660 we've some of the things that were 18:38.660 --> 18:41.230 being produced or created offshore . We 18:41.230 --> 18:43.920 want to reassure that those efforts uh 18:43.920 --> 18:46.087 and we want to do everything we can to 18:46.087 --> 18:48.670 thwart uh foreign influence on our 18:48.670 --> 18:51.920 supply change of the deputy secretary , 18:52.440 --> 18:55.180 you know , is absolutely focused on 18:55.180 --> 18:58.480 this . Uh She will work together with 18:58.480 --> 19:02.470 our our incoming uh head of 19:02.470 --> 19:05.320 A . And S . And R . And D to make sure 19:05.320 --> 19:07.610 that that we acquire the right kinds of 19:07.610 --> 19:09.554 capabilities that we invest in the 19:09.554 --> 19:12.060 right things and uh in the country here . 19:12.070 --> 19:13.903 And I would just say that that's 19:13.903 --> 19:15.959 awfully important to us . And uh you 19:15.959 --> 19:18.850 know , we were getting started , we got 19:18.850 --> 19:20.961 a long way to go , but we're going to 19:20.961 --> 19:23.240 move as fast as we can because of the 19:23.240 --> 19:27.140 vulnerability that creates . Thank you . 19:27.150 --> 19:28.460 Mr carter . 19:31.440 --> 19:35.370 Mhm . Thank you . Thank 19:35.370 --> 19:38.790 you , madam . Children . General 19:38.790 --> 19:40.840 Milley . You concerned about the 19:40.840 --> 19:43.480 difficulties . Department has added 19:43.480 --> 19:46.980 recruiting , pretending combat casualty 19:46.990 --> 19:49.310 care specialists . What are the 19:49.310 --> 19:51.477 assumptions that joint staff is making 19:51.477 --> 19:54.370 about the ability to the good military 19:54.370 --> 19:56.890 doctors specialties . They have 19:56.890 --> 19:59.360 historically been difficult to fill 19:59.740 --> 20:01.907 mental health and psychological health 20:01.907 --> 20:05.400 care will continue to be a MEREDITH , 20:05.410 --> 20:08.590 especially if my service members are 20:08.590 --> 20:11.180 faced with mass casualties on the 20:11.180 --> 20:13.780 battlefield . Yes , the department 20:13.810 --> 20:16.890 suffers same shortages . The whole 20:16.890 --> 20:20.220 country suffers in Syria . General 20:20.220 --> 20:22.710 Milley , how is the George staff 20:22.720 --> 20:25.560 working with the services to encourage 20:25.560 --> 20:29.480 immigration , behavioral and non 20:29.490 --> 20:32.760 behavioral health care in our 20:33.540 --> 20:37.260 treatment , uh , facilities and in 20:37.260 --> 20:40.490 theater and take it off to what 20:40.490 --> 20:43.630 resources are being invested . And it's 20:43.630 --> 20:44.380 very good . 20:47.940 --> 20:50.320 Well , let me , uh , start off judge , 20:50.330 --> 20:53.850 um , carter or congressman carter . Um , 20:54.240 --> 20:57.460 and and I think I got most of that to 20:57.460 --> 21:00.170 be candid with you . And I appreciate 21:00.170 --> 21:02.114 you asking the question and I know 21:02.114 --> 21:04.337 you're hurting . They're a little bit . 21:04.337 --> 21:06.700 But first of all , the judge staff 21:06.700 --> 21:08.922 works hand in glove with the services . 21:08.922 --> 21:11.089 I've got a great joint staff surgeon , 21:11.089 --> 21:13.311 dr fredericks , General Friedrichs , uh 21:13.311 --> 21:15.367 and he works hand in glove with them 21:15.367 --> 21:19.060 and the departments , health Agency , 21:19.070 --> 21:21.380 Defense Health Agency . So uh 21:21.390 --> 21:23.820 collectively what we're doing is 21:23.830 --> 21:25.941 ensuring that we have adequate health 21:25.941 --> 21:28.620 care for uh not only the soldiers , but 21:28.620 --> 21:30.676 the the or not only the troops , but 21:30.676 --> 21:32.620 also family members , dependants , 21:32.620 --> 21:34.953 veterans , civilian workforce and so on . 