Secretary matus and general dunford, i hope you will provide insight on what the strategy may be. What are we getting ready for . What are the priorities . That is not a hard question an important question if we are being asked, it is a Readiness Package the department is wont improve readiness and it is disconnected from strategy the administrations package proposes 18 billion in cuts to nondefense programs to offset military spending. The administration provided no detail on these cuts but we know what is on the shopping the block. There are extremely reckless cuts for agencies in the state department for next year. Jeopardizing the nations ability to deal with crises without resorting to arms. I wish the white house listens to then general jim matuss views on the state department. As commander of Us Central Command general matus stated if you dont fund the state department fully, there needs to be more ammunition ultimately. The harm will go beyond hurting National Security. Some of the cuts could cut into medical research, something many of us feel strongly about. Education and everything in between. Our armed forces depend on healthy, welleducated American Workers to sign up and serve our country. The programs will shrink the pool of americans who can serve the military making these proposals today very shortsighted. The Administration Says nothing about sequestration. Oh he has submitted it would trigger an immediate cross the board request ration of military programs, more money triggering a. It allows for defense, changing the underlying mendacious sequestration law. On is asking then the law allows and we need to do more about it. Previous administration is frequently, but not this administration. President trumps proposal is complete and doesnt address this issue in a serious way. We all recognize there are holes in the armed forces the need to be fixed. I hope you go further to explain these. Congress needs to know why you think this is a spending package that needs to be fixed. Considering problems with this proposal, cuts to the dramatic spending, lack of modest funding for increased training and lack of fixed sequestration, the appearance congress may consider significant changes but flora, im in the judiciary hearing with Supreme Court nominee and on the docket in a few minutes. I promise to return. Thank you, senator. Welcome to the committee, witnesses, we appreciate your being here, the secretary of defense, james madison. Chairman cochran, vice chairman derman, disinterest senators, i appreciate the opportunity to testify today in support of the president s request for additional funding and matters of interest to the committee. I request the committee accept my statement for the record. As you know, the president is committed to strengthening our military. The security situation facing the country has become more challenging, the looming threat of outstripped the level of we have been allocated for defense. We and the public are keenly aware of the sacrifices made by the American People in the form of additional 30 billion budget requests. We take seriously the responsibility to spend wisely this minute, enhance emerging threats and recognize hesitation now to in west in defense with deep in that strategic mismatch between future security and military means to protect our people and freedoms. Our military must ensure that the president and diplomats always negotiate from a position of strength. Global threats require Global Response applying the weight of our own and our allies power. Diplomatic solution will remain our preferred options which we cannot deny the role of our military heading conditions for diplomatic progress. Military deterrence is only credible if military strength is sufficiently formidable, allies confidently align with us in tempering adversary designs. We must look reality in the eye to see russia and china seeking veto power over the economic, diplomatic, security decisions for nations on the periphery. Terrorist groups murder the innocent and threaten peace in many regions and target us. North koreas reckless rhetoric and provocative actions continued despite United Nations center and sanctions calls for department making it a safe and secure Nuclear Deterrence, a conventional force that can also fight your regular enemies since our military be able to counter all threats facing us. Im here to request your support for the additional 30 billion request for fiscal year 17. We will outline what this funding will do for the Nations Defense but the reason we are appearing here cannot be considered in isolation. Some might prefer larger amounts of the several compelling factors convince us to limit the requests. It is late fiscal year and 30 billion is the number we believe we can execute responsibly. In concert with this budget request we must have continuity of effort that is not possible under another continuing resolution. Only and fy 2017 appropriations bill can permit us to spend the american taxpayer money judiciously and start us on the long road back to military readiness and ensure we can fight effectively. There are specific readiness gaps across our forces which i would prefer to address in closed session so as not to embolden our enemies lose the request before he represents the first step in a three phase multitier effort to restore readiness. Phase i, including 30 billion request for appropriations for to 17. To get our aircraft, and troops back to the field, and proper training. We base this request on a realistic appreciation of capacity we need to fight and win on the battlefield. Phase 2 starts our fy 2018 budget requests for balancing the defense program. This will allow us to acquire capabilities we do not have work cannot execute this fiscal year and allow us to adapt to the changing character of war by providing cyberspace and Electronic Warfare capabilities. Phase 3 looks beyond 2018, work with congress and this committee to integrate our fy 201923 budget in a coherent strategy to ensure it is fit for its time to initiate the Defense Strategy review directed by this congress to reimagine the teaching concepts in all areas which and a framework that forms the longterm planning. We have to make hard choices. We can build a force that is more equal without facing the burden on the american economy. Sustained commitment, and regular on time budget. Thank you for your strong support. And they will fight and win on the battlefield. I pledge to collaborate closely with you for defense of our nation and to keep our armed forces second to none and i welcome your questions, thank you. Thank you. General, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff is here today and welcome you and ask you to make an Opening Statement. Distinguished members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you we submitted a written statement requesting to accept the record. It will be printed in the record. Representing men and women in uniform, because of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines that i begin this morning by saying with confidence your joined forces defend the homeland and our way of life Meeting Alliance amendment and maintain overall competitive advantage over any potential adversary. That is an important point to begin with it shouldnt be lost on our adversaries, allies or workers on the American People. We have a competitive advantage, sustained operational commitments, budget instability, advances by our adversaries that he wrote it that advantage was 50 years of war have taken a toll on our people and equipment. Many of our men and women continue to deploy as much, similarly our platforms, weapons and that are showing signs of wear as we far exceeded the plan, service life for our vehicles, aircraft and ships. Eight years of continuing resolutions in the absence of predictable funding the department to prioritize nearterm readiness at the expense of modernization and advanced Capability Development. We face what has been described as the wave of modernization requirements for nuclear and conventional forces. Potential adversaries accelerated Capability Development and challenge our advantage in critical areas like space, cyber, Electronic Warfare and missile defense. It is important to reverse the trend is the fy 17 budget request is a muchneeded first step helps the joint force address the urgent nearterm readiness concerns by funding operations addressing personnel shortfalls resourcing training and improving our message. Edition request for resources also allow limited quantities of needed equipment to fill holes in deploying units. In fiscal year 18 and beyond, sufficient and predictable funding will require readiness, balance our inventory of capabilities and maintain competitive advantage. I look forward to your questions. Thank you. Me ask about the timeline hands the pressures we face in bringing this bill to the attention of all our members the committee and senate, your judgments, what is the impact if congress does not 5. 