Transcripts For CSPAN Joint Chiefs Of Staff Chairman Nomination Hearing 20240714

Of starting on time and say good morning to the committee today to consider the nomination of general mark milley to be chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. We thank you for being here today and are grateful for your decades of distinguished service to our nation. We also welcome why you are family and friends and invite you at the appropriate time to introduce those that you feel are appropriate. Its standard for the committee to ask certain questions. These are the required questions, we will ask them fast and if you would audibly respond to them, i would appreciate it very much. First, if you adhere to the applicable laws and regulations governing conflicts of interest . Yes. Do you agree if confirmed to appear and testify upon request before this committee . Gen. Milley yes, chairman. Chairman do you agree to provide documents including copies of the forms of communication in a timely matter when requested by a duly constituted committee or to consult with the Committee Regarding the basis for any good faith delay or denial in providing such documents . Gen. Milley yes. Chairman do you agree when asked to give your personal views even if those are different from the administration . Yes. Chairman will you ensure that your staff complies with deadlines established for requested communications including questions for the record in hearings . Gen. Milley yes. Chairman will you cooperate and providing witnesses and briefers in response to the congressional requests . Gen. Milley yes. Chairman and will you, will those witnesses be protected from reprisal or testimony or gen. Milley testimony or briefings . Gen. Milley yes. Chairman have you assumed any duties or undertaken any actions which would appear to presume the outcome of the confirmation process . Gen. Milley no. Chairman very good. Well, this is for you say and weve all said ng individually in different forums that we are in a threatened world, i think its the most threatened we have ever been in before. Our main focus is countertichl our main focuses counter focus, but today americas security challenges have grown to become more dangerous. The National Defense strategy, which is this document that we have adopted for our guideline to be used, we have adhered to it, is an excellent one, were trying to maintain the integrity of that and to follow it closely. The National Defense strategy makes it clear that strategic competition with china and russia not terrorism is now our primary National Security concern. China and russia have passed us in key areas and are catching up with others. I will outline some of these areas, thats something that most americans are not aware of and its one that we have to be aware of and have to communicate that to the public. In years of budget cuts have left our military in a crisis that will take us years to fix. General, you have been nominated to be principal military adviser to the president and National Security council, secretary of defense and to congress. The chairman is a unique and influential role, the National Security policy and so the chairman has an outsized impact on the state of Civil Military relations. Appropriate Civil Military relations are essential for a healthy democracy. We look forward to your views on this critical subject. The committee believes that the 2018 National Defense strategy and the recommendations made by the National Defense Strategy Commission provide a Solid Foundation for how to prioritize our modernization efforts and how to position our global force effectively. We need a chairman who can advise civilian leaders on an integrated strategic approach to a wide array of Global Threats and the tradeoffs between our strategic priorities. For example, more u. S. Troops in the middle east might help stabilize the region, but at what cost to the u. S. Interests in europe and the endo Pacific Region . How do we sustain focus on the most important theaters, not just the ones that are the most recently in the headlines . Our civilian leaders are going to have to decide the answers to these difficult questions and the chairmans best military advice is critical input of those decisions. Thats you. The committee looks forward to your views on balancing our Global Force Posture and modernization efforts as the department continues to focus on competition with china and russia. President trump has supported the new National Defense strategy with Defense Budgets that give our troops the resources they need and the National Defense authorization act which has been just passed by this committee, with an overwhelming bipartisan support of 868 at the end of june, continues the positive trajectory we are now prepared for readiness and restore our military advantage. But hard work remains, most importantly we need a budget agreement. The nds and the 750 billion budget request will be useless without a budget agreement. I think with we all understand that. Its not your problem, but its your problem to advise us as to the significance of that. Senator reed. Senator reed thank you very much, mr. Chairman. Let me join you in welcoming general mark milley this morning. Thank him for his Outstanding Service to the nation. Let me acknowledge your wife anne and yourlly family for their service to the United States. As a long distinguished year as an army officer where you prioritize rebuilding readiness and transforming the armys modernization process. General milleys professionalism served him well. I commend him for his willingness to take on another nickel assignment. General milley, if confirmed, you will serve as the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff during a time of transition within the department of defense. Currently the department is in the midst of implementing the National Defense strategy or nds which will enable the u. S. To posture for competition with a near peer competitor like china and russia. This strategy requires new investments for high end capabilities and new training for our troops. At the same time the threat posed by violent extremist organizations and, is not diminishing and iran and north korea remain extremely dangerous. In addition to these broad strategic challenges the department continues efforts to restore readiness while recruiting and retaining high caliber individuals to serve in our Armed Services. As the department has grappled with these challenges it has been hamstrung by the fact there has not been a Permanent Senate confirmed secretary of defense for nearly seven months and during this time two different political appointees have helmed the department. In addition, across the most senior level, particularly in the civilian positions. The mily is processing now more then ever but i am concerned that turnover in the leadership in the department has created uncertainty and disarray, and as a result of may have unintentionally created a situation that could weaken the control of the military within the department. I first had concerns about this in the context of secretary mattis and most recently the National Defense Strategy Commission also raised significant concerns about the cost and state of military relations and encourage the department to take action to ensure decisionmaking remains in the hands of civilian leaders in the civilian military relations in the department and if confirmed as the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff what actions you intend to take for ththe president and secretary defense as i mentioned if confirmed he will serve as the chairman of the time which the country is facing multiple threats from abroad. It had been my hope is the president became more constant to the office he would over time become more conscientious and thoughtfuthoughtful with his co. Unfortunately, that hasnt been the case to discount the value of the longtime alliances and from one crisis to the next. Often times the personality and the affinity for the leaders that do not share our core American Values such as liberty and freedom of the press. If confirmed im confident that your understanding of the threats facing the nation will be connected to the president and hopefully the military will alleviate the risk of miscalculation and unintended consequences. If confirmed i expect you will continue to make it a priority to keep the committee fully informed of the policy decision impacting the armed forces and changes to the strategy to counter the risk. Thank you again, general, for your willingness to serve the nation. For the statement and introductions you would like to perform to the hispanic thinks, thinks, chairman and i appreciate that. Distinguished members of the committee, good morning and thank you all for the opportunity to appear before you today. It is an honor and a privilege to be nominated as the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and i appreciate the time and support the committee provides the men and women of the total joint force. Id like to thank the president of the United States with the confidence hes placed in me and if confirmed by pledge to you and to the American People into the president i will