Perform include theater cooperation exercises with partner nations, forces and contingency operations. Require our forces to maintain a high level of readiness and training the availability such as would you just noted the big island and others are critical to the marine corps ability to conduct operations in the pacific. Could you share your thoughts on the importance of training ranges, specially as we continue the rebalance in the asiapacific region . Senator, if were going to be what we need to do to be ready we have to have ranges that support our ability to use our weapons and to maneuver the force. One of the great advantages of a Training Area is ever able to go up there and drop bombs and shoot artillery and a lot of the things we need to do. That is him whenever space up there plus we have actually deployed there. We need to go up there, its like whether even though its only a matter of miles it doesnt matter to the pickup and you move. Where ever we go we have to be concerned that theres ranges and Training Areas of their so that force can at a minimum sustained readiness that they have once they arrive. This committee is definitely aware of the need to have these Training Areas, and we have a number of them in hawaii but there are always issues related to making sure that we are in concert with concerns of the community. So that will remain a special with regard to you as an question regarding Sexual Assault and military which this committee has spent considerable time on. So you know that is the response the other commanders to set a positive climate. Be on command Climate Survey for example, what methods are used to determine the commanders ability was dealt a positive climate where a marine we feel he or she could report a crime without fear of retaliation . I think this becomes ever more important as you integrate women into the various positions in the marine corps. So, for example, the kind of guidance would you give your commanders about specific actions they should take to create an environment in which retaliation which is a major focal area for many of us on this committee can both overt and particularly for subtle forms of retaliation that could occur . Senator, we have a very detailed the Selection Process for those that have the opportunity and courage to lead marines. So part of the records are reviewed and a board of Senior Officers determined that theyre the best and most capable. Once they assume that office there seniors and the chain of command monitor what goes into gennaker not just operationally but what goes on as far as their discipline. And so that is being tracked but we also have courses before they assume command we talked about what their responsibilities are. This topic along with other topics are part of the so they understand their legal responsibility, authority, moral and Ethical Authority to lead their marines. We recognize changing the culture is not an easy task. I know you are aware that this issue will be of ongoing concern to all of us. Thank you. General, thank you for your service and thanks for coming by the office to talk to so many of us before this hearing. How many marines do we have now in the United States . Intercontinental United States . In the United States marines spent just under 184,000. You dont anticipate that number dropping very much in the next four to five years, do you . We believe by the end of fy 17 we will be down to around 182000 spent some maybe a drop of only 2000 marine corps wide . Yes, senator. Would it be a mistake to go much lower than that . If we were to go lower than that, senator the depth to dwell ratios unconcerned about and to come but that is concerned about would increase the risk to the force and the ability to meet Combatant Commanders requirements. Wouldve those requirements and the ratios that you want to maintain come how are we doing with recruiting . And are we getting a type of young person we need . What motivates someone to join the marine corps todays . We are doing very well. I think thats something that we are watching that our manpower director the at the debris for us that right now for the next fiscal year would oversight of 55 of the requirements. So those marines are in the pool, waiting to come to recruit training. They are not just marking time. Theyre working with recruiters voluntarily to get themselves ready to go. The quality of those recruits to potential recruits is very, very high. We have a very High Standard and i think thats both a credit to our recruiters and also reflecting the quality of the force. On offices side we have at least three College Graduates waiting for every spot to become a marine officer. We are in a very good place to again i dont take that for granted but im hopeful we can keep that going. What inspires our motivate somebody to join the marine corps that varies from individual to individual. Could be somewhat told they couldnt, family heritage, want to serve their nation, want to learn a trade come want to get the great benefits of the 9 11 g. I. Bill. Or they just want to be a marine. You were walking through a Student Union and a poster caught your eye back in the 70s, is that right to . Action is a big tall guy wearing those blue uniforms. Okay. More than a poster. What frustrates out duty marines no . Our active duty marines and now speak with sometimes they get frustrated with leadership. We have to work hard to challenge these young men and women. They are smart and they want to do important things that keep them engaged but when they are done they want us to say they are done. Thats fair. And so because we have done such a good job we are kind of victims of our own success. So we owe them, good training, good gear and good organization, good leadership. Their end of the deal is show up, bring their a game every day. When we are done then they can take a little bit of a break at the same time knowing they are never, never not a marine. Let me follow up on your conversation with your conversation with senator sullivan. I want to thank the marine corps for making the case for the amphibious. And particularly i dont think we would have gotten it if it is connected the congress both houses on it by person basis if it had not been for the marine corps coming and saying that we very much needed that for us to complete the mission. Mr. Brzezinski was here earlier this year and talked about the need for the amphibious forces to be in the baltic a great discussion about russia and assistance of the russian threat as well as the more immediate threat of isis but what is the reason for being particularly careful ask mr. Brzezinski mentioned about the amphibs forces in the baltic sea area . Senator, we just didnt exercise with a number of coalition ships, commanded by vice admiral who was the sixth Fleet Committee but we didnt exercise in the baltic im sure it was paid close attention to why certain countries in that part of the world. I hope so. I do, too. As we projected power come to the landing with polls and let the wings and estonians and then trade ashore prevented with u. S. Army forces. So there is interest in the balkans because its on the perimeter of certain landmasses that you might have to gain access to and in three nato allies that a very small countries live on the east end of the baltic seas and theyre concerned about potential aggression against them. So we are there to reassure them. I would say its fair to say they remember not too long ago when there was a different dynamic in that area are the appreciate the marines being there with them the United States been there within. Thank you for your service and thank you for your testimony. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you general, enter your family. Congratulations on a Wonderful Service thus far. A few questions. I want to go back and you talked about gender integration earlier. I want to dedicate your take first of how its going and then they kind of philosophy that the marine corps is undertaking to carry out that mission and 50 to talk about that. Senator, when the secretary made the decision to open up all occupational fields, Service Chiefs and the services are getting a certain amount of time to take a look at how they might do this, we have worked hard to work in a way to figure out how we will integrate. Weve opened up moss we have put female marine officers, staff ncos and ncos in units where women were not previously vowed to serve. They have done well. We will continue to do that. And then to determine the last part whether we would, based on a standard about women to serve in infantry artillery tanks light armored reconnaissance amphibian attractors and reconnaissance we formed a task force of volunteers and we put them together as a unit. They trained up and went to Twentynine Palms ended a series of test. Those tests are complete and the data has been collected it is being analyzed and it will provide information that will inform the commandant about whether or not he will request a waiver for any of those moss. I have not seen all the dedicate i have seen some of it. Ive been involved in this process for some time when we first sent volunteer female marines come in listed to the infantry training battalions to try to gain bad attitude and the ability to complete that course. Of the number that went about a 36 completion rate. And again we are still looking at this. We have not made any sort of decision. Whatever we do it is about individual standards, about the capability of the you know the unit becoming better, or at least as good as it is now. That decision is going to come. I believe we have a good process, information that is factbased. We are working with the army sharing their data with them. Adventure general dunford have spoken, i know he is spoken to general odierno. Can ask about the standard, kind of philosophy of setting the standard. As you set the standard in the areas that are not yet gender integrated come is the standard setting just describing the current functions the way weve always done it . Or is the standard setting a new analysis of what our the adjectives that are the most needed to do the best job in this particular mos . I have not seen all the Different Task condition standards. They will be functionally based. There may be a screening process for any marine, male or female, but it will not lift so much weight that shifted load the main tank gun get to carry the projectile, got to drag the can, i have to carry the load, i have to go this fast this far with this much weight. It will be those types of things. So thats the data weve got. And what the data says about how many i went out this soggy get addicted to test test. It was a very hard test. It was hard. Regardless of whatever happens i can tell you the marines out there particularly the women marines, they did a great job. It was pretty motivating. Im going to switch gears to an area that is incredibly important im not sure everybody focuses on the. They trained in virginia and it could have a uva grad before the Marine Security guard who train at quantico. Everywhere i travel if im ever at a u. S. Embassy always stick my head in the postone to thank these important members of not only the Embassy Family but important member of the marine corps. This is a job that is getting more attention to a job working on Armed Services we have devoted more resources to it. How familiar are you with a unit a special entrance of them do they have the resources they need to . Are we training in enough . Because we sure need them around the world. Senator im not completely conversant in their entire Training Program of instruction. Like you what i could embassies i talked to the marines. They are very high quality highly screened. A great retention tool for us to keep the marines in. I do we because they are so capable that we dont get a lot of them just after their service. Theyve got options and i always ask them how many of you are going to stay competitors is them who say they are i volunteer myself to be their career plan or so i can convince him to stay because they are some of the very best and brightest young men and women we have put i think they are trained well. I think they are resourced well. Ive never been to an embassy with a told me ever wanting or lacking for anything with the Regional Security officer. I have to get back to on any more detail but my basic rudimentary response is i think they are in good shape. Great. Thank you very much for your testimony. General, thank you very much. Darcy, thank you for being here today. I appreciate your Great Service to our nation. I would just fire off one quick question. I apologize, im going to step out again one of my Top Priorities has been ensuring that our soldiers and our marines, those who are really engaged in close contact in combat those are taking the majority of casualties in our nations complex are armed with the best possible weapons available. And give them the will and the fight to win. We have to make sure that have the best possible sidearms, the personal weapons. Thats one of the first things our young men and women do qualify on their individual weapon. So with that being said i am very concerned about the militarys lack of modernizing our small arms program. I know the marines have recently gone from utilizing the automatic weapon, to the light infantry automatic rifle. So im glad that they are modernizing in some aspects. They still have not modernized the m4. I would like your thoughts on where you think we need to do that if we do need changes. Just very quickly. I have complete confidence that the weapons we put our marines with are the very best that we can get. The m4 cant even the marines and the rifle squad they dont carry at trinity because we want him to the longer barrel for that longer reach. So talking about weapons is a very emotional subject with the marines but ive never heard anybody say they didnt think that what they had was going to allow them to be successful. We dont want it to be a fair fight. The i. A. R. Is a good weapon. We are always looking at better ways to improve everything we have a we have got new howitzers there were always working on the tanks. So theres no lack of emotion and energy and enthusiasm when i walk around about our weapons. From everything i can to i think everybody is sensitive a dozen does not better ways to do it whether ammunition, magazines, but my personal view in my current position is things are well. I appreciate that. In the interest of time to submit the other questions for the record. So thank you, jennifer i appreciate it very much. Thank you, mr. Chair. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I would like to thank your family and your friends were here with you today. It speaks volumes about you. General dunford as commandant worked very hard on the Mental Health issue but i just wanted to make sure to get a commitment from you to prioritize Mental Health and Suicide Prevention as part of your writing is for all your marines. Absolutely, senator. As part of that that there be no stigma in seeking help. Senator, we have for to this end i can personally tell you as hard as we can i believe we have made progress. To the best of our ability every marine knows how to what we want to do first and foremost is help them if they need it. One of the things in working in this area over the past few years is finding out how critical leadership of the squad and platoon level is finding Mental Health problems. I want to make sure that your leaders know to make a call, talk to somebody if you see one of your marines going sideways on you or having struggled. They probably see before anybody can dont you think, general . Senator, i agree completely. I can tell you that the focus of our training as we do the Suicide Prevention and how to react to that is focused at that level. I can give you personal accounts of where sergeant, junior and staff ncos were there at the forefront, either give a hand or keep a marine from doing something that they probably wished they had not done and saved their lives. I spoke this morning to the governor in an area you are very familiar with, anbar province. We were going over the efforts that are in place right now to retake ramadi, and western iraq. What is your view on how to best to build a relationship with the sunni tribes and to part with them against isis . Senator, i have not been in iraq since the left on my birthday in 27. I would like to go back and see it for myself but i dont think the relationship of the sunni tribes, the real issue is not with us to its with the government in baghdad. They have to believe that their Central Government is going to at least give them some modicum of support, but they will fix the roads, let the water run, given gasoline, make the electricity work, fix the roads and let them worship as they see fit. That relationship that was damaged it was continuous at best and it was damaged by previous governments in iraq. It if mr. Body can do that he will gain the support but you have to work really hard spent if afghanistan, with a syndicate challenges moving ahead. The marines have been such an important part of securing entire areas of afghanistan, of creating secure regions. As you look at that what you do you see moving forward at some of the keys to success stability, to holding on there . Senator ive been to afghanistan and of times but i never served there so my experience base is limited. Again i think it goes back to the Afghan Government believing that were going to be there to support them that the resources are going to be there, and that they have the confidence to and that their soldiers have a companies that will be somebody there to back them up. There are similar problems. We need to stay there and work with them. I believe my experience is if they foreign nation was there someone behind them, that they are likely to do the right things the right way and hopefully for a longer period of time. I will finish with this. My father in law is a quad a canal marine they would be very proud of your service of all of your years of service. And look very much forward to taking command of the marine corps. So we wish you the very best. General, welcome and congratulations. Then they both for your service. I want to start first i apologize for having to step out. We had a court in Judiciary Committee and had to step out briefly, so i apologize if im asked a question that is our been asked by wanted to start what would be your top ground Modernization Program priority . Right now the two top programs and yet to be fielded from the joint light tactical vehicle and the amphibious combat vehicle. Over them our jit understand is close to production and the acd we should down select the two vendors with 16 vehicles this fall and then eventually pick one. So in that area a couple of other things but a radar from multipurpose radar and hope right of other things but right now as for specific programs those two are at the top. Can you talk about the reason why it our top and the difference it makes in terms of your capabilities . For the jltv has more survivability than the humvee. The humvee has been around since the mid 80s we have improved it a little bit but theres only so much growth left in the frame and we something need something thats going to give us more survivability so in the queue recapitalized into any vehicle. The decision has been made the jltv is that vehicle. We are going to buy 5500 of them and im assuming theyre going to meet the requirement. I have not looked at any but i dont even know who the vendor is. On the acv, same reason. The amphibious vehicle we have to do is 40 years o we have refurbished it, rebuild the number of times. Its okay. Its okay in the water and not so okay on the ground, particularly if there are ied because it is flat bottomed it is just not survivable. Because that vehicle spends 90 of its time on shore we have to find something thats going to give us more survivability but yet can still move through the surf and get us to the beach. That leads to the next question i had which have to do with ship to shore maneuvers. Ive got some exposure to some of the challenges when i was a down at camp lejeune a month or so ago. Can you talk a little bit about the ship to shore maneuvers, all the way from the connectors and elaborate on the acv in terms of the additional capability as compared to what you have to to . Amphibious warfare is very Competent Company falls a lot of moving pieces. You are also subject to the weather and see. So weve got to get to the objective area in our amphibious ships, and we use air cushion vehicles and Landing Craft a large Landing Craft to move heavy loads of sure. Neither the amtrak or the acv will be able to give us a long range launched so we have to be worried about antiaccess area denial. We will work through some choreography and sequencing of the force. We want to biblical land under cover of darkness, take advantage of that for our security. So the acv that we buy, just like the amtrak that we have come has to have some sort of capability and its got to at a certain speed so that we can do this under a period of darkness. The last question i have for you has to do with the size of the force. I know there have been some studies or Marine Corps University that was setting the optimum size of the marines out of 186,000 can just about 187,000 we are at 184000 moving to 182000. The 5000 differential, thats a lot of marines and a lot of killing capacity. I know when i met with you in my office you are the surfers is going to make it work no matter whatever hand youre dealt. Are you reaching, do you think that 182 is a workable number or is that just a number youre working with because thats where we are with productions question we need to look back at getting to that optimal number . Senator the optimal number for a three to one deployment ratio which is what we would aspire to, the 186 we built into our plan as weve gone down some reversibility of the. We know what units we took down and what units we would bring back your 182 at that point where we can meet the Combatant Commanders requirements and provide a two to one ratio which is the minimum sustainable level. Yes, we can do at 182 186 would be better. But right now thats not affordable. If resources were made available, we would go the force back but that would take some time. Thank you general i look forward to supporting your confirmation. Thank you, mr. Chair. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you, general confronting the. Your commitment to service for all your sacrifice, thanks to you, for me. You and i had a chance to talk about a lot of these issues in advance and i was grateful for that meeting. After ive meeting i sent you a report that i did some rising cases at four bases in 2013 just as a snapshot to understand. I want to brief you on that. In Camp Pendleton for 2013 they had 60 cases of such an assault alleged. 10 of those cases were spouses they have an issue with Domestic Violence thats important to look at. Youve also had 18 who are civilians. 28 out of 50 are not part of our survey. At least when the dod Service Sector also last year estimate 20,000 Sexual Assaults, but does include civilians to spouses. More than half of the cases are not even counted in those numbers. The other statistic of the Service Number 21 to the other thing to be aware of because of the challenge and responded improperly among your spouses eight withdrew their complaint within a year. They can have confidence in the system. Pages no longer wanted to prosecute. Of the surveillance pashtun civilians eight withdrew. And half of these cases that were reported, to report the case you got to put your name on the bottom line duplicate a rape kit which is invasive. Anyone the situation is now public. For them to withdraw nearly half to withdraw within figure does not Show Confidence in the system. That brings us to what senator mccaskill rates is the issue of retaliation. We know from the survey that last year it was 62 of cases, some have reported a rape was retaliated against during that process. The retaliation comes in all forms action to. 53 social 35 administrative, 32 professional, 11 punishment. More than half of these cases there some form of the chain of command retaliation. Really do look to the lower level commanders, the unit commanders. We have an issue with Sexual Harassment and sexual discrimination in all cases 60 comes from the unit commander. You have to dig deep to begin to create a Better Climate which i think will be essential for you to be successful so you have good order of discipline within the ranks. As we talked about i look forward to working with you on that. I think its a vital. I appreciated your answers to senator kaine about combat integration. Whatpointandshoot i like to raise is i know that the physical fitness test our gender norms and in no, she was trying to create even tougher requirements so they can meet standards. As you look at your standard review and as you look as to whether going to ask for a waiver for any positions today, i would urge you not to seek waivers because all youre saying is theres no one who can meet the standards today. But if we began to creep tougher standards to make them genderneutral beginning to create asking for a waiver says under no circumstances can anyone ever meet the standards i would caution you not to take action because the future of the force can we put all of the best and brightest. Id like to ask you just basically when you are going to look at these issues, do you expect to ask for an exception or a waiver . Senator, i have not seen all the data added to believe we in any way, shape, or form presuppose whether we will or not. I have not not talked to become. Com general dunford, about this. I will eventually because he is no longer going to be our commandant so hes going to i would ask if you would informed as to what we are going to do. I take all your points. Again, i want every marine that the best opportunity to be successful. Nobody joins to fail. Anybody join to fail . Know good. So we are going to be successful. Weve got to put them in the best place where they can be successful and to the best for themselves or important for the unit. I know this will take a close scrutiny. This is not something anybody takes lightly but i didnt want to make sure we have the most operation and capable force. I take your point i do appreciate obligations you gave me during our meeting. Thank you, general. Im very grateful for your service. Thank you. Thanks, mr. Chairman. Thank you, general for your service as others have said, not only george bush a family and we are grateful to you for taking on this very important mission. No one joined the marine corps to fail thats for sure and i know that you wanted to get every opportunity to add a marine to serve to the best of his or her ability. And hard of the reason marines may quote appeared to fail me the invisible wounds of war like posttraumatic stress. My colleague senator dawn asked about Mental Health issues. Posttraumatic stress is the result of combat related injuries and that really have never been recognized in the past as much as they are now and maybe not now as much as they should be. My very distinguished colleagues and i senator mccain sponsored a bill called clay hunt preventions as an act to provide more research as well as more care to marines and others who were injured in duty often in combat, other invisible wounds and Mental Health generally to help prevent suicide that occurred among them. I would welcome your commitment that you will encourage and support even more efforts to do with posttraumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. Senator you have my total commitment to those actions. Do you have any specific initiatives that you have contemplated i know its early to ask you but in that area to encourage more marines to come forward to identify themselves . A statement of us associate with those ones but i just wondered if you have any specific initiatives . Senator, i dont at this time but all i can tell you is this. Like everybody else we have learned a lot the last 12 years. Unfortunately, we learned a lot about some bad things. I do think that the force recognizes these invisible wounds. I remember a captain he was berated as he looked like he was fine. I honestly those days are gone. That said, there may be marines out there or any Service Member out there, whos still getting something, thats bugging him, the marines i talked to in the marines i served with today out of anybody whos not out of their reaching out to talk to him and try to help a big leaguer going to try to help them they will come forward. The art a lot who have. But maybe some who have not. Those with tbi data been diagnosed we need to continue to take care of them because they are part of the fourth into their no longer on this earth. We are not perfect but we still have a lot to learn. I welcome and i applaud the commitment and assisted on this issue i can guarantee without being an expert that our marines and soldiers and sailors and airmen who are out there with wounds that are bugging them come and they need the encouragement to come forward. Let me shift could i are you familiar with the piece of legislation, clay hunt Suicide Prevention act . I am not. I will become for me with it though if confirmed. Im interested now that i wasnt aware, mr. Chairman. Thank you. Well make sure your office received some additional material on this. Senator mccain has really been a champion ivan for prepared to work with them on this issue and is quickly afford. 