1 00:00:00,140 --> 00:00:02,251 Thank you . Senator Fischer , Senator 2 00:00:02,251 --> 00:00:04,084 Blumenthal , please thank you Mr 3 00:00:04,084 --> 00:00:06,029 Chairman . Thank you both for your 4 00:00:06,029 --> 00:00:08,260 service . I will say on my own behalf 5 00:00:08,840 --> 00:00:11,750 that were very , very fortunate this 6 00:00:12,740 --> 00:00:14,740 very dangerous time in our nation's 7 00:00:14,740 --> 00:00:16,518 history to have one of the most 8 00:00:16,518 --> 00:00:18,296 impressive defense and national 9 00:00:18,296 --> 00:00:21,160 security teams in recent history . So 10 00:00:21,540 --> 00:00:24,610 thank you for you're service 11 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:27,470 to our nation at this very perilous 12 00:00:27,470 --> 00:00:30,970 time . Ah you know , I 13 00:00:30,970 --> 00:00:34,930 have visited Ukraine as well as 14 00:00:34,940 --> 00:00:38,290 more recently , Poland the Ukrainian 15 00:00:38,290 --> 00:00:41,650 border with a number of my colleagues 16 00:00:41,660 --> 00:00:44,200 since 2014 . I've been very vocal 17 00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:47,220 indeed , demon in support of more 18 00:00:47,220 --> 00:00:50,330 lethal arms delivered more quickly the 19 00:00:50,330 --> 00:00:52,550 Ukrainians while they've lost 20 00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:56,600 14,000 of their men and women in this 21 00:00:56,730 --> 00:01:00,560 fight for close to a decade against the 22 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:03,680 Russians . And now I must say , uh , I 23 00:01:03,680 --> 00:01:06,320 continue to feel that we need to do 24 00:01:06,320 --> 00:01:09,580 more and do it more quickly in 25 00:01:09,580 --> 00:01:11,413 providing lethal arms to Ukraine 26 00:01:11,413 --> 00:01:13,920 including fighter jets , air defense 27 00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:16,253 systems , ammunition , javelin missiles , 28 00:01:16,253 --> 00:01:18,270 Stingers and other systems that 29 00:01:18,430 --> 00:01:20,750 Ukrainians can use . Now I agree that 30 00:01:21,240 --> 00:01:23,380 it's going to be a long slog . Mr 31 00:01:23,380 --> 00:01:25,720 Chairman , It's a protracted war going 32 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:28,420 to the east , but we need to be there 33 00:01:28,430 --> 00:01:32,400 for the Ukrainians in the midst of this 34 00:01:32,500 --> 00:01:36,060 long slog . And you've said that the 35 00:01:36,070 --> 00:01:39,360 outcome is an open question . But 36 00:01:40,140 --> 00:01:43,740 what troubles me is that saying ? It's 37 00:01:43,740 --> 00:01:47,210 an open question is a prediction . The 38 00:01:47,210 --> 00:01:49,930 objective is to enable the Ukrainians 39 00:01:50,100 --> 00:01:53,860 to win . And it seems to me that often 40 00:01:53,860 --> 00:01:55,416 our strategy seems somewhat 41 00:01:57,640 --> 00:02:00,930 schizophrenic . We want the Ukrainians 42 00:02:00,930 --> 00:02:03,097 to defeat the Russians but were afraid 43 00:02:03,097 --> 00:02:06,860 that pushing Putin into defeat 44 00:02:07,240 --> 00:02:11,120 may provoke escalation seems to 45 00:02:11,120 --> 00:02:13,550 me that we need to 46 00:02:15,240 --> 00:02:17,860 to address those fears and 47 00:02:18,440 --> 00:02:21,170 realistically provide Ukrainians what 48 00:02:21,170 --> 00:02:24,190 they need to win . And so let me ask 49 00:02:24,190 --> 00:02:27,650 you , ah , whether you feel , for 50 00:02:27,650 --> 00:02:31,350 example , that we can do more to train 51 00:02:32,340 --> 00:02:35,360 the Ukrainians in anticipation of that 52 00:02:35,370 --> 00:02:38,520 long slog to use more advanced weapons 53 00:02:38,520 --> 00:02:41,350 systems that we could provide . Number 54 00:02:41,350 --> 00:02:45,010 two . Can we provide systems Such 55 00:02:45,010 --> 00:02:48,860 as the a 10's that we are in 56 00:02:48,860 --> 00:02:52,370 fact diminishing in 57 00:02:52,380 --> 00:02:56,350 use in our own arm services . 58 00:02:56,900 --> 00:02:59,660 Can we provide more naval 59 00:03:00,640 --> 00:03:03,860 assets to be more effective in 60 00:03:05,140 --> 00:03:07,440 the kinds of aerial defense that will 61 00:03:07,440 --> 00:03:11,400 stop Putin's reign of terror . Can 62 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:13,570 you give me an assurance that we will 63 00:03:13,570 --> 00:03:15,830 do whatever it takes to enable the 64 00:03:15,830 --> 00:03:18,460 Ukrainians to win while avoiding 65 00:03:20,240 --> 00:03:23,060 the escalation into a nuclear 66 00:03:23,290 --> 00:03:24,290 confrontation ? 67 00:03:29,540 --> 00:03:33,080 Well , thank you , sir . Um well , 68 00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:35,191 first of all , I got to tell you that 69 00:03:35,191 --> 00:03:37,520 it's in it providing the Ukrainians 70 00:03:37,520 --> 00:03:41,390 what they need at the top of my my list 71 00:03:41,400 --> 00:03:43,610 of things to focus on every day . And 72 00:03:43,610 --> 00:03:45,832 this is the thing that the chairman and 73 00:03:45,832 --> 00:03:47,721 I talk about with our subordinate 74 00:03:47,721 --> 00:03:50,900 commanders every day . And and uh , 75 00:03:50,910 --> 00:03:53,830 we're personally involved in engaging 76 00:03:53,840 --> 00:03:56,430 countries in the region and around the 77 00:03:56,430 --> 00:03:58,541 world , quite frankly , and trying to 78 00:03:58,541 --> 00:04:01,290 make sure that we not only provide what 79 00:04:01,290 --> 00:04:03,401 we can , but we're getting assistance 80 00:04:03,401 --> 00:04:05,512 from from other countries . There are 81 00:04:05,512 --> 00:04:07,401 some 30 nations that are that are 82 00:04:07,401 --> 00:04:10,310 providing assistance in addition to us . 83 00:04:10,610 --> 00:04:13,050 And that's the part that that you don't 84 00:04:13,050 --> 00:04:15,700 see on a daily basis because we don't 85 00:04:15,700 --> 00:04:17,867 talk about it very often many of these 86 00:04:17,867 --> 00:04:20,033 systems or systems that the Ukrainians 87 00:04:20,033 --> 00:04:22,310 are used to using and they've been very 88 00:04:22,310 --> 00:04:24,900 effective uh thus far . And we'll 89 00:04:24,900 --> 00:04:27,260 continue that work . Can we provide 90 00:04:27,270 --> 00:04:29,870 them training ? Our focus right now is 91 00:04:29,870 --> 00:04:32,320 to provide training where were 92 00:04:32,320 --> 00:04:35,880 necessary on those systems that 93 00:04:35,890 --> 00:04:38,850 uh that we're providing them you know 94 00:04:38,850 --> 00:04:41,017 that and that we can get that training 95 00:04:41,017 --> 00:04:42,961 done in short order . They're in a 96 00:04:42,961 --> 00:04:46,030 knife fight and so you know , bring 97 00:04:46,040 --> 00:04:49,260 taking large numbers of people out for 98 00:04:49,270 --> 00:04:51,437 long periods of time is not helpful to 99 00:04:51,437 --> 00:04:54,260 them On the a 10 . I will invite the 100 00:04:54,260 --> 00:04:56,660 chairman to comment on this . But but 101 00:04:57,140 --> 00:04:59,490 again this is a high threat air defense 102 00:04:59,490 --> 00:05:01,920 environment . And in the 8 10 103 00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:06,040 we have to do the analysis to ensure 104 00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:08,262 that if you did that it could survive . 105 00:05:08,262 --> 00:05:10,207 And I questioned whether or not it 106 00:05:10,207 --> 00:05:10,140 would survive in the current 107 00:05:10,140 --> 00:05:13,090 environment . Let me ask you this . Mr 108 00:05:13,090 --> 00:05:15,760 Secretary shouldn't we be using now ? 109 00:05:16,140 --> 00:05:20,050 The Defense Production Act two produce 110 00:05:20,050 --> 00:05:22,250 more of the javelins , the stingers , 111 00:05:22,840 --> 00:05:26,040 all of the stocks that we are using and 112 00:05:26,040 --> 00:05:29,300 diminishing and running low on and our 113 00:05:29,300 --> 00:05:31,522 allies as well shouldn't we be applying 114 00:05:31,522 --> 00:05:33,522 the Defense Production act . We are 115 00:05:33,522 --> 00:05:36,450 pushing hard to engaging industry to 116 00:05:36,450 --> 00:05:38,770 make sure that we moved the production 117 00:05:38,770 --> 00:05:41,970 of these items as quickly as we can . 118 00:05:42,110 --> 00:05:44,120 And that's not an easy task but at 119 00:05:44,120 --> 00:05:46,287 least one of the items there . But but 120 00:05:46,287 --> 00:05:48,509 we will move this continue to move this 121 00:05:48,509 --> 00:05:51,040 in terms of additional production as 122 00:05:51,040 --> 00:05:53,780 fast and efficiently as we can . And 123 00:05:53,780 --> 00:05:55,891 are you alarmed that the Russians are 124 00:05:55,891 --> 00:05:57,947 not returning your call that they're 125 00:05:57,947 --> 00:06:00,113 not communicating with you ? Shouldn't 126 00:06:00,113 --> 00:06:03,320 we be alarmed disappointed for sure . 127 00:06:03,390 --> 00:06:06,350 But you know , the again , 128 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:10,230 based upon what they've done , nothing 129 00:06:10,230 --> 00:06:12,920 surprises me . And and but it doesn't 130 00:06:12,920 --> 00:06:14,920 mean that will stop reaching out to 131 00:06:14,920 --> 00:06:17,031 engage them . I think I think we have 132 00:06:17,031 --> 00:06:18,976 to have the ability to talk to the 133 00:06:18,976 --> 00:06:21,660 leadership . Senator Cotton , please . 134 00:06:22,080 --> 00:06:24,970 Secretary Austin . Why will you not say 135 00:06:24,970 --> 00:06:28,290 the words win and Victory when it comes 136 00:06:28,290 --> 00:06:30,570 to Ukraine ? Senator Blumenthal just 137 00:06:30,570 --> 00:06:32,792 gave an impassioned speech about this . 138 00:06:33,140 --> 00:06:35,380 It's clear that it's what both parties 139 00:06:35,380 --> 00:06:37,102 want . I reviewed your written 140 00:06:37,102 --> 00:06:39,213 testimony , you talk about deterrence 141 00:06:39,213 --> 00:06:42,080 29 times . You never once used the word 142 00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:44,610 win or victory in reference to Ukraine . 143 00:06:44,960 --> 00:06:47,071 Nor does the Secretary of State , the 144 00:06:47,071 --> 00:06:49,127 National Security Advisor , the Vice 145 00:06:49,127 --> 00:06:51,293 President , the President . I have the 146 00:06:51,293 --> 00:06:53,460 words Winning victory been purged from 147 00:06:53,460 --> 00:06:55,682 the administration's vocabulary when it 148 00:06:55,682 --> 00:06:59,180 comes to Ukraine ? The words win has 149 00:06:59,180 --> 00:07:01,291 certainly have certainly the word win 150 00:07:01,291 --> 00:07:03,870 has certainly not been purged from from 151 00:07:03,870 --> 00:07:06,030 our vocabulary . Do you do you want 152 00:07:06,030 --> 00:07:08,750 Ukraine to win or do you want this war 153 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:10,560 merely to end ? 154 00:07:13,340 --> 00:07:17,080 I I think the Chairman pointed 155 00:07:17,080 --> 00:07:20,460 out very accurately what what a desired 156 00:07:20,460 --> 00:07:22,620 in state would be , Ukraine maintains 157 00:07:22,620 --> 00:07:24,830 its sovereignty uh and its ability to 158 00:07:24,830 --> 00:07:27,280 protect its its its country defend 159 00:07:27,280 --> 00:07:30,160 itself . Uh It maintains its government 160 00:07:30,540 --> 00:07:33,620 Russia is uh is weakened 161 00:07:33,620 --> 00:07:36,590 militarily and Russia from a 162 00:07:36,590 --> 00:07:40,530 geopolitical standpoint has has you 163 00:07:40,530 --> 00:07:43,610 know , is a is a pariah . And uh and 164 00:07:43,620 --> 00:07:45,787 you know , countries will not will not 165 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:48,800 volunteer to uh to align itself with 166 00:07:48,800 --> 00:07:50,967 Russia that some of that will happen . 167 00:07:50,967 --> 00:07:52,967 But we can see those kind of things 168 00:07:52,967 --> 00:07:55,133 beginning to happen . Okay . I thought 169 00:07:55,133 --> 00:07:57,300 that I mean the chairman's response to 170 00:07:57,300 --> 00:07:57,140 Senator Gillibrand was pretty good on 171 00:07:57,140 --> 00:07:59,251 this point about what Ukraine winning 172 00:07:59,251 --> 00:08:01,196 looked like a free and independent 173 00:08:01,196 --> 00:08:03,251 Ukraine with sovereignty and control 174 00:08:03,251 --> 00:08:05,196 over its own territory . Does that 175 00:08:05,196 --> 00:08:07,251 include the territory that Russia or 176 00:08:07,251 --> 00:08:09,362 Russian proxies and controlled in the 177 00:08:09,362 --> 00:08:11,418 Donbas ? As of february 24th the day 178 00:08:11,418 --> 00:08:13,362 before the invasion ? I think it's 179 00:08:13,362 --> 00:08:15,473 appropriate to let President Zelensky 180 00:08:15,473 --> 00:08:17,584 and the government of Ukraine defined 181 00:08:17,584 --> 00:08:19,807 what that is going forward . Are you or 182 00:08:19,807 --> 00:08:21,696 anyone else in the administration 183 00:08:21,696 --> 00:08:23,918 discouraging President Zelensky of your 184 00:08:23,918 --> 00:08:25,918 counterparts from launching attacks 185 00:08:25,918 --> 00:08:28,140 that would involve taking back any part 186 00:08:28,140 --> 00:08:30,307 of the Donbas or the Crimea ? No . Are 187 00:08:30,307 --> 00:08:32,251 you providing them intelligence to 188 00:08:32,251 --> 00:08:34,473 conduct such attacks ? We are providing 189 00:08:34,473 --> 00:08:36,696 them intelligence to conduct operations 190 00:08:36,696 --> 00:08:39,200 and in the Donbas ? That's correct . In 191 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:42,530 the Donbas on the territory that Russia 192 00:08:42,530 --> 00:08:44,586 or its proxies controlled before the 193 00:08:44,586 --> 00:08:46,920 invasion ? Yeah . And offensive 194 00:08:46,920 --> 00:08:48,976 operations , offensive operations to 195 00:08:48,976 --> 00:08:51,087 reclaim their own territory . Are you 196 00:08:51,087 --> 00:08:53,087 providing that intelligence that we 197 00:08:53,087 --> 00:08:55,198 want to make sure that's clear to our 198 00:08:55,198 --> 00:08:56,976 our force . And so that updated 199 00:08:56,976 --> 00:08:59,142 guidance as well that goes out today . 