1 the operations, would you have the funding flexibility to conduct accelerated counterisis fight . Forces in the field at the top of their capability, not only military obligation but oral obligation and we continue the fight, it would eat our readiness and deep in the hole that we are in leaving us in a worse situation, more to get out of it in the future and we have done for several years where we continue to maintain the operational tempo but without the sufficient readiness funds to keep forces back here at home at the top of their gang. Let me pass this to the chairman for his thoughts. Two things we looked into moving forward, one is to accelerate our campaign and the other is to position ourselves to other opportunities. From my perspective, not having the money will restrict our ability to accelerate the campaign and sees opportunities. We will make sure those men and women we deployed in harms way have the wherewithal to come is the mission but we wont be postured to have the ability needed for Great Dynamic correct to an enemy or smack. What is your assessment of the russian aggression and investments we will need to reassure our european allies . Russia has decided to become a strategic competitor with us. I mentioned in my Opening Statement tried to achieve Veto Authority over diplomatic and security interests of the nations along the periphery. What we have got to do is ensure Nato Alliance stands firm and stands united and stands unambiguously for unified response to any kind of russian adventurism such as we have seen in idea and the ukraine and the mischief they are causing inside the elections in europe that are ongoing. If we dont have the funding to the Insurance Initiative the reassurance goes away. Denying a reality that revealed to us over the last several years. I strongly endorse the initiative and the Nato Alliance reversed reduced funding and funding that has risen for the first time. They are also online maintain their level of commitment. I recognize the distinguished senator. I ask my staff to explain this to me twice to make sure i understood it. Under the budget control act you the 5 billion more than the department of defense of the request, the budget control act required the department of defense to do a 5 acrosstheboard cut to make up for that 25 billion being sent to you. That makes no sense whatsoever. My question is this. Did you consults with omb before the supplement the request was made to congress . We consulted extensively on requirements, the mechanism to address this, i would take no issue with how you characterize the effect of sequestration. Im aware of it and not something i can give you a solution for from my position in the executive branch but i can share your assessment and take no issue with how you characterized it. I dont blame you for this. I dont know why they are playing this game. They need to waive the budget control act and provide more money to the government of defense of the United States. I dont know why we are wasting our time with this hearing. Let me ask about civilian hiring announced by president. This hiring freeze affects the civilian workers at the department of defense was there are 742,000 civilian workers, 1. 3 million active and women. On january 23, 2017, President Trump issued a hiring freeze of the federal civilian workforce at the department of defense. How is this hiring freeze impacting the department of state today operations . How will it come to readiness and investments for a national defense, are we hiring contractors to avoid this freeze . We are not hiring contractors was that would violate the spirit of the president s order but i have been given and in the past delegated liberal exceptions authorities, waivers, to keep shipyard workers, aircraft depot workers on the job, everything down today care workers know that our troops can drop their kids off and be at work on time. We had to do a rather the waiver policy to address this and so far has kept us hiring freeze is a great headline. When it comes to a hiring freeze in the the promise of defense at the same time we are being told to give 30 billion more because we need more resources to get ready to protect america doesnt work. The civilian employees, i hope you will agree with me, are an important part of our national defense. Im glad to hear youre being exemption. I hope you dont turn to dramatically more expensive contractors to fill in the voids. When i went to europe a month ago to visit lithuania and ukraine they are very worried, they were encouraged by statements you made and statements by mike pence munich some relief that nato was alive and well. You talked about russian adventurism or however you characterize and they limit every day, they can look across the border at the plant military exercise of 100,000 Russian Troops and see some real threats to the borders of the countrys i just named. I want to know why in your supplemental request there isnt money being set aside, more money set aside for the European Reassurance Initiative . We prioritized the request for what we could execute this year. The second point, as you know, there are four framework nato nations, United States, canada, germany, etc. That are mounting reinforce italian combat teams in poland, lithuania, latvia, to make a clear demonstration of natos firm and unified response for further adventurism by russia. This is a time when miscalculations can occur. We need to make certain our scout does not miscalculate and we lead with the right sort of unified action out of brussels that permits us to send clear and unambiguous message to the russians. Recognize the distinguished senator from alabama. Mister secretary, always a general, we have a few minutes here, but would you briefly sum up our strategic challenges, if you can . Our challenges asymmetrically and how do we meet them . You are in the right committee and we have a history of supporting defense and i believe we will hear. The American People needs to know the challenges you face as secretary of defense. The most important issue i deal with is how do we keep a high quality all volunteer force be capable of carrying out its responsibilities. The strategic challenges i would lay out in a couple packages. One we have great powers, russia and china, very different powers adopting different modes but challenging the International Situations because we put together an environment for peace and prosperity. You see it with both of their efforts to revoke or veto the security of the economic and diplomatic interests of nations on the periphery. In russia we see it with little green men passing out passports to russianspeaking people in other countries and undercutting democratic processes. In the south china sea, we see china shredding trust as they adopt a tribute nation kind of approach where all other nations have to pay tribute or acquiescence more powerful nation, the larger nation. We also see in the case of north korea and iran a proliferation issue, one that has been delayed in iran but we see reckless behavior on the Korean Peninsula unsettling the northwestern Pacific East Asia area. That we deal with the terrorist threat. This we will be dealing with for a long time to come. That would be a thumbnail. I see strategic challenges. What about the cyberchallenge . That is something we have to get our hands on. Each all three aspects, Nuclear Command and control, regular writing, space operation, cyberoperations, these are inherent to everything we do today. What are we going to have to do to keep all our troops combat ready . We need flexibility when we mentioned this earlier but also sources. A few things in the budget commission, at a much higher