21:34.953 --> 21:37.130 It's a very big enterprise . Uh the 21:37.140 --> 21:39.240 military healthcare enterprise is 21:39.240 --> 21:41.860 probably , and I'm I'm not 100% sure , 21:41.860 --> 21:43.860 but I think it's the biggest single 21:43.860 --> 21:46.027 healthcare enterprise uh in the United 21:46.027 --> 21:49.180 States is huge uh and with respect to 21:49.180 --> 21:51.347 recruiting , to make sure that we have 21:51.347 --> 21:52.902 the appropriate health care 21:52.902 --> 21:54.958 professionals and doctors , nurses , 21:54.958 --> 21:57.013 the medics and Allah specialists and 21:57.013 --> 21:59.124 technicians . So that's a very active 21:59.124 --> 22:01.458 area of of uh of recruitment that we do . 22:01.458 --> 22:03.569 We have special benefits and programs 22:03.569 --> 22:05.740 uh to bring them in . We train them , 22:05.740 --> 22:07.962 we give them scholarships , uh and then 22:07.962 --> 22:10.440 we developed them accordingly within 22:10.440 --> 22:12.820 the military . So it's a critical area . 22:12.830 --> 22:15.420 We recognize it as a critical area and 22:15.420 --> 22:17.420 we're not just doing it for general 22:17.420 --> 22:19.364 purposes . It's all got to do with 22:19.364 --> 22:21.364 combat power and readiness . And we 22:21.364 --> 22:23.587 recognize the importance of that uh for 22:23.587 --> 22:25.531 operational contingency operations 22:25.531 --> 22:27.587 throughout the world . And I'll just 22:27.587 --> 22:29.820 add on by saying congressman that uh 22:29.830 --> 22:31.890 you know , the health and welfare of 22:31.890 --> 22:35.360 our force , family members , uh 22:36.140 --> 22:39.980 and it is extremely important to me 22:39.990 --> 22:43.960 and uh and we remain focused on on this 22:43.960 --> 22:45.960 issue to something that we reviewed 22:46.140 --> 22:48.307 constantly . We want to make sure that 22:48.307 --> 22:50.473 we're investing in the right things to 22:50.473 --> 22:52.860 include , uh making sure that , you 22:52.860 --> 22:55.000 know , we have the right amount of uh 22:55.010 --> 22:57.232 mental health care professionals in the 22:57.232 --> 22:58.899 inventory and access to those 22:58.899 --> 23:00.954 professionals which will help with a 23:00.954 --> 23:03.177 number of issues foremost . Among those 23:03.177 --> 23:06.310 issues is uh suicide prevention . But 23:06.320 --> 23:09.900 again , the ability to deliver uh 23:09.910 --> 23:12.990 effective and efficient health care to 23:12.990 --> 23:15.420 our troops and their families is 23:15.420 --> 23:18.260 absolutely important to us and uh is of 23:18.270 --> 23:20.381 course multipliers , the chairman has 23:20.381 --> 23:22.603 said and so will remain cited on this . 23:26.040 --> 23:26.980 Thank you . 23:26.990 --> 23:30.870 Thank you . We 23:30.870 --> 23:32.703 just had a hearing on healthcare 23:32.703 --> 23:34.426 defense this week . So it's on 23:34.426 --> 23:36.860 everybody's mind . Mr irregular . 23:38.340 --> 23:40.830 Thank you , Madam . Chair . Uh One of 23:40.830 --> 23:43.460 the questions Mr Secretary surrounding 23:43.460 --> 23:46.090 the fy 22 budget request is the extent 23:46.090 --> 23:48.312 to which and this is building off of MR 23:48.312 --> 23:50.423 adder holds question . You know , the 23:50.423 --> 23:52.423 extent to which the D . O . D . May 23:52.423 --> 23:54.534 change nuclear modernization programs 23:54.534 --> 23:56.479 such as the ground based strategic 23:56.479 --> 23:58.534 deterrent or the long range standoff 23:58.534 --> 24:02.180 weapon . Um The G . BSD program in 24:02.180 --> 24:04.236 particular has become the subject of 24:04.236 --> 24:05.902 speculation as to whether the 24:05.902 --> 24:07.847 administration will continue it as 24:07.847 --> 24:11.120 planned or make changes . Mr Secretary , 24:11.130 --> 24:14.530 what's the plan for fiscal year 22 ? Um 24:14.540 --> 24:16.262 what do we propose for nuclear 24:16.262 --> 24:19.220 modernization specifically uh G . B . S . 