200 00:08:59,142 --> 00:09:01,253 We'll make sure that that's uh that's 201 00:09:01,253 --> 00:09:03,830 clear , updated guidance . That means 202 00:09:03,830 --> 00:09:07,020 that the current guidance has said 203 00:09:07,020 --> 00:09:09,298 don't provide that information , go on . 204 00:09:09,860 --> 00:09:12,027 Certainly the current guidance was not 205 00:09:12,027 --> 00:09:14,082 clear in that regard . So we'll make 206 00:09:14,082 --> 00:09:16,249 sure it's clear . I think this is part 207 00:09:16,249 --> 00:09:18,471 of what you've heard from both parts of 208 00:09:18,471 --> 00:09:20,638 this committee . Is that as much as we 209 00:09:20,638 --> 00:09:22,804 have done , we're still engaged in too 210 00:09:22,804 --> 00:09:24,971 many half measures . There's still too 211 00:09:24,971 --> 00:09:27,193 much hesitancy and tentativeness in our 212 00:09:27,193 --> 00:09:29,304 posture towards this war . And I just 213 00:09:29,304 --> 00:09:31,527 want to talk about our own posture . Um 214 00:09:31,527 --> 00:09:31,470 Admiral Richard testified to the 215 00:09:31,470 --> 00:09:33,581 committee that he had advised that we 216 00:09:33,581 --> 00:09:35,803 should go forward with a normal routine 217 00:09:35,803 --> 00:09:38,026 regularly scheduled test of our I . C . 218 00:09:38,026 --> 00:09:40,248 B . M . S . That test was postponed and 219 00:09:40,248 --> 00:09:43,230 now it's been canceled . Why did you 220 00:09:43,230 --> 00:09:46,170 cancel that test ? Mr Secretary ? Well , 221 00:09:46,170 --> 00:09:49,120 we postponed it so that uh you know , 222 00:09:49,130 --> 00:09:51,074 again we're very at a very tenuous 223 00:09:51,074 --> 00:09:53,074 point . Wanted to make sure that we 224 00:09:53,074 --> 00:09:55,241 were doing prudent things and managing 225 00:09:55,241 --> 00:09:57,186 escalation . Uh And we reached the 226 00:09:57,186 --> 00:09:59,670 point where I made the decision that we 227 00:09:59,670 --> 00:10:02,680 had postponed it to the degree that it 228 00:10:02,680 --> 00:10:04,847 was best to go ahead and cancel it . I 229 00:10:04,847 --> 00:10:06,958 would tell you that I am confident in 230 00:10:06,958 --> 00:10:08,980 our ability to uh to maintain our 231 00:10:08,980 --> 00:10:11,820 programs and to stay on track and to 232 00:10:11,820 --> 00:10:15,060 and to provide uh a credible 233 00:10:15,060 --> 00:10:17,390 deterrence and to protect our allies 234 00:10:17,390 --> 00:10:19,670 and partners . See this month I'm 235 00:10:19,670 --> 00:10:21,892 confident . And as well , I'm confident 236 00:10:21,892 --> 00:10:23,892 because we do conduct these routine 237 00:10:23,892 --> 00:10:25,948 tests . We don't cancel them because 238 00:10:25,948 --> 00:10:28,003 Vladimir Putin has decided to invade 239 00:10:28,003 --> 00:10:27,630 one of his neighbors . And the fact 240 00:10:27,630 --> 00:10:29,574 that we postponed it and now we've 241 00:10:29,574 --> 00:10:31,741 canceled it because it's escalatory to 242 00:10:31,741 --> 00:10:33,852 me , just says to Vladimir Putin that 243 00:10:33,852 --> 00:10:36,186 we are nervous about what he's gonna do , 244 00:10:36,186 --> 00:10:38,019 as opposed to trying to make him 245 00:10:38,019 --> 00:10:40,186 nervous about what Ukraine and America 246 00:10:40,186 --> 00:10:42,408 and NATO is going to do next . But this 247 00:10:42,408 --> 00:10:44,519 is a this is a this is a form of self 248 00:10:44,519 --> 00:10:46,800 deterrence . I mean , the the chairman 249 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:48,744 has said this work could go on for 250 00:10:48,744 --> 00:10:50,744 years if a missile test in March of 251 00:10:50,744 --> 00:10:52,744 2022 is escalatory , is it gonna be 252 00:10:52,744 --> 00:10:56,700 escalatory in 2023 and 24 and 25 ? It 253 00:10:56,710 --> 00:10:58,766 really depends on what's going on at 254 00:10:58,766 --> 00:11:01,130 that point in time . But it if you look 255 00:11:01,130 --> 00:11:03,560 at uh no , it's not lost on you senator 256 00:11:03,560 --> 00:11:06,010 that we've rapidly deployed forces to 257 00:11:06,010 --> 00:11:08,230 the eastern flank . We've pushed in a 258 00:11:08,240 --> 00:11:09,907 tremendous amount of security 259 00:11:09,907 --> 00:11:12,710 assistance to Ukraine . Uh and none of 260 00:11:12,710 --> 00:11:15,650 those actions indicate that that we're 261 00:11:15,650 --> 00:11:17,630 afraid of Mr Putin . Alright , one 262 00:11:17,630 --> 00:11:19,741 final question for for the Chairman , 263 00:11:19,741 --> 00:11:21,686 General Milley , I constantly hear 264 00:11:21,686 --> 00:11:23,741 concerns about professional military 265 00:11:23,741 --> 00:11:25,963 education across the services that it's 266 00:11:25,963 --> 00:11:27,686 not focused enough on rigorous 267 00:11:27,686 --> 00:11:31,050 operationally focused 268 00:11:31,640 --> 00:11:34,090 education . Uh there's too much things 269 00:11:34,090 --> 00:11:35,923 that are kind of beyond the core 270 00:11:35,923 --> 00:11:38,090 warfighters domain , like , you know , 271 00:11:38,090 --> 00:11:40,146 international studies or development 272 00:11:40,146 --> 00:11:42,257 Economics , you put out A very strong 273 00:11:42,257 --> 00:11:44,100 memo on this in May of 2020 . 274 00:11:44,110 --> 00:11:46,332 Unfortunately . Still here that some of 275 00:11:46,332 --> 00:11:48,443 the schools are not implementing that 276 00:11:48,443 --> 00:11:50,554 fully . Could you talk to me a little 277 00:11:50,554 --> 00:11:52,610 bit about your concerns in that memo 278 00:11:52,610 --> 00:11:54,666 and what plans you have to make sure 279 00:11:54,666 --> 00:11:56,777 that that's driven down to the lowest 280 00:11:56,777 --> 00:11:56,550 level of our at our professional 281 00:11:56,550 --> 00:11:59,410 military education schools . Yeah . 282 00:11:59,420 --> 00:12:01,642 Thanks Senator . Um Look at the U . S . 283 00:12:01,642 --> 00:12:03,864 Military has two tasks prepared for war 284 00:12:03,864 --> 00:12:06,200 and fight and win wars . That's it . Um 285 00:12:06,200 --> 00:12:08,311 And the P . M . E . Is designed to do 286 00:12:08,311 --> 00:12:10,470 that . Uh We issued out that guidance 287 00:12:10,470 --> 00:12:12,950 in 2020 to emphasize that warfighting , 288 00:12:12,960 --> 00:12:15,750 operational skills , strategic thought 289 00:12:15,750 --> 00:12:18,470 etcetera . Uh And we do periodic 290 00:12:18,470 --> 00:12:20,660 reviews . I just got a report probably 291 00:12:20,660 --> 00:12:23,620 about a couple weeks ago actually That 292 00:12:23,630 --> 00:12:25,630 I had him . I said how many contact 293 00:12:25,630 --> 00:12:27,463 hours do you do we do in the war 294 00:12:27,463 --> 00:12:29,519 colleges and the staff colleges that 295 00:12:29,519 --> 00:12:31,686 came out to round figures under 5000 . 296 00:12:31,686 --> 00:12:34,070 Did the math . My guys did the math 297 00:12:34,070 --> 00:12:38,010 analysis and 80% of that time was spent 298 00:12:38,010 --> 00:12:40,580 on war fighting , operational art and 299 00:12:40,590 --> 00:12:43,320 strategy . The others are spent on 300 00:12:43,320 --> 00:12:45,487 things like congressional engagement , 301 00:12:45,487 --> 00:12:47,598 public affairs , administrative tasks 302 00:12:47,598 --> 00:12:49,820 you have to do to to run the military . 303 00:12:49,820 --> 00:12:51,820 So it is focused 80% of the time is 304 00:12:51,820 --> 00:12:53,764 focused on the war fighting skills 305 00:12:53,764 --> 00:12:56,070 necessary for for command and 306 00:12:56,200 --> 00:12:58,033 leadership at the staff level of 307 00:12:58,033 --> 00:13:00,144 different organizations . Thank you . 308 00:13:00,144 --> 00:13:02,367 I'd really I'd really like it to 100% . 309 00:13:02,367 --> 00:13:04,367 I bet you I bet the one thing you'd 310 00:13:04,367 --> 00:13:06,200 love to strike his congressional 311 00:13:06,200 --> 00:13:08,033 engagement . No it's thank you . 312 00:13:08,033 --> 00:13:10,367 Senator Cotton . Senator Randall please . 313 00:13:10,367 --> 00:13:13,060 Thank you . Mr Chairman Secretary 314 00:13:13,060 --> 00:13:15,330 Austin . I want to commend you for 315 00:13:15,330 --> 00:13:17,630 reaching the decision that you did to 316 00:13:17,640 --> 00:13:19,696 refuel and permanently close the Red 317 00:13:19,696 --> 00:13:23,250 hill of storage facility on Oahu , 318 00:13:24,240 --> 00:13:26,351 ensuring the health and safety of our 319 00:13:26,351 --> 00:13:28,129 citizens has been my number one 320 00:13:28,129 --> 00:13:30,660 priority . And this decision not only 321 00:13:30,660 --> 00:13:32,716 protects the island's drinking water 322 00:13:32,716 --> 00:13:35,490 but will ultimately benefit operations 323 00:13:35,490 --> 00:13:38,140 and end up a calm as we look to expand 324 00:13:38,140 --> 00:13:41,290 our ability to operate in a distributed 325 00:13:41,300 --> 00:13:44,210 center across the A . R . I also would 326 00:13:44,210 --> 00:13:46,099 like to particularly thank Deputy 327 00:13:46,099 --> 00:13:48,260 Secretary of Defense Catherine Hicks 328 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:51,720 for her diligent work on this issue and 329 00:13:51,720 --> 00:13:54,460 her communicating with me personally 330 00:13:54,840 --> 00:13:57,062 and the closure of Red Hill is going to 331 00:13:57,062 --> 00:13:59,180 be a multiyear Multiphase endeavor . 332 00:13:59,190 --> 00:14:01,550 There is a d fueling process itself . 333 00:14:01,550 --> 00:14:03,439 The closure of the facility , the 334 00:14:03,439 --> 00:14:06,520 cleanup of the site . The entire effort 335 00:14:06,520 --> 00:14:08,800 will require significant planning and 336 00:14:08,800 --> 00:14:11,880 resources for years to come . I asked 337 00:14:11,880 --> 00:14:13,880 you to work closely with the hawaii 338 00:14:13,880 --> 00:14:16,158 Department of Health and the E . P . A . 339 00:14:16,158 --> 00:14:18,970 As we go forward and the funding in the 340 00:14:18,970 --> 00:14:21,240 President's budget shows D . O . D . S 341 00:14:21,240 --> 00:14:23,930 commitment to the long term closure and 342 00:14:23,930 --> 00:14:27,310 cleanup of Redhill and demonstrates 343 00:14:27,490 --> 00:14:29,920 very importantly to the people of 344 00:14:29,920 --> 00:14:31,600 hawaii that the environmental 345 00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:33,480 remediation will not fall to the 346 00:14:33,480 --> 00:14:36,540 wayside . Secretary Austin . Would you 347 00:14:36,550 --> 00:14:39,100 like to add any comment to this . 348 00:14:40,840 --> 00:14:43,030 Just a couple of Sen . 1st of all , I 349 00:14:43,030 --> 00:14:45,790 want to thank you personally for your 350 00:14:45,790 --> 00:14:48,370 leadership and that of your colleagues 351 00:14:48,370 --> 00:14:50,750 and in doing the work that you did to 352 00:14:50,750 --> 00:14:54,510 help us work our way through this and 353 00:14:54,520 --> 00:14:58,320 we remain grateful for that . I would 354 00:14:58,320 --> 00:15:02,090 also highlight that the safety and 355 00:15:02,090 --> 00:15:04,860 security and the health of you know , 356 00:15:04,870 --> 00:15:07,370 our troops , our families , the people 357 00:15:07,370 --> 00:15:09,750 in the community is absolutely 358 00:15:09,750 --> 00:15:12,070 important to uh , to the Department of 359 00:15:12,070 --> 00:15:15,790 Defense And you are correct , we 360 00:15:15,790 --> 00:15:19,410 have allocated funds that will help us 361 00:15:19,840 --> 00:15:22,080 begin to address the critical 362 00:15:22,080 --> 00:15:24,360 components here going forward the DEA's 363 00:15:24,360 --> 00:15:27,610 fueling process uh remediation will be 364 00:15:27,620 --> 00:15:30,720 no doubt carry a significant expense 365 00:15:30,730 --> 00:15:34,120 and uh , I I certainly hope that 366 00:15:34,130 --> 00:15:36,352 Congress will continue to support us as 367 00:15:36,352 --> 00:15:38,463 you have done uh , to to this point . 