level than planned the other areas, ammunition, and reduce the stress i spoke about. Many people, and equal amount of time, u. S. Navy ship underway in previous 12 months 70 of the time, an important Ballistic Missile defense capability, indicator, running pretty hard. We look for some equipment in this and in some cases we dont have equipment, literally shadows, resources to maintain the equipment, get spare parts where they need to become have the ammunition response to replace equipment and the aviation enterprise, units have fewer aircraft than they wait they dont have what they need to go to war. They dont have sufficient aircraft to train and readiness as a result of sufficient aircraft. As a bottom line, cant be accountable for the defense seconds to none. We got to pay for it. They, senator shelby. And they will strengthen the American Military and strengthen allies about the burden being carried by the american taxpayer. And what they say spending the money they are working, they are giving us and are responsible way. We cant do it on the cheap but also you and out at fence departments as we know you strong process to make certain we are not wasting money. Distinguished senator from rhode island . Thank you for your service and your testimony today. The senator made important points, unspecified cuts on domestic side of the just wager. That is something we have to know before we make a judgment. The second point about sequestration which it doesnt trigger the i understand the are subject to sequestration which could be limited two factors, unspecified domestic cuts giving and taking, no attempt doesnt undermine your credibility dismiss for proposal in terms of credibility. Of the issues, and the programs are executable and october 1st and what benchmarks give out in terms of execute ability. We had to analyze, not just from money, and the readiness results and specific benchmarks, double the number of Army Brigades at top levels with that level of detail and walk away with each and what should we have to fight. Sticking out in terms of readiness, platforms we already had an platforms, you alluded to those platforms which and nearterm readiness, and to recruit. We have deferred modernization, between flight hours, with services, why do we need f 18s, related to readiness. A squadron and Naval Air Station rates we 10 aircraft, five basic aircraft in the squadron. Cant go to war with 5 or 10 aircraft but as importantly you cant get pilot the right level of training proficiency in this five aircraft which is two effect, the readiness effect, the other is a morale issue. We see the same with helicopters and the army. We are seeing as a result of the last 6 or 7 years, we have a broader definition of readiness, and what actions are necessary to make units whole. And shadows in the ramp, and a material condition to allow us to deploy and both those action, in 2017, the consequences not addressing 17, we dont realize the immediate effect in 17 continues what we have been doing, pushing to the right of readiness recovery. Some of these initiatives wont realize the readiness benefit until 201920. If we dont take the action 17, that will become 202122. We do all appreciate the Readiness Challenges after more than a decade of war, constance effort and address those, we have these huge issues, 18 billion of domestic spending. Are we going to pay for this . We have been at war for 16 years and have devoted any revenue to paying for military preparedness, readiness and on the other side of the issue, the sequestration she was hugely complicated and could take as much as it gives you. Time has expired. Thank you, mister chairman. Let me begin by thanking your lifelong commitment of service to our country. It is much appreciated. The navy restructured its assessment goal, a significant grease from the previous goal to increase the military threats facing our nation today. In addition there have been other independent studies, the center for strategic and budgetary assessments that also recommended significant increases. Following concerns by my colleagues, what impact does the budget control act have on the ability of the department fill the president s promise to build a larger lease that the navy and other independent studies have found to be necessary, mister secretary . I can find nothing in the budget control act that helps our National Security, you brought up one of the most direct impacts. It is all negative, also sidelines congress. Puts you in a spectator role when we need you in an oversight role in the department because it is your knowledge of what we are doing and understand the strategy that allows you to commit american dollars to the defense of this country. We are watching, i would call it, central approach to budgeting goes on automatic pilot and we stand saying there is no way you can dignify it. We need to build more ships, have a more Maritime Strategy in the future. It is clear this is the case and right now is not help us at us in terms of any the stand longterm capability to defend the country. I completely agree with you. It is in abdication of responsibility and i hope whatever the administration does, our committee deals with and congress deals with. The Portsmouth Naval shipyard, one of our Public Shipyards called the Gold Standard which we are very proud of and that shipyard, all our Public Shipyards have major infrastructure needs to prevent significant negative readiness and operational availability over the next 30 years. My understanding is the navy is developing a plan for shipyard, drydock give us some sense when we can expect to receive that plan . The current cnl and previous cnl made several trips to your state to appreciate this infrastructure issue you spoke about and we realized strength of our shipyards is linked to what you spoke about a minute ago which is not only to grow the fleet but sustain the fleet we have. The admiral is focused on doing this and i would like to get back to you for the record on when he expects complete the study but we had several conversations about that and in the department of navy, acting secretaries and admiral richardson making sure the shipyards have the wherewithal to support the growth and maintenance of the navy, is the number one priority. International partners and allies of the f 35 program play a Critical Role in helping to drive down the cost of that aircraft as well as ensuring interoperability with nato allies. Could you tell us where the Program Stands with our International Partners . Can you quantify the role they play using overall cuts of the f 35 for our government . I cant quantify of allies and partners and they can state before the committee there is a significant advantage to our Foreign Military sales, driving down the cost to the United States. Over the past year, one of the key questions, what is the source of the United States military . The first horse, network of allies and partners developed over the past seven years and the key element of those relationships is interoperability, commonality of parts, commonality of equipment and so forth and when necessary we integrate capabilities in a fight and for the reasons you identified, making sure the most capable partners have access, is absolutely critical. Thank you. Now recognize the distinguished senator from new mexico. Thank you, mister chairman, secretary mattis, thank you for your time and service. I submitted additional question on military bases and issues into mexico and we hope you will give us timely answers, i want to focus on one of the issues senator durbin brought up on the war in syria. The president is asking congress to prevent appropriations for fiscal year 2017 and increase in defense bending and discuss these requests for the context of the current war against isis in syria and iraq. Additional marines and other us forces have been deployed to syria, 1000, they are there to counter isis, to paraphrase st. Thomas aquinas, one of the first and most important requirements to wage a just war, the war must be ordered by legitimate authority. Alexander hamilton and other founders argued strenuously to ensure this power was granted to Congress Rather than the executive to keep the president from engaging in risky overseas ventures. The responsibility to make decisions about war and peace, tuition. When the iraq war first