always providprovide my best military e to him, secretary of defense, National Security council and congress to ensure and acknowledge the Extraordinary Service to current chair has been a longtime friend of mine and his wife. The chairman has inspired the men and women of our armed forces have conducted themselves with utmost professionalism and honor. If confirmed, i intend to use the example and steadfast approach as a person of the examplpersonal examplefor me to. On a personal note i also like to thank my wife who is here to my left for her love and support going on 35 years of marriage for multiple moves into so much time as a single mom. Without her i wouldnt be here today. Along with our daughter and our son for our love and support throughout the career day like so many other military families demonstrated incredible resilience of service and sacrifice enabling men and women in uniform to serve and protect the great nation. Im also grateful for the example set by my mother and father who are no longer with us the strength they instilled in me will last a lifetime. During world war ii my mother served in the Military Hospital in the navy in seattle watching and further needs to the pacific and my father served with the marine division, Central Pacific making the assault landings. The foundation of service and commitment they provided through my life continue to be an inspiration for me now and in the years ahead. Chairman and senators to ask you are aware and have observed we are living in a period of competition in a very complex and Dynamic Security environment. My parents greatest generation fought to establish an International Order and presented a great power war for over seven decades and currently under the most stress since the end of the cold war. From east asia to the middle east, authoritarian actors are testing the willingness of the system and seeking regional dollar dominance when testing the norms and undermining u. S. Interests. Our goal should be to sustain great power and peace that has existed since world war ii and adult firmly with all those that might challenge us. In addition the fundamental character changing rapidly we have witnessed a shif the shiftn industrial approach to warfare to the ne new era characterizedy highspeed information and disinformation and proliferation of precision weapons and military operations in a highly dense urban areas require arease requiring decentralist operations all of which will demand unprecedented levels of initiative and agility from the forces we must adapt faster and if confirmed by look forward to working with the committee to continue to accelerate the modernization. By having the leap the military will continue to be an element of National Power to secure peace through strength. If confirmed, i will support our diplomatic efforts to the destabilizing activities of understanding alliances and partnerships are critical to advancing the National Security interest and i will work tirelessly with my counterparts to ensure collective security responsibilities are met. To protect their freedoms the American People and trust us with the nations most valued resource, their sons and daughters, these young men and women are the best military in the world and our adversaries should test that. In islam, if confirmed, my my priorities are to provide the best military advice and maintain the continuity of military leadership and implement the National Defense strategy with emphasis on increasing their readiness and modernization of the joint force, maintaining the network of allies and partners, sustain great piece in the era of competition and provide unwavering support, kerry and leadership to the troops and their families. Finally, i have a deep sense of personal humility and fully recognize the complexity of the United States military and World Security situation, and i know that i do not know all of the answers. Therefore i will be open to a wide variety of opinions to form my best military advice and in closing if confirmed it would be my honor to serve alongside the men and women we are going to try to adhere to that time frame because we have a lot of interest as you can see here. Ive got three things i want to make sure we can get at the very beginning of this meeting. First of all, i wish the entire country could read this article from the economist. I know youve seen it. We talk about the office at the same time frame since 2010 to 2015, our defense was actually cut just under 25 . Now when you stop and think about that, we had a similar experience a few years ago but not to this extreme. It is the modern thing we must always be in competition with the readiness has devastated just as well. When we became the chief of staff, only 5 of the brigade were at the highest level of readiness. We have improved a lot to 50 . You might correct me if you think that this is not accurate but it is significant and shows if we dont get a budget to budget that is going to support the growth that we have experienced in fiscal year 18 and 19, it would be pretty devastating. I think it is a very sad and negative impact on the training and equipping of the readiness modernization of the military. We are using our subcommittees where they are all chaired by the Ranking Members and chairman of the people up here with a real interest printing of the areas when you look at the entire joint force across the air, sea, land, cyber and space domain with current capabilities and emerging technologies are you most concerned about to china and russia . Second, i would say its based, it is a new domain of military obligations we have a considerable amount of commercial and military capabilities in space that need to be protected in all of the technologies that go with space and in addition to that, i would say Artificial Intelligence and hypersonics those two are at the top of my list for putting the modern organizations. There is some unnecessary would you respond to that observation . One of them is Nuclear Deterrence and part of that is the capability of the bombers, missiles and submarines and they will give you a second strike and Immediate Reaction and the bombers give the man to control the system so all three present different problems so its important to keep all three. The top 12 positions are vacant now. How much of a hardship is that going to place on you and gives you join most of us up here who field we need to fill these positions . We need to fill the nominated positions as quickly as we can, properly vetted and confirmed. Having a confirmed person in place i think helps us out in uniform, and also clearly delineate civilian control and military. I think it reinforces that because usually the oversight is a critical importance and the interface with other agencies. I think that filling those positions is important. Thank you very much mr. Chairman. How the military conflict with iran be outlined in the National Defense strategy . In your professional view him with a military conflict with iran intact priorities outlined in the National Defense strategy . The priority is in the National Defense strategy is written in the document for us and the department of defense to follow clearly states china, russia what we should be looking at but in addition to that we have to deal with the violent extremism, but you mentioned a war with iran. I dont know if thats what happened to did happen we would have a Significant Impact on the distribution of the force relative to those. And in fact, almost inevitably it would overtake those priority is because of the many factors. One in combat which we owe significant support to the resources or so involved in a fight and gave the russians and chinese and opportunity to Start Building up their forces. That is a possible outcome, yes, sir. Since the withdrawal, has aired on behaved in a less destabilizing manner . Theyve always been maligned actors. Iranian terrorist organizations told my soldiers when i was in iraq said they have been actors for many years, not just since the withdrawal the general commented in the public testimony that the withdrawal expands many decades. Is that your view . I would align myself with his view, correct. Any opening comment i was an ise of civilian military controlled in the department of defense as ive indicated in the chair indicated thaindicated the vacae left some gaping holes in terms of civilian persons in the department and presumption we would fill these quickly. We need a president to nominateo nominate qualified individuals that we can fill them but even after that situation takes place there is the dynamic of god making sure the civilian leadership can you give your comments about that . From the perspective of the chief of staff in the army, and i read the commission and comment on that i didnt see it in the army for many decades ago in terms of the effectiveness and efficiency of the department department, it would be much better to have the nominees for lead and confirmed because that gives us much more effectiveness in terms of dealing for our adversaries and allies on the hill, American People and so forth, so im very in favor of getting them through the process and confirmed. When we