368 00:15:38,463 --> 00:15:40,352 So thank you , thank you for your 369 00:15:40,352 --> 00:15:42,463 continued leadership . Secretary . It 370 00:15:42,463 --> 00:15:44,630 is my understanding that this year the 371 00:15:44,630 --> 00:15:46,519 National Defense Strategy and the 372 00:15:46,519 --> 00:15:48,710 missile Defense review were developed 373 00:15:48,710 --> 00:15:51,690 simultaneously for the first time to 374 00:15:51,690 --> 00:15:54,180 ensure alignment of decision making 375 00:15:54,180 --> 00:15:57,340 across these documents in the India is 376 00:15:57,340 --> 00:15:59,396 one of your force data priorities is 377 00:15:59,396 --> 00:16:01,470 defending the homeland , which will 378 00:16:01,470 --> 00:16:03,960 make sense to ensure missile defense is 379 00:16:03,960 --> 00:16:06,320 in line with that priority . And though 380 00:16:06,320 --> 00:16:08,487 the budget justification books are not 381 00:16:08,487 --> 00:16:11,360 out yet , One concern I have is for the 382 00:16:11,360 --> 00:16:13,530 defense of Hawaii on from missile 383 00:16:13,530 --> 00:16:16,400 threats and today date the department 384 00:16:16,400 --> 00:16:20,160 has spent significant resources on HD 385 00:16:20,160 --> 00:16:24,110 H H . D . R Hawaii which I 386 00:16:24,110 --> 00:16:26,480 have supported because we were told 387 00:16:26,480 --> 00:16:29,100 many times that this was required by 388 00:16:29,110 --> 00:16:31,670 the operational commanders . And while 389 00:16:31,670 --> 00:16:33,559 we wait for greater detail on the 390 00:16:33,559 --> 00:16:35,670 department's decision relating to the 391 00:16:35,670 --> 00:16:37,850 future of Hdr H Hawaii , I'd like to 392 00:16:37,850 --> 00:16:40,072 understand the department's position on 393 00:16:40,072 --> 00:16:43,640 defense of Hawaii and how if Hdr 394 00:16:43,640 --> 00:16:47,230 Hawaii is not funded , how the 395 00:16:47,230 --> 00:16:50,160 department plans to upgrade radar 396 00:16:50,160 --> 00:16:52,049 discrimination capability for the 397 00:16:52,049 --> 00:16:54,382 Defense of Hawaii . And the question is , 398 00:16:54,382 --> 00:16:56,438 Secretary Austin , what is your plan 399 00:16:56,438 --> 00:16:58,493 for the future defense of Hawaii for 400 00:16:58,493 --> 00:17:02,390 missile threats ? In terms of 401 00:17:02,390 --> 00:17:04,950 defense of Hawaii ? Right now , we are 402 00:17:04,960 --> 00:17:07,127 absolutely committed to defending this 403 00:17:07,127 --> 00:17:10,560 country . Hawaii is , is a key part of 404 00:17:10,570 --> 00:17:12,737 that defense and certainly is defended 405 00:17:12,737 --> 00:17:15,240 as we speak going forward . Senator , 406 00:17:15,250 --> 00:17:17,650 you'll note that uh , we're investing 407 00:17:17,650 --> 00:17:21,390 $24.7 billion in missile 408 00:17:21,390 --> 00:17:24,600 defense and defeat . And so , um , you 409 00:17:24,600 --> 00:17:26,433 know , we're developing the next 410 00:17:26,433 --> 00:17:29,270 generation interceptor and and uh , you 411 00:17:29,270 --> 00:17:31,780 know , our goal is to stay uh , two 412 00:17:31,780 --> 00:17:33,810 steps ahead of our adversaries , 413 00:17:33,810 --> 00:17:36,360 emerging technologies and Hawaii will 414 00:17:36,370 --> 00:17:40,110 absolutely be a key part of that . So 415 00:17:40,110 --> 00:17:42,221 just to be clear then , if we are not 416 00:17:42,221 --> 00:17:44,390 going to be continuing to fund Hdr H 417 00:17:44,390 --> 00:17:47,740 hawaii that you are developing , as you 418 00:17:47,740 --> 00:17:49,851 mentioned , the next gen interceptors 419 00:17:49,851 --> 00:17:51,684 to make make sure that Hawaii is 420 00:17:51,684 --> 00:17:53,629 defended against missile threats . 421 00:17:53,629 --> 00:17:57,040 Absolutely Thank you . I just want to 422 00:17:57,040 --> 00:18:00,070 add my um , always of concern regarding 423 00:18:00,070 --> 00:18:02,070 Senator Wicker's Lionel questioning 424 00:18:02,070 --> 00:18:04,380 relating to amphibious ships and the 425 00:18:04,380 --> 00:18:07,110 fact that there will be only three of 426 00:18:07,110 --> 00:18:10,490 the 13 planned purchases of the san 427 00:18:10,490 --> 00:18:12,712 Antonio class ships . So I just want to 428 00:18:12,712 --> 00:18:16,240 add my concern that uh General Berger 429 00:18:16,240 --> 00:18:19,300 had asked for 31 ships and we are 430 00:18:19,310 --> 00:18:21,477 falling short of that . So I hope that 431 00:18:21,477 --> 00:18:24,360 you have said that you are continue to 432 00:18:24,360 --> 00:18:26,750 work with with general burgers so I 433 00:18:26,750 --> 00:18:28,750 hope that we can come to a positive 434 00:18:28,750 --> 00:18:30,917 resolution of the need that he has for 435 00:18:30,917 --> 00:18:33,139 these ships . Thank you . Mr Chairman , 436 00:18:33,139 --> 00:18:35,472 thank you . Senator rano senator rounds , 437 00:18:35,472 --> 00:18:37,400 please Thank you . Mr Chairman 438 00:18:37,410 --> 00:18:39,430 gentlemen , let me begin by saying 439 00:18:39,430 --> 00:18:41,263 thank you to all of you for your 440 00:18:41,263 --> 00:18:43,630 service to our country . Um Secretary 441 00:18:43,630 --> 00:18:46,090 Austin , I appreciated the comments and 442 00:18:46,090 --> 00:18:48,400 clarifications and uh and so forth that 443 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:50,344 you shared with Senator Cotton . I 444 00:18:50,344 --> 00:18:52,289 think it's very important that the 445 00:18:52,289 --> 00:18:54,511 american people understand that we want 446 00:18:54,511 --> 00:18:56,678 the Ukrainians to win and that we will 447 00:18:56,678 --> 00:18:58,567 support them with the appropriate 448 00:18:58,567 --> 00:19:00,789 background intelligence information and 449 00:19:00,789 --> 00:19:03,890 weapons so that they can regain the 450 00:19:03,900 --> 00:19:07,020 territory that has been lost to Russia . 451 00:19:07,030 --> 00:19:08,919 And that includes the area in the 452 00:19:08,919 --> 00:19:10,919 Donbass . And I think that's a very 453 00:19:10,919 --> 00:19:13,141 important clarifying point . So I thank 454 00:19:13,141 --> 00:19:15,430 you for that sir . I'd also Mr mr 455 00:19:15,430 --> 00:19:18,300 Secretary . And if this is uh an issue 456 00:19:18,300 --> 00:19:20,200 which you would prefer to have Mr 457 00:19:20,200 --> 00:19:22,256 McCord address , that's fine with me 458 00:19:22,256 --> 00:19:24,367 sir . But the industrial base that we 459 00:19:24,367 --> 00:19:26,533 have today in the United States is one 460 00:19:26,533 --> 00:19:28,730 that we particularly the the the the 461 00:19:28,740 --> 00:19:30,810 defense industrial base is one that 462 00:19:30,810 --> 00:19:32,810 sometimes comes under question with 463 00:19:32,810 --> 00:19:34,977 regard to our long term capabilities . 464 00:19:34,977 --> 00:19:37,199 And yet it's something that has been of 465 00:19:37,199 --> 00:19:39,421 concern to this committee . And I think 466 00:19:39,421 --> 00:19:41,199 that that the Joint Chiefs have 467 00:19:41,199 --> 00:19:43,199 expressed their concern in the past 468 00:19:43,199 --> 00:19:45,199 about our ability to respond and to 469 00:19:45,199 --> 00:19:47,310 build the weapons and to maintain the 470 00:19:47,310 --> 00:19:49,421 weapons systems that we have . I want 471 00:19:49,421 --> 00:19:51,477 to point out one that we have in the 472 00:19:51,477 --> 00:19:53,699 past and that while it did not start on 473 00:19:53,699 --> 00:19:55,866 your watch sir , I think it's critical 474 00:19:55,866 --> 00:19:57,921 that we fix it as soon as possible . 475 00:19:57,921 --> 00:20:00,032 And what I'd like to talk about is an 476 00:20:00,032 --> 00:20:02,254 example that I've talked about before . 477 00:20:02,540 --> 00:20:05,230 The ability of the Navy and I'm gonna 478 00:20:05,230 --> 00:20:07,230 use the Navy because we've used the 479 00:20:07,230 --> 00:20:09,341 navy in the past . The ability of the 480 00:20:09,341 --> 00:20:11,397 Navy to manage scheduled maintenance 481 00:20:11,397 --> 00:20:13,452 for its vessels is beyond concerning 482 00:20:13,840 --> 00:20:16,790 The USS Boise is a case in point but 483 00:20:16,790 --> 00:20:19,200 far from being the only example now the 484 00:20:19,200 --> 00:20:21,330 USS Boise as a Los Angeles class 485 00:20:21,610 --> 00:20:23,166 nuclear attack sub , it was 486 00:20:23,166 --> 00:20:26,660 commissioned in November of 1992 . The 487 00:20:26,660 --> 00:20:30,560 Boise has not been on patrol since 2015 . 488 00:20:30,940 --> 00:20:34,060 It lost its dive certification in 2017 . 489 00:20:34,740 --> 00:20:37,970 Now we've had some of our folks . My M . 490 00:20:37,970 --> 00:20:39,859 L . A . was on board the Boise in 491 00:20:39,859 --> 00:20:42,530 September of 2019 as its crew executed 492 00:20:42,530 --> 00:20:45,100 pre maintenance procedures . Here we 493 00:20:45,100 --> 00:20:48,440 are seven years plus later 494 00:20:48,710 --> 00:20:50,950 since it was last on patrol and it is 495 00:20:50,950 --> 00:20:54,060 still awaiting its engineered overhaul 496 00:20:54,540 --> 00:20:56,810 and there is no funding to allow this 497 00:20:56,810 --> 00:21:00,760 to happen until That the earliest Fy 24 498 00:21:01,340 --> 00:21:05,210 But probably Fy 25 now this is 499 00:21:05,210 --> 00:21:07,321 what's concerning . Multiple captains 500 00:21:07,321 --> 00:21:09,377 of the Boise have spent their entire 501 00:21:09,377 --> 00:21:11,377 command at sea tour while it's been 502 00:21:11,377 --> 00:21:13,960 stuck in limbo . American taxpayers 503 00:21:13,960 --> 00:21:16,016 continue to pay for a nuclear attack 504 00:21:16,016 --> 00:21:18,360 submarine that hasn't executed its 505 00:21:18,360 --> 00:21:21,350 mission in seven years . 506 00:21:21,940 --> 00:21:24,290 Now , myself and my colleagues have 507 00:21:24,290 --> 00:21:26,401 asked tough questions of Navy leaders 508 00:21:26,401 --> 00:21:29,200 for at least the last five years and 509 00:21:29,200 --> 00:21:31,422 yet nobody in the Navy has been able to 510 00:21:31,422 --> 00:21:33,690 solve the problem . Now , I'm hearing 511 00:21:33,690 --> 00:21:35,746 that the Boise may be decommissioned 512 00:21:36,140 --> 00:21:39,690 without ever receiving an overhaul . I 513 00:21:39,700 --> 00:21:43,100 think this is simply not acceptable to 514 00:21:43,100 --> 00:21:46,660 have the taxpayer funded nuclear attack 515 00:21:46,660 --> 00:21:49,280 submarine with those capabilities Out 516 00:21:49,280 --> 00:21:51,770 of service for more than seven years . 517 00:21:52,340 --> 00:21:54,507 And we can't seem to get to the bottom 518 00:21:54,507 --> 00:21:56,729 of what the problem is . Mr Secretary , 519 00:21:56,729 --> 00:21:58,673 I'm not sure if you're prepared to 520 00:21:58,673 --> 00:22:00,784 discuss this or if you'd like to have 521 00:22:00,784 --> 00:22:03,007 Mr McCord attempted , but I'd sure like 522 00:22:03,007 --> 00:22:05,630 to hear your thoughts . Thanks . All 523 00:22:05,630 --> 00:22:07,741 right , just a couple . I'd certainly 524 00:22:07,741 --> 00:22:09,780 invite Secretary McCord to make 525 00:22:09,790 --> 00:22:11,679 comments as well with a couple of 526 00:22:11,679 --> 00:22:13,734 points that I would make up front is 527 00:22:13,734 --> 00:22:15,740 that as you've heard me say , we 528 00:22:15,740 --> 00:22:19,510 continue to invest in and our sub 529 00:22:19,510 --> 00:22:21,680 capability , especially the Columbia 530 00:22:21,680 --> 00:22:23,900 class and that will continue going 531 00:22:23,900 --> 00:22:25,940 forward . Uh , we think it's it's 532 00:22:25,940 --> 00:22:28,100 critical , but the issue that you 533 00:22:28,100 --> 00:22:29,878 raised , I think is an issue of 534 00:22:29,878 --> 00:22:33,160 capacity in our shipyards . And and so 535 00:22:33,540 --> 00:22:36,120 This budget invests $1.7 billion 536 00:22:36,120 --> 00:22:39,200 dollars in public shipyard capacity and 537 00:22:39,200 --> 00:22:41,460 an industrial base . I think it's 538 00:22:41,460 --> 00:22:44,470 critical ah and and we'll continue to 539 00:22:44,480 --> 00:22:47,550 uh to to do our part to make sure that 540 00:22:47,560 --> 00:22:50,300 we're helping the industry have what is 541 00:22:50,310 --> 00:22:54,260 helping create the capacity to 542 00:22:54,640 --> 00:22:58,200 to take care of our capabilities here . 543 00:22:58,210 --> 00:23:00,377 MR Secretary , thank you . And perhaps 544 00:23:00,377 --> 00:23:02,377 rather than spending the rest of my 545 00:23:02,377 --> 00:23:04,488 time on this particular one , could I 546 00:23:04,488 --> 00:23:06,543 ask , would you get back with us and 547 00:23:06,543 --> 00:23:06,240 let's find a solution to this problem ? 548 00:23:06,280 --> 00:23:08,720 Sure . Absolutely . Thank you General 549 00:23:08,720 --> 00:23:10,831 Milley . I have just one question for 550 00:23:10,831 --> 00:23:12,998 you . And that is I I know that you've 551 00:23:12,998 --> 00:23:15,164 been an army officer and that you have 552 00:23:15,164 --> 00:23:16,942 commanded ground troops and you 553 00:23:16,942 --> 00:23:18,720 understand the need to have all 554 00:23:18,720 --> 00:23:20,776 possible systems available for their 555 00:23:20,776 --> 00:23:23,290 use . There was and there continues to 556 00:23:23,290 --> 00:23:25,234 be a question as to whether or not 557 00:23:25,234 --> 00:23:27,330 landmines should be a part of of our 558 00:23:27,330 --> 00:23:30,150 systems of operations . And uh and yet 559 00:23:30,150 --> 00:23:31,930 sometimes I think people get a 560 00:23:31,930 --> 00:23:33,874 misunderstanding of the difference 561 00:23:33,874 --> 00:23:35,819 between anti vehicle landmines and 562 00:23:35,819 --> 00:23:37,541 those which are anti personnel 563 00:23:37,541 --> 00:23:39,763 landmines and they don't understand the 564 00:23:39,763 --> 00:23:42,090 differences on them . This is a needed 565 00:23:42,090 --> 00:23:44,540 capability for our armed forces is to 566 00:23:44,540 --> 00:23:46,870 have the ability for these landmines to 567 00:23:46,870 --> 00:23:48,830 be able to be used in certain 568 00:23:48,840 --> 00:23:52,450 situations . You understand that The 569 00:23:52,460 --> 00:23:54,349 army has been developing landmine 570 00:23:54,349 --> 00:23:56,404 alternatives for over 12 years yet . 