began we were not invited force but an invasion force, required authorization for use of military force from we still have United States forces in iraq serving in a train and assist role invited by the Iraqi Government to support its efforts to counter isis. In the 2003 invasion of iraq, specific to iraq, in syria, the us has not been invited by the government, us military vehicles and heavy artillerys in the area, the United States has effectively invaded northern syria, violating the sovereignty of the country in the middle east which is a declaration of war. The congress has not approved specific to syria granting the president legal power. I would not characterize it as an invasion, and hands the geographic caliphate, it was a reality in terms of the war to deal with. In the midst of an enemy, on the other side we can take him off. What we have got is at the changing character of this threat, i would take note issue of Congress Stepping forward, it would be a statement of American Peoples resolved, i thought the same thing the last several years and have not understood why congress has come forward with us, is a clear and present danger we face. I dealt with the senate me for many years, i dont patronize them. In light of that, commander in chief, both the last administration and current administration, protect the American People. Do you have a comment on that . I have been participating in several reviews of this issue, the legal authority, with the use of military force awake of 9 11. I agree with the secretary blues not only is it a sign of the American Peoples resolved on our men and women benefit from authorization and use of military force, and supportive of what we were doing out there, putting our lives at harms way. I have additional questions in terms of limitations but time is up and submit those for the record. You are recognized. Thank you, mister chairman secretary mattis in general dunford, i want to talk about airplanes, and import part of being ready, you have to have enough planes on aircraft carriers. In the supplemental, the superhornets, at the top of the nonrequested list for a long time are on the requested list and a lot of people argue readiness issues needs to be addressed by Pilot Training time and maintenance hours, we have to have a line planes, just a response, and the training time you need the superhornets, the ones we are requesting restore squadrons number of aircraft complement they need to have in order to play but ultimately we have a mix of superhornets, not only contributing to immediate readiness but the longer term readiness of keeping the carrier air wing the capable. The committee have been strides and effective for a while making those claims available but as i talked to both of you about, here is what we would like to have. We are pretty sure, seeing that line stay open, allows the prowler plane, the flying package to be there. And the authorization bill, dress the needs of families when someone is reassigned to create not just the option, day a little longer at the post you are currently at, but requirements the person serving was willing to deal with their own amount of expense to go early or stay but an option that families dont have. Both of you believe families are the backbone of the military. I hope if we get that legislation in the bill that we have the support of the pentagon and chiefs, the way the bill is currently written, the person serving makes the decision they find quarters available to a single individual and their family is earlier or they find similarly available as they move earlier we decide it is so important my family be able to stay until my spouses job is transitioned properly, or the reverse of that, that they do that. General mattis from you and i talked about this and you are encouraging in your support, i would like you to talk about that. I went back to check about it. It is not budget because of entitlements. Legislative relief im fully committed to doing if that is what it takes, you dont have to run two different payments for maintaining two households. I am not certain why we need legislative relief but staff researching it now but im in complete agreement with the program, how we do it system with your budget neutral and we will get there. We can get to budget neutral and that is the legislative relief you need we will see that it happens. A quick story. I was hosting a breakfast for fort leonard two years ago when i filed this bill, sat down at a table and general perkins and retired sergeant ager mentioned i filed this ill. Every one of them had a story that would make a difference to their family. In excess of pcs moves and navigated my spouses employment and occasion, i appreciate what you are trying to do and without talking about specific challenges to this piece of legislation allowing the services to have the flexibility you are suggesting would be helpful and have. Senators time has expired. Recognize the distinguished senator from vermont, mister leahy. Secretary mattis, first time i ever called you secretary, not general, nice to have you here. Your schoolmate, they have degrees which town and in vermont, in a, a statement the record, i note the sequestration law to enact budget cuts in defense and nonends, it will have consequences for a generation. Combat units are ready to be deployed, they face annual shortfalls with excess of 700 million and ship maintenance which was criminal maintenance. S being counseled. This produced terrible consequences, infrastructure, investment job training, education funding, infrastructure, National Security by weakening economic growth, our water system, and Research Helps us. They need in the future. Funding for medical Research Disease prevention which and the defense programs to pay for increased defending is not the solution. That is not the initiative of the department of defense referred hard power to soft power. Soft power is not weak or wasteful, failing to invest in america, feed millions, prevent aids, tuberculosis. And and we should be prepared for more ammunition with terry. That is a trade you have to make each could you speak about why a strong economy, maintaining a Strong Military and what about nonmilitary power such as diplomacy, what part does that play in National Security . The engine for National Security has always been our economy. Strong economy equates to Strong Military, history is pretty compelling, nations that didnt keep their fiscal house in order, their economy strong lost military power. I am here addressing a readiness issue when i came back to the department in the current role that is severe. That is why i am today fighting for this budget edition, the additional 30 billion, 25 billion, directly to readiness. In my role to keep the president and secretary of state and diplomats always negotiating from a position of strength is obligation that i carry. I dont take issue with the way you characterized budget sequestration, sequestration on all of our spending, and in terms of providing the military budget they are getting, and game confidence that spending money wisely. And we have diplomats to negotiate in this increasingly perilous which range that question was asked submitted for the record. The chair recognizes distinguished senator from montana which thank you, as the son of a marine, my dad is very proud and thankful for your leadership. I welcome you, the first hearing, i want to invite you to come to montana, you will see firsthand the hard work our airmen are doing to keep the infantry ready. Here to discuss the state of the military is readiness which many agree with collected for the past eight years, pleased to see President Trumps budget submission challenged the status quo and refocused on what matters the most and that is keeping americans safe. Secretary mattis, the air force base in great falls, montana, one third of our nations icbms, most have been in Service Almost 50 years. Airmen have diligently maintained this aging system. We must feel the Strategic Deterrent to meet 21stcentury strategic challenges. Some argue modern Rising Nuclear arsenal is too expensive and the cbo pointed out Nuclear Triad that counts for 6 of our total 10 year budget for national defense. Secretary mattis, how valuable you consider a fully modern landbased Nuclear Deterrence in your arsenal to keep american safe . The need for a Nuclear Deterrent to assure those weapons i never used requires a triad, to determine what level triad must be at we have a Nuclear Review getting under way but i would tell you the landbased leg of the triad, intercontinental Ballistic Missile, is a very sobering reminder to any enemy that chooses to test us that we could soak up an awful lot of their Nuclear Weapons to soak out a single one of those silos and as a result it is a stabilizing influence to have the icbm forcefully capable and its deterrent role. One of my favorite commander coins, scaring the hell out of americas enemies since 1962. Proud of the work they do to keep the world safe. Continuing Nuclear Deterrence, or the air force is no closer to replacing our vietnam era missile field Security Response than it was when i met with secretary james. Our airmen operate adequate equipment another year. Secretary mattis, if the air force was given 1. 