24:19.220 --> 24:21.550 D . And the long range standoff weapons 24:23.740 --> 24:26.250 all as you know , as we mentioned 24:26.250 --> 24:28.306 earlier . Thanks congressman for the 24:28.306 --> 24:30.361 question . Uh you know , we're going 24:30.361 --> 24:32.417 through a nuclear posture review and 24:32.417 --> 24:34.960 and we will continue to assess the , 24:35.640 --> 24:37.696 you know , where we are with GPS D . 24:37.696 --> 24:40.770 And again we'll make what we believe is 24:40.770 --> 24:42.870 the most is the right decision going 24:42.870 --> 24:45.380 forward . That's uh that continues to 24:45.380 --> 24:47.600 be a work in progress as I speak . You 24:47.600 --> 24:49.322 should know though , that I am 24:49.322 --> 24:51.378 committed to modernizing the triad . 24:51.640 --> 24:54.180 What what can we expect to see within 24:54.190 --> 24:56.660 the FY 22 budget with respect to these 24:56.660 --> 24:58.270 while the review continues 25:00.240 --> 25:04.130 without , without getting 25:04.130 --> 25:06.352 ahead of the release of the President's 25:06.352 --> 25:08.352 budget , I'll just say that you can 25:08.352 --> 25:11.390 expect to see continued investment in 25:11.390 --> 25:13.960 the modernization of the triad . Okay . 25:14.540 --> 25:17.190 Mhm , appreciate it . Thanks , thanks 25:17.190 --> 25:19.301 for the question . Thanks for the the 25:19.301 --> 25:21.301 answers , gentlemen . Um yield back 25:21.301 --> 25:20.760 Madam Chair . 25:30.440 --> 25:33.550 Yeah , well , Mhm . 25:34.740 --> 25:35.850 Mr Diaz Balart 25:38.740 --> 25:40.684 Madam Chairman , I'm actually very 25:40.684 --> 25:43.018 impressed that my technology is working . 25:43.018 --> 25:46.990 Uh uh Gentlemen , we spoke at a little 25:46.990 --> 25:49.520 bit before about about uh you know , 25:49.520 --> 25:51.576 the efforts that department has been 25:51.576 --> 25:53.742 making anything rightfully so to dress 25:53.742 --> 25:55.687 extremism and general , you talked 25:55.687 --> 25:57.909 about , you know , if it's only a small 25:57.909 --> 25:57.620 percentage of thousands , right ? And 25:57.620 --> 25:59.731 and so that's that's something that's 25:59.731 --> 26:02.370 crucial in another hearing , the 26:02.380 --> 26:04.491 ranking memory ask for the definition 26:04.491 --> 26:07.130 of extremism . Um because I think one 26:07.130 --> 26:08.852 could argue that for example , 26:08.852 --> 26:11.360 supporting a group created by a vocal 26:11.360 --> 26:14.520 anti Semite is extremism or created by 26:14.520 --> 26:16.742 white supremacists extremism or created 26:16.742 --> 26:19.830 by a trained Marxist is extremism or a 26:19.830 --> 26:22.530 fascist or or , you know , a Nazi or 26:22.530 --> 26:24.740 communist . And so I don't expect the 26:24.740 --> 26:26.962 answer , uh , Today , Gentlemen and mrs 26:26.962 --> 26:28.962 Secretary , but I think it would be 26:28.962 --> 26:31.270 good to kind of get us uh , what you 26:31.270 --> 26:33.437 are all looking at when you're dealing 26:33.437 --> 26:35.548 with extremism and extremist groups . 