571 00:23:56,404 --> 00:23:58,530 The objective capability is not 572 00:23:58,530 --> 00:24:00,697 scheduled to be fielded until at least 573 00:24:00,697 --> 00:24:03,300 FY 30 or 31 . To me . The results are 574 00:24:03,300 --> 00:24:05,790 unacceptable to the mission and to the 575 00:24:05,790 --> 00:24:08,460 force , General Milley , Could you 576 00:24:09,040 --> 00:24:11,151 using your best professional military 577 00:24:11,151 --> 00:24:13,207 advice share with this committee the 578 00:24:13,207 --> 00:24:16,260 need or without the need for the 579 00:24:16,270 --> 00:24:19,110 upgrade of landmines and its critical 580 00:24:19,110 --> 00:24:21,560 importance to our armed forces . 581 00:24:23,740 --> 00:24:25,851 Thanks Senator . I do think landmines 582 00:24:25,851 --> 00:24:28,073 are important , especially if you're in 583 00:24:28,073 --> 00:24:29,962 the defense but also in any other 584 00:24:29,962 --> 00:24:31,907 capability in order to shape enemy 585 00:24:31,907 --> 00:24:34,129 operations . We need to look no further 586 00:24:34,129 --> 00:24:34,050 than what's happening actually in 587 00:24:34,050 --> 00:24:35,994 Ukraine . The land mines are being 588 00:24:35,994 --> 00:24:38,110 effectively used by the Ukrainian 589 00:24:38,110 --> 00:24:40,800 forces to shape uh the avenues of 590 00:24:40,800 --> 00:24:43,670 approach by Russian armored forces 591 00:24:43,670 --> 00:24:45,781 which puts them into engagement areas 592 00:24:45,781 --> 00:24:47,614 and makes them vulnerable to the 593 00:24:47,614 --> 00:24:49,781 antitank . The 60,000 antitank weapons 594 00:24:49,781 --> 00:24:51,559 systems that were providing the 595 00:24:51,559 --> 00:24:53,448 Ukrainians . So that's one of the 596 00:24:53,448 --> 00:24:55,670 reasons why you see column after column 597 00:24:55,670 --> 00:24:57,948 of Russian vehicles that are destroyed . 598 00:24:57,948 --> 00:25:00,003 So anti tank or anti personnel mines 599 00:25:00,003 --> 00:25:02,170 are very effective use in combat . But 600 00:25:02,170 --> 00:25:04,281 there is a policy governing those for 601 00:25:04,281 --> 00:25:06,559 the United States for use . And we are , 602 00:25:06,559 --> 00:25:08,614 the reason we're developing a narrow 603 00:25:08,614 --> 00:25:10,837 one is so that they time out uh and and 604 00:25:10,837 --> 00:25:12,726 they don't present harm after the 605 00:25:12,726 --> 00:25:14,670 conclusion of hostilities and they 606 00:25:14,670 --> 00:25:16,726 would self detonate ourself . Uh you 607 00:25:16,726 --> 00:25:18,837 know , destroy that , become inert at 608 00:25:18,837 --> 00:25:20,614 the end of hostilities . So but 609 00:25:20,614 --> 00:25:22,614 landmines are very effective use in 610 00:25:22,614 --> 00:25:24,448 combat . Thank you . Thank you . 611 00:25:24,448 --> 00:25:26,559 Senator Brown . Thank you very much . 612 00:25:26,559 --> 00:25:28,559 Senator Kaine , please Thank you Mr 613 00:25:28,559 --> 00:25:30,614 Chair and thank you to our witnesses 614 00:25:30,614 --> 00:25:32,837 for your service and for your effective 615 00:25:32,837 --> 00:25:35,960 work in recent months . So um as Russia 616 00:25:35,960 --> 00:25:38,180 moves the focus of their military 617 00:25:38,180 --> 00:25:41,460 operations to Donbas and the south , 618 00:25:41,940 --> 00:25:44,320 how would you Secretary and chairman 619 00:25:44,320 --> 00:25:47,320 characterize North and West Ukraine now ? 620 00:25:47,320 --> 00:25:49,060 Is it is it battlefield or non 621 00:25:49,060 --> 00:25:52,920 battlefield ? Well 622 00:25:52,920 --> 00:25:55,560 I would I would still um 623 00:25:56,740 --> 00:25:59,810 categorize it as a part of the uh the 624 00:25:59,810 --> 00:26:02,143 operating environment , the battlefield , 625 00:26:02,143 --> 00:26:04,330 the battle space , there's no telling 626 00:26:04,330 --> 00:26:06,441 what Mr Putin will decide to do going 627 00:26:06,441 --> 00:26:08,552 forward . Certainly we expect that he 628 00:26:08,552 --> 00:26:10,386 will continue to conduct strikes 629 00:26:10,386 --> 00:26:12,497 throughout that landscape . Uh and uh 630 00:26:12,497 --> 00:26:14,663 so in my view it's still a part of the 631 00:26:14,663 --> 00:26:16,774 battlefield . General . Yeah , same , 632 00:26:16,774 --> 00:26:18,886 same thing . I mean the main effort , 633 00:26:18,886 --> 00:26:21,108 if you will of the Russians is shifting 634 00:26:21,108 --> 00:26:23,274 to the south in the vicinity of Donbas 635 00:26:23,274 --> 00:26:25,274 as is reported to the news . Um and 636 00:26:25,274 --> 00:26:27,441 that that really goes from Kherson all 637 00:26:27,441 --> 00:26:29,441 the way up through Kharkiv with the 638 00:26:29,441 --> 00:26:31,552 main effort in the vicinity of Izzy . 639 00:26:31,552 --> 00:26:34,350 Um but the rest of Ukraine is still a 640 00:26:34,350 --> 00:26:36,380 battlefield because there's air and 641 00:26:36,380 --> 00:26:39,460 missile strikes that still go on . And 642 00:26:39,470 --> 00:26:41,360 uh you know , Russian special 643 00:26:41,360 --> 00:26:43,416 operations forces still operating in 644 00:26:43,416 --> 00:26:45,582 some of those areas . So it is clearly 645 00:26:45,582 --> 00:26:47,749 still in combat on the rest of Ukraine 646 00:26:47,749 --> 00:26:50,000 as well as the war ratchets up in the 647 00:26:50,000 --> 00:26:52,380 south and east . Do you agree with me 648 00:26:52,380 --> 00:26:54,560 that it's likely that Ukrainians in 649 00:26:54,560 --> 00:26:57,330 that region in some numbers will try to 650 00:26:57,330 --> 00:26:59,441 flee the region either to other parts 651 00:26:59,441 --> 00:27:01,720 of Ukraine or to other countries . I 652 00:27:01,720 --> 00:27:04,900 think so I think for civilians , the 653 00:27:04,900 --> 00:27:07,310 answer , uh you know , the human 654 00:27:07,310 --> 00:27:09,477 instinct to survive is very powerful . 655 00:27:09,477 --> 00:27:11,810 So they recognize the danger they're in . 656 00:27:11,810 --> 00:27:14,032 I think there will be a high likelihood 657 00:27:14,032 --> 00:27:16,199 that additional refugees or internally 658 00:27:16,199 --> 00:27:18,254 displaced persons will leave . We've 659 00:27:18,254 --> 00:27:20,588 already got Five million or so refugees . 660 00:27:20,588 --> 00:27:22,366 Another five million I think of 661 00:27:22,366 --> 00:27:24,477 internal displaced . You're well over 662 00:27:24,477 --> 00:27:26,421 10 million right now . And I would 663 00:27:26,421 --> 00:27:28,477 imagine more we'll leave that area . 664 00:27:28,477 --> 00:27:30,588 And and as a general matter , I think 665 00:27:30,588 --> 00:27:32,754 Ukrainians would like to stay in their 666 00:27:32,754 --> 00:27:34,810 own country . If we could shape it , 667 00:27:34,810 --> 00:27:37,032 wouldn't it be better for those fleeing 668 00:27:37,032 --> 00:27:39,290 the east to go elsewhere in Ukraine if 669 00:27:39,290 --> 00:27:41,401 they were safe rather than to go into 670 00:27:41,401 --> 00:27:43,123 other nations where they are a 671 00:27:43,123 --> 00:27:45,346 significant burden on other countries . 672 00:27:46,190 --> 00:27:48,357 I mean , if if President Zelensky were 673 00:27:48,357 --> 00:27:51,620 to appeal to the United States NATO the 674 00:27:51,620 --> 00:27:54,690 U . N . And say the ratcheting up of 675 00:27:54,690 --> 00:27:56,857 the war in the East is going to create 676 00:27:56,857 --> 00:27:59,670 such a pressure for people to flee . 677 00:28:00,040 --> 00:28:02,207 These people want to stay in Ukraine . 678 00:28:02,640 --> 00:28:05,900 Can you as our allies and Ngos 679 00:28:06,270 --> 00:28:09,250 flood humanitarian relief into Western 680 00:28:09,250 --> 00:28:12,740 Ukraine um shelter , medical capacity 681 00:28:12,740 --> 00:28:16,260 food . So that displaced persons in 682 00:28:16,260 --> 00:28:19,130 large numbers will be able to come to a 683 00:28:19,130 --> 00:28:21,019 place in Ukraine rather than flee 684 00:28:21,019 --> 00:28:22,963 across the borders . And President 685 00:28:22,963 --> 00:28:24,963 Zelensky were to ask for the United 686 00:28:24,963 --> 00:28:26,852 States assistance in doing that ? 687 00:28:26,852 --> 00:28:28,797 Should we seriously entertain that 688 00:28:28,797 --> 00:28:31,340 request ? I would say that's a policy 689 00:28:31,340 --> 00:28:33,562 question . But in terms of humanitarian 690 00:28:33,562 --> 00:28:35,700 aid , there is a lot of humanitarian 691 00:28:35,700 --> 00:28:38,630 aid moving into Ukraine in addition to 692 00:28:38,630 --> 00:28:40,519 the military . But the the latter 693 00:28:40,519 --> 00:28:42,686 question , the question itself I think 694 00:28:42,686 --> 00:28:44,463 is more appropriate as a policy 695 00:28:44,463 --> 00:28:47,060 question . MR Secretary , I agree with 696 00:28:47,060 --> 00:28:49,470 the chairman . Senator is uh it is a 697 00:28:49,470 --> 00:28:51,630 question that our our leadership will 698 00:28:51,630 --> 00:28:53,797 have to take on and be very deliberate 699 00:28:53,797 --> 00:28:56,019 about . And one of the things that that 700 00:28:56,019 --> 00:28:58,074 we would need to consider is what we 701 00:28:58,074 --> 00:29:00,297 need to do if we're going to put people 702 00:29:00,297 --> 00:29:02,630 in there to protect that area . And 703 00:29:02,640 --> 00:29:04,751 that's a decision that takes you to , 704 00:29:04,751 --> 00:29:07,160 you know , to fighting the Russians . 705 00:29:07,540 --> 00:29:11,250 Uh And so that's a pretty 706 00:29:11,250 --> 00:29:13,590 significant decision . But I would 707 00:29:13,590 --> 00:29:15,757 emphasize what the chairman has said , 708 00:29:15,757 --> 00:29:19,460 us a ID and others are flowing a lot of 709 00:29:19,840 --> 00:29:22,030 humanitarian assistance across the 710 00:29:22,030 --> 00:29:24,470 border now and the Europeans are pretty 711 00:29:24,470 --> 00:29:26,192 good at providing this kind of 712 00:29:26,192 --> 00:29:28,310 assistance . Let me switch topics . 713 00:29:28,310 --> 00:29:30,530 Some of my colleagues have raised the 714 00:29:30,540 --> 00:29:32,780 concern about inflation and what that 715 00:29:32,780 --> 00:29:34,669 means with respect to the defense 716 00:29:34,669 --> 00:29:36,613 budget . Um There's other economic 717 00:29:36,613 --> 00:29:38,780 trends other than inflation . Historic 718 00:29:38,780 --> 00:29:40,947 job growth right now . Historic growth 719 00:29:40,947 --> 00:29:43,280 in the GDP historic growth and wages 720 00:29:43,280 --> 00:29:45,680 and salaries this morning . Uh new 721 00:29:45,680 --> 00:29:48,030 unemployment claims were announced and 722 00:29:48,030 --> 00:29:51,910 it is the lowest number since 1968 . 723 00:29:51,920 --> 00:29:55,530 In January 2021 , we're seeing 965,000 724 00:29:55,530 --> 00:29:57,860 new unemployment claims a week . It's 725 00:29:57,860 --> 00:30:01,630 166,000 . Now , many of us met with 726 00:30:01,640 --> 00:30:03,862 Admiral Gilda and Secretary of Guilt or 727 00:30:03,862 --> 00:30:05,973 this morning , we asked about , Hey , 728 00:30:05,973 --> 00:30:07,862 that's fantastic . The strong job 729 00:30:07,862 --> 00:30:09,973 growth is great , but it also creates 730 00:30:09,973 --> 00:30:12,029 workforce challenges both within the 731 00:30:12,029 --> 00:30:13,807 uniform service but also in our 732 00:30:13,807 --> 00:30:15,973 industrial base . How are you tackling 733 00:30:16,060 --> 00:30:18,680 the workforce needs of our defense 734 00:30:18,690 --> 00:30:20,801 system today , when unemployment rate 735 00:30:20,801 --> 00:30:24,220 is dropping so quickly ? Well , that 736 00:30:24,220 --> 00:30:26,760 certainly does one of the things that 737 00:30:26,760 --> 00:30:29,270 creates headwinds for us going forward 738 00:30:29,270 --> 00:30:31,600 in terms of recruiting not only 739 00:30:31,600 --> 00:30:34,960 uniformed personnel , but also getting 740 00:30:34,960 --> 00:30:37,071 the right kind of talent that we need 741 00:30:37,071 --> 00:30:41,030 to to fill our ranks here . We'll 742 00:30:41,070 --> 00:30:43,930 continue to , you know , devote 743 00:30:43,930 --> 00:30:46,450 resources to making sure that , you 744 00:30:46,450 --> 00:30:48,672 know , we're doing the right things and 745 00:30:48,672 --> 00:30:51,380 marketing and advertising and outreach , 746 00:30:51,390 --> 00:30:53,650 but this these are challenges that we 747 00:30:53,650 --> 00:30:56,490 faced before . Uh and uh we're just 748 00:30:56,490 --> 00:30:58,712 gonna have to double down and make sure 749 00:30:58,712 --> 00:31:01,080 that that we , we are active in the 750 00:31:01,080 --> 00:31:04,850 right uh in the right areas and and 751 00:31:04,860 --> 00:31:07,082 uh we're committing the right resources 752 00:31:07,082 --> 00:31:09,138 to make sure that we get the quality 753 00:31:09,138 --> 00:31:11,304 people that we need to be successful . 754 00:31:12,640 --> 00:31:14,640 Thank you , Senator Kaine , Senator 755 00:31:14,640 --> 00:31:16,807 Ernest , please Thank you mr Chair and 756 00:31:16,807 --> 00:31:18,973 gentlemen , thank you so much for your 757 00:31:18,973 --> 00:31:21,380 continued service to our great country . 