talk about any of the issues that confront us, we talk about a whole of government response which reinforces the need as you just indicated to fill vacancies but also there seem to be a significant number of vacancies in the state department and other areas the work within a daytoday basis. In addition to filling the vacancies, there also has to be the appropriate allocation and responsibilities and cooperati cooperation. With the deficiency of personnel on both sides, state and other agencies and the dod. There has to be a conscious realignment of responsibilities and appropriate roles. I would have to give that some thought there has to be responsibility and alignment across the board in the interagency it would help if we had a bench of confirmed nominees. Thank you very much. Thank you mr. Chairman. General, thank you for your service. I think you are the man for the job and signing on at a moment in the history of the country i appreciate you doing that. Let me refer back to the article from the june 29 issues and mr. Chairman, if its alright it i would like unanimous consent at this point the article in addition to what the chair mentioned, general milley come of this article in referring to the 83 increase in military spending china the article said the splurge enabled china as an antisatellite weapon that challenge the american supremacy in the western pacific. Do you agree with that statement . If its not an overstatement made by the press the kind of dream is to be at least the peer competitor they are emphasizing that we are guided by this National Assessment and recommendation to the Strategy Commission the contrast between the chinese and American Investments in technology and manufacturing since the enactment in 2011 they lost 17,000 vendors because of the lack of sufficient and predictable funding for defense. Thats a correct statement is it not . I believe it is. More broadly annexe and nextt an estimated 60,000 in the 60 interNational Security Innovation Base has grown markedly the result has been to significantly diminish the superiority innovation manufacturing that has long been critical to americas military edge. So this isnt some alarmist. Its about the top defense National Security strategist and i am heartened by the fact that the chair and the Ranking Member are guided by this. If we test the National Defense authorization act, and we did so 80s 67. If we get through to send that to the president s desk, but dont pass the defense appropriation bill, which will be the effect of that . I think it will have very negative significant effect. I think that you will have issues with procurement, and you start into the ways of acceleration of the programs that are already there and i think that the Research Development Science Technology modernization we are talking about to face the challenge of china and in the future i think all of those will be negatively impact unless we get the full budget passed. Al alsall of those things open e tracks. Whalets say we have one month. Some people might feel its a continuation of level funding for a 30 day period so we can get things worked out. Theres way more to it than that, is that correct . There is more to it than that and in terms of the tangible effects on others in tangible effects like the message it sends to the soldiers and sailors, airmen and marines that are also negative impacts. Would we then finally get an appropriation bill and i certainly hope that this does not happen we could be the governing bipartisan adults that we have to be. We get to finally an appropriation bill and there is a cost to getting back to normal is in their . We are not going to dig ourselves out of a hole after two or three years of healthy budgets after ten or 15 years of decline so this has to be a sustained predictable adequate and timely funding over time. Its very difficult and expensive. I recognize that. The cost of not doing anything is more expensive. Thank you, mr. Chairman and thank you, general milley, to you and your family for being willing to consider taking on a difficult challenge at a time when there is so much going on in the world and the role of the chairmachairman of the joint chs so important. I want to pick up on what the senator said because i think that the understanding all of us have is that its important that we get a budget agreement. I hope the message goes out to the leadership of the house and the senate and the white house that we need a budget agreement and that means compromising and everybody has to give a little in order to do that. So i want to share the concern that the senator is raising. I also want to go back to the comments of both the chair and Ranking Member of the openings that currently exist in the department of defense as you and i have discussed it sends a very negative message to the men and women who are serving in the military, and a message to our adversaries about the commitment we have and about the opportunities that might exist for them given the vacancies in the department of defense. Im pleased to hear your commitment to doing everything you can to make sure the vacancies are filled in as timely a fashion as possible. When you and i met in my office last month, one of the things we discussed was the issue of the isis of detainees. This is something im concerned about for two reasons one because as you may remember james foley was murdered by isis terrorists who are suspected to be called the beatles now, he was a constituent of mine so i followed very closely whats gone on with the peace to detainees who are currently but i think its also a broad issue because we have hundreds and thousands of fighters that are being detained, many of them are foreign fighters whose future is unclear and what potential threats they could pose to europe, to the United States and the middle east if they are released. One of the things included in the Senate Pass Defense bill is an interagency isis d. Cheney coordination position to help focus on the situation with detainees. If confirmed, will you commit to doing everything you can to ensure that the position is properly resourced and that it gets the attention that this issue needs . I want to just take a moment it was a horrible, brutal act and the people who did many of them are held accountable but that isnt complete yet. Hes close to our heart and i will commit to make sure that its fully resourced. Thank you for your comments. I think one of the things weve heard from the familys loud and clear is they would like to see those responsible for the murders not just of james but of steven, peter and kaitlyn brought back to the United States, tried and see justice. One of the things hopefully this position can do is to help make that happen. I want to switch to another topic. As you may be aware at this point thereve been no on camera briefings at the pentagon for more than 300 days. I think that the American Public is very supportive of our men and women in uniform, i think they believe in our military command in its mission, but they also need to better understand and know whats happening at the pentagon and to the extent there is no opportunity to provide that information and provide some transparency, the public is not able to get the information they need so i dont know if you can tell us why its been so long since we have had any on camera briefings so i would ask you that the first and then ask if you can do everything you can to try to ensure there are regular opportunities for the public to engage and members of the press to engage with someone in the pentagon to answer questions for the public. I dont know why and i didnt even realize it was that many days that i would connect to you if confirmed, i would commit to transparency in the clarification and will do media on the record and off the record briefings and so on. The American People have the right to know what they are doing. Thank you mr. Chairman. Welcome, general, good to see you. I appreciate the statement that you gave in response to the committees advanced policy questions that give you an nuclr modernization as the Department Top Modernization Priority as well as the support that you expressed for maintaining the triad you reiterated to the chairman today and also pursuing supplemental capabilities such as the low yield Ballistic Missile warhead. Despite the significant amount of testimony that the committee has received on the need for the low yield warhead, critics continue to assert that our current arsenal of options is sufficient to get the capability isnt necessary. How would you respond to that argument . The department of defense detailed the Nuclear Posture review and its the developmente low yield capabilities i think its an important capability to have in our arsenal to deal with any potential operations. Comments of Nuclear Modernization often argue when we go through the modernization process it diverts resources away from other requirements and we cannot afford to modernize both our conventional forces and also Nuclear Forces at the same time. I think that this is a false choice and as the former secretary put it america can afford a survival. Do you share those views . 