WEBVTT 00:01.070 --> 00:02.400 - Senator Jones. 00:02.400 --> 00:03.370 - Thank you, Mr. Chairman, 00:03.370 --> 00:04.930 and thank you, Secretary Esper, 00:04.930 --> 00:06.320 for your service, for you being here. 00:06.320 --> 00:10.020 Thank you to your family for their support 00:10.020 --> 00:12.070 for your service. 00:12.070 --> 00:14.570 I appreciate all the work that we've done 00:14.570 --> 00:15.700 since I've been in the Senate 00:15.700 --> 00:17.970 and the time we spent the other day 00:17.970 --> 00:20.440 talking about your nomination. 00:20.440 --> 00:23.120 We have talked, and you have mentioned several times, 00:23.120 --> 00:25.100 I think on almost every question, 00:25.100 --> 00:26.117 a commitment to the NDS, 00:26.117 --> 00:28.440 and I think we all are committed to this. 00:28.440 --> 00:30.090 I think my question, though, 00:30.090 --> 00:33.780 involves how often should we be re-looking at the NDS? 00:33.780 --> 00:35.100 How should we tweak it? 00:35.100 --> 00:38.100 For instance, we have pulled out of the JCPOA. 00:38.100 --> 00:42.240 We've seen Iran now enriching uranium, 00:42.240 --> 00:47.240 clearly one would argue on a path toward a nuclear arms, 00:48.460 --> 00:50.060 so how often do we look at that, 00:50.060 --> 00:52.460 and what adjustments? 00:52.460 --> 00:53.800 Do you know any of adjustments 00:53.800 --> 00:55.580 that need to be made now 00:55.580 --> 00:57.603 and particularly if, in fact, 00:58.620 --> 01:00.450 we have a nuclear armed Iran, 01:00.450 --> 01:03.110 how would that affect implementation of the NDS? 01:03.110 --> 01:05.410 - I think strategy should be reviewed constantly 01:05.410 --> 01:07.050 and certainly referred to constantly, 01:07.050 --> 01:10.050 and, as events change, 01:10.050 --> 01:11.403 you need to adapt your strategy to the world 01:11.403 --> 01:12.480 that you live in, 01:12.480 --> 01:15.930 so I think it's a continuous ongoing process. 01:15.930 --> 01:17.090 There's nothing in the world right now 01:17.090 --> 01:20.010 that jumps out to me that says we need to change. 01:20.010 --> 01:21.950 While the NDS speaks about Russia 01:21.950 --> 01:23.610 and China as strategic competitors 01:23.610 --> 01:25.680 in this era of great power competition, 01:25.680 --> 01:27.280 it also explicitly cites the fact 01:27.280 --> 01:28.610 that we have to deal in the meantime 01:28.610 --> 01:30.270 with regional challenges such as Iran 01:30.270 --> 01:31.970 and North Korea and others. 01:31.970 --> 01:33.533 - Well, as you look forward, 01:34.580 --> 01:38.320 clearly we're seeing Iran on a path 01:38.320 --> 01:40.110 with their nuclear program. 01:40.110 --> 01:44.150 Are there things that we need to be doing now 01:44.150 --> 01:46.840 that we need to prepare to prevent Iran 01:46.840 --> 01:49.530 from obtaining nuclear arms? 01:49.530 --> 01:50.710 - I do think we need to get back 01:50.710 --> 01:53.230 into a negotiated path with them, 01:53.230 --> 01:56.730 preferably an updated version of JCPOA, if you will, 01:56.730 --> 02:00.520 that addresses with finality a verifiable, 02:00.520 --> 02:05.320 irreversible, and permanent prohibition 02:05.320 --> 02:07.120 on their nuclear work and efforts, 02:07.120 --> 02:07.990 so that'd be number one, 02:07.990 --> 02:09.500 and then we also need to address 02:09.500 --> 02:11.210 the means to deliver them, ICBMs, 02:11.210 --> 02:13.950 so to me, those are two things, 02:13.950 --> 02:16.100 at least two things, in a modified JCPOA 02:16.100 --> 02:17.090 that we would want to address, 02:17.090 --> 02:20.400 and I as you look across all the countries, 02:20.400 --> 02:22.620 even those who supported JCPOA One, 02:22.620 --> 02:26.420 that people would agree that we do not need Iran 02:26.420 --> 02:27.350 to go down that path. 02:27.350 --> 02:29.080 It's just bad for the region, 02:29.080 --> 02:32.970 and it's bad for the continent of Europe as well. 02:32.970 --> 02:34.000 - All right, thank you. 02:34.000 --> 02:35.700 I want to get back to also the discussion 02:35.700 --> 02:36.880 we've had about alliances. 