758 00:31:21,390 --> 00:31:24,430 Um we are appreciative and Secretary 759 00:31:24,430 --> 00:31:26,550 Austin . Um there has been a lot of 760 00:31:26,550 --> 00:31:28,990 discussion about Ukraine and Russia 761 00:31:28,990 --> 00:31:31,150 this morning and in your opening 762 00:31:31,150 --> 00:31:35,040 statement that you did say that U . S . 763 00:31:35,040 --> 00:31:38,140 Security policy must reflect the will 764 00:31:38,140 --> 00:31:41,370 of the american people And the American 765 00:31:41,370 --> 00:31:43,370 people right now are calling on the 766 00:31:43,370 --> 00:31:45,940 administration to do more and to be 767 00:31:45,940 --> 00:31:48,060 tougher on Russia and bring more 768 00:31:48,060 --> 00:31:51,450 capability to bear for Ukraine . The 769 00:31:51,460 --> 00:31:54,570 Washington Post just this morning um in 770 00:31:54,570 --> 00:31:56,710 one of their polls found that 56% of 771 00:31:56,710 --> 00:31:59,160 Americans think we haven't been tough 772 00:31:59,160 --> 00:32:03,090 enough on Russia . And so 773 00:32:03,100 --> 00:32:06,330 whatever the hesitancy to say when for 774 00:32:06,330 --> 00:32:09,830 Ukraine victory for Ukraine , I will 775 00:32:09,830 --> 00:32:11,774 say it . And I know a number of my 776 00:32:11,774 --> 00:32:13,830 colleagues will say it , I feel very 777 00:32:13,830 --> 00:32:16,350 firmly about victory for Ukraine and 778 00:32:16,350 --> 00:32:19,760 maintaining its uh sovereign integrity 779 00:32:19,770 --> 00:32:22,960 as a nation , their democratic , 780 00:32:23,630 --> 00:32:26,910 their democratic form of governance . 781 00:32:27,340 --> 00:32:29,284 It's all very important to so many 782 00:32:29,284 --> 00:32:31,507 Americans because so many Americans see 783 00:32:31,507 --> 00:32:33,784 themselves reflected in the Ukrainians . 784 00:32:33,784 --> 00:32:35,618 They are a first world country . 785 00:32:35,618 --> 00:32:37,729 They've come a long way over the last 786 00:32:37,729 --> 00:32:40,590 30 years . Um , so success to me is 787 00:32:40,590 --> 00:32:44,230 still a free and sovereign Ukraine . Um , 788 00:32:44,240 --> 00:32:47,790 so I do hope that we will continue to 789 00:32:47,790 --> 00:32:50,480 press very hard to make sure as you 790 00:32:50,480 --> 00:32:52,590 stated , things are speeding up 791 00:32:52,600 --> 00:32:54,800 delivery of lethal aid . But we 792 00:32:54,810 --> 00:32:57,330 absolutely must ensure that we are 793 00:32:57,330 --> 00:32:59,820 doing everything we can for the country 794 00:32:59,820 --> 00:33:02,020 of Ukraine and the citizens that are 795 00:33:02,020 --> 00:33:05,070 there . Um , so I am going to turn 796 00:33:05,080 --> 00:33:07,247 because we've focused a lot on Ukraine 797 00:33:07,247 --> 00:33:09,247 and Russia . I'm general Milley . I 798 00:33:09,247 --> 00:33:11,080 just I'd like to jump to Central 799 00:33:11,080 --> 00:33:14,520 command if we can I am concerned about 800 00:33:14,520 --> 00:33:16,464 the budgetary cuts and some of the 801 00:33:16,464 --> 00:33:19,920 flatlines that we are seeing across our 802 00:33:19,920 --> 00:33:22,990 centcom operations budget and many of 803 00:33:22,990 --> 00:33:25,250 the extremist organizations that are 804 00:33:25,250 --> 00:33:28,110 backed by the Iranian regime are 805 00:33:28,110 --> 00:33:31,230 striking across the region . Uh and and 806 00:33:31,230 --> 00:33:33,286 there's four terrorist organizations 807 00:33:33,286 --> 00:33:35,508 that are now operating in Afghanistan . 808 00:33:35,640 --> 00:33:37,418 And yet we don't have a U . S . 809 00:33:37,418 --> 00:33:40,740 Footprint there um to make sure that 810 00:33:40,740 --> 00:33:43,460 they are pushing threats against our 811 00:33:43,460 --> 00:33:46,160 homeland . So how have your gulf state 812 00:33:46,160 --> 00:33:48,560 military counterparts particularly 813 00:33:48,560 --> 00:33:51,200 Egypt Saudi Arabia and the Abraham 814 00:33:51,200 --> 00:33:54,430 accords member countries reacted to 815 00:33:54,440 --> 00:33:58,010 our reduced military budget . Have you 816 00:33:58,010 --> 00:34:00,360 had any input from them ? 817 00:34:02,740 --> 00:34:05,610 Not about the budget per se . But there 818 00:34:05,620 --> 00:34:08,330 is concern because we are the 819 00:34:08,330 --> 00:34:10,740 Department of Defense , we are doing a 820 00:34:10,740 --> 00:34:12,851 global posture review as you know and 821 00:34:12,851 --> 00:34:14,629 we're making adjustments to the 822 00:34:14,629 --> 00:34:16,740 footprint . And the Ukraine situation 823 00:34:16,740 --> 00:34:18,740 is a new development since we began 824 00:34:18,740 --> 00:34:20,851 that review quite some time ago . And 825 00:34:20,851 --> 00:34:23,129 centcom as part of that review as well . 826 00:34:23,129 --> 00:34:23,060 So there is concern in the centcom area 827 00:34:23,060 --> 00:34:25,520 of operations about what the result 828 00:34:25,520 --> 00:34:27,576 will be in terms of the footprint in 829 00:34:27,576 --> 00:34:29,760 centcom . Um and we are continuing to 830 00:34:29,760 --> 00:34:31,816 work with our allies and partners to 831 00:34:31,816 --> 00:34:34,038 make sure it's appropriate to the level 832 00:34:34,038 --> 00:34:36,093 of threat . We clearly recognize the 833 00:34:36,093 --> 00:34:38,149 terrorist threat . Both the residual 834 00:34:38,149 --> 00:34:39,871 threat in Afghanistan but also 835 00:34:39,871 --> 00:34:41,927 throughout the region . And we think 836 00:34:41,927 --> 00:34:43,760 that we do have over the horizon 837 00:34:43,760 --> 00:34:43,750 capabilities which we can discuss in 838 00:34:43,870 --> 00:34:46,210 classified session but we do think were 839 00:34:46,210 --> 00:34:49,080 effective and being able to find fix 840 00:34:49,080 --> 00:34:52,380 and when necessary strike any potential 841 00:34:52,380 --> 00:34:54,380 threat to the homeland . And it has 842 00:34:54,380 --> 00:34:56,640 been reported that the Emiratis won't 843 00:34:56,640 --> 00:34:58,840 accept the president's phone calls . 844 00:34:58,840 --> 00:35:00,720 Are you able to visit with your 845 00:35:00,720 --> 00:35:03,250 counterparts in the U . S . A . I have 846 00:35:03,250 --> 00:35:04,861 not had any issue contacting 847 00:35:04,861 --> 00:35:07,139 counterparts in the Middle East . Okay . 848 00:35:07,139 --> 00:35:09,194 And and thank you for continuing the 849 00:35:09,194 --> 00:35:12,040 conversation um with them . It is 850 00:35:12,040 --> 00:35:13,540 important that we maintain 851 00:35:13,540 --> 00:35:16,120 relationships through the Middle East . 852 00:35:16,120 --> 00:35:19,160 So I do appreciate that . Um 853 00:35:19,840 --> 00:35:22,130 with the administration continuing the 854 00:35:22,140 --> 00:35:25,570 negotiation of the Iranian nuclear deal 855 00:35:25,580 --> 00:35:28,600 and then pair that with the reduced 856 00:35:28,600 --> 00:35:30,656 footprint that we have in the Middle 857 00:35:30,656 --> 00:35:34,590 East . Um Is that driving some of the 858 00:35:34,590 --> 00:35:38,330 gulf states neutrality when it comes to 859 00:35:38,340 --> 00:35:41,490 the Russian Ukrainian conflict ? Your 860 00:35:41,490 --> 00:35:44,900 opinion ? Um I actually don't know . 861 00:35:44,900 --> 00:35:46,956 I'd have to ask them point blank . I 862 00:35:46,956 --> 00:35:48,956 haven't asked those questions point 863 00:35:48,956 --> 00:35:51,930 blank to them . Um I think they 864 00:35:51,930 --> 00:35:53,763 probably don't know . I'd I'd be 865 00:35:53,763 --> 00:35:55,930 speculating so I'd have to go , okay , 866 00:35:55,930 --> 00:35:58,097 no , I appreciate that . And then just 867 00:35:58,097 --> 00:35:59,986 very briefly as well , we haven't 868 00:35:59,986 --> 00:36:01,986 talked about this today , but it is 869 00:36:01,986 --> 00:36:04,208 something that is on my mind . And that 870 00:36:04,208 --> 00:36:06,430 is recruiting for our military . And we 871 00:36:06,430 --> 00:36:09,420 have found that americans between the 872 00:36:09,420 --> 00:36:12,540 age of 17-24 , only 873 00:36:12,540 --> 00:36:16,340 29% of them would even be eligible to 874 00:36:16,340 --> 00:36:18,850 enlist . Just very briefly thoughts , 875 00:36:18,860 --> 00:36:20,916 thoughts on that . That's but you're 876 00:36:20,916 --> 00:36:23,082 about right . 29% are eligible to meet 877 00:36:23,082 --> 00:36:25,193 the standards , medical , educational 878 00:36:25,193 --> 00:36:27,360 discipline , legal , all that and even 879 00:36:27,360 --> 00:36:29,471 less than that have a propensity it's 880 00:36:29,471 --> 00:36:31,804 less than 5% of the propensity to serve . 881 00:36:31,804 --> 00:36:31,310 And we know that part of that is 882 00:36:31,310 --> 00:36:33,130 because of covid , we know that 883 00:36:33,130 --> 00:36:35,450 propensity to serve goes up once you 884 00:36:35,450 --> 00:36:37,800 make contact . So contact personal 885 00:36:37,800 --> 00:36:39,990 contact with individuals out there in 886 00:36:39,990 --> 00:36:42,212 the recruiting regions . That's the key 887 00:36:42,212 --> 00:36:44,212 to propensity to serve . So it is a 888 00:36:44,212 --> 00:36:46,490 tough recruiting environment right now . 889 00:36:46,490 --> 00:36:48,712 And as you know , I think the army is a 890 00:36:48,712 --> 00:36:50,879 little bit behind Navy marines and Air 891 00:36:50,879 --> 00:36:53,046 force or army meeting . The marks were 892 00:36:53,046 --> 00:36:55,101 only four months into the , into the 893 00:36:55,101 --> 00:36:57,101 year . That'll get adjusted as high 894 00:36:57,101 --> 00:36:59,323 schools graduate in the summer . Uh And 895 00:36:59,323 --> 00:37:01,546 I think at the end of the year the army 896 00:37:01,546 --> 00:37:00,720 is projected to come in and pointed to 897 00:37:00,720 --> 00:37:03,370 below 100% . The other services are 898 00:37:03,370 --> 00:37:05,426 going to be 100% . Thank you . Thank 899 00:37:05,426 --> 00:37:07,703 you gentlemen . Thank you . Mr . Chair . 900 00:37:07,703 --> 00:37:09,870 Thank you . Senator . Senator Warren , 901 00:37:09,870 --> 00:37:12,037 please thank you . Mr Chairman . So in 902 00:37:12,037 --> 00:37:14,148 the new budget the pentagon is asking 903 00:37:14,148 --> 00:37:17,900 for a lot of money $773 billion dollars 904 00:37:18,230 --> 00:37:20,980 But some lawmakers say this is too low 905 00:37:20,990 --> 00:37:23,101 and last week they proposed adding as 906 00:37:23,101 --> 00:37:26,360 much as 90-100 billion more . The claim 907 00:37:26,360 --> 00:37:28,249 is that the extra money is needed 908 00:37:28,249 --> 00:37:30,360 because of inflation . Now there's no 909 00:37:30,360 --> 00:37:32,900 question that inflation is raising 910 00:37:32,900 --> 00:37:35,270 costs across the country . But we've 911 00:37:35,270 --> 00:37:38,360 also seen big companies taken advantage 912 00:37:38,370 --> 00:37:41,540 of inflation to Jack up prices and to 913 00:37:41,540 --> 00:37:44,140 pad their profit margins . That is a 914 00:37:44,140 --> 00:37:47,540 particular problem in industries with 915 00:37:47,540 --> 00:37:50,850 lots of consolidation . The defense 916 00:37:50,850 --> 00:37:54,360 industry Which had 51 major 917 00:37:54,360 --> 00:37:56,200 companies competing for defense 918 00:37:56,200 --> 00:37:59,620 contracts 30 years ago today has 919 00:37:59,630 --> 00:38:03,040 five that is concentration 920 00:38:03,720 --> 00:38:05,970 price gouging by defense contractors 921 00:38:05,970 --> 00:38:08,248 has been a big problem for a long time . 922 00:38:08,248 --> 00:38:10,410 Inspector general reports have found 923 00:38:10,410 --> 00:38:12,632 that defense contractors charge D . O . 924 00:38:12,632 --> 00:38:16,570 D $71 for a pin that should have cost 925 00:38:16,570 --> 00:38:20,050 less than a nickel and $80 for a drain 926 00:38:20,050 --> 00:38:22,106 pipe segment that should have cost a 927 00:38:22,106 --> 00:38:25,790 dollar 41 and ceos are already bragging 928 00:38:25,790 --> 00:38:28,710 to their investors that profits will be 929 00:38:28,720 --> 00:38:31,240 even higher this year . That kind of 930 00:38:31,240 --> 00:38:34,100 profiteering waste , taxpayer dollars 931 00:38:34,110 --> 00:38:36,640 and it hurts military readiness . 932 00:38:36,650 --> 00:38:39,540 Secretary Austin , let me ask you under 933 00:38:39,540 --> 00:38:42,720 our budget . Obviously you have to 934 00:38:42,720 --> 00:38:44,887 account , we have to account for cases 935 00:38:44,887 --> 00:38:47,860 where suppliers are increasing prices 936 00:38:47,860 --> 00:38:50,310 to cover higher costs elsewhere in the 937 00:38:50,310 --> 00:38:52,890 supply chain . We understand that , but 938 00:38:52,890 --> 00:38:55,280 these companies are doing very well for 939 00:38:55,280 --> 00:38:57,940 themselves . Should taxpayers be 940 00:38:57,940 --> 00:39:00,120 expected to subsidize higher profits 941 00:39:00,120 --> 00:39:02,830 for contractors that are using 942 00:39:02,830 --> 00:39:05,060 inflation as a cover to raise their 943 00:39:05,060 --> 00:39:08,160 prices above and beyond what is 944 00:39:08,160 --> 00:39:10,740 justified by an increase in expenses . 