110 am absolutely. It is imperative that we modernize and maintain the readiness of the conventional and Strategic Forces no question about it. For the last committee, the general and i discussed the argument that we can rely on gone Nuclear Capabilities in place of Nuclear Weapons without diminishing the ability to be allies and he dismissed that idea. Do you agree with him that nuclear or non Nuclear Capabilities are not compatible in this notion of substituting one for the other is unwise . They are absolutely not comfortable, they are componentry but they cannot substitute each other. You and i visited about some of the disasters that nebraska has gone through recently due to flooding the place also with blizzards in the western part of the state right now we are seeing more flooding in the central part of nebraska as well. As you know the air force bases in nebraska and also the air force base is the nebraska annals of camp ashland is in nebraska that is a National Guard camp that serves as a Training Facility for the guards throughout the country. We were able to come together to pass a disaster supplemental to begin the process of rebuilding. This did not cover all of the costs associated and much still needs to be done. Theres also damage to other facilities like the air force base, candidly sharing. This is going to be a long process to be able to get through and rebuild the military infrastructure. I would ask do i have your commitment that you will work with me so that we can continue this process of rebuilding these facilities in a timely manner . Absolutely. We need to always keep that in mind and i appreciate your focus on that once we put things off as ive learned in my time here in the senate you put it off and it deteriorates pretty quickly. We need to make a commitment, thank you, general. General, thank you for your 39 years of service to the country and willingness to continue in this important position for which you were nominated. As part of my responsibilities i would ask our nominees the following questions. Since he became a legal adult have you ever made unwanted requests for sexual favors or committed any harassment or assault of a sexual nature . Have you ever faced discipline or entered into settlement related to this kind of conduct . No. As the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff is your role to be the principal military advisor to the president , insisting the president and secretary defense providing for the Strategic Direction of the Armed Services and as you know this is a Critical Role we are experiencing through. Under what conditions would you resign from your position if you are on the issues that are not needed . I think it would be a function of something that was illegal, unethical or immoral. Thats something i was brought up with sinc with something a sd lieutenant and that would be cause for resignation. Illegal, unethical or immoral. That requires you to make somethinsome kind of a personal judgment. Some are known as the gray zone an and the hurt of the spae which countries take actions that fly somewhere on the continual between the relationship. It is a space that russia and china appreciate and exploit. How should the activities and what capabilities does the u. S. Need to respond to these activities . The term refers to those operating below the level of outright conflict and that happens every single day actually and the capability that we need to develop and maintain and sustain cyber capabilities, and reconnaissance capabilities, Information Operations capabilities and special operations capabilities. Theres many conventional capabilities in the navy and air force are also used in those capacities of those are the principal ones i would want to make sure that we sustained. Are we putting enough resources into these . I think in the proposed budget is balanced but i would like to see more in terms of the higher technologies for the research and development and to set up the conditions for the 20s, 30s and beyond, things like Artificial Intelligence that have become critical in that particular area. Januarjanuaryjanuary of 2019 the court issued an order allowing them to implement this administrations policy prohibiting some transgender persons from joining the military and the policy took effect on april 13, 2019. Are you implementing this policy . How do you identify those persons to whom the policy should apply . A person from Civil Society can try to come into the military and become a soldier, sailor, airman or marine and when they enter into the process they will go through the exams etc. If they identify as transgender they can apply with a medical condition and thats like all the others will be evaluated by medical professionals to determine if they meet the standards and in the service it is the same thing. If you are in service and hand georgian or markers changed prior to april, you can continue to serve. Its already hard to recruit people since some 70 of people dont even qualify to serve so i would think some other beneath the medical standards and criteria the president and post the policy would you be implementing such a policy . I think in my view standardbased military as you pointed out they are concerned about the effectiveness of any of the Service Members and so if you meet the medical, behavioral health, the conduct standards at fiscal standards etc. Then its my view that you should be welcomed in. That sounds like a yes because as long as there is nothing inherent. I dont think theres anything inherent to prevent. Its about standards rather than identity. I gei have some questions tht relate to sexual salt and what yotold it whatyou will to contis this in the military and in the academies and i would like to have your commitment that you will continue to focus on what we need to do in the hearing. Its an incredibly difficult and complex problem. You have a 110 commitment, and i believe that the solution ultimately resides with the commanders and the commanders applying and enforcing the good order and discipline standards and being held accountable to those. Thank you. Lets continue a long this line of questioning about the standards for the senior officers. He said he would be compelled to resign if asked to do something illegal, and ethical or immoral that is existing probably with the oath you took as a Second Lieutenant not to obey orders that were illegal. In contrast to those that do take the oath to obey orders they expect to have a higher standard regardless of rank not to obey an illegal or unethical order. Even at the risk of their own life. Tha that is different from an illadvised order, direct . For a much differengiving mun illadvised, absolutely. You cant hide behind i was ordered to give it. For what the president should expect from you and secretary and the nation expects from you is to always give your best professional military judgment. Always. And you will then implement the orders even if you disagree with them personally or think they may be illadvised. Is there any department in a the government that is more important . There is no department more important than the department of defense to execute orders they are legal and ethical and theres the American People elected control of the military will provide advice and course of action and talk about risk and consequences and so on and so forth. When the decisionmaker takes a decision tha it is our job to execute. More room for debate in the department. Lets move back to what senator reid said earlier about iran. He is worried about any kind of military action against iran distracting from our competitors with russia and china. He compared that to the war in iraq in the last 16 years where we have a think at the height, 150,000 troops on the ground at the time in the nation. Are you aware of anyone in the government recommending hundred 50,000 troops in iran . Width refer not to discuss the Contingency Operations in the open session, but no i dont think anyone is seriously considering anything that we just discussed. And use of any kind of action against iran if they struck an american aircraft were a u. S. Navy ship in the way they tr trd to impede yesterday could distract. Did the obligations we conducted in 2017 or in 2018 distract against our efforts in russia and china . It is always a question of balance and supply and demand and the amount of the forces you have around the old relative to the priorities you set. Specific to the numbers relatively low. So, no i dont think they have a significant negative impact of operations. What about the kind of operations we conducted in 1986 for a terrorist bombings against american troops were iran for striking an american brigade . With a likely be distracted against the efforts . They are very limited single strike type of operations and of those would not have a Significant Impact. I would tend to agree that anyone calling for the 150,000 troops in iran and it its goino distract from russia and china is a strawman. Lets move to Nuclear Arms Control thats going to be coming up on your tenure. Do you think it is wise to continue bilateral Nuclear Arms Control agreements with russia when china in many ways is a greater strategic threat