02:36.880 --> 02:38.610 Everybody understands the alliances 02:38.610 --> 02:39.817 and how important there is, 02:39.817 --> 02:42.160 but it's easier to say and talk about 02:42.160 --> 02:43.720 in a hearing than to do, 02:43.720 --> 02:46.820 and clearly Russia, China, Iran, 02:46.820 --> 02:48.780 everyone is trying to threaten our alliances, 02:48.780 --> 02:49.850 to break up our alliances. 02:49.850 --> 02:50.810 That's pretty obvious, 02:50.810 --> 02:53.570 from whether it is what China is doing 02:53.570 --> 02:54.870 at the Belt and Roads Initiative, 02:54.870 --> 02:58.270 to what China is doing particularly in Turkey. 02:58.270 --> 03:01.240 My question, though, is what can we do better? 03:01.240 --> 03:03.380 Because it seems to me that some 03:03.380 --> 03:05.030 of our government's own actions 03:05.030 --> 03:07.460 is also undermining those alliances. 03:07.460 --> 03:08.710 We got trade policies 03:08.710 --> 03:11.243 where we're fighting with our friends, 03:12.280 --> 03:14.760 which is giving them the opportunity to talk to China. 03:14.760 --> 03:17.950 We've got the President often undermines 03:17.950 --> 03:20.010 his own intelligence folks 03:20.010 --> 03:22.740 by saying this whole Russian interference 03:22.740 --> 03:26.780 is fake news and a hoax and cosying up, 03:26.780 --> 03:28.960 and that's a term that gets used often, 03:28.960 --> 03:31.700 to the leader of North Korea, the leader of Russia, 03:31.700 --> 03:34.260 the leader and others. 03:34.260 --> 03:36.840 What are we doing wrong in terms of that, 03:36.840 --> 03:39.380 and can't we also undermine those alliances 03:39.380 --> 03:40.620 by the actions of the government, 03:40.620 --> 03:42.520 and what would you suggest we do different? 03:42.520 --> 03:44.550 - Well, I think first of all from a DOD perspective, 03:44.550 --> 03:47.100 we need to keep doing now what we're doing well. 03:47.100 --> 03:48.560 I've had the chance on many occasions 03:48.560 --> 03:50.110 in the past two years as Secretary of the Army 03:50.110 --> 03:52.040 to visit our Joint Maneuver Center 03:52.040 --> 03:53.880 at Hohenfels, Germany, where we train all 03:53.880 --> 03:55.680 of our allies together, 03:55.680 --> 03:58.120 fighting against a notional Russian threat if you will, 03:58.120 --> 03:59.137 so we need to sustain those things, 03:59.137 --> 04:00.770 and by the way, that was a big change 04:00.770 --> 04:03.640 from when I last served in Italy in the early 1990s, 04:03.640 --> 04:05.250 so we need to sustain those things, 04:05.250 --> 04:07.250 and then I will tell you when I attended 04:07.250 --> 04:08.640 the defense ministerial on Brussels 04:08.640 --> 04:10.370 about two and a half, three weeks ago now 04:10.370 --> 04:12.030 as acting secretary, 04:12.030 --> 04:14.370 we were having very honest, very candid discussions, 04:14.370 --> 04:15.760 thinking ahead on any number of things 04:15.760 --> 04:18.660 by which we could improve the alliance 04:18.660 --> 04:19.610 in terms of its readiness. 04:19.610 --> 04:22.200 We talked about what's called the Four by 30s initiative. 