945 00:39:12,120 --> 00:39:15,190 The short answer senator is no . And 946 00:39:15,200 --> 00:39:17,260 you have my commitment and the 947 00:39:17,260 --> 00:39:19,900 commitment of my entire team that we're 948 00:39:19,900 --> 00:39:22,310 going to do everything within our power 949 00:39:22,310 --> 00:39:25,840 to make sure that that we were managing 950 00:39:25,840 --> 00:39:28,400 contracts and and monitoring behavior 951 00:39:28,410 --> 00:39:32,340 so that we enable the people of the 952 00:39:32,340 --> 00:39:34,396 United States of America to get best 953 00:39:34,396 --> 00:39:36,940 value for for its investments good . I 954 00:39:36,950 --> 00:39:39,300 very much appreciate that . Secretary 955 00:39:39,300 --> 00:39:41,610 Austin . You know , one of the things 956 00:39:41,610 --> 00:39:43,660 that defense contractors love to do 957 00:39:43,670 --> 00:39:45,630 when they're flush with extra cash 958 00:39:45,640 --> 00:39:48,240 courtesy of the taxpayers Is to use it 959 00:39:48,240 --> 00:39:50,740 to goose their stock prices . The 960 00:39:50,740 --> 00:39:53,670 Pentagon's top contractors spent 961 00:39:53,680 --> 00:39:57,170 $15.5 billion dollars 962 00:39:57,180 --> 00:40:00,550 on net buybacks last year sending their 963 00:40:00,550 --> 00:40:04,140 stock prices zooming . Uh , that is the 964 00:40:04,140 --> 00:40:07,730 most of any year on record ever . 965 00:40:08,410 --> 00:40:10,521 But it's not just members of Congress 966 00:40:10,521 --> 00:40:12,743 who are using inflation as an excuse to 967 00:40:12,743 --> 00:40:14,910 ask for more money from the pentagon . 968 00:40:14,910 --> 00:40:16,966 I was actually troubled to hear some 969 00:40:16,966 --> 00:40:18,854 pentagon officials doing the same 970 00:40:18,854 --> 00:40:22,350 earlier this week . So Secretary Austin , 971 00:40:22,350 --> 00:40:24,770 let me ask you directly , are you 972 00:40:24,780 --> 00:40:27,710 comfortable with the figure in the 973 00:40:27,710 --> 00:40:31,480 President's proposed budget ? I am 974 00:40:31,480 --> 00:40:33,536 comfortable and here's why Senator , 975 00:40:33,540 --> 00:40:35,840 you may have heard me say earlier that 976 00:40:35,850 --> 00:40:38,610 we went through great pains . Uh we 977 00:40:38,610 --> 00:40:40,832 developed the national defense strategy 978 00:40:40,832 --> 00:40:43,540 and we we knew that our budget would 979 00:40:43,540 --> 00:40:47,390 have to uh match that strategy and so 980 00:40:47,400 --> 00:40:49,400 we went through great pains to make 981 00:40:49,400 --> 00:40:51,730 sure that that was the case . This is a 982 00:40:51,810 --> 00:40:54,690 robust budget . Uh , and I think it , 983 00:40:54,700 --> 00:40:58,470 it allows us to Get the capabilities 984 00:40:58,470 --> 00:41:00,692 that we need to support our operational 985 00:41:00,870 --> 00:41:03,130 concepts . Okay . And you are good on 986 00:41:03,130 --> 00:41:05,074 this number without adding another 987 00:41:05,074 --> 00:41:08,250 $90-$100 billion dollars to it . We we 988 00:41:08,250 --> 00:41:10,472 certainly want to have the buying power 989 00:41:10,472 --> 00:41:12,950 to get the things that we need . But uh 990 00:41:12,960 --> 00:41:16,030 but yeah , this , this is the eye , 991 00:41:16,410 --> 00:41:19,140 This budget gives us what we need to 992 00:41:19,140 --> 00:41:20,807 get the the , the operational 993 00:41:20,807 --> 00:41:23,780 capabilities . Okay look I think that 994 00:41:23,790 --> 00:41:26,410 $773 billion dollars for the pentagon 995 00:41:26,420 --> 00:41:28,750 is already way too high . But the 996 00:41:28,750 --> 00:41:30,750 notion that we need to increase the 997 00:41:30,750 --> 00:41:33,560 total by another 100 billion or $400 998 00:41:33,560 --> 00:41:36,200 billion dollars every year just invites 999 00:41:36,200 --> 00:41:38,960 defense contractors to pick taxpayers 1000 00:41:38,960 --> 00:41:41,320 pockets . The american people are 1001 00:41:41,320 --> 00:41:44,230 willing to pay to defend this country 1002 00:41:44,240 --> 00:41:46,407 but they're not going to sit still for 1003 00:41:46,407 --> 00:41:48,650 being gouged by hugely profitable 1004 00:41:48,660 --> 00:41:50,882 defense companies and I appreciate your 1005 00:41:50,882 --> 00:41:53,130 help on this . Secretary Austin . I am 1006 00:41:53,140 --> 00:41:56,230 almost out of time but Mr McCord . I 1007 00:41:56,230 --> 00:41:58,320 want to remind you that you owe this 1008 00:41:58,320 --> 00:42:01,160 committee a backlog of several years of 1009 00:42:01,160 --> 00:42:03,830 reports on the european deterrence 1010 00:42:03,840 --> 00:42:05,784 initiative . Do I have your word ? 1011 00:42:05,784 --> 00:42:08,710 We're going to get that done soon . Yes 1012 00:42:08,710 --> 00:42:10,877 Senator Well we'll get those reports . 1013 00:42:10,877 --> 00:42:13,460 Alright thank you very much . Thank you 1014 00:42:13,460 --> 00:42:15,349 Senator Warren Senator Sullivan , 1015 00:42:15,349 --> 00:42:17,293 please thank you Mr . Chairman and 1016 00:42:17,293 --> 00:42:19,571 gentlemen thank you for your hard work . 1017 00:42:19,571 --> 00:42:21,793 I know you've been burning the midnight 1018 00:42:21,793 --> 00:42:23,682 oil . We this committee certainly 1019 00:42:23,682 --> 00:42:25,682 appreciates it . I want to um agree 1020 00:42:25,682 --> 00:42:28,550 with Senator Fischer on the N . D . S 1021 00:42:28,550 --> 00:42:30,717 and getting that out . I actually read 1022 00:42:30,717 --> 00:42:33,600 the classified version . Um I think 1023 00:42:33,600 --> 00:42:35,544 there's not much in it that that's 1024 00:42:35,544 --> 00:42:37,656 classified actually I think you could 1025 00:42:37,656 --> 00:42:40,530 get that out publicly pretty soon . You 1026 00:42:40,530 --> 00:42:42,850 know maybe remove a certain element to 1027 00:42:42,850 --> 00:42:44,850 it . But I think that that would be 1028 00:42:44,850 --> 00:42:47,620 important . I was struck by pretty much 1029 00:42:47,620 --> 00:42:50,500 everybody here . The chairman , all of 1030 00:42:50,500 --> 00:42:53,080 you gentlemen talking about how dire 1031 00:42:53,080 --> 00:42:56,110 the global security challenges are um 1032 00:42:56,600 --> 00:42:59,660 great power conflict increasing more 1033 00:42:59,660 --> 00:43:02,020 likely , General Miller , you said the 1034 00:43:02,020 --> 00:43:04,020 greatest threat to global peace and 1035 00:43:04,020 --> 00:43:06,131 security in your lifetime right now . 1036 00:43:06,131 --> 00:43:08,187 So clearly national security threats 1037 00:43:08,187 --> 00:43:10,353 have increased since the last time you 1038 00:43:10,353 --> 00:43:12,242 were here a year ago . Isn't that 1039 00:43:12,242 --> 00:43:12,220 correct ? Mr Secretary General Milley . 1040 00:43:15,000 --> 00:43:17,111 Well , certainly the you know , we've 1041 00:43:17,111 --> 00:43:18,833 been focused on the are pacing 1042 00:43:18,833 --> 00:43:21,410 challenge of china Russia is an acute 1043 00:43:21,410 --> 00:43:24,550 threat and right . But I mean , I don't 1044 00:43:24,550 --> 00:43:27,580 want to be rude but just since you 1045 00:43:27,580 --> 00:43:29,580 testified last year , compared your 1046 00:43:29,580 --> 00:43:31,650 testimony today , both of yours with 1047 00:43:31,650 --> 00:43:34,360 last year's the security threat has 1048 00:43:34,360 --> 00:43:37,180 been significantly heightened . That's 1049 00:43:37,180 --> 00:43:38,958 what you've just said , correct 1050 00:43:39,200 --> 00:43:41,200 tensions are certainly heightened . 1051 00:43:41,200 --> 00:43:43,033 That's right . Yeah . Well , you 1052 00:43:43,033 --> 00:43:45,750 already said it . So . So here's the 1053 00:43:45,750 --> 00:43:48,220 thing on that . I am actually stunned 1054 00:43:49,100 --> 00:43:51,267 that the President put forward another 1055 00:43:51,267 --> 00:43:53,870 budget that actually calls for real 1056 00:43:54,010 --> 00:43:57,840 defense cuts . 4% increase with 8% 1057 00:43:57,840 --> 00:44:01,600 inflation is a 4% real inflation 1058 00:44:02,090 --> 00:44:04,110 adjusted budget . 1059 00:44:05,990 --> 00:44:08,046 I think it's irresponsible . I think 1060 00:44:08,046 --> 00:44:09,823 it's dangerous when you look at 1061 00:44:09,823 --> 00:44:11,990 shrinking the navy , shrinking the air 1062 00:44:11,990 --> 00:44:13,990 force . There's no doubt in my mind 1063 00:44:13,990 --> 00:44:16,680 that that gives our enemies comfort . 1064 00:44:16,690 --> 00:44:20,520 And I think that this budget 1065 00:44:20,530 --> 00:44:22,474 doesn't align with your statements 1066 00:44:22,474 --> 00:44:24,419 about the severity of the national 1067 00:44:24,419 --> 00:44:26,641 security challenges we face right now . 1068 00:44:26,641 --> 00:44:28,808 And what's likely to happen . And it's 1069 00:44:28,808 --> 00:44:30,919 sad is that once again we're going to 1070 00:44:30,919 --> 00:44:33,086 have to push the President to increase 1071 00:44:33,086 --> 00:44:35,141 the budget in a bipartisan way , the 1072 00:44:35,141 --> 00:44:37,308 way we did it last year , it's sad the 1073 00:44:37,308 --> 00:44:39,530 Commander in chief can't reject some of 1074 00:44:39,530 --> 00:44:41,697 his far left members and say we need a 1075 00:44:41,697 --> 00:44:43,919 robust budget . We put forward a budget 1076 00:44:43,919 --> 00:44:45,919 that cuts defense spending . So I'm 1077 00:44:45,919 --> 00:44:47,863 going to Have problems with that . 1078 00:44:47,863 --> 00:44:49,974 General Milley , I want to compliment 1079 00:44:49,974 --> 00:44:52,141 you on your speech . I think it was in 1080 00:44:52,141 --> 00:44:55,800 20 16 you gave a really prophetic in my 1081 00:44:55,800 --> 00:44:59,220 view speech on Putin and the threat he 1082 00:44:59,690 --> 00:45:02,460 he brings forward and you're actually 1083 00:45:02,460 --> 00:45:04,682 criticized for that speech I remember , 1084 00:45:04,690 --> 00:45:06,750 but I think if you reread the speech 1085 00:45:06,750 --> 00:45:08,730 you were right on with what was 1086 00:45:08,730 --> 00:45:10,940 happening , but you're seeing here , I 1087 00:45:10,940 --> 00:45:12,996 think there's a source of bipartisan 1088 00:45:12,996 --> 00:45:15,720 frustration to what's happening . I 1089 00:45:15,720 --> 00:45:17,720 know you've been working it hard on 1090 00:45:17,720 --> 00:45:19,776 Ukraine , but I think when the intel 1091 00:45:19,776 --> 00:45:21,900 committees were briefing us prior to 1092 00:45:21,900 --> 00:45:24,122 the invasion , they got it right and so 1093 00:45:24,122 --> 00:45:26,289 did all of you . What was gonna happen 1094 00:45:26,289 --> 00:45:28,920 then there was this notion that And we 1095 00:45:28,920 --> 00:45:31,031 were all briefed on it that they were 1096 00:45:31,031 --> 00:45:33,087 gonna lose Ukrainians within 7 to 10 1097 00:45:33,087 --> 00:45:35,253 days . That was the uniform briefing , 1098 00:45:35,253 --> 00:45:37,476 they're gonna get crushed . Okay , they 1099 00:45:37,476 --> 00:45:39,531 got that wrong , a lot of people got 1100 00:45:39,531 --> 00:45:41,698 that wrong . I think the shift that we 1101 00:45:41,698 --> 00:45:43,920 need to do now is to Senator Blumenthal 1102 00:45:43,920 --> 00:45:45,864 Senator Cotton Senator ernst to to 1103 00:45:45,864 --> 00:45:48,087 strategically think about victory . And 1104 00:45:48,087 --> 00:45:50,100 again , General Milley , I I know 1105 00:45:50,100 --> 00:45:52,211 you're working as hard . But when you 1106 00:45:52,211 --> 00:45:54,489 talk about key objectives , number one , 1107 00:45:54,489 --> 00:45:56,600 don't engage Russia with a conflict . 1108 00:45:56,600 --> 00:45:58,590 Keep NATO cohesion , support the 1109 00:45:58,590 --> 00:46:00,868 Ukrainian people is the key objectives . 1110 00:46:01,280 --> 00:46:03,900 Doesn't it make sense To have as our 1111 00:46:03,900 --> 00:46:07,150 number one objective imposing a 1112 00:46:07,150 --> 00:46:09,910 strategic defeat on Putin 1113 00:46:10,990 --> 00:46:12,934 that we have the opportunity to do 1114 00:46:12,934 --> 00:46:15,212 right now in a line with what you said . 1115 00:46:15,340 --> 00:46:17,173 And I think that's the source of 1116 00:46:17,173 --> 00:46:19,340 frustration for a lot of senators were 1117 00:46:19,340 --> 00:46:20,896 not hearing that language . 1118 00:46:23,180 --> 00:46:25,540 Yeah I think well I've heard that 1119 00:46:25,540 --> 00:46:27,651 language many times actually . I mean 1120 00:46:27,651 --> 00:46:29,373 you just you just listed three 1121 00:46:29,373 --> 00:46:31,596 objectives were to be honest there were 1122 00:46:31,596 --> 00:46:33,818 all defensive sounding . Here's what we 1123 00:46:33,818 --> 00:46:35,873 won't do , here's what we won't do . 1124 00:46:35,873 --> 00:46:38,096 Here's what we will do . But what about 1125 00:46:38,096 --> 00:46:40,262 the magic moment ? This is bigger than 1126 00:46:40,262 --> 00:46:42,318 Ukraine getting strict international 1127 00:46:42,318 --> 00:46:44,540 level . The president has said to us to 1128 00:46:44,540 --> 00:46:46,762 us writ large the the national security 1129 00:46:46,762 --> 00:46:49,790 team to impose severe costs and do not 1130 00:46:49,790 --> 00:46:53,060 let Putin win to ensure that you and I 1131 00:46:53,060 --> 00:46:55,240 would respectfully recommend you put 1132 00:46:55,240 --> 00:46:57,570 that as your number one objective . You 1133 00:46:57,570 --> 00:46:59,737 didn't even mention that in your three 1134 00:46:59,737 --> 00:47:01,810 objectives right ? But those severe 1135 00:47:01,810 --> 00:47:04,088 costs are being done by other elements , 1136 00:47:04,088 --> 00:47:06,032 not the U . S . Uniform military . 