than russia backs should china be involved in a new round of the negotiations if we are going to extend this . The general principle of the arms control agreements are the lessonlicensing threats that han the international environment. You have to have reliable partners to have any kind of an arms control agreement. Specific to the new agreement doesnt run out until i think 2521 and 22 and if confirmed by me to meet with the state department negotiators had various people in the defense etc. To make sure i understand all the nuances of the particular agreement and to determine whether or not there should be a fiveyear extension or not. So a little more studying and i will get back to you. I went out for the record us all to consider russias more than ten to one advantage in the non strategic Nuclear Weapons being a part of the next round of the negotiations, to back. Thank you, general. Senator peters. Thank you mr. Chairman. Thank you general milley for being here and for your service as well as your families shared commitment to service over many years. Its very much appreciated. General milley, and the Ranking Member of the emerging threat capabilities subcommittee. We held a hearing on russia and china expanding influence in the south column and they stressed the importance of the interagency collaboration with International Development resources to the china and russia can stop engaging in the influence of what the programs to strengthen u. S. Security issues particularly the countries are plagued with Significant Properties and violence and corruption and so on and so forth in drives in ine is in many ways the push factors affect the Trump Administration has decided to cut the foreign aid to the northern triangle countries is something that you would advise that he should we consider . I have to take a look at the type of the foreign aid and exactly what we are talking about specific to those countries and its effectiveness adventures of effectiveness and make my recommendation to the president at this time. In your opening comments, you stressed the importance of allies and how important it is to the National Security. I am concerned about the current relationship that we have with many of our allies and that concern is i think warranted given what we have seen from this administration and i agree i think we have to build strong coalitions to go into the activities alone we are strong together. The United States decided to abandon for the civilian use i think it is more imperative than ever that we have a united front whats been happening in the streets of partners is a question for you in the recent New York Times article that stated the current chairman, general dunford has plans to assemble a coalition of the nations aimed at deterring people to the threats to that to shipping in the persian gulf which of course are very evident. Have you been participating in this process to build this coalition and have you provided an update on whats happening and if confirmed, what would you do to strengthen the coalitions in the region . Im aware of the developments and issues. I havent been a personal participant in the chief of staff of the army, that i am aware that primarily is being done by the chairman and the joint staff along with the state department and the department of defense in coordination with Central Command i know the army has stood up in the Task Force Program and we will bring that forward how do you tend to incorporate some of that across all of the services . It is going to be the next year or two for the army and what it is fundamentally saying is that the Ground Forces and air and naval forces all of us are going to have to operate in what we think are now in domains, cyber, ground, air, maritime all at the same time in order to achieve the advantage and its a very complicated and difficult and challenging to do that and we are looking at the organizations and equipment to operate in those domains. We have an Experimental Unit in the Domain Task Force operating in the specific right now. We still have another one that is quite obligating europes euo these are experimental prototypes. Some of the key Lessons Learned so far is from the likelihood that plenty of much greater increase in this version of the decentralized operations in the event of a competitor. Another is the vulnerability of the Network Communications command and control network weve got to do a lot more to make those more resilient and other detailed briefings on that if he would like at a later time. I look forward to that. Thank you, general. With regard to readiness he mentions 5 percent of the brigade combat teams was 358 was the highest level in 2015 when you took over you have done an outstanding job to dig out of that hole by the Obama Administration sequestration cutting defense spending by 25 percent 2010 through 2015 provider you have read this boo book. Can you talk to me about what you see with regard to what was in this book how thousands of american soldiers were killed in the summer of 1950 because of lack of readiness and training and if confirmed you commit we never get near that level to that lack of readiness. That book is a wonderful book to read and as a marine veteran that first summer was a horrible experience with the greatest military in the world and 50000 aircraft so on and so forth. So to rip ourselves apart in a very short period of time. Of course the first forces it is tragic and it is horrific july through december. Lack of training. Lack of funding lack of readiness and equipment and all of that led to the deaths of tens of thousands of american soldiers. That should never happen again. We vowed never to let that happen. I commend you to focus on that and make sure all civilian and military counterparts of read this book when they come under your command but with regard to training sometimes there is pressure to reduce the levels of training you will commit to keep the highest standards of trading for the military get your commitment on that if confirmed quick. There are two areas the pentagon. Has two key strategic areas. And to take place in the arctic if confirmed will you work with this committee to have a provision to look at the asia pacific with a Great Power Competition of National Defense strategy with the rise of china quick. If confirmed absolutely i will look at it. And look at whats happening theres almost daily headlines over the last three months there have been several articles of expanding russia china influence in the arctic and secretary pompeo gave an excellent speech recently about the Great Power Competition even as we just briefly talked about in todays defense one the admirable one mash admiral puts the people in the arctic of the russian buildup so provision of this years ndaa to have a port in the arctic was opposed by the pentagon. Can i get your commitment if confirmed to work with us to make sure we are not lacking from a Strategic Military perspective in the arctic quick. You have my commitment. By next year 105th Generation Fighters in part because of wet Billy Mitchell said alaskas most strategic place in the world. Despite buildup of fighters we have tinker fleets over 50 years old the air force is looking at the deployment of kc 46. If confirmed we work with this committee to look at what i think is an obvious place the most strategic place in the world at the air force base could i get your commitment to work with the committee on that quick. If confirmed i will definitely look at that and make recommendations. Upholding the legacy Billy Marshall was courtmartialed. [laughter] i think it was rescinded later. In connection of the question of the nominations i recently have become aware there are 16 vacancies in the department of defense at senior levels that have not been nominated as no obstruction if nobody has been nominated. The failure here in terms of the leadership of the department of defense is not with congress. We have to have nominated candidates and we have a series of vacancies. I can understand your frustration on some other areas but this is not one of them where congress causes a slowdow slowdown. General, given the risk you have articulated i consider your job the second most important of the United States government because we are living in a dangerous world. And your position with a time of heightened tension and risk is incredibly significant and important. You know what my question will be. Guests will that be. Probably the same one you are asking to be intimidated. Thats the question. Whats the answer. Absolutely not. Not buy no one. Will be rigorous and thorough. I believe that but its important to emphasize the oval office is an intimidating place the president is the most powerful leader in the free world and to be willing to say mister president you are wrong or go this is the consequences if it is something he or she does not want to hear. There is no more important responsibility in your career you would have to make a Statement Like i have confidence that you will you said nobody intimidates you and i believe that but i just want to refresh your recollection on that point. As i would say to general dunford that these are our comrades. From