Testimony you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you god . Let the record show that the witnesses answered in the affirmative. You may be seated. The microphones are sensitive so you will need to speak directly into them. Without objection, your written statements will made be made part of the record. Mr. Holmes, you are recognized for your Opening Statement and when you conclude, dr. Hill, you will be recognized thereafter for your Opening Statement. Mr. Holmes thank you. Good morning, mr. Chairman. Members of the committee. My name is david holmes. Im a Career Foreign Service officer with the department of state. Since august 2017, i have been a political counselor at the u. S. Embassy in ukraine. While it is an honor to appear before you today, i want to make sure make clear i did not seek this opportunity to testify today. Since you determined i may have something of value to these proceedings and issued a subpoena, it is my obligation
An extraordinary phone call the fact that it was an unsecure line as you mention is also extraordinary. Dr hill also said she she didnt speak of. Russias goals as something that was there in the past she basically frame this is something that they were still currently trying to do their goals being to deal with the u. S. Presidency regardless of who the president was as i said to blame ukraine the goal of that being she says to basically drive a wedge between the west and the u. S. And the west and their allies the fact that shes described this is something that is still currently happening is that a challenge to congress and maybe specifically to the republicans to do something about it. Of course it should be as your coverage pointed out before were seeing in israel a Prime Minister whos been being held accountable to law the question will be whether our system of United States is capable of doing that and it will depend on Congress Congress needs to stand up for the National Interes
[inaudible conversations] today we are meeting to consider nomination by Charles Richard were the greatest admirals to be commander of United States Strategic Command. I appreciate you being here. We enjoyed meeting your beautiful family i dont agree with a couple of things they are pursuing but thats all right. [laughter] we appreciate it very much and be sure to introduce them to the committee. And with those laws and regulations will you ensure your staff complies with deadlines with questions for the record. Will you cooperate to provide witnesses in response to congressional request quick. Yes mister chairman and those that are protected for reprisal from briefings quick. I will. We you affirm to appear if requested before the committee asked you agree to provide documents including communication by the duly constituted Committee Regarding the basis for any good faith denial quick. Have you undertaken any actions that would presume to be the outcome of your confirmation quick. I h
Identity well leave the last couple of this hearing as the a confirmation hearing is being held for Navy Vice Admiral Charles Richard. Will you ensure that your staff complies with deadlines established for requested communications including questions for the records and hearings. I will. Will you cooperate in providing witnesses and briefers in response to congressional requests . Yes, mr. Chairman. Will those witnesses be protected from reprisal for their testimony or briefings. They will. Do you agree if confirmed to appear and testify upon request before this committee. I do. And do you agree to provide documents including copies of electronic forms and communication in a timely manner when requested by a constituted committee or to consult with the Committee Regarding the basis for any good faith delay or denial. I will. And lastly, have you assumed any duties or undertaken any actions which would appear to presume the outcome of your confirmation or the confirmation process . I h
The confirmation hearing with the head of us Strategic Command oversees the Us Nuclear Arsenal including the Us Nuclear Triad russias Nuclear Capabilities and in the South China Sea. [inaudible conversations] today we are meeting to consider nomination by Charles Richard were the greatest admirals to be commander of United States Strategic Command. I appreciate you being here. We enjoyed meeting your beautiful family i dont agree with a couple of things they are pursuing but thats all right. [laughter] we appreciate it very much and be sure to introduce them to the committee. And with those laws and regulations will you ensure your staff complies with deadlines with questions for the record. Will you cooperate to provide witnesses in response to congressional request quick. Yes mister chairman and those that are protected for reprisal from briefings quick. I will. We you affirm to appear if requested before the committee asked you agree to provide documents including communication by t