1137 00:47:06,032 --> 00:47:08,254 That's why the U . S . Uniform military 1138 00:47:08,254 --> 00:47:10,366 has a different task here which is to 1139 00:47:10,366 --> 00:47:12,366 assure and deter our NATO allies to 1140 00:47:12,366 --> 00:47:15,330 prevent war expanding and escalating to 1141 00:47:15,330 --> 00:47:18,190 ensure that Ukraine gets the means that 1142 00:47:18,190 --> 00:47:20,412 are necessary in order to defend itself 1143 00:47:20,412 --> 00:47:22,660 so it can remain free and sovereign and 1144 00:47:22,660 --> 00:47:24,771 then also to continue to maintain the 1145 00:47:24,771 --> 00:47:26,938 cohesion of NATO Those are the uniform 1146 00:47:26,938 --> 00:47:29,160 military tests . When I'm talking about 1147 00:47:29,160 --> 00:47:31,271 a broader than just the uniform . Let 1148 00:47:31,271 --> 00:47:30,720 me I have one question MR Chairman , 1149 00:47:30,720 --> 00:47:33,053 that will be quick . Just one final one . 1150 00:47:33,053 --> 00:47:36,720 Um , there press reports that the J . C . 1151 00:47:36,720 --> 00:47:38,880 P O . A consideration one of the big 1152 00:47:38,890 --> 00:47:42,600 red line debates right now is for us to 1153 00:47:42,600 --> 00:47:44,900 agree us the United States to delist 1154 00:47:44,900 --> 00:47:47,150 the Irgc as an organization that 1155 00:47:47,150 --> 00:47:50,570 sponsors terrorism . The Iranians want 1156 00:47:50,570 --> 00:47:53,050 it . You gentlemen , unfortunately , 1157 00:47:53,060 --> 00:47:56,290 and have led troops Some of our finest 1158 00:47:56,290 --> 00:48:00,050 over 2000 wounded and killed by the 1159 00:48:00,050 --> 00:48:02,340 codes force Irgc with the weapons they 1160 00:48:02,340 --> 00:48:04,680 supplied to Iraqi Shia militias . I'm 1161 00:48:04,680 --> 00:48:07,340 sure hundreds under your command were 1162 00:48:07,340 --> 00:48:10,700 killed or wounded of the IrgC has 1163 00:48:10,700 --> 00:48:12,589 recently been responsible missile 1164 00:48:12,589 --> 00:48:14,422 attacks in coordination with the 1165 00:48:14,422 --> 00:48:16,533 Houthis against U . A . E civilians ? 1166 00:48:16,770 --> 00:48:18,881 Our longstanding ally in the region . 1167 00:48:20,870 --> 00:48:23,037 Is there any universe in which the two 1168 00:48:23,037 --> 00:48:26,180 of you ? I could say you 1169 00:48:26,180 --> 00:48:29,680 support the delisting of this 1170 00:48:29,690 --> 00:48:31,960 terrorist organization with blood of 1171 00:48:32,230 --> 00:48:34,790 american soldiers on its hands recently 1172 00:48:35,470 --> 00:48:38,640 and delist them as the state sponsored 1173 00:48:38,640 --> 00:48:42,130 terrorism ? Because Iran wants it . We 1174 00:48:42,130 --> 00:48:44,241 should tell her in to go pound sand . 1175 00:48:44,241 --> 00:48:46,330 There's no way in hell that they 1176 00:48:46,330 --> 00:48:48,620 shouldn't be delisted . What do you two 1177 00:48:48,620 --> 00:48:50,880 In your personal opinion , given how 1178 00:48:50,880 --> 00:48:53,047 much experience you have with Iran and 1179 00:48:53,047 --> 00:48:54,824 the Middle East believe on that 1180 00:48:54,824 --> 00:48:58,050 question senator . I respectfully , I 1181 00:48:58,050 --> 00:49:01,370 won't comment on on negotiations that 1182 00:49:01,370 --> 00:49:04,710 are ongoing and speculate on what 1183 00:49:04,710 --> 00:49:07,590 my my advice to the President is going 1184 00:49:07,590 --> 00:49:11,000 to be So in your personal opinion , 1185 00:49:11,000 --> 00:49:13,000 we've asked you before that you can 1186 00:49:13,000 --> 00:49:15,030 give us that even though it might 1187 00:49:15,030 --> 00:49:17,500 conflict with the administration's view , 1188 00:49:18,080 --> 00:49:20,970 that's what you committed to do with 1189 00:49:20,970 --> 00:49:23,303 this committee . So , I'd ask you again , 1190 00:49:23,303 --> 00:49:25,526 both of you and your personal opinion . 1191 00:49:25,526 --> 00:49:27,414 And my answer remains unchanged . 1192 00:49:27,414 --> 00:49:29,526 General Milley , you've been asked in 1193 00:49:29,526 --> 00:49:31,748 your personal opinion ? Yes , Senator , 1194 00:49:31,748 --> 00:49:33,970 Just for clarity , political appointees 1195 00:49:33,970 --> 00:49:36,140 are different than me . I have to sign 1196 00:49:36,140 --> 00:49:38,362 a document that requires me to give you 1197 00:49:38,362 --> 00:49:40,696 your right . And I'm sorry Mr Secretary . 1198 00:49:40,696 --> 00:49:42,807 I didn't mean you gentlemen . So , in 1199 00:49:42,807 --> 00:49:44,807 my personal opinion , I believe the 1200 00:49:44,807 --> 00:49:46,918 IrgC coup is forced to be a terrorist 1201 00:49:46,918 --> 00:49:49,084 organization and I do not support them 1202 00:49:49,084 --> 00:49:50,862 being delisted from the foreign 1203 00:49:50,862 --> 00:49:50,380 terrorist organization . Thank you for 1204 00:49:50,380 --> 00:49:52,324 your honesty . Thank you . Senator 1205 00:49:52,324 --> 00:49:54,491 Sullivan thank you very much . Senator 1206 00:49:54,491 --> 00:49:56,900 King , please thank you a series of 1207 00:49:57,470 --> 00:49:59,637 fairly detailed question . Mr McCord . 1208 00:49:59,637 --> 00:50:01,859 You haven't had much fun this morning . 1209 00:50:01,859 --> 00:50:04,081 So , I want to try to get you into this 1210 00:50:04,081 --> 00:50:06,081 discussion . The Ukrainian aid that 1211 00:50:06,081 --> 00:50:08,137 that we've supplied thus far and and 1212 00:50:08,137 --> 00:50:10,026 we're planning to supply and will 1213 00:50:10,026 --> 00:50:12,248 undoubtedly supply more in the future . 1214 00:50:12,248 --> 00:50:14,303 Where does that fit into the defense 1215 00:50:14,303 --> 00:50:16,470 budget ? We don't have . Oko anymore . 1216 00:50:16,470 --> 00:50:18,581 Is this coming out of the the current 1217 00:50:18,581 --> 00:50:20,359 defense budget ? Are they extra 1218 00:50:20,359 --> 00:50:24,120 budgetary appropriations Senator , the 1219 00:50:24,130 --> 00:50:26,352 the the aid that the secretary has been 1220 00:50:26,352 --> 00:50:28,186 talking about this morning . The 1221 00:50:28,186 --> 00:50:30,241 javelins , The Stingers body armor . 1222 00:50:30,241 --> 00:50:32,352 All those things have come out of the 1223 00:50:32,352 --> 00:50:32,250 the funding that was provided in the 1224 00:50:32,250 --> 00:50:34,700 supplemental attached to the omnibus 1225 00:50:34,700 --> 00:50:36,922 funding bill that was enacted . So it's 1226 00:50:36,922 --> 00:50:39,144 it's not , it's and there's going to be 1227 00:50:39,144 --> 00:50:41,470 replenishment as well . We're gonna 1228 00:50:41,470 --> 00:50:43,414 have to replenish stocks that were 1229 00:50:43,414 --> 00:50:45,750 supplying and also replenishment to 1230 00:50:45,750 --> 00:50:47,750 some of our NATO allies . Will that 1231 00:50:47,750 --> 00:50:49,972 come out of the future defense budget ? 1232 00:50:49,972 --> 00:50:51,972 I'm not This isn't an argumentative 1233 00:50:51,972 --> 00:50:54,083 question . I'm legitimately curious . 1234 00:50:54,140 --> 00:50:56,350 No , no , you're correct . Center the 1235 00:50:56,360 --> 00:50:58,540 the funding to replenish part of that 1236 00:50:58,540 --> 00:51:00,750 supplemental $3.5 billion of that 1237 00:51:00,750 --> 00:51:03,030 supplement was funds to replenish the 1238 00:51:03,030 --> 00:51:06,430 drawdown materials provided to Ukraine . 1239 00:51:06,440 --> 00:51:08,610 The first tranche of that was notified 1240 00:51:08,610 --> 00:51:10,499 to the committee , I believe last 1241 00:51:10,499 --> 00:51:12,554 friday that we billion and a half of 1242 00:51:12,554 --> 00:51:14,777 those funds will start flowing . Uh but 1243 00:51:14,777 --> 00:51:16,721 it is not part of a normal defense 1244 00:51:16,721 --> 00:51:20,010 budget build too to to exercise dried 1245 00:51:20,010 --> 00:51:22,010 and authority at this level . So we 1246 00:51:22,010 --> 00:51:23,843 want to continue . That might be 1247 00:51:23,843 --> 00:51:25,788 something we need to look at going 1248 00:51:25,788 --> 00:51:27,843 forward to other questions . I think 1249 00:51:27,843 --> 00:51:29,843 you testified you you wrestled with 1250 00:51:29,843 --> 00:51:29,560 inflation as you were preparing the 1251 00:51:29,560 --> 00:51:32,300 budget . I think you said that the 1252 00:51:32,300 --> 00:51:34,530 general cp I rate of inflation doesn't 1253 00:51:34,530 --> 00:51:37,170 necessarily apply to the things that 1254 00:51:37,170 --> 00:51:39,980 you buy . Is that correct ? So it's not , 1255 00:51:40,040 --> 00:51:42,920 it's not accurate to say if we have 7% 1256 00:51:42,920 --> 00:51:45,180 inflation . The military and the 1257 00:51:45,180 --> 00:51:48,190 military budget doesn't have seven uh 1258 00:51:48,200 --> 00:51:51,460 increase , then it's a cut . Please 1259 00:51:51,470 --> 00:51:54,200 explain the inflation as it applies to 1260 00:51:54,200 --> 00:51:57,040 the military budget . That's correct . 1261 00:51:57,050 --> 00:52:00,690 About 60 to 65% of our budget is buying 1262 00:52:00,690 --> 00:52:02,857 goods and services from our industrial 1263 00:52:02,857 --> 00:52:06,330 base and about 25 30% then goes to 1264 00:52:06,340 --> 00:52:08,229 military pay . And then we have a 1265 00:52:08,229 --> 00:52:10,229 couple other factors like fuel . We 1266 00:52:10,229 --> 00:52:12,451 have different inflation rates and that 1267 00:52:12,451 --> 00:52:14,673 that apply to each of them . But by and 1268 00:52:14,673 --> 00:52:16,618 large , a GDP deflator is the most 1269 00:52:16,618 --> 00:52:18,729 accurate description of what we buy . 1270 00:52:18,729 --> 00:52:20,784 That went up 4% last year . Not 7% . 1271 00:52:20,784 --> 00:52:22,896 That's the point . I was making quick 1272 00:52:22,896 --> 00:52:25,062 quick other question for you . How are 1273 00:52:25,062 --> 00:52:27,062 we doing on the audit ? That's been 1274 00:52:27,062 --> 00:52:29,062 something that's been going on . As 1275 00:52:29,062 --> 00:52:31,173 long as I've been on this committee . 1276 00:52:31,173 --> 00:52:33,062 Are we making progress to getting 1277 00:52:33,062 --> 00:52:35,173 towards a clean audit Senator . We're 1278 00:52:35,173 --> 00:52:37,396 making progress but the progress is not 1279 00:52:37,396 --> 00:52:39,451 where it needs to be . The secretary 1280 00:52:39,451 --> 00:52:39,070 has been clear with me on that the 1281 00:52:39,070 --> 00:52:41,014 progress we made last year was not 1282 00:52:41,014 --> 00:52:43,237 where it needed to be . And there was a 1283 00:52:43,237 --> 00:52:45,237 couple of reasons for that from the 1284 00:52:45,237 --> 00:52:47,459 gaps in transition in a transition year 1285 00:52:47,459 --> 00:52:49,570 to to to covid we've been making some 1286 00:52:49,570 --> 00:52:51,792 progress that is a little bit below the 1287 00:52:51,792 --> 00:52:53,514 radar screen . That is not yet 1288 00:52:53,514 --> 00:52:55,737 translated to the pass fail grades that 1289 00:52:55,737 --> 00:52:57,903 are the heart of an audit . We do need 1290 00:52:57,903 --> 00:52:56,870 to redouble our efforts in the 1291 00:52:56,870 --> 00:52:58,981 secretary . I I would appreciate it . 1292 00:52:58,981 --> 00:53:00,926 The prior administration made some 1293 00:53:00,926 --> 00:53:03,037 progress on that and I hope that that 1294 00:53:03,037 --> 00:53:05,203 will the momentum won't be lost . That 1295 00:53:05,203 --> 00:53:07,314 this is this is a responsibility . We 1296 00:53:07,314 --> 00:53:09,537 have to the american people . Secretary 1297 00:53:09,537 --> 00:53:12,010 Austin . There is a there are several 1298 00:53:12,010 --> 00:53:14,177 wars going on in the world right now . 1299 00:53:14,177 --> 00:53:16,343 One is in Ukraine , but one of them is 1300 00:53:16,343 --> 00:53:18,343 also within the United States where 1301 00:53:18,343 --> 00:53:20,399 about I think 100,000 people died of 1302 00:53:20,399 --> 00:53:22,830 overdose deaths last year . That's an 1303 00:53:22,830 --> 00:53:25,160 attack on our country . My concern is 1304 00:53:25,170 --> 00:53:27,580 when we head south calm in here , they 1305 00:53:27,580 --> 00:53:29,858 don't have , they have 1% of the I . S . 1306 00:53:29,858 --> 00:53:32,024 R . Resources worldwide and they don't 1307 00:53:32,024 --> 00:53:34,570 have adequate resources to interdict 1308 00:53:34,570 --> 00:53:36,860 those shipments by sea that we know 1309 00:53:36,860 --> 00:53:40,450 about through our limited I . S . R . I 1310 00:53:40,460 --> 00:53:42,404 would hope that you would pay some 1311 00:53:42,404 --> 00:53:44,627 attention to that to add your attention 1312 00:53:44,627 --> 00:53:46,680 to that . And also to think about 1313 00:53:47,650 --> 00:53:49,483 setting this up in some way that 1314 00:53:49,483 --> 00:53:51,594 there's somebody in charge . My worry 1315 00:53:51,594 --> 00:53:54,450 is you've got D . E . A . You've got 1316 00:53:54,450 --> 00:53:56,770 the Coast Guard , you've got partners , 1317 00:53:56,780 --> 00:53:58,970 you've got the CIA and you've got the 1318 00:53:58,970 --> 00:54:01,303 Defense Department , nobody's in charge . 1319 00:54:01,303 --> 00:54:03,470 And the result is two people a day in 1320 00:54:03,470 --> 00:54:06,790 my state are dying and I understand 1321 00:54:06,790 --> 00:54:08,957 we've got to work on the demand side . 