04:22.200 --> 04:24.180 It was an idea by General Mattis 04:24.180 --> 04:27.190 where we had 30 squadrons, 30 surface combatants, 04:27.190 --> 04:29.080 and 30 brigades ready within 30 days, 04:29.080 --> 04:30.430 and we're taking that seriously 04:30.430 --> 04:32.080 in terms of how we develop that. 04:32.080 --> 04:35.290 We talked a lot about 5G. 04:35.290 --> 04:38.680 How do we make sure that we keep 5G and Huawei 04:38.680 --> 04:39.780 out of our networks? 04:39.780 --> 04:41.880 And so the alliance is really looking forward. 04:41.880 --> 04:43.720 I think they have a great leader. 04:43.720 --> 04:45.440 We have in Jen Stoltenberg-- 04:45.440 --> 04:47.830 - Mr. Secretary, let me just ask you this question though. 04:47.830 --> 04:49.160 When the President does some things, 04:49.160 --> 04:50.467 are you willing to stand up and say, 04:50.467 --> 04:54.377 "Mr. President, your actions may be undermining 04:54.377 --> 04:56.420 "our ability to strengthen these alliances?" 04:56.420 --> 04:57.253 Can you do that? 04:57.253 --> 04:59.000 - My commitment to all of you 04:59.000 --> 05:01.530 is that I will always give the president 05:01.530 --> 05:04.330 or all of you my candid, honest advice, 05:04.330 --> 05:06.090 what I think is the right course of action. 05:06.090 --> 05:07.470 - And I believe your commitment, sir. 05:07.470 --> 05:09.040 I appreciate your time and effort, 05:09.040 --> 05:11.450 and I look forward to your confirmation. 05:11.450 --> 05:12.283 Thank you, sir. 05:14.950 --> 05:15.783 - Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 05:15.783 --> 05:17.960 Thank you, Mr. Secretary, 05:17.960 --> 05:22.160 for all of your service and to your family. 05:22.160 --> 05:26.970 It's tremendous, and by the way, sacrificial service, 05:26.970 --> 05:29.440 and I know that throughout that service 05:29.440 --> 05:31.940 I'm sure you've faced people who have disagreed 05:31.940 --> 05:34.180 with your line of work, 05:34.180 --> 05:36.490 have probably even been hostile at times. 05:36.490 --> 05:38.950 I'm sorry it had to happen in this committee, 05:38.950 --> 05:42.630 and just know that, as you can tell, by and large, 05:42.630 --> 05:44.640 we're not here to question your integrity. 05:44.640 --> 05:47.463 That's already been well established by lots of people. 05:48.560 --> 05:51.430 I appreciated both in your opening statement 05:51.430 --> 05:55.970 and in your answers to questions of Senator Fischer, 05:55.970 --> 05:57.550 your commitment to the nuclear triad, 05:57.550 --> 06:00.430 the importance of that deterrence, 06:00.430 --> 06:04.420 and specifically the ground base strategic deterrent. 06:04.420 --> 06:08.270 As you know, North Dakota is home to about 150 06:08.270 --> 06:11.260 of the Minuteman Threes scheduled by the Air Force 06:11.260 --> 06:15.370 to be replaced as part of the modernization effort 06:15.370 --> 06:19.400 somewhere in the 2028 to 2035 time frame 06:19.400 --> 06:24.400 as they are assumed and analysis determined 06:24.930 --> 06:26.600 that they'd probably be aging out 06:26.600 --> 06:29.400 the legacy missiles about that time, 06:29.400 --> 06:32.110 but there are some that want to delay that, 06:32.110 --> 06:34.850 that think that further study is required. 06:34.850 --> 06:36.350 One of the things I really appreciated 06:36.350 --> 06:37.980 that you've mentioned multiple times, 06:37.980 --> 06:39.980 and that is the importance of understanding the long game, 06:39.980 --> 06:41.980 being committed to a long term plan, 06:41.980 --> 06:43.450 commitment to the NDS. 06:43.450 --> 06:45.460 Can you speak just a little further 06:45.460 --> 06:48.000 about the importance of, specifically, that one part 06:48.000 --> 06:50.320 of the triad, the ground base strategic deterrent, 06:50.320 --> 06:53.273 and why sticking to the time frame is important? 