22 veterans every day in this country strongest, best country in history of the world commit suicide and this bill as an effort to correct that problem. If i can just focus and my remaining seconds on the f35s joint strike fighter, i know that we have not yet passed initial operating capability test and station on what you could comment on what you see as the importance of this fifth generation fighter to the marine corps . I hope so that we will be able to declared base on the Readiness Evaluation that we are at ioc. I think this airplane potentially if it does so we believe its going to do is not just help but do what we do know better. It is going to change how we do what we do and that is what we have to learn as we go through this. It is expensive. The more rebuild, the more allies by in the cheaper it will be. I am excited about the potential this provides to not just the marine corps the marine corps and naval force but that entire force. Thank you general. Thank you chairman. I went to thank you for your service to the country and your wife is well in your whole family. I appreciate all youve done and are willing to take on two this important position. I wanted to ask you about iraq. Several others have asked you about having served our country in iraq and seeing the director of fbi james called me said this week that isis poses a greater terrorist threat than al qaeda. What is that we need to do in iraq now to address isis that we are not doing . Senator my time is the data although im somewhat influence in my current job as far as marines and the joint force. We are doing what we need to do right now. We are training iraqis in ensuring equipment and ammunition supplies. We are working with them, advising them. The only thing we are not doing its accompanying them to the of my knowledge. At the end of the day whether we do or not, they are the ones that have to restore the territory and i believe based on what ive seen them do in the past and have the capability to do that. Because we have to defeat isis. We have to get them to a point where they are insignificant and just some people on the internet saying a bunch of stuff but they dont have any capability or anything to back it up at right now that is not where they are. They have land terrain and theyre masquerading as a country. As you look at where we are with iraq and our current force posture in afghanistan, but we have consistently heard from general dunford and others is that its important we have a condition based with straw from afghanistan as opposed to a calendar with straw. Would you agree with that thinking about what weve seen happen in iraq post are leaving . Senator, it is our opinion that a military base that draws us more effective than one based on time. Obviously your enemy can wait you out in no when you believe versus what is happening on the ground. I would say thats an accurate statement. One thing you is that in terms of what we do in iraq right now that we repeatedly raised in this committee from your experience on the ground, generally testing plan in a joint Terminal Attack Controllers make airstrikes more accurate in effect give . I would agree the proficient or capability with the maneuver unit make them more effective. One of the issues that needs to be addressed obviously right now as i understand it with Iraqi Security forces, do you believe our American Military dropping airstrikes in iraq right now would be more effect if if they were embedded at the tactical level . In principle yes, senator. Theres got to be some methodology that for a pilot to go out to just find a target theres got to be some coordination going on because we have americans within their operations center. Theres got to be some coordination where they are given a general location or target so they are not out there flying around. I dont know the answer to that. Generally a unit is more effect is yes maam. Certainly that is what they do on the ground is help ensure the targets are more precise and effective. I wanted to ask you also come to you and i spoke about this in my office with what happened and didnt see were brave americans were murdered. Where are we today and one of the things all of us were upset about was the factor of military couldnt respond quickly enough to help and wanted to know where we are today if we had another benghazi attack in north africa or the middle east tonight, with the marine corps be in a better position to respond . Senator today post in ghazi and what is referred to as the new normal the Ground Combat unit at them and be 22 ospreys to spain the force has grown to the full Infantry Battalion across three bases and a squadron of 12 ospreys. They have an alert for on a sixhour alert. They could position themselves on other bases in the mediterranean or even western africa. Theres a number of Security Locations with established where we could go with the support of the host nation. Our capability is much greater particularly if we have some idea something not been only now someone is going to go there and we need to provide them with protection so we are in a much better place than we were at that time. Thank you. General, congratulations on your nomination to the marine corps fighting for survivor created. Is it true isis is calling for attacks against our military and personal families here at home . Senator i am not aware they have specifically targeted american citizens. I am aware they have put information about american citizens and social media. It is my understanding theyve urge people to come after their military personnel and families and are encouraging people here and abroad to do so. If the recruiters had been armed do you think things wouldve been different . Senator, i dont know. I think they would have been. I dont know the answer that weve got to know. I think it would have mattered and not your job laterally to decide. With where we stand as a nation, everywhere else to be able to defend our people. General dunford said he thought the greatest threat to America Today was fresh. Not radical islam. Do you agree with that . I agree that the nationstate russia is the greatest threat that i believe the greatest threat to the American People because they say they want to kill us is radical extremism. Do you believe to me the greatest threat of all was the Nuclear Weapon . And a radical organization with a Nuclear Weapon upgrade is concerned. You believe iran is a radical islamic nationstate . I believe that iran is a state that is involved is often a number of nefarious that todays which have created instability across the middle east and other parts of the world. Do you believe the ayatollah means that when he says death to america and death to israel . Senator, ive never spoken to the ayatollah to ask them that question. I doubt if you will. Given the behavior of iran would it be smart to assume the worse when it came to the ayatollah and not the best . It would be my military advice to continue to watch them closely everything they do and judge them on their actions and anything they do there violate International Law and disrupt stability of the region in the world. Would you agree they are the primary destabilizing influence supporting extremist organizations that toppled for arab capitals . I believe they are extremely destabilizing force. To agree aside when my 15 minutes of that iranian and hezbollah support . The iranians are supporting the assad government. Put it this way. They are assads main benefactor. They are providing a great deal of support. To a greater proamerican prowestern government was toppled they received a significant amount of support from iran. To what degree that allowed them to topple the government you think would have a different outcome . Circum adobe speculative on my part. I have been to jam in a couple times that the government they had was troubled and they have a huge amount of tribal and structuralism in there clearly iranian support to the houthis facilitated their actions in yemen. Do you agree hezbollah would have a hard time surviving without iran . He was certainly not have the same capability they have today. My point