the hazards of our chosen profession we know what this is about. We will not be intimidated to make decisions. We will give the best military advice regardless of consequences to our self. That is reassuring and i have confidence that is the case. I have been hearing for years on this committee there was a debate on the calendar based withdrawal and calendar based withdrawal so what would you see to be justified . When is enough enough quick. The war in afghanistan comes to end when our interest are met and i think that is a negotiated settlement with the taliban and i think we are seeing some progress in that was reported just recently. Think it slow and painful i spent a lot of my life in afghanistan but we went there for a single purpose never to become a platform like 911 and there hasnt been one we have been successful to date. But it is hard but the conditions at the end of the day or to settle with the taliban and. Do you think that presence is a predicate to successful negotiations quick. Absolutely. If we pulled out prematurely it would undermine the possibility of a successful negotiation. Pulling out prematurely would be a strategic mistake. Similar opinion iraq and syria collects. Different question different situation. Was syria have been very successful to destroy the geography of the caliphate. But the organization of racist is still there isys is still there and the same with iraq. General thank you for your testimony and your service but i dont think there is anyone that i can see here that has more confidence about the and mission you are about to embark upon. Congratulations. General, thank you for being willing to do this. I would like to go back what we mentioned right up front the greatest threat to National Security is the federal debt and you talk about consistent funding of a military to make a dramatic improvement in moving to a new National Defense strategy. But some talk about the oneyear cr. So there are several ramifications. I would like to add more color it will that delay the pay raise and that the house proposal is considering . One full year of the implementation of the new Defense Strategy so next year we would be operating under a Defense Strategy developed four years ago by the prior administration. It was slow down and reverse the benefits you have gained over the last two years progress would absolutely slowdown one full year of the new programs have already approved and we have already approved for the modernization you just talked about. What im talking about is you have already found at least 4 billion of programs you dont want to spend money on oneyear cr would require you to. So how do coney and is this for longterm effectiveness to realize last year was the first year in a decade we have not as a military to not have a continuing resolution that is one contributor and that cr is in general and to be stewards of the taxpayers dollars in my experience because they cannot guarantee a cash flow to the industrial partner. So the cr in general one year in one month so having said that to have a negative impact in terms of training and equipment and modernization and the message that it says and that sends a terrible message. The rebuilding of the military going over the long term. Or some historian in the simple theme is the United States in china. Do we win the next arms race between china quick. We dont have an arms race. Made in china 2025 my experience with that part of the world and to dovetail those adversaries. When they published 2025 do you interpret it that way quick. I do. And with that National Security interest yes sir. Specifically with regard to investments around africa but also south america those investments with proprietary loans and also pakistan where they are now militarizing those two ports. In addition to djibouti what is your plan to give that expansion to the pla and commercial interest quick. China has expanded throughout all over the globe with clear competition. Primarily in competition for resources in order to build and improve the military to find and fuel their economy. I think what we need to do was uphold the norms of the International Ordinance and where those are violated can be counted against it. You have my full support for willing to do this. Thank you mister chairman. Mister blumenthal. Mister chairman thank you for your service to our nation and your family as well. It has been extraordinary over many many years and thanks for your conversation with me in my office recently. I will strongly support the nomination not only because of what you said but what you have done with that extraordinary career. You identified the Nuclear Triad and space as to areas that require modernization and infantry so to have a deep concern with servicemen and women who serve are a major resource in my view despite all the new forms of hardware and bright shiny objects that are in space or on the battlefield at the end of the day People Matter most in the military. Not glamorous or sexy but essential with the assurance that we recruit and retain the best. If we dont provide adequate housing to the military inadequate compensation and guarantee retirement and educational benefits we will be a lesser nation for its. And daa t12 has a Housing Privatization accountability to prioritize families that many of us require the bill of rights to be developed. I want your commitment you will aggressively enact and pursue these goals as you have done already. And i support the commitment of the committee over the last year with this housing issue. And we do have a commitment to make the highest quality of life possible. The nature of warfare is changing. And certainly that includes increased emphasis on cyber. And with those priorities unless i misheard you but wouldnt you agree in cyberthe best defense is a good offense quick. Cyberis one of those modernization priorities bad absolutely. Good offense is critical. But we also need to improve our network with the entire command control and with that infrastructure those are key vulnerabilities to a cyberattack by adversaries but at the end of the day have to have those capabilities and in the theory of deterrence if we have incredible offense of capability that should deter them with attacks on cyber. We have enhanced step up our deterrent to make sure in particular we can hold russia accountable that russia hackers have installed malware and the electrical grid infrastructure and other potential sources can you confirm we are stepping up our deterrence without going into any detail quick. Obviously a very high level decision that yes we are increasing and improving all of the services and the air force always cybercalm increasing our skills and knowledge and attributes the short answer is yes we are increasing our capabilities. Including sherman mccain when he was with us with a more defined criteria for what constitutes an act of for in cyberor an act of war because clearly a nation like china at what point do we have these attacks on the homeland to constitute an actual act of war . And i believe those present rules fail to provide an adequate definition. I will not ask you to respond in detail but request that you continue to examine this area and work with us. I will do that. Is a great question and has a considerable amount of detail with respect to cybercapabilities and i will get back to you on my thoughts. I will interrupt brick i have three votes coming up and its our intention to work through those votes to give everybody an opportunity to be heard. Congratulations on your nomination and your outstanding record of service i look forward to supporting your nomination i enjoyed our conversation a week ago with a National Defense strategy i want to ask you a few questions i will put my cards on the table and say why. My own view is that Political Leadership for decades has not been particularly well with the National Security strategy or foreignpolicy. We have not drifted with a Clear Strategy your priorities but has not served our country well or the National Security strategy is a major step forward as defining priorities to help the major security threats and prioritize appropriately a dod to get you the support that you need. I want to ask you about some of those things. The department recently released the pacific strategy report that says the indo pacific theater. That you agree with that and this documents assessment that china and russia should drive the force management and development decisions. Correct quick. Absolutely i subscribe to the nds. There are flaws in it of course but as a baseline document it is excellent and authoritative for us with the force modernization so i do subscribe to it. So according to the Indo Pacific Strategy requiring to be posture ready to convince adversaries they cannot advance that force for the indo pacific specifically what makes the forward forces combat credible quick. Versus the people in the talent all of the people from the youngest soldier sailor all the way up to flag officers. We have incredible people about 370,000 all kinds of troops in the indo Pacific Region around 2000 aircraft. So we have a significant amount of us military capability. We have very good