26:35.548 --> 26:37.750 What is the definition of that ? Uh , 26:37.760 --> 26:39.850 that's really again , for for if you 26:39.850 --> 26:41.961 can get that to us , but specifically 26:41.961 --> 26:44.017 also , and then how do you deal with 26:44.017 --> 26:46.072 someone , an individual who may hold 26:46.072 --> 26:47.739 those beliefs , but maybe not 26:47.739 --> 26:49.683 potentially are not advocating for 26:49.683 --> 26:51.739 violence ? We have this conversation 26:51.739 --> 26:53.961 and another hearing , and I don't think 26:53.961 --> 26:56.370 we've got to an adequate answer . So , 26:56.370 --> 26:58.481 again , I don't expect an answer from 26:58.481 --> 27:00.592 from you all today , but if you could 27:00.592 --> 27:02.759 kind of get back to that , get back to 27:02.759 --> 27:04.926 us . I think that would be helpful . I 27:04.926 --> 27:06.981 do wanna however , emphasize another 27:06.981 --> 27:09.314 issue that was brought up , for example , 27:09.314 --> 27:11.314 the literal ships that , you know , 27:11.314 --> 27:13.370 Congress has expressed that , that , 27:13.370 --> 27:15.592 you know , that we spend all this money 27:15.592 --> 27:17.314 on them and that we should not 27:17.314 --> 27:19.314 potentially be decommissioned yet . 27:19.314 --> 27:21.648 Gentlemen , you all know better than me . 27:21.648 --> 27:23.870 The the impact of narcotics coming into 27:23.870 --> 27:25.870 United States from our , from the , 27:25.870 --> 27:28.092 from the Western Hemisphere , thousands 27:28.092 --> 27:30.259 and tens of thousands of americans who 27:30.259 --> 27:32.370 died because of those narcotics , not 27:32.370 --> 27:34.610 to mention human trafficking . I 27:34.620 --> 27:36.990 unfortunately fear that those numbers 27:37.000 --> 27:38.780 of narcotics because of what's 27:38.780 --> 27:40.724 happening in this hemisphere might 27:40.724 --> 27:43.330 increase , not decrease . Um , so I 27:43.330 --> 27:46.210 would just , uh , I hope that you all 27:46.210 --> 27:48.321 continue to look at this hemisphere . 27:48.321 --> 27:50.266 You both of you mentioned Southern 27:50.266 --> 27:52.432 Command . I think they do a phenomenal 27:52.432 --> 27:54.543 job , but they could use a little bit 27:54.543 --> 27:56.321 more resources and that frankly 27:56.321 --> 27:58.266 directly saves american lives . So 27:58.266 --> 28:00.490 again , you know , less of a question 28:00.490 --> 28:03.090 to be answered now . Um , gentlemen , 28:03.090 --> 28:05.090 but if maybe you have some thoughts 28:05.090 --> 28:07.312 about particularly about the issue of , 28:07.340 --> 28:09.284 of narcotics and human trafficking 28:09.284 --> 28:11.618 coming from this hemisphere and what uh , 28:11.618 --> 28:14.270 what assets should and could be 28:14.270 --> 28:16.660 available to Southern Command to deal 28:16.660 --> 28:17.882 with that challenge . 28:22.140 --> 28:25.100 Well , let me , uh , Carson two things . 28:25.100 --> 28:26.989 One is on exchanges . Um , you're 28:26.989 --> 28:29.044 exactly right definition is going to 28:29.044 --> 28:30.822 matter . Uh , the secretary has 28:30.822 --> 28:32.878 established a working group . That's 28:32.878 --> 28:35.100 one of the things that they're tackling 28:35.100 --> 28:37.100 is precisely how do you define it ? 28:37.100 --> 28:39.530 Because our uniform code of military 28:39.530 --> 28:42.600 justice , our methods and systems of 28:42.600 --> 28:44.711 maintaining good order and discipline 28:44.711 --> 28:46.656 within the forest are dependent on 28:46.656 --> 28:48.878 clear unambiguous definitions , because 28:48.878 --> 28:51.740 we are enforcing policy enforcing laws , 28:51.740 --> 28:54.010 enforcing regulations , etcetera . And 28:54.010 --> 28:56.232 for sergeants and captains and colonels 28:56.232 --> 28:58.399 accepted to do that , we at the senior 28:58.399 --> 29:00.399 leader level need to clearly define 29:00.399 --> 29:02.399 what it is . We expect . The second 29:02.399 --> 29:04.621 thing I would say on that is uh we have 29:04.621 --> 29:06.732 to be careful distinguishing behavior 29:06.732 --> 29:08.510 and belief . Um and it's really 29:08.510 --> 29:10.788 behavior that we're talking about here . 