8 million increase you requested for aircraft retirement, when might we see a new more capable helicopter deployed on our missile fields . I anticipate the vietnam era ones will be gone and replaced by 2021. That is my goal. I have to get into it in detail, look at where we can get what amounts of money, i recognize the Security Forces need proper helicopters, and done a good job. I want to shift and talk about reserve training. Many make sure we dont neglect readiness which they travel hundreds of miles from their locations every. Most are not reimbursed for the costs they incur and for business related expenses, that is flat out wrong. Service members should not be taxed on money, introducing the Garden Reserve training act and to deduct travel expenses including lodging to assure they are not penalized for serving the country. Can you speak to the unique challenge of the guardsmen and reservists face on weekends you observed during the years in uniform. My brother did spend 20 years to see him and the men and when i visit with routinely, they have unique challenges. I only have one worry about which is being fulltime active duty, you got to be a soldier, sailor, marine, trying to balance a family. When they give up a week, two weeks, when they go on deployment for a year and set aside the deployment they have unique challenges and i appreciate your interest in making sure we mitigate consequences of those challenges. Thank you, senator. The president s budget continues a trend putting military operations on a credit card. It forces are kids and grandkids to pay for this increase. We should not take away food from our seniors who are hungry to pay for increased military activity across the globe. Some folks equate American Military intervention with american leadership. For the record i do not. Our nations strength is only reflected by the size and capability of our military. Its reflected in the strength of our schools, health care system, our nations infrastructure. Our strength is reflected in our Economic Security and National Security as youve already pointed out. Its about time our priorities, investments and conversations reflect that reality. I want to dovetail just a bit on what senator daines said, with helicopters coming in. These are the vietnam Era Helicopters that we currently are using. Far past the expected time of usefulness. We were told me for time and time and time again on this committee that they would be replaced by 2019. I just heard heard you say that they would probably move to 2021. I believe i believe i went back and looked at my notes here they were probably due to be long be an long before 2019. We worked on milcon construction. We got that done. We are ready for them. I checked back on what we did last budgetary cycle. We actually pushed up the president s request for replacement on this committee. It was due to the work i believe senator daines and i and other members on this committee that were able to do that. The question is is it really money or is it the procurement process or is it Something Else we need to fix to make sure those helicopters get their . Quite frankly, its important. Its absolute important for the rotation of the cruise, the launch crews as well as the Security Forces. I can tell you how they got into this position in past years. I can tell you that the impact of budget sequestration ripples through everything we do. And not always do we maintain the process that we come up and testify on went other dynamic issues i include, and now weve got an alarm on getting, keeping our b52s in the air. We got an alarm on ships they can go to see atlantic, up, backup and reprogram and all the chaos that again is a ripple coming out of budget process i think is frustrated the house and listen as much as its frustrated the department of defense and our military services. I intend to have this salt. Okay. I would just tell you, and i know you guys need continuity and budgets for predictability and its the only way you can plan for the future but we budgeted around sequestration last year. We took it off the table. We will have to do it again and then we lost out what the president was asking for, and so i would just ask you to take a look at that. Youre a solid man and a no you are here for all the right reasons outages bring this up just to make sure that its on your radar screen. On saturday President Trump tweeted germany owes vast sums of money the nato and United States. Ive been arguing for years that we need our nato allies to contribute more, that we cant continue to fund the whole ball of wax. We have shared secure to produce with friends in europe. In your opinion are we owed money by german . The alliance owes full commitment by each member nation. I cannot give you an accounting for past many of because thats not the way we do that in nato. We do it through capabilities. Thats the commitment each nation makes. However, we are saying germany is committed to going to the 2 . Thats been reinforced by their minister of defense when i spoke with her, and also by the chancellor. I think theyre on the right track to lead the development of 2 budgets across the alliance. Right now theres five nations making it. I anticipate for more in the next 12 months, and we will see more nations coming online, assuming their economies can hold together the way they are right now, or improve. Thank you, mr. Secretary. Thank you, senator. Thus ended his time has expired. The chair now recognizes the distinguished senator from kansas, mr. Moran. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. Thank you both for your service to our nation t. You both in your testimony, any written testimony testimony, talk about the threats, and number threats but one of them that you both mention is russia. I want to focus a moment on russirushand its role on syria. We have learned within the last week its become clear that an organization of Militia Group called Syrian Kurdish ypg militia formed a bilateral relationship with russia in the process of building some kind of military facility in northwest syria. This i believe is one of the groups that we are supporting in our assist train and fund efforts. Your budget request includes an additional 600 million for the counter isis train and equip fund that a belief includes funding for this organization. My question is both broad and specific. What do you see the role of russia in our efforts to have success in syria . And how do we make certain that the money that we provide to Militia Groups in support of that effort, what now relationship, what kind of consequence is there with the relationship to russia . Very quickly, i will let the chairman address the specific group. Ypg has had two different areas, one of them the afghan cards is one youre referring to that russia has developed a relationship with, but right now we are in a position to have deconfliction with russia. We do not coordinate with russia. Let me let the chairman get into the details of your specific question. Senator, i can confirm that the specific group that is being supported by the russians is not a group that has received training equipment, resources from us in the northwest part of syria. And to the secretaries point, we are vertical we dont have political alignment with russia in secret at the military level and also very clear as to what the ndaa specifies with regard to not being able to cooperate with