capability to deter. In the event of a conflict what should these forces be able to achieve on their own quick. The first thing you want to do is deter thats the first but then you want to blunt whatever offense of actions you would be conducting. So with those intermediate range missiles would those be helpful to defend against the taiwan scenario for instance like. I do. In a similar vein the European Defense initiative has been instrumental that you calm has the resources that it needs for russian aggression members of this committee have called for the indo pacific equivalent we havent seen a lot of progress on that front but you you think having a multi year Resource Initiative like edi would be useful and worthwhile quick. I think it would be but like anything else we talk about money and resources to do that detailed analytical work that yes it would be useful. So to pick up a line of questioning that senator caught mentioned, with your written response to what extent achieving us National Security interest in the middle east requires continuous us military presence reference a National Security strategy to retain the necessary presence in the region to protect the United States and allies from terrorist attack to have a favorable regional balance of power. So tell us more what it takes to do that sustainably while adhering to nds priorities. Is a lot of capabilities and those go up and down depending on the situation. But in general across the board we are approaching in order for them to secure themselves to stabilize the situation. That is the fundamental strategic approach and in other cases to put a coalition together right now to ask those commercial vessels through the persian gulf. Is different capabilities but to assist the local partners to defend themselves and stabilize the situation. Thank you mister chairman its good to see you again. When we sat down together we had a good conversation about logistics to sustain our military power. How would you advise the president and the white house on what we need to do today whether through funding policy or prior to his asians with logistics quick. I think logistics as we discussed in your office and professionals look at the ability to project forces overseas. The long communication to sustain ground air and naval forces and all of that depends on logistics the ability has that scale to it is a critical area of war fighting and we want to pay clay close attention to it. In terms of funding of airlift capabilities. Would you consider a Great Power Competition one of the things that we talk about is the need to have an american presence in the asiaPacific Region not confronting directly but just to be there and operating at a local levels are allies in the region so that we are not leaving a vacuum for the chinese to occupy so lisa what more can we do to make sure they are treating the concerns to make sure they are ready and with respect to our own presence overseas can you give an overview how we have military exercises to get the most use out of them clicks like south korea, japan, Southeast Asia when i was in singapore a couple months ago one thing that was very clear was that the nations were uncomfortable with china being there but they needed an alternative but to be in the region. Can you address this quick. I know pretty much all of my counterparts. We have a very Robust Network in asia of allies and partners with fullblown defense treaties that is critical when you are in the region as you have to see the anxiety and the fear that these countries have and they want the United States there as a Security Partner to believe we are a force of stability and theres great concern so our key task is assurance and to make sure we have interoperability and we do that. They did on a routine basis for that capability of exercises. Is there anything you would change or enhance quick. We get a prototype. Grouping those exercises in multi domain exercises are worthwhile. One of those things is due to emergency deployment readiness exercises. But we could expand into the joint force of the Dynamic Force employment within the National Defense strategy. So we can project power on the emergency basis and to demonstrate that capability would have a very strong effect. I would like to talk about the agreement dod has with dhs to not deport members of our military men and women that are on deployment. Had to advise the president on the potential impact where dhs says they will reassume deportation of family members of deployed Service Members cracks what you say to those who are you in uniform facing this at home if they are downrange quick. Im not familiar specifically with what you are talking about i read a headline the other day i would need to aid exactly look at what dhs is saying. Our families deserve the protection of this committee. Please follow up and writing i will appreciate that. On behalf of the chairman i recognize that senator. Thank you for your service and doing this. Congratulations on what i think would be a successful new job soon. There has been a reference with russia and china developing a new Weapon System a new discussion about the Nuclear Triad. So one of those three legs if i could grab a Strategic Deterrence the most controversial of the three although there isnt a lot of controversy there is some that the new system would replace sometime in the 2030 range so thinking that maybe we should hold back to reconsider so could you elaborate to stick to that timeframe to move forward with the 600 new missiles and why sticking with that timeframe is important quick. It has to do with the age of the fleet. So all pieces of the Nuclear Triad do need to be modernized and one thing that is really critical is to ensure we have a reliable, safe, Nuclear Response option for the president and others to consider. And talk about the importance of the space domain. And with that space force was act and of course the senate and then specifically the leadership and after one year of the space force to be established. The commander we can no longer have a dual status commander. That was pretty widely accepted. A little controversy again and i want to get your comments and that the commander would answer directly to the secretary of the air force rather than to the chief of staff. And also to have a permanent member of the joint chief of staff rather than a situational member modeled after the marine navy relationship. We did in the way with the transition to avoid a major bureaucracy. Im interested in your thoughts or comments and what we have a lot to say about that. I would offer this and i think the dual hat is appropriate then as we go on and learn our lessons we can prototype that and then split off into space force or Space Command thats about the right approach as a member of the joint chief it is appropriate to answer to the secretary of the air force but having said all that were working out the details but the recognition that is critically important in the administration is important lisa stating that is the recognition of space as a domain of military operations. There was a time we wished it would not be so bad it is in our economy depends on space. Our military depends on space we have to have a cop and the capabilities to do that successfully in the Space Force Combatant command and we are moving in that direction pretty quickly. And i thank you for your service to our great country i appreciate it very much but i noticed in your answer you said iran has always been a maligned actor which i absently agree with. Thats why i voted against jcpoa because there could be a match letter way to get back rather than giving that up front i need to ask you your question or opinion on that because they have been a maligned actor and we are on the same page where they have been in their intentions that my concern to bring iran and the allies back to the negotiating table from a geopolitical pushback do you believe that is a realistic or feasible approach to get allies and iran to have a better outcome quick. I dont know if its realistic or feasible we are in support of the department of state to go back to the negotiating table im hopeful that will happen as a result of the ongoing effort. Thats on the sanctions quick. They are an important part. Iran is a maligned actor and to bring them back into the community of established diplomatic relations and conduits of exchange to approach this from a diplomatic angle. The relationship of the allies we are depending on especially with what is happening especially in the uk. I think relative to iran they are probably strained but many are behind us and their relationship. Yet communications at all allies quick. Thats great. This is the first major change we have had since 1947. The air force to understand this whole space force thing is taken from the bowels of the air force and the personnel. Is not something we are starting over but using what we have. Thats correct. I have a hard time understanding those joint chiefs to have a whole other layer of bureaucracy to be extremely costly and i have never seen these agencies they didnt come with a tremendous amount of cost and personnel. I dont know the cost they did a