29:10.788 --> 29:13.190 Action activity . Uh and and that's 29:13.200 --> 29:15.367 we're going to be critical . The third 29:15.367 --> 29:17.589 thing I would mention on the same topic 29:17.589 --> 29:19.960 always keep in mind that we are unique 29:19.970 --> 29:23.130 within our society . I do not have the 29:23.130 --> 29:25.130 same rights and privileges of every 29:25.130 --> 29:27.241 other citizen . I give those up , the 29:27.241 --> 29:29.590 1% give itself up for the 99% to enjoy 29:29.590 --> 29:32.910 all your liberties because our the 29:32.920 --> 29:35.390 business we're in is dependent strictly 29:35.400 --> 29:37.960 upon teamwork , the collective activity . 29:38.140 --> 29:40.660 It's strictly dependent upon cohesion 29:40.660 --> 29:42.970 of a unit and that's important as 29:42.970 --> 29:44.970 opposed to civil society , which is 29:44.970 --> 29:46.914 dependent on individual rights and 29:46.914 --> 29:49.040 civil rights . So that's different uh 29:49.050 --> 29:51.106 to a point , and I always have to be 29:51.106 --> 29:52.939 kept in mind , but we're working 29:52.939 --> 29:55.050 through this with a working group and 29:55.050 --> 29:57.161 we're doing that at the charge of the 29:57.161 --> 29:56.860 Secretary Defense . We're taking it 29:56.860 --> 29:59.082 very , very seriously on the part about 29:59.082 --> 30:01.193 South Korea . They do great work . Uh 30:01.193 --> 30:03.416 and you're right , they're always short 30:03.416 --> 30:05.582 on resources . Uh and we think we have 30:05.582 --> 30:07.804 distributed the resources appropriately 30:07.804 --> 30:10.027 around the world . We're always dealing 30:10.027 --> 30:12.082 in limited resources . The secretary 30:12.082 --> 30:14.304 every week has got to make decisions on 30:14.304 --> 30:16.471 on on how to manage shortages . That's 30:16.471 --> 30:18.193 just the way of life . And the 30:18.193 --> 30:18.180 Department of Defense . We always do 30:18.180 --> 30:20.236 that every single day . Uh and South 30:20.236 --> 30:22.291 com we think has got the appropriate 30:22.291 --> 30:24.402 amount right now for the threats that 30:24.402 --> 30:26.513 are presented because they use more . 30:26.513 --> 30:28.513 Yes , they could . But I think Greg 30:28.513 --> 30:30.680 Fowler and the team down there , South 30:30.680 --> 30:29.910 Common doing a great job dealing with 30:29.920 --> 30:33.680 what they got . Thank you for your 30:33.680 --> 30:34.680 back . 30:38.740 --> 30:40.830 Okay , So that leaves you and me too 30:40.830 --> 30:42.960 close . Mr calvert . 30:45.140 --> 30:48.000 Thank you , Madam Sharon . This has 30:48.000 --> 30:50.056 been a very good hearing . Thank you 30:50.056 --> 30:52.120 for putting this together . Have a 30:52.120 --> 30:54.342 number of questions I'm going to submit 30:54.342 --> 30:56.342 for the record . Both the Secretary 30:56.342 --> 30:58.287 Austin and General Milley , one of 30:58.287 --> 31:00.120 those is going to be about small 31:00.120 --> 31:02.231 business innovation . You've heard me 31:02.231 --> 31:04.453 talk about that and I've talked to both 31:04.453 --> 31:06.453 General Milley and Secretary Austin 31:06.453 --> 31:08.620 about that , the about becoming a 31:08.620 --> 31:10.842 trusted partner and getting through the 31:10.842 --> 31:12.580 valley of death for the small 31:12.580 --> 31:15.660 innovators where they can become 31:16.340 --> 31:19.410 a good partner for the US military I . 31:19.410 --> 31:21.780 S . R . How are we going to transition 31:21.780 --> 31:23.669 to what we have to what we need ? 