russia. So on the pregnancy right now what were working very hard to do is just make sure that our people on the ground are safe, that our aviators are safe and a able to prosecute the campaign in syria, the conflicting operations with is being conducted by russia. In the specific groups that we do provide support to end the ones that weve asked to provide Additional Support to we do have a very detailed vetting process leads to mitigate the risk of the weapons or equipment fault in the wrong hands. What about the relationship between those groups that we may assist in the relationship with russia . Is a component of the vetting process . It is a component, and im going to be quite honest with you. The group that we are supporting certainly at the political level has been engaged in russia. The ypg has a Political Office in moscow itself but the groups were providing support to on the ground are not being supported directly by Russian Military forces. Thank you. Will you be expecting we will be expecting a strategy from the department of defense in regard to our efforts in syria. Is that soon forthcoming . It is. Weve got the skeleton plan put together where fleshing it out. Its an interagency developed report where it embraces economic, diplomatic, military, covert means. And we should have this done in the next couple of months, if that long. It may not even take us another month but w were still puttingt together. Thank you, mr. Secretary. This Budget Amendment include some military Construction Funding that we are anxious to also take a look at in our subcommittee. One of those areas that you are requesting funding is military construction project at Guantanamo Bay. That is designed to redesign new barracks or enlisted men and women. Men i believe in this case, for the detention operations at Guantanamo Bay. Would you like to highlight the value of why those dollars are included in this request and what they mean . We had a Kansas National guard unit that deployed to gitmo for providing security services, a long list of military officials have decried the condition of the facilities at Guantanamo Bay and wanted to give you the opportunity to make certain that we know why thats included . In the last few months i been done to visit our men and women down in Guantanamo Bay. And as you can appreciate i think thats probably as arduous and demanding work as were going on inside the department of defense. And they are living in facilities that are old, well past their time. And i believe that for right now we do need to provide them with suitable living facilities and for that race as part of the request. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you, senator, and the chair now recognizes the distinguished senator from hawaii, after shots. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Mr. Schatz. Thank you for being here. Id like to followup on a couple of questions that were asked earlier in the hearing. Can you walk me through what a 28 cut to the department of state would mean for the department of defense . Just off the top of my head it would probably replicate whats been going on with the department for several years as far as impact on readiness and why im here in front of you right now at 20 cut to the department of defense. Excuse me. 20 cut to the state department which is being proposed by the administration. How that would impact your department. That i cant quantify right now. Id have to look at the specific programs being cut and try to translate that into impact on our operations. I would have to look at, i have not looked at it line by line to see which programs are being cut and what might be the impact speed and let me ask the question another way. How critical is your partnership with the department of state in terms of, for instance, the asiapacific rebalance . Senator, i work very closely with secretary tillerson. We get together at least once a week. We are on the phone three, four times a week. His officers, Foreign Service officers are helping us craft policy. Its absolutely a team effort as we tie diplomacy and military means together. So we walked into the security staff meetings, state and defense are aligned. So its a Critical Team effort and we intend to keep it that way. Omb has put us on a course for some substantial cuts to the coast guard, and am wondering what you can talk about the partnership between the coast guard and the department of defense . And my own judgment is that the coast guard is incorrectly categorized as nondefense spending when at least some portion of it are certainly expenditures that are in partnership with the department of defense, and unlike you do flesh that out for me. Well, senator, the coast guard efforts, for example, in maritime control along our coasts beyond search and rescue on talking about interdiction of drugs come interdiction of human trafficking, and certainly in the cases like in the arab gulf, the persian gulf with the coast guard vessels are deployed alongside our navy vessels, its a good team. We need them for their special role they have, which includes Law Enforcement. As you know we dont do those kinds of things, arrest, if we had to do that with the u. S. Navy ship, we bring them on we bring Law Enforcement teams onboard our ships to maintain that red line that use military not engage in that kind of activity. So its a good relationship. Its a strong relationship in terms of crossfertilization, and looking out for americas interests. But i hope that answers your question. It does. And thank you, mr. Secretary, or your first if not maybe one of your first overseas trips as secretary in the asiapacific region. Thank you for your clear reassurance to our allies and your message to our adversaries in the region. The asiapacific Stability Initiative is something senator mccain has put forward to support pacom needs in the face of Chinese Military modernization. Im wondering if you can talk about whether you support the idea and how thats impacting your 2018 planning. Senator, the asiapacific region will be a priority region. We obviously worldwide responsibilities, but we have five states that are specific ocean states, have coastlines there, and weve interests that endure in the pacific. The reason i made my first overseas trip out there was based on cia estimates of what we face the biggest immediate challenge, and to reassure our allies that we were with him i thought necessary at that point. I fully support what ive read. I dont understand all the details of ascende senator mccan but i support the themes that he outlines and newborns if sides to that region. In the interest of time i will submit this one for the record. I would just like your view on whether were still on track, given the politics in the philippines, but your ability to retain a relationship with the defense matters in the philippines as well. Thank you. The time of the senator has expired. The chair now recognizes the distinguished senator from alaska, ms. Murkowski. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Mr. Secretary, general dunford, welcome and thank you for your leadership. First question is directed to you, secretary mattis. Regarding the f35 and the bent down near fairbanks alaska. This is the first f35 basin location. Were anticipating the receipt of those f35 in 2020. The military construction has been appropriated but the procurement dollars for the f35 have not yet been appropriated. Can you tell me what the plan is to budget for the procurement of the 54 f35 that are coming, and do you anticipate any impediments to a timely bed down . Center, you are f35 spin this additional budget request by going to have to take that for the record and get back to you on the specific airplanes that will support that one unit. I dont know that right now but i will get back you on that. I would appreciate clarification as im sure youre aware the folks in the interior are following this very carefully and just wanted to ensure that we are all on track with the timing. Id like to also raise the question regarding rush as several of my colleagues have. General dunford, you during her confirmation hearings back in 2015, you indicated at that time and a quote, if you want to talk about a nation that could pose an existential threat to the United States, you would have to point to russia. And at that time you