cost analysis but it isnt another layer of bureaucracy the people dedicated and focused to the training and equipping of the offense and defense of Us Operations in space. So to have a force that is dedicated to do that that is the sole mission in life. Our valuation is happening in cyberand in space two things that changed dramatically. We are working much better as a unit to separate space force from the air force in a separate role so to me thats the problem i am having. And the space force is similar to the way with the department of the navy. I know you will have your hands full putting this together i just hope you have the flexibility to find the most effective avenue or vehicle for the space force to work. My problem is i didnt think it was broken. If its not broken i dont think it needed to be fixed other than making more interest that theres much more activity in the space world and there will be more. I dont know why we had to separate it and move it out from within and you say we are not going to but yet you will have a role of the joint chief of staff and you will have a whole other seat at the table. I personally think it is good, taking the view out of the bureaucracy but i know that is a risk but thats not what i see as the outcome but a group of people that are dedicated to operations and that is a complementary effort not duplicative. I understand i hope you can look at that constructively and come back to us and let us know if you think it needs to go that direction. On behalf of the chairman. Thank you. Good to see you again. Thank you for your service with the issue of the Sexual Assault in the military i appreciate you working with me in the past and theres more to be done. As you know since ive been in the Senate Acting defense shanahan and dunford set up a task force very quickly to add additional improvements to the judicial process while retaining the role of the commander with 17 out of 18 provisions for my bill in the ndaa but theres more than needs to be done to stop this from happening so can i get your commitment you will continue to work with me on this . Love to hear your perspective on the prevention side and the impact of readiness and the importance of the role of the commander. Thank you senator thank you for your efforts as a leader it is unconscionable and it is fratricide soldier on soldier and blue on blue situation pick what has incredible effects it is a cancer within the organization we have to crush it. Personally i think the solution lies with the commanders and further empowerment of commanders into the training to make sure they understand good order and discipline so i think the empowerment of the commanders to hold them accountable on this readiness piece it is devastating that there is Sexual Assault that could bring that to their knees we will work shoulder to shoulder partner with you. You may have seen the reports a british ship attempted to be blocked by iranian ships in the straits of hormuz. Can you confirm that actually happened and also chairman dunford showed to work with allies so can you comment on what the mission may look like . And return to deterrence in that element is part of changing the calculus but to execute the National Defense strategy. Comment on your views in the straits of hormuz and what that takes out of our forces to impact a larger priority of the National Defense strategies. I saw the media reports on other channels but there was an attempt appears to be an attempt by a small naval vessel to take over a commercial vessel. And with a military escort took care of the situation but having said that that freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle through International Order in place seven decades and we have a crucial role to enforce that norm. s what we try to do with the coalition with commercial shipping with the developing over the next couple of weeks. Next to talk about source korea i was on the peninsula a year ago. Very proud of our troops and we have come a long way with innovation and leadership in the army to deter and be ready to go as part of the larger process to move them in a different direction. So can you share your perspectives on what might need to happen . Or exercises to make sure we are keeping our troops safe quick. With 20500 soldiers and with my state of readiness and i havent missed a beat whatsoever we have cut back on the training of the command post exercises they are always in a high state of readiness but in terms of what we think of Rotational Forces if anybody is rotating the Headquarters Division what those higher headquarters. [laughter] lets do this. We appreciate it very much. [laughter] congratulations on the nomination. And at the Marine Barracks passing the commandant commission to the general comments specifically that singled you out as a chief to be served with so i will just pass that on. You supposed to be at the hearing asking tough questions . As a National Defense strategy and at the end of the century a lot of it will be about the us china relationship. Can you elaborate on that a little bit quick. I do i obviously missed passing the colors and a great personal friend so with respect to china it is not an enemy. I want to make that clear. They are an adversary. A competitor. And enemy in my language or military language is an active Armed Conflict of war. And we are not there. We dont want war with china. So having said that the best way to do that is to make sure we are prepared. China is in fact its not height china is improving their military very very rapidly in space, air, cyber, m and that technological development. China is advancing very rapidly with the mission we need to make sure lose our advantage to other countries specifically with china. Sometimes we are cooperating sometimes you are confronting and no onesizefitsall strategies so china is expanding in every domain there is a principal economic competitor with diplomacy and at every domain of the military. China has learned a lot about the United States military and what about the last 18 years. China watched us very closely the first and second gulf war and our capabilities and in many ways they have mimicked those many of those doctrines and organizations. And they wrote a very good paper recently. With the chinese characteristic characteristics. And then going to school as us on that one. And then continuing to advance their capacity. And or the ability to learn from the United States so talk about china and the us in the us as an ally as we talk about the Truman Administration that has given us the consolation of allies we dont have that network of allies with the notion of a quad usjapan and india and in march he gave a speech where he suggested maybe that was not not the direction we are pursuing. And those allies that we would need and that support to compete with china. We require access for the deployed forces with those protection capabilities. And throughout the asia Pacific Region. Our allies in europe is a collective security arrangement. Is not the same collective security arrangement as in asia. Like japan or south korea. It is not as robust in arrangement they are all legacy from the world war ii forgot but the network of allies and partners in the asiaPacific Region is critical to the National Security to further the interests. Thank you for your service and willingness to continue that service. I would like to follow up with the conversation was senators reid and cotton what a Nuclear Armed iran require us to adjust the strategic posture and how would that affect implementation quick. So there would be adjustments and dont know specifically. Do you have any opinion as to what efforts the United States should be taking to prevent iran from obtaining nuclear arms quick. And then to take that back to the negotiating table to negotiate a better deal are those effective enough quick. Obviously tension is higher we will see in the coming months. We have a lard discussions and appropriate slow down appropriate slow but the chinese are looking to expand and in the South China Sea. Why is the current freedom of navigation operation in the South China Sea, but are they sufficient from the Chinese State quick. China has already militarized the South China Sea they are to have capabilities and to influence the Sea Operations so the freedom of navigation operations are critical to ensure the asiaPacific Region and we are open to commercial access. And then to determine if they are adequate going forward. So we dont know anything else we could be doing to help those operations better quick. So those that are in and around vietnam and cambodia continuing those interoperability exercises in the region. So general thank you so much for your service and we support your nomination. First of all thank you very much for your patience im sorry to be interrupted by three votes and any further questions or comments . With that we are adjourned. And we will go vote. Announcer last night, political reporter first that Robert Muellers testimony would be delayed by a week. Two hours before the intelligence committee. Judiciary Committee Chair Jerrold Nadler and adam schiff released a joint statement that reads in part all