31:24.140 --> 31:26.251 That's a big question is , you know , 31:26.251 --> 31:28.251 the combatant commanders are always 31:28.251 --> 31:30.810 asking for more I . S . Are the Afghan 31:30.810 --> 31:33.032 withdrawal , How that's going to happen 31:33.032 --> 31:35.254 to go and how we're gonna deal with our 31:35.254 --> 31:37.800 friends as we move out of there . A 31:37.800 --> 31:41.200 fighter fleet , the F 15 E , 31:41.200 --> 31:44.600 the F 18 fighters . F 35 is the future 31:44.600 --> 31:48.360 of the F 22 . These are very costly and 31:48.370 --> 31:51.680 obviously we need to look at that . And 31:51.680 --> 31:54.690 finally china again 31:54.700 --> 31:57.450 is I look at the number of 31:57.940 --> 32:01.790 ships in the chinese navy . It 32:01.790 --> 32:04.012 now exceeds that of the United States . 32:04.440 --> 32:06.607 Uh and I know our capability is better 32:06.607 --> 32:08.718 but they have the capability of their 32:08.718 --> 32:10.884 ships obviously because they stole our 32:10.884 --> 32:13.360 R and D . And they're on track to build 32:14.140 --> 32:16.510 Because I look at these numbers 18-20 32:16.510 --> 32:20.450 ships per year doubling our output . So 32:20.840 --> 32:24.570 concern of that , we should have that 32:24.580 --> 32:28.200 remember . Churchill's two words that 32:28.200 --> 32:30.089 he had the worst two words in the 32:30.089 --> 32:33.500 english language . Too late . So we all 32:33.510 --> 32:37.270 all should remember um what the chinese 32:37.270 --> 32:39.920 are doing at the present time with that 32:39.930 --> 32:42.041 madam chairman . I want to thank both 32:42.041 --> 32:45.140 of our guests for their service to the 32:45.140 --> 32:47.750 United States for so many years but we 32:47.750 --> 32:49.972 all appreciate that and we want to make 32:49.972 --> 32:52.028 sure that the men and women that you 32:52.028 --> 32:54.230 lied have a wonderful memorial day and 32:54.230 --> 32:56.880 we remember those who came before us 32:56.890 --> 32:59.440 without a year back . Thank you . Well 32:59.440 --> 33:02.960 said mr calvert , my question 33:02.970 --> 33:03.850 is , 33:06.440 --> 33:08.670 well it's been bothering me for quite a 33:08.670 --> 33:11.010 while and its modernization and legacy 33:11.010 --> 33:13.177 systems . And you gentlemen have heard 33:13.177 --> 33:15.399 me talk about it before and I mentioned 33:15.399 --> 33:18.670 it the other other morning again . Um 33:19.040 --> 33:21.207 So the skinny budget with this release 33:21.207 --> 33:24.550 of $715 billion FY20 to 33:24.560 --> 33:26.690 request the Department of Defense 33:26.690 --> 33:28.579 indicated that it will propose to 33:28.579 --> 33:30.523 redirect resources to top priority 33:30.523 --> 33:33.080 programmes , platforms and systems by 33:33.080 --> 33:36.530 divesting legacy systems unless with 33:36.530 --> 33:38.740 less utility and current and future 33:38.740 --> 33:42.280 threat environments . So definitions 33:42.290 --> 33:44.610 are important and maybe it's from being 33:44.610 --> 33:46.777 a teacher and that would be one of the 33:46.777 --> 33:48.999 things that we would have on the test . 33:48.999 --> 33:51.166 Right . What does this mean ? Absent a 33:51.166 --> 33:53.388 common definition of legacy platforms ? 33:53.388 --> 33:55.332 Some of the services have produced 33:55.332 --> 33:57.554 their own response in committee require 33:57.554 --> 34:00.150 ease . For example , the Navy defines 34:00.150 --> 34:02.860 legacy as and I quote , platforms and 34:02.860 --> 34:04.670 systems that are no longer in 34:04.670 --> 34:08.660 production of Cape or capable of being 34:08.670 --> 34:10.660 upgraded at a reasonable cost to 34:10.660 --> 34:12.604 deliver and maintain a competitive 34:12.604 --> 34:14.827 advantage globally . Or when a conflict 34:14.827 --> 34:16.827 with china and Russia in the coming 34:16.827 --> 34:19.140 decades , The air force defines legacy 34:19.140 --> 34:21.700 as platforms and weapons systems that 