characterized their behavior is nothing short of alarming. Of course we in alaska are watching our neighbors to the east very carefully. Weve got 57 miles that separate alaska from russia over the bering strait. We are concerned by what we see as military buildup there in the russian far east. So this morning i would ask a question as to whether or not you still seek russias behavior as alarming . What do you make of the military activities in the arctic . And then if you can speak to the issue in the arctic of defense cooperation in certain areas, sorting the areas of search and rescue. That is something that as the arctic nations are working and collaborating, we look to that as an opportunity, but again, youve got attention, if you will, between what we see as a military buildup juxtaposed to the other issues that were facing in the arctic. Senator, thank you. First, overall assessment of russia. My assessment of their capabilities and their behavior havent changed since 2015. In fact, i think if you look at our request in 17 and i think anticipating what will ask for in 18, 19 and 20, a good part of it is benchmarked against russia as a competitor in the heirs of cyber, space, maritime capability, undersea warfare, Electronic Warfare and the full range of capabilities. So my assessment hasnt changed. In terms of what theyre trying to do i think theyre trying to do two simple things at the strategic level theyre trying to undermine the credibility of our alliances and our ability to meet our alliance commitments. And secondly when you look at their military capabilities whether in the arctic or in europe, what youre trying to do is prevent us from being able to move military power into the region or operate freely within the region. Again, connected to our ability to meet our alliance commitment. I think they are very clear about what our strength is which is our allies and partners and our ability to project power when and where needed to advance our National Interests. I look at their political activity, what we really call adversarial competition that has a military dimension but it falls short of welfare. As a combined economic and political influence, Unconventional WarfareCyber Capabilities it gets after game trying to erode our allies. When we look at their military posture weatherbee in the art of boring uribe keeps us from, their intent is to keep us from projecting power. I do see increasing concern by arctic nations to Work Together to mitigate the effects of russian capability to feldman and behavior. The importance we place on the arctic is reflected in the fact the department rewrote the strategy for the arctic in 2013. I think without he will give us guidance soon, anticipate the arctic will be a critical part of that. My time has expired, mr. President , mr. Chairman. I would submit a question to you, secretary mattis along the same lines of the interest in the arctic, the investments in the arctic in terms of equipment necessary to defend the country in this very changing and very Dynamic World of north. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you, senator. We now recognize the distinguished senator from wisconsin, ms. Baldwin. Thank you, mr. Chairman. And i welcome mr. Secretary, general dunford. Youve received several questions already about the partnership between state and defense, and the potential impact on Defense Department with regard to cuts that are contemplated at this point in the state department. I want to look at that a little more closely and i want to start with general dunford. Part of the mission of operation and here to resolve is to enable whole of Coalition Government action to increase regional stability, defeat the ideology of isil and stem the global flow of foreign fighters. According to that mission statement, that means enabling American Coalition nations to counter isil with a full might of the national power. And here im quoting directly, including diplomatic informational, economic, Law Enforcement and other aspects of national power. So general dunford, in your professional military judgment would it be strategically wise to reduce funding and Staffing Levels for sibling agencies like state and usaid . And as we review these budgets, can you point out any particularly important aspects of the partnership in the fight against isil that we should keep a close eye on in terms of fighting may be to restore some of the funding that has been proposed to be cut . Center to, thanks. First of all with regard to isis, we really have nine areas that weve identified that are critical to our strategy. Although were in a process of revising our strategy i think the relative dissipation labor cost the government will not change. The department of defense leads on two of those nine. There are other elements the government lead and you identified some areas were the state department or other elements for government will lead but if you look at what is, must be done to deal with the isis threat we do have to deal with the foreign fighters. We do to address the resources that we do up to undermine the the narrative. Those are three of the most important tasks i in the lever o all of those three are other elements of the government. Although i cant talk to the adequate levels of funding or any other element of the government, what i can say is in order for us to be successful against isis or any of the threats we face right now it will be important for us to fully leverage all the capabilities our nation has come diplomatically, economically and militarily and that when the 21st century and Information Space as well. I know that the policy is under revision but can you pick off real quickly the two elements of defense and the other seven . Sure. Good governance is one data with foreign fighters is another. Addressing the resources is another. Dealing with the narrative is another. Building the capacity of our partners on the ground is another. Denying the enemy sanctuary is another, and then economic tools that we have would be the last. Thank you. Secretary mattis, youve also from senator udall had a question already about the lack of an isa specific authorization for use of military force. Nonetheless, you are in the process of revising if you havent already concluded the process of revising elements of operation to defeat isis, isil. Can you give us details of how you plan to spend the 2 billion that you are requesting specifically for acceleration of the defeat of isis . For example, can you give us any early detail about additional troops that you would be sending to iraq and syria with this funding . And i recognize that some things need to be shared in close settings, and classified settings but i do think it is important, especially if youre encouraging us to engage in public debate about a new authorization for use of military force, which by the way i support and criticize the Previous Administration for not pursuing that more aggressively. So some information then does need to be shared in an open setting in order for us to have that debate. Senator baldwin, when a leader today i go over to foggy bottom where secretary tillerson has 68 nations, senior representatives come his counterparts are gathered where we are talking the very issues you have just brought a pair were talking about how were going to orchestrate the International Communities effort against them. When you switch over to the aumf issue, again i think a Firm Statement by the u. S. Congress would hearten our allies as well as give our troops a sense of purpose. The 2 billion, i would tell you that were going to confront the enemy with an increased number of fights in various locations so that cascading problems to collapse them as quickly as possible to the idea being right now, senator, that they are an imminent operations to attack our allies overseas. In other words, what they call the extra operations. We did to throw them on the back foot and as far as any additional troops i would have to see the specific military problem we are working by within two allies. Requires our troops but im not at that point right now. The few troops of been added up for fire support or for monitoring. That sort of thing. These are the kind of things that only we can do at least with the kind of timeline where on right now but they are not there permanently. We remain with