1322 00:54:08,957 --> 00:54:11,640 But it's very frustrating when I have 1323 00:54:11,640 --> 00:54:13,820 testimony year after year That we're 1324 00:54:13,820 --> 00:54:16,200 only interdicting 25% of the shipments 1325 00:54:16,200 --> 00:54:19,880 that we know about . That's inexcusable . 1326 00:54:19,890 --> 00:54:22,112 Mr Secretary . I hope you will recommit 1327 00:54:22,112 --> 00:54:26,070 to this to this war . Two 1328 00:54:26,070 --> 00:54:28,440 things senator will certainly make sure 1329 00:54:28,440 --> 00:54:30,551 that the south com commander has what 1330 00:54:30,551 --> 00:54:34,230 she needs to to be effective in these 1331 00:54:34,230 --> 00:54:36,230 efforts and you know I've discussed 1332 00:54:36,230 --> 00:54:38,490 this with her before but clearly you 1333 00:54:38,490 --> 00:54:41,010 know the limiting factor is is I . S . 1334 00:54:41,010 --> 00:54:43,010 R . And we'll work with her to make 1335 00:54:43,010 --> 00:54:45,450 sure that where possible we get more 1336 00:54:45,450 --> 00:54:47,561 capability . Well let's put it in the 1337 00:54:47,561 --> 00:54:49,394 budget and buy more S . R . Is a 1338 00:54:49,394 --> 00:54:51,620 function of how many how many devices 1339 00:54:51,620 --> 00:54:53,509 you have . And and it seems to me 1340 00:54:53,509 --> 00:54:55,731 that's a that's a that's an engineering 1341 00:54:55,731 --> 00:54:58,030 problem and we should be able to to to 1342 00:54:58,030 --> 00:55:01,250 solve that . I'm out of time but Mr 1343 00:55:01,250 --> 00:55:04,190 Secretary I want to commend you on the 1344 00:55:04,200 --> 00:55:06,311 significant growth in the R . And D . 1345 00:55:06,311 --> 00:55:08,920 Budget . I think that's an enormously 1346 00:55:08,920 --> 00:55:11,710 important area and frankly it's an area 1347 00:55:11,710 --> 00:55:13,970 where we have fallen behind hypersonic 1348 00:55:13,980 --> 00:55:17,130 and directed energy or to to areas that 1349 00:55:17,130 --> 00:55:18,963 are strategic game changers that 1350 00:55:18,963 --> 00:55:21,186 frankly I think our country is behind . 1351 00:55:21,920 --> 00:55:24,850 And so the additional resources into R . 1352 00:55:24,850 --> 00:55:28,400 And D . Is absolutely critical . Wars 1353 00:55:28,400 --> 00:55:32,240 are often often turn on the the the 1354 00:55:32,240 --> 00:55:35,940 utilization of new technology . Ah The 1355 00:55:35,940 --> 00:55:38,162 English at the Battle of Agincourt with 1356 00:55:38,162 --> 00:55:40,930 1/3 of the french army won that battle 1357 00:55:40,930 --> 00:55:43,640 because of the the radical utilization 1358 00:55:43,640 --> 00:55:46,390 of the longbow That changed warfare in 1359 00:55:46,390 --> 00:55:49,310 1450 and it's technology that's going 1360 00:55:49,310 --> 00:55:51,970 to win the next war . And so again I 1361 00:55:51,970 --> 00:55:54,137 want to commend you for the commitment 1362 00:55:54,137 --> 00:55:56,359 to R . And D . And stand fast on that . 1363 00:55:56,359 --> 00:55:58,526 I don't think there's a more important 1364 00:55:58,526 --> 00:56:00,359 expenditure in the budget . Okay 1365 00:56:10,230 --> 00:56:13,870 I'm Senator Cramer . Right . Thank you . 1366 00:56:13,950 --> 00:56:16,172 Senator . Thank you both for being here 1367 00:56:16,172 --> 00:56:19,290 and for your service . Mr Secretary 1368 00:56:19,300 --> 00:56:21,860 last month , your deputy said that the 1369 00:56:21,860 --> 00:56:23,860 department as directed by President 1370 00:56:23,860 --> 00:56:26,280 Biden aims to reach net zero greenhouse 1371 00:56:26,280 --> 00:56:29,850 gas emissions by 2050 . Then she said 1372 00:56:30,430 --> 00:56:33,190 she mentioned the danger posed by china 1373 00:56:33,200 --> 00:56:35,950 illegal Russian aggression in europe , 1374 00:56:35,960 --> 00:56:37,904 persistent threats from Iran North 1375 00:56:37,904 --> 00:56:40,810 Korea and other state actors you both 1376 00:56:40,810 --> 00:56:43,320 and and others that work with and and 1377 00:56:43,320 --> 00:56:45,410 under you consistently and 1378 00:56:45,410 --> 00:56:47,632 appropriately referenced the importance 1379 00:56:47,632 --> 00:56:49,799 of modernization , lethality . Writing 1380 00:56:49,799 --> 00:56:51,920 this obviously , my question is , do 1381 00:56:51,920 --> 00:56:54,040 you think china Russia Iran or North 1382 00:56:54,040 --> 00:56:55,984 Korea are gonna be slowed in their 1383 00:56:55,984 --> 00:56:58,151 military development by climate change 1384 00:56:58,151 --> 00:57:01,850 concerns ? I , 1385 00:57:02,330 --> 00:57:04,163 I don't believe so . And I don't 1386 00:57:04,163 --> 00:57:07,350 believe we will either Senator . Hmm . 1387 00:57:07,360 --> 00:57:09,360 Do you know , if they have plans to 1388 00:57:09,360 --> 00:57:11,304 reach net zero , any any of them , 1389 00:57:13,760 --> 00:57:16,350 Senator ? I again , 1390 00:57:17,030 --> 00:57:20,970 I've asked you for , uh , $773 1391 00:57:20,970 --> 00:57:22,692 billion dollars to support the 1392 00:57:22,692 --> 00:57:24,748 capabilities that we think we need . 1393 00:57:24,748 --> 00:57:26,914 And I certainly appreciate what you've 1394 00:57:26,914 --> 00:57:29,026 done for us in the past . But I think 1395 00:57:29,026 --> 00:57:31,026 there's also things that we can and 1396 00:57:31,026 --> 00:57:33,890 should be doing to address the climate 1397 00:57:33,900 --> 00:57:35,990 issue as well . It affects our 1398 00:57:35,990 --> 00:57:39,720 installations . Um , it causes problems , 1399 00:57:39,730 --> 00:57:43,690 uh , that cause mass migration and 1400 00:57:43,690 --> 00:57:45,801 and other things in the areas that we 1401 00:57:45,801 --> 00:57:48,023 operate in , uh , you know , our forces 1402 00:57:48,023 --> 00:57:51,040 are committed to fighting wildfires and 1403 00:57:51,430 --> 00:57:53,760 and helping in the aftermath of severe 1404 00:57:53,760 --> 00:57:56,320 storms on an increasing basis . So I 1405 00:57:56,320 --> 00:57:58,431 don't think this is the thing that we 1406 00:57:58,431 --> 00:58:00,542 can discount and I think that the the 1407 00:58:00,542 --> 00:58:02,764 Defense Department has to do its part . 1408 00:58:02,764 --> 00:58:05,480 I appreciate that . And frankly I hope 1409 00:58:05,480 --> 00:58:07,536 that we can give you a lot more than 1410 00:58:07,536 --> 00:58:09,480 you've asked for actually do those 1411 00:58:09,480 --> 00:58:11,480 things Mr Secretary . But as you as 1412 00:58:11,480 --> 00:58:13,630 you're talking , I'm imagining um the 1413 00:58:13,630 --> 00:58:16,410 calculation calculation that would that 1414 00:58:16,410 --> 00:58:19,340 would measure the negative impact of of 1415 00:58:19,920 --> 00:58:21,800 se our failure to deter Russian 1416 00:58:21,800 --> 00:58:24,800 invasion of Ukraine . In other words , 1417 00:58:24,810 --> 00:58:27,032 I appreciate that you have this concern 1418 00:58:27,032 --> 00:58:29,088 but I also hope we can keep the main 1419 00:58:29,088 --> 00:58:31,254 thing the main thing because just like 1420 00:58:31,254 --> 00:58:33,366 more energy development in the United 1421 00:58:33,366 --> 00:58:35,588 States and providing that energy to our 1422 00:58:35,588 --> 00:58:37,754 allies actually brings down greenhouse 1423 00:58:37,754 --> 00:58:39,866 gas emissions . I think deterring the 1424 00:58:39,866 --> 00:58:42,088 same polluters that have benefited from 1425 00:58:42,088 --> 00:58:44,199 a lower standard than ours would also 1426 00:58:44,199 --> 00:58:46,970 do the same . And so um we want to make 1427 00:58:46,970 --> 00:58:48,859 sure you have the resources to do 1428 00:58:48,859 --> 00:58:50,970 exactly what you need to do to get to 1429 00:58:50,970 --> 00:58:53,230 accomplish all those good goals . Um I 1430 00:58:53,240 --> 00:58:55,462 General Milley , maybe I could just ask 1431 00:58:55,462 --> 00:58:57,620 you if I noticed you didn't don't 1432 00:58:57,620 --> 00:58:59,842 mention it much . In fact you didn't at 1433 00:58:59,842 --> 00:59:01,731 all . The the Secretary mentioned 1434 00:59:01,731 --> 00:59:03,620 climate change five times and has 1435 00:59:03,620 --> 00:59:05,398 written opening comments . It's 1436 00:59:05,398 --> 00:59:07,342 referenced in the National Defense 1437 00:59:07,342 --> 00:59:09,710 Strategy sort of highlighted um we'll 1438 00:59:09,710 --> 00:59:11,710 see if it's if it's in the national 1439 00:59:11,710 --> 00:59:14,043 military strategy when you provide that . 1440 00:59:14,043 --> 00:59:16,099 But do you think climate change is a 1441 00:59:16,099 --> 00:59:18,099 military objective ? The Department 1442 00:59:18,099 --> 00:59:20,154 should be focused on tackling it's a 1443 00:59:20,154 --> 00:59:22,266 it's a departmental objective for the 1444 00:59:22,266 --> 00:59:24,154 for the military though , for the 1445 00:59:24,154 --> 00:59:26,210 uniform military . It is a condition 1446 00:59:26,210 --> 00:59:28,266 under which we will operate and it's 1447 00:59:28,266 --> 00:59:28,160 something that we have to take into 1448 00:59:28,160 --> 00:59:30,160 consideration in the conduct of our 1449 00:59:30,160 --> 00:59:32,260 operations for sure . Because Uh you 1450 00:59:32,260 --> 00:59:34,482 know , if you look at Lake Chad is just 1451 00:59:34,482 --> 00:59:36,649 one example , you look at a picture in 1452 00:59:36,649 --> 00:59:36,450 1950 and look at Lake Chad and look at 1453 00:59:36,450 --> 00:59:38,470 it today . Well , the reason that 1454 00:59:38,470 --> 00:59:40,526 there's a lot of instability in that 1455 00:59:40,526 --> 00:59:42,748 particular region is because there's no 1456 00:59:42,748 --> 00:59:42,500 water , there's a lot of resource uh 1457 00:59:42,510 --> 00:59:44,677 struggles going on . So climate change 1458 00:59:44,677 --> 00:59:46,843 has an impact on military operation to 1459 00:59:46,843 --> 00:59:49,066 be sure . And it's gonna be a predictor 1460 00:59:49,066 --> 00:59:51,288 for where likely instability will occur 1461 00:59:51,288 --> 00:59:53,288 in the future . So it's a condition 1462 00:59:53,288 --> 00:59:55,454 under which we operate as opposed to a 1463 00:59:55,454 --> 00:59:57,677 something that we can fix . Thank you . 1464 00:59:57,677 --> 00:59:59,843 Mr Secretary , I want to talk a little 1465 00:59:59,843 --> 01:00:01,788 bit about the fear of escalation . 1466 01:00:01,788 --> 01:00:03,899 That's that . We hear that a lot . It 1467 01:00:03,899 --> 01:00:07,050 seems that um many times the fear of 1468 01:00:07,060 --> 01:00:09,004 escalating the situation in Russia 1469 01:00:09,004 --> 01:00:11,830 depends on us and and a lot less on 1470 01:00:11,830 --> 01:00:14,370 Vladimir Putin . And I just think we've 1471 01:00:14,380 --> 01:00:16,602 we've made too many my personal views , 1472 01:00:16,602 --> 01:00:18,769 we've made too many decisions based on 1473 01:00:18,769 --> 01:00:20,658 how we think Vladimir Putin would 1474 01:00:20,658 --> 01:00:22,713 respond uh to the situation . Things 1475 01:00:22,713 --> 01:00:24,936 like limiting the kind of help we would 1476 01:00:24,936 --> 01:00:27,158 we would provide Ukraine how quickly we 1477 01:00:27,158 --> 01:00:29,190 provide that help uh postponing and 1478 01:00:29,190 --> 01:00:32,340 then canceling a minuteman test uh that 1479 01:00:32,340 --> 01:00:34,451 was scheduled minimum three tests and 1480 01:00:34,451 --> 01:00:36,729 not facilitating the transfer of makes . 1481 01:00:36,729 --> 01:00:38,729 Just a few of the examples . Do you 1482 01:00:38,729 --> 01:00:40,840 have any evidence that Vladimir Putin 1483 01:00:40,840 --> 01:00:42,951 has ever worried that his massacre of 1484 01:00:42,951 --> 01:00:45,900 women and Children civilians would be 1485 01:00:45,910 --> 01:00:49,570 escalatory ? You know , I 1486 01:00:49,580 --> 01:00:52,420 don't know what what's in the mind of 1487 01:00:52,430 --> 01:00:54,540 Vladimir Putin and a lot of a lot of 1488 01:00:54,550 --> 01:00:57,150 other people don't either . Senator . I 1489 01:00:57,150 --> 01:01:00,380 would you use the word fear uh and and 1490 01:01:00,380 --> 01:01:02,658 Putin in the same in the same sentence . 1491 01:01:02,658 --> 01:01:04,658 And I just want to point out that's 1492 01:01:04,658 --> 01:01:06,213 what my job , one of my key 1493 01:01:06,213 --> 01:01:08,324 responsibilities to manage escalation 1494 01:01:08,324 --> 01:01:10,970 and make sure that that we don't find 1495 01:01:10,970 --> 01:01:14,590 ourselves in a in a nuclear contest . 1496 01:01:14,600 --> 01:01:18,160 Uh if if that's avoidable . And uh and 1497 01:01:18,160 --> 01:01:20,350 again there's there's nothing about Mr 1498 01:01:20,350 --> 01:01:22,870 Putin that we fear . Uh you and you see 1499 01:01:22,870 --> 01:01:24,890 the evidence of the kinds of things 1500 01:01:24,890 --> 01:01:27,030 that we've done and rapidly deploying 1501 01:01:27,040 --> 01:01:29,230 combat power to to europe and eastern 1502 01:01:29,230 --> 01:01:31,160 flank and what we have done and 1503 01:01:31,160 --> 01:01:33,540 continue to do provide assistance to 1504 01:01:33,540 --> 01:01:36,380 Ukraine . And uh you know , I'm not a 1505 01:01:36,380 --> 01:01:39,170 military issue , but uh the sanctions 1506 01:01:39,170 --> 01:01:42,230 that were imposed on Mr Putin are gonna 1507 01:01:42,230 --> 01:01:44,950 have a significant impact on his 1508 01:01:44,960 --> 01:01:47,130 economy for for years to come . 1509 01:01:49,410 --> 01:01:51,450 Thank you , Senator Cramer Senator 1510 01:01:51,450 --> 01:01:52,230 Rosen , please