34:21.700 --> 34:23.922 are not credible in pure competition in 34:23.922 --> 34:27.020 2030 and beyond , the army declined to 34:27.020 --> 34:30.410 answer . So , Secretary Austin , um 34:30.420 --> 34:32.531 does the Department of Defense have a 34:32.531 --> 34:34.753 common definition of what constitutes a 34:34.753 --> 34:38.020 legacy platform ? And if not , are 34:38.020 --> 34:41.610 you working towards one ? Uh could you 34:41.610 --> 34:44.840 give us an example ? Uh maybe of a 34:44.840 --> 34:47.062 legacy platforms that you're seeking to 34:47.062 --> 34:48.840 divest in your budget request ? 34:48.840 --> 34:51.620 Probably not going to do that , but um 34:51.630 --> 34:54.640 we need to understand . So when we read 34:54.640 --> 34:56.862 about something in the newspaper , when 34:56.862 --> 34:58.918 we're talking with a reporter , when 34:58.918 --> 35:00.862 we're talking to each other on the 35:00.862 --> 35:02.751 house floor and when we're having 35:02.751 --> 35:04.696 conversations with the branches of 35:04.696 --> 35:06.860 service , we all know what this 35:06.860 --> 35:09.540 definition means so we can move forward 35:09.540 --> 35:12.380 and not have miscommunications , 35:12.390 --> 35:14.446 anything you gentlemen would like to 35:14.446 --> 35:17.500 add to that ? Well , thank you chair , 35:17.510 --> 35:20.620 you know , we have not published a 35:20.630 --> 35:24.360 common definition of legacy platforms . 35:24.740 --> 35:27.010 What we have said on a number of 35:27.020 --> 35:29.680 complications , as you know , is that 35:29.690 --> 35:31.690 we're looking for capability that's 35:31.690 --> 35:34.680 relevant to competition , that uh , 35:34.690 --> 35:36.912 that we're facing , that the one that's 35:36.912 --> 35:39.079 in front of us . And while some of the 35:39.079 --> 35:42.470 platforms have uh , some relevancy , 35:42.840 --> 35:46.270 uh they may not be uh , as 35:46.280 --> 35:49.070 relevant as we'd like to see them be . 35:49.070 --> 35:52.140 And and and of course , you know , we 35:52.140 --> 35:54.307 have to take advantage of , we have to 35:54.307 --> 35:57.460 create the opportunities to uh , go 35:57.460 --> 36:01.450 after better , more capable 36:01.830 --> 36:05.650 capability and technology . And so , 36:05.660 --> 36:07.810 as you know , and I think as you said 36:07.810 --> 36:10.660 at , at the very beginning of this , um , 36:10.670 --> 36:13.660 you know , it requires decision uh and 36:13.670 --> 36:16.140 tough decisions . And so , you know , 36:16.150 --> 36:18.206 what we're doing is working with the 36:18.206 --> 36:21.610 services to identify what those , uh , 36:21.620 --> 36:24.050 what those platforms are that are not 36:24.530 --> 36:28.340 relevant as relevant to the next fight . 36:28.730 --> 36:30.563 But to answer your question , we 36:30.563 --> 36:32.341 haven't published a D . O . D . 36:32.341 --> 36:34.890 Definition of legacy . Our focus has 36:34.890 --> 36:37.500 been on , you know , the relevancy and 36:37.500 --> 36:41.080 the next fight and I echo all of 36:41.080 --> 36:43.080 that congressman appreciate your 36:43.080 --> 36:45.024 feedback . I wasn't tracking their 36:45.024 --> 36:47.136 answers that I will actually have . I 36:47.136 --> 36:49.358 have a tank tomorrow and I will discuss 36:49.358 --> 36:51.524 this politely an enclosed room with my 36:51.524 --> 36:53.691 fellow chiefs and trying to get us all 36:53.691 --> 36:55.802 on the same sheet of music so that we 36:55.802 --> 36:57.580 can render proper advice to the 36:57.580 --> 36:59.802 secretary as he works on the Department 36:59.802 --> 37:01.858 of Defense wide definition . I think 37:01.858 --> 37:00.960 it's really important that we do have a 37:00.960 --> 37:02.960 common definition and I do think it 37:02.960 --> 37:05.293 INGE is not so much in the world legacy , 37:05.293 --> 37:07.182 but on the word relevance . Is it 37:07.182 --> 37:09.071 relevant to some future operating 37:09.071 --> 37:11.127 environment that we envision against 37:11.127 --> 37:13.182 Our # one pacing threat as secretary 37:13.182 --> 37:16.080 calls it China ? Uh and is it is it 37:16.090 --> 37:18.201 useful ? Is it going to be successful 37:18.201 --> 37:19.979 against that threat ? And is it 37:19.979 --> 37:22.257 survivable in that sort of environment ? 