the bike hi and h and to our allies approach. This money will permit us to accelerate the operations i just referenced. If thats helpful. Thank you, mr. Secretary. The type of the sender has expired. The chair recognizes the distinguished senator from south carolina, mr. Graham. Thank you, mr. Chairman. The marine corps should be honored. Speaks well of them require that both of you are you. Get to as much as we can. I know we have just five minutes. If youre going to do and aumf, would you suggest that we limit the authorization to particular period of time . No, senator, i do not speak what about geography . We can notify the in in certain places. Due to the nature of this enemies threat, that would only work to help the enemy spirit and take means off the table. Take away from you, the ability to deploy means. How you would fight them. Senator, i think it would be best if the congress would say what they want us to accomplish, and we bring back i have no reservation sharing in closed session with you how we would carry that out. Catch you. So my view is the one to destroy isil you should limit you should justify them. To destroy them, do you agree that soft power is an essential ingredient in winning the war on terror . Both of you. Sir, america has two fundamental powers, the power of intimidation of the power of inspiration, soft power is largely found in the power of inspiration and its part and parcel of how we defeat this enemy steven do you agree, general dunford . I do. At the end of the day where involved in a war of ideas. I think thats been defined a soft power speed and i admire you both because history come you never win this war just by killing terroristic have to do more in my view. Lets look forward and iraq. The day that mosul falls and im sure will, would you support a residual force staying in iraq to make sure the isil doesnt come back if the iraqis would accept one . Sir, i believe its in our National Interest that we keep the iraqis secure divorces in a position to give our enemies on the back foot. Our mutual enemies on the back foot. General dunford . I agree with that, and i believe that the iraqis he could divorces his clinical do need that kind of support for sometime to,. I heard from the iraqi Prime Minister yesterday, to reconstruct Anbar Province and the mosul is about 50 billion. Do you agree just as important to having troops in their as a residual force we should probably come up with a game plan to reconstruct iraq so it would have leverage in baghdad . And assistance plan for the iraqis. Secretary tillerson is meeting today, does address this issue. Its going to be at international effort. It should not be carried fully by the u. S. Taxpayer. We should be part spirit do you believe its in the taxpayer interest for assisting ball in iraq in terms of reconstruction, to regain influence may have lost in baghdad . I dont see any reason to pull out again and find the same lesson spirit agree with that, general dunford . I do agree that we need to remain in iraq and in the region. Spirit to you both agree we should lift caps on defense spending forever . I have seen no value to the bca caps in the past years, so i certainly wouldnt take issue, senator. I think i concur with that without hesitation. Is the third essay the sequestration has done a lot of damage to our military capabilities and readiness . It is then more damage to our readiness than enemies in the field. Its not right and damage to readiness but i think its also been a very inefficient use of the resources that the taxpayers have given us. Well, im glad yall didnt beat around the bush. 2018 is 6034 defense by the Trump Administration to send it to mccain as a Defense Budget of 640. Who is right, general mattis . If you think im going to ive got just a minute spirit do think im going to pick a fight at the chairman of the Senate Armed Services . No, i dont. I wouldnt want to do that myself. [laughing] point is that more defense spending is needed but what are the limitations on defense spending . We have to make certain what we ask for is executable and that we can sustain it. What i need to do is complete the strategy review im doing right now so i can come to you with a compelling reason why the American People have to sacrifice this money out of the pocket to national defense. General dunford, ten seconds, dont you agree we need a budget based on the threats of the day, the potential threats of tomorrow, to win the wars we may engage in and deter wars that we may never have to fight . Thats what the budget should be about, not a number. I agree. The one thing we owe in the context of the previous question is, i work very close with the secretarsecond to make sure this exactly what we deliver is we owe you the right prioritization of capabilities that we need to have within the top line that we been given in the context of exactly the dynamic you just described spirit both of you feel we can spend 30 billion wisely between now and the end of september . We do spin im confident we can. Thank you both. Thank you, senator. Thank you all, our distinguished panel of witnesses and members of the committee and staffs who have helped us with his hearing. We hope that you will respond to any written questions we may have as followup following tutoring today. We would request that respond to such a request in a reasonable time. Until then this defense subcommittee will reconvene on wednesday march 29 at 10 30 a. M. To receive testimony on the Defense Health program. Until then the subcommittee stance in recess. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] today, the u. S. House votes on the repeal of the Affordable Care act and the republican bill to replace it. You can watch the whole debate beginning when they gavel in at nine eastern on cspan and cspan. Org, or listen to our live audio stream with the cspan radio app. Cspans in depth voices from the road. We recently visited 17 historically black colleges and universities asking students what issues would you Like Congress or the administration to address in the first 100 days. In the first 100 days i would Like Congress and trunk to battle Mental Health, bring awareness on the stigma and allow better healthcare for underserved populations receive Mental Health counseling. My name is raffaello, the junior. My question for President Trump would be a think im gone him to address is the crisis in flint, michigan. Its unacceptable is going on this long and for the president to have made so many executive decision and the short amount of time has been president , i think flint, michigan, and all that crisis in our country would be one of the top things he could use his executive position four. My question for President Trump is why you have put out an immigration ban, what they going to do to bring more unity because of the lot of chaos going on in the world . What we do to fix it . My name is nicholas rogers, major in broadcast journalism. One of the main issues i would love to see the president take on his relationships between minorities and Law Enforcement. How would you go about creating a more special bonn between minorities and those in charge. My name is sarah. Im an education working here at morgan state university. What i want more than anything from the congress is education, money for education. Im from west baltimore and theres a lot of crime, a lot of violence but theres not a lot of education. Currently 1000 teachers were were just laid off, and as a future teacher i would like to see more money spent on education, especially for children of color. Voices from the road on cspan. Yesterday House Intelligence Committee chair devin nunes said that u. S. Intelligence agencies intercepted communications from Donald TrumpsTransition Team possibly including those from present electrode. This is from a briefing with capitol hill reporters. Good morning, or good afternoon, everyone. As promise im going to continue to keep you apprised of new developments, some Significant Developments i think occurred over the course of the last few days with information that was brought to my attention. Im going to just read a very brief statement and thats about all i can tell you what i want to keep people informed of whats happening. At our open hearing on monday i encourage anyone who has information about relative topics, includinsu