is general, you are not answering the senders questions. Answer the question, do you believe the matter now . General, i am not trying to put you in a bad box and try to explain to the American People who the iranians are in what they are up to. That is all im trying to do. Do you agree with me that they are a very destabilizing influence in the middle east . The largest sponsor of terrorism and we should know that . Yes senator. You have indicated in 1975 the marine corps with the place is in a bad spot . Youve come a long way. Do you agree with me if we impose sequestration and fully implemented by 2021 the marine corps will be in a bad spot . Yes senator. At the time we need the marine corps the most. We would not be able to provide the capabilities we need to provide to the nation. In your time as marine have you ever seen a larger need for the United States marine corps than today . In terms of the threats we face . Senator, its a very challenging time for the foresight marine corps would have great capability for the nation. Thank you very much. General, before we close when you say we are doing what we need to do in iraq, i dont know where youve been. Obviously isis is winning in iraq good for you not to be in favor of us having Forward Air Controllers on the ground in some scholastic answer, you know full well as i do air controllers make a difference. 75 better phone return to base without firing a weapon. This line about they are the ones that have to do it themselves general they cant do it themselves. We know that. The iraqis cannot do it themselves. That is why they are losing. That is why theyve lost their secondlargest city. That is why isis continues to make gains in the only people against them or the iranian backed shiite militias. The iraqis have to do it. Without american assistance including airpower including air controllers on the ground we are going to see this stalemate in doing what we need to do and maybe you can probably what were doing double win against isis. Can you tell me that . Senator, what we are doing is providing teams that is causing success. Is that right . Is stemmed the tide for isis but is not removing them from iraq. You believe i says is losing . No, sir. I do not. I dont believe they are winning either. They are at a stalemate. When you have a stalemate, when enemy controlled secondlargest city and the only people fighting against them are shia militias backed by iranian and solar meanie who was responsible for general dunfords testimony of 500 marines and soldiers orchestrating the attacks i dont think we are doing what we need to do general. I will give you some written questions. Im very disappointed in a number of your answers. When they go back again. You know what happened in that recruiting station, dont you . Did guy walked up the door and shot and killed four marines. That was in the media no matter what job you are holding you to that. Should we have the marines defend themselves . Senator, the marines needed the protection of the recruiting station with only one individual wounded. It was that the reserve center where they killed. They shouldve been able to defend themselves, senator. Thank you. I will have some questions for the record. If you think we are doing what we need to do in iraq and syria we have a real strong and different view of the situation. We lost too many good marines in the battle of falluja and the mahdi. Senator graham and i were over there. One of my sunspot they are and for us to say we are doing what we need to do i think its frankly not in keeping with the appreciation and the sacrifices brave young people made. Mr. Chairman, i simply want to say i dont think anyone understands the sacrifices the marines made in iraq better than general miller and i think his comment and has professional opinions based on what he knows not as commander in iraq but i certainly think there is no one that feels more deep laid about the situation in iraq and maybe marines there than general neller. Thank you. The meeting is adjourned. [inaudible conversations] the senate will continue to debate on what is called the highway bill sending the federal portion for highway bridge and mass transit projects nationwide for the next six years. A motion is pending to begin formal debate on the bill. A vote is expected shortly after morning comments by party leaders. Now life to the senate floor. The chaplain let us pray. O lord our god, you soar upon the wings of the wind. Increase our faith hope and love that we may receive your promises. As our lawmakers seek to humbly do your will, impart to them your strength. Your strength. Lord, pursue and overtake their enemies, so that your will may be done on earth. Show our senators your loving kindness, enabling them to serve your purposes for their lives in this generation. Sustain us all in the day of calamity, for we find our delight in you. Show mercy to the merciful purity to the pure, and justice to the upright. We pray in your sovereign name. Amen. The president pro tempore please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to our flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The presiding officer under the previous order the leadership time is reserved. The clerk motion to proceed to the consideration of h. R. 22, an act to amend the Internal Revenue code of 1986 and so forth. The presiding officer under the previous order all time is yielded back. The question is on the motion. A senator i ask for the yeas and nays. The presiding officer is there a sufficient second . There appears to be. The clerk will call the roll. Vote vote vote the presiding officer anyone wishing to vote or to change their vote . If not the vote is 51 yea 26 nay. The motion is agreed to. Mr. Mcconnell madam president . The presiding officer the clerk will report. The clerk calendar number 19, h. R. 22 an act to l amend the Internal Revenue code of 1986 and so forth. Mr. Mcconnell madam president . The presiding officer the majority leader. Mr. Mcconnell i call up amendment 2266 as modified with the changes at the desk. The presiding officer the clerk will report. The clerk the senator from kentucky mr. Mcconnell proposes amendment number 2266 as modified. Mr. Mcconnell i ask that the reading be dispensed with. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Mcconnell i ask for the yeas and nays on my amendment. The presiding officer is there a sufficient second . There is. The yeas and nays are ordered. Mr. Mcconnell i call up the kirk amendment number 2327. The presiding officer the clerk will report. The clerk the senator from kentucky mr. Mcconnell for mr. Kirk proposes amendment number 2327 to amendment number 2266. Mr. Mcconnell i ask that the reading be dispensed with. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Mcconnell i ask for the yeas and nays on the amendment. The presiding officer is there a sufficient second . There is. The yeas and nays are ordered. Mr. Mcconnell i have a seconddegree amendment at the desk. The presiding officer the clerk will report. The clerk the senator from kentucky mr. Mcconnell proposes an amendment numbered 2328 to amendment number 2327. Mr. Mcconnell i ask that the reading be dispensed with. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Mcconnell i have an amendment to the text proposed to be stricken. The presiding officer the clerk will report. The clerk the senator from kentucky mr. Mcconnell proposes an amendment numbered 2329 to the language proposed to be stricken by amendment number 2266. Mr. Mcconnell i ask for the yeas and nays on my amendment. The presiding officer is there a second . There is. The yeas and nays are ordered. Mr. Mcconnell i have a seconddegree amendment at the desk. The presiding officer the clerk will report. The clerk the senator from kentucky mr. Mcconnell proposes an amendment numbered 2330 to amendment number 2329. Mr. Mcconnell i have a cloture motion at the desk for the seconddegree amendment number 2328. The presiding officer the clerk will report the cloture motion. Mr. Mcconnell i have 2328. The clerk cloture motion we, the undersigned senators in accordance with the provisions of the rule 22 hereby move to bring to a close number 2328 signed by 16 senators as follows. Mr. Mcconnell i ask consent the reading of the names be dispensed with. I have a cloture motion. The clerk cloture motion, we, the undersigned senators in accordance with the provisions of rule 22 of the standing rules of the senate hereby move to bring to a close debate on the kirk amendment number 2327 to amendment number 2266 as modified to h. R. 22, an acts to amend the internal of 1986 and so forth signed by 17 senators as follows. Mr. Mcconnell i ask consent the reading of the names be dispensed with. The presiding officer without objection. A senator madam president . Mr. Mcconnell i have a cloture motion at the desk for amendment number 2266 as modified. The presiding officer the clerk will report the cloture motion. The clerk cloture motion, we the undersigned senators in accordance of the provisions of rule 22 of the standing rules of the senate hereby move to bring to a close debate on the mcconnell amendment 22666 as modified signed by 17 senators as folings. Mr. Mcconnell i ask ask consent the reading of the names be dispensed with. The presiding officer without objection. A senator madam president . Mr. Mcconnell i have a cloture motion at the desk for h. R. 22. The presiding officer without objection a senator madam president . The clerk cloture motion, we, the undersigned senators in accordance with the provisions of rule 22 of the r standing rules of the senate hereby move to bring to a close debate on h. R. 22, an act to amend the Internal Revenue code of 1986 and so forth signed by 17 senators. Mr. Mcconnell i ask consent the reading of the names be dispensed with. A senator madam president . Mr. Mcconnell madam president . Madam president . A senator madam president . Mr. Mcconnell madam president . Regular order. The presiding officer the clerk will read the names. The clerk Mcconnell Cornyn hatch barrasso, roberts, burr, tillis, vitter graham ayotte, alexander coats, hoeven, inhofe, wicker, collins, and thune. Mr. Mcconnell madam president . The presiding officer the majority leader. Mr. Mcconnell madam president , the hard work to pass a bipartisan fiscally responsible multiyear highway bill that doesnt raise taxes or increase the deficit continues. It hasnt been easy. We always knew obstacles would lay ahead at every turn, and they sure have. But our country needs a multiyear highway bill, and well get there if well just continue to stick together. Perhaps the most challenging issue now relates to amendments. Supporters of the exim bank are demanding a vote to reauthorize it and theyve made it clear theyre ready to stop all other amendments if denied that opportunity. They have already proven they have the votes to back up the threat as well. This presents a challenge for the senate and to opponents of the exim bank, like myself, in particular. But i believe we can still move forward, and i believe the more equitable or balanced proposal i just offered will allow us to do so. So let me explain. It provides for votes on two longsought, nongermane amendments. First, it allows a vote on an amendment to reauthorize the exim bank, something nearly every democrat wants. Second it allows a vote on an amendment that would repeal obamacare, something nearly every republican wants and something well continue to fight for. Exim shouldnt be the only vote we take on this bill. And under the compromise i just filed, it wont be. Thats a much fairer way forward, madam president. I would urge my colleagues to join me in voting against exim and i urge every senator to take this important opportunity to join me in voting to finally give the American People a fresh start they deserve on health care. I know well engage in a robust debate on all of these issues. We should. And then well take a vote. And while the clock demands that we file cloture given that the Highway Trust Fund will expire at the end of next week, i hope we still have a robust amendment process on this critical bill. So i would encourage every one of my colleagues to work with the bill managers on their germane amendments. Senators should also note this yesterday i circulated bill language to both sides of the aisle that i intended to use to modify my amendment number 2266. That language contained technical and conforming edits as well as the removal of a provision related to fugitive felons that was not needed to fully offset the bill. I wanted to let my colleagues know that the amendment i just offered contains one additional modification. It removes provisions that would have terminated the 1. 7 billion hardest hit fund mortgage programs several senators on both sides of the aisle and in particular senator portman on our side of the aisle have been a real champion on this issue expressed their opposition to its termination. So we have reduced spending levels in the bill to accommodate this change while ensuring the bill remains fully paid for for three years. Mr. Reid madam president . The presiding officer the democrat leader. Mr. Reid i am just trying to focus here. Did i just hear the legislative tree being filled . I can answer that question. Madam president , this morning americans are waking to another news account of a tragic and senseless shooting. This one occurred in lafayette louisiana. The details are emerging, but at least two were murdered and about a dozen others wounded. We focus as we should, on those innocent people watching a movie who were murdered, but we also need to focus on these other dozen. How many of those people will be paraplegics or qadryplegics or have injuries that will follow them the rest of their lives . Time will only tell. I know i speak for every member of the senate when i say our thoughts are with the victims and their families, many brave First Responders who were at the scene. Madam president , again the majority leader has cynically filed another repeal of the Obama Health Care legislation. It was legislation. Its now the law. I hope the senate doesnt try to catch up with the house as to how many times theyre going to try to repeal that. Its fact that the critics are stubbornly ignoring reality. That reality is that the bill passed many years ago its been reviewed in detail by various courts in the land and the highest courts in the land have upheld this, including the Supreme Court on two separate occasions. We passed the Affordable Care act, it has been signed into law. The Supreme Court has upheld it on two separate occasions. Its time for republicans to move on, join us in trying to improve the Health Care Delivery system we have in America Today. Move on to something else, because now we have approaching 20 Million People who benefit from the law thats now in existence. 85 of these 10. 