Years. The u. S. Has been without a defense secretary all year since the departure of former defense chief jim mattis in december. This is live coverage on cspan 3. Our meeting will come to order consistent with our policy to start on time. We will be doing that. Good morning. Today were considering the nomination of dr. Mark espy to be secretary of defense. We thank you all for being here today. We anticipate during your opening remarks, dr. Espy, that you will introduce any members of your family who are here and other support groups. It is standard we do have the eight required questions you will have to respond to audibly so we can get that in the record. Have you adhered to ethical regarding conflicts of interest. Yes, sir. Have you taken any actions which would prepare to presume the outcome of the confirmation process . No, sir. Exercising legislative and oversight responsibility makes it important that this committee, its subcommittees and other appropriate committees of congre
Our meeting will come to order consistent with policies to start on time. Well be doing that. Good morning today were considering the nomination of mark esper to be secretary of defense. We thank all for being here today. We anticipate doing your opening remarks, dr. Esper, introduce any members of your family here and other support groups. It is standard we have the eight required questions to respond to audibly to get that in record. Adhere to laws governing conflict of interest. Yes, sir. Assumed duties taken any actions that would appear to presume the outcome of the confirmation process . No, sir. Exercise legislative oversight responsibility makes it important that this committee, its subcommittees and other appropriate kmtsz if congress received testimony, reports, recordings and other information from the executive branch on a timely basis. Do you agree, if confirmed, to and and testify before this committee when requested. Yes, sir. Do you agree to provide records, document, E
Emergency management. Confirmation votes on two of the nominees are expected at 11 a. M. Eastern today. And now through live coverage of the u. S. Senate here on cspan2. The president pro tempore the senate will come to order. The chaplain, dr. Barry black, will lead the senate in prayer. The chaplain let us pray. Almighty god, who is given our lawmakers diversities of talents by the same spirit, use us for your glory. Lord, protect our nation from evil, prevent the weapons formed against america from prospering, for you remain our refuge and fortress. Continue to be the strength of our lives as we remember the many times you have preserved us in the past. Lord, open our eyes to the unfolding of your providence. Open our minds to your truth. Open our lips to speak your wisdom. We pray in your holy 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
January. Mr. Esper, currently Army Secretary, was asked about u. S. Policy toward iran, cybersecurity, and Nuclear Deterrence, among other topics. This is just over 2. 5 hours. Requirede the 8 questions you will have to respond to audibly so we can get that in the record. If you would hear to the regulations of interest . Yes sir. Have you taken any actions that would appear to presume the outcome of the confirmation process . No, sir. Exercising your responsibility makes it important that this committee, subcommittees, and other appropriate committees if congress received testimony briefings, reports, recordings, records, and other information from the executive branch on a timely basis. Do you agree, it is confirmed, to testify before this committee . Yes, sir. Do you agree to provide records, documents, Electronic Communications in a timely matter when requested by this committee, subcommittees, or other appropriate committees of congress, and to results with the request or basis of
Russia and some of our other toughest competitors around the world. When our businesses compete and win, it means better paying jobs here at home, higher wages, bigger paychecks for americans. And so were going to continue to keep focused on tax reform that delivers tax relief to hard working American Families and that creates greater growth in our economy, better paying jobs and higher wages for people in this country. And the focus, of course, of tax reform is to improve the quality of life for American Families. And you do that by lowering individual tax rates so people get to keep more of their hardearned money. You also do it by lowering corporate rates so that businesses can have more money to pay higher wages and to increase the activities of those businesses. Additionally, there is a lot of money in u. S. Companies that is still sitting overseas that wed like to get back here, but the tax code makes it a lot harder because those companies are taxed twice; once in the country wh