37:22.257 --> 37:24.201 And if the answer is yes , that we 37:24.201 --> 37:26.368 should invest in it , if the answer is 37:26.368 --> 37:26.160 no , then we should at least question 37:26.160 --> 37:28.420 it . It may have utility in the present 37:28.430 --> 37:30.541 as opposed to the future , and we may 37:30.541 --> 37:32.541 determine that that's a significant 37:32.541 --> 37:34.541 enough priority that we would still 37:34.541 --> 37:36.708 invest in it . But each of those needs 37:36.708 --> 37:38.597 to be a conscious , thoughtful uh 37:38.597 --> 37:40.597 investment opportunity uh to either 37:40.597 --> 37:42.597 invest or divest of that particular 37:42.597 --> 37:44.819 capability . And I think the definition 37:44.819 --> 37:47.041 will be critically important . So we're 37:47.041 --> 37:46.350 gonna work on that and thank you for 37:46.350 --> 37:48.500 that . Well , I think it's with the 37:48.500 --> 37:50.500 best of intentions when people were 37:50.500 --> 37:52.770 describing what their their reasons for 37:52.770 --> 37:55.070 discontinuing or you know , not 37:55.070 --> 37:57.210 continuing something into the future 37:57.220 --> 38:00.070 that that this that this happened . Um 38:00.080 --> 38:03.500 but it I think when mr calvert and 38:03.500 --> 38:06.300 especially on the floor , uh we haven't 38:06.300 --> 38:08.980 seen uh the whole budget yet and people 38:08.980 --> 38:11.010 are talking about this . I think it 38:11.010 --> 38:14.040 would be very helpful for the two of us 38:14.040 --> 38:16.420 and and for members of this committee 38:16.430 --> 38:18.541 and members in general to have that . 38:18.920 --> 38:20.976 Well with that . I want to thank you 38:20.976 --> 38:23.198 both for your time today . I don't want 38:23.198 --> 38:25.364 to thank you for your years of service 38:25.364 --> 38:27.364 and you're a great attention to the 38:27.364 --> 38:29.587 subcommittee's concerns . And I know as 38:29.587 --> 38:31.809 the budget comes out , your staff's our 38:31.809 --> 38:34.380 committee uh and you know , members , 38:34.380 --> 38:37.580 two members and and talking to uh folks 38:37.580 --> 38:39.800 under your command , we will we will 38:39.800 --> 38:42.270 get our our answers in as timely 38:42.270 --> 38:44.159 fashion as possible as we put the 38:44.159 --> 38:46.710 budget together . I like to close with 38:46.720 --> 38:48.720 remembering some words of President 38:48.720 --> 38:50.831 john F Kennedy who is speaking to our 38:50.831 --> 38:52.960 service members about making the 38:52.960 --> 38:55.240 ultimate sacrifice , said And I quote , 38:55.250 --> 38:58.870 a nation reveals itself not to those , 38:58.880 --> 39:01.090 not only to the people it produces , 39:01.100 --> 39:03.900 but to those it remembers so on behalf 39:03.900 --> 39:05.970 of our defense subcommittee , we 39:05.970 --> 39:07.930 remember our fallen and we also 39:07.930 --> 39:10.300 remember those missing in action . We 39:10.300 --> 39:12.800 thank those who serve our nation today 39:12.810 --> 39:15.143 With that . Thank you again , gentlemen . 39:15.143 --> 39:17.310 And this concludes cities hearing this 39:17.310 --> 39:19.440 subcommittee stands adjourned .