2 Million Consumers who have coverage in these exchanges have tax credits to help them afford that coverage. These credits effectively cap premiums at a percent of income. Those individuals defraying the impact of premium increases. Madam president , without going into more numbers the fact is every time with rare exception that i go home i have people come to me and say were so grateful for this law because my daughter is now getting health insurance. And were not talking about a bunch of teenagers. Were talking about people who were unable all their childhood and adult life to get insurance until now so we need to move on. This is really not productive. I would hope that everyone would recognize the Health Care Delivery system is not perfect but were willing to work with the republicans that have been trying to improve it, but lets do it constructively. Finally, madam president unless we act in three months, our federal government shuts down. I appreciate this is not just me speaking out that something has to be done, but the senior senator from arizona has said over the last week or so how important it is for the defense of this country to get rid of this sequestration. If sequestration kicks in, the funding for defense and nondefense will be exactly the same. The only way that could be changed is if we passed a law here in the senate. And i would frankly think that that was going to be hard to do. We believe that we want to do everything we can to help the defense in this country our fighting men and women. We also are concerned about nondefense programs which are in need of repair, madam president and it would be untoward to think that were going to do sequestration with the National Institutes of health as an example. Lifesaving Scientific Research is being done there every day and the last sequestration knocked their pins out. They were i talked to the head of the National Institutes of health, dr. Francis collins and for example they were so close to coming in with a universal flu vaccine. They had to drop that. They lost almost 2 billion as a result of the first sequestration. And im sorry to say another one staring them in the face will only be more hurtful to that Great Institution that we have. I was terribly disappointed yesterday to hear my friend, the speaker of the house and he intends to get up and do his job. He intends to abandon the appropriations process. He told a press conference yesterday quote its pretty clear given the number of days were going to have in september, were going to have to do a continuing resolution of some sort. Close quote. Not only a continuing resolution that underfunds critical priorities for working men and women in america especially our families republicans are neglecting their full responsibilities giving up on the middle class. Instead of working together with democrats to negotiate a longterm funding package republicans are calling it quits. The continuing resolution should be a last ditch 11th hour option. Not an excuse, three months before the deadline approaches, just say we give up. I hope the speaker of the house will change course and recommit his party to working with us. Three months, surely my republican friends must realize is more than enough time for us to do our jobs. Finally, madam president there is a lot of complaints people may have about the legislation before the body. I do want to commend the republican leader for having this amendment before us dealing with the exim bank. Its very important that this legislation move on, and i would hope the house would pass it as soon as they get it. Madam president , right now, we have let me just count them. I wont take the time here. About 45 different countries. They have working Exportimport Banks that help their businesses and they are really hurting our exporters because our exporters are going to these other companies, trying to get some help so that they can continue exporting. So i do appreciate this being part of this legislation. Its really an important piece of legislation and im so glad that the majority leader put that in as something were going to work on the next few days. I note the absence of a quorum. The presiding officer the clerk will call the roll. Quorum call the presiding officer the senator from texas. Mr. Cruz i ask unanimous consent that the quorum call be set aside. The presiding officer is there objection . Without objection. Mr. Cruz madam president today is a sad day for this institution. The senate operates based on trust. Whether we are democrats or republicans, these 100 senators have to be able to trust that when a senator says something he or she will do it. Even if we disagree on substance, that we dont lie to each other. What we just witnessed this morning is profoundly disappointing. I want to describe the context of two preceding discussions. A number of weeks ago when this senate was considering trade Promotion Authority a group of senators gathered on this floor and blocked t. P. A. For many minutes because they were pressing for the Exportimport Bank. They huddled on this floor and negotiated a deal in front of cspan in front of the world. Then when they had their deal, t. P. A. Had the votes to pass. Shortly thereafter, we had a Senate Republican lunch where i stood up and i asked the majority leader very directly what was the deal that was just cut on t. P. A. And was there a deal for the Exportimport Bank. It was a direct question. I asked the majority leader in front of all the republican senators. The majority leader was visibly angry with me that i would ask such a question, and the majority leader looked at me and said there is no deal, there is no deal, there is no deal. Like st. Peter he repeated it three times. He said the only thing i told the proponents of the Exportimport Bank is like any other senator in this body, they could offer any amendment they liked on any amendable vehicle but i gave them nothing, there is no deal, i gave them nothing. He was emphatic. And he was repeated. Following that republic discussion, senator mike lee and i approached the majority leader afterwards in which he emphasized again there is no deal, i will do nothing i oppose the Exportimport Bank. All i said is they can offer an amendment like any senator can to any bill. Madam president , i went back to my office and i sat and had a long discussion with my staff. My staff told me that afternoon hes lying to you. Thats what my staff said. We have been around the senate a long time. He is not telling you the truth. And what i told my staff that afternoon, i said well, i dont know if thats the case or not but i dont see how when the majority leader looks me in the eyes and makes an explicit promise and by the way looks in the eyes of every other republican senator and says that to every other republican senator, i dont see how i cannot take him at his word when he makes an explicit promise. As a result, i cast my vote in may in support of t. P. A. Because i support free trade and i felt i had no choice but to assume that when the majority leader spoke to 54 republican senators and made an explicit promise that he wasnt lying to us. Well as t. P. A. Moved on, as it went to the house it became abundantly clear, there was a deal. There was a deal in the house for the Exportimport Bank. And so the second time t. P. A. Came up, i voted no because of that corrupt deal. Now i will note to the public the majority leader and the speaker of the house have repeatedly said there was no corrupt deal, there was no corrupt deal. We made no deal, we made no deal. Thats one element of the background context. Let me tell you a second element of the background context. A number of weeks ago when we were debating the corkercardin bill the iran review act, there were a number of amendments that senators had filed