06:54.540 --> 06:55.670 - The time frame is important 06:55.670 --> 06:57.770 because we do need to modernize the triad. 06:59.430 --> 07:02.630 The two parts of deterrence are having a capability 07:02.630 --> 07:05.840 and the will to use it. 07:05.840 --> 07:07.900 The capability means that the triad, 07:07.900 --> 07:08.870 at least in this case, 07:08.870 --> 07:10.890 the ground based strategic deterrent, 07:10.890 --> 07:12.700 must be reliable, must be effective. 07:12.700 --> 07:14.762 We want it to be safe as well, 07:14.762 --> 07:17.510 and it needs to build in all those other mechanisms, 07:17.510 --> 07:19.270 and it needs to be cyber-protected, for example, 07:19.270 --> 07:22.177 so that is a reason to modernize it, 07:22.177 --> 07:24.410 and as I said, each leg of the triad 07:24.410 --> 07:25.840 provides different capabilities. 07:25.840 --> 07:28.953 In the case of our ground based strategic deterrence, 07:30.190 --> 07:32.280 you have much quicker means of communication. 07:32.280 --> 07:34.950 They can reach targets much more quickly, 07:34.950 --> 07:36.990 and because they are at a fixed site, 07:36.990 --> 07:38.070 they are more accurate, 07:38.070 --> 07:40.810 so all those things are arguments in favor 07:40.810 --> 07:43.800 of having a ground based strategic deterrent option. 07:43.800 --> 07:44.980 - Thank you. 07:44.980 --> 07:47.480 Another issue that you've raised a fair bit, 07:47.480 --> 07:49.610 and we've talked about the new domain of space 07:49.610 --> 07:51.310 as well as cyber. 07:51.310 --> 07:53.050 As you know, the Defense Authorization Act 07:53.050 --> 07:54.100 that came out of this committee 07:54.100 --> 07:55.960 and then the Senate 07:55.960 --> 07:59.293 includes standing up a Space Force. 08:00.290 --> 08:02.913 The House similarly, they call it the Space Core, 08:03.770 --> 08:07.380 but we have had some serious consideration 08:07.380 --> 08:09.560 and discussion and some disagreement 08:09.560 --> 08:11.450 on what the leadership ought to look like for that, 08:11.450 --> 08:14.800 and I know there have been multiple options 08:14.800 --> 08:15.740 that have been presented, 08:15.740 --> 08:18.444 proposals by the administration, DOD, 08:18.444 --> 08:22.070 and the one we settled on was a version of the most recent, 08:22.070 --> 08:23.930 and that is something that would be similar 08:23.930 --> 08:28.343 to the Marine relationship to the Navy, 08:29.220 --> 08:32.170 and I guess I'd be interested just in your thoughts 08:32.170 --> 08:34.450 about that and what we've settled on. 08:34.450 --> 08:36.670 The leadership model is where I focused 08:36.670 --> 08:37.850 a lot of my attention, 08:37.850 --> 08:39.550 ensuring that there's a permanency 08:41.003 --> 08:43.070 with the Joint Chiefs that, 08:43.070 --> 08:45.220 the responsibility of the commanders 08:45.220 --> 08:47.740 to answer directly to the Secretary of the Air Force, 08:47.740 --> 08:48.970 but some of that's been in dispute, 08:48.970 --> 08:50.000 and I'd just be interested 08:50.000 --> 08:51.780 in your observations. 08:51.780 --> 08:54.160 - Well, I obviously support the budget proposal 08:54.160 --> 08:55.400 that we put forward with regard 08:55.400 --> 08:57.952 to standing up the Space Force. 08:57.952 --> 08:58.785 At this point in time, 08:58.785 --> 09:00.880 the House has a view on that, and the Senate has a view, 09:00.880 --> 09:03.230 and I think, obviously, if confirmed, 09:03.230 --> 09:04.480 I'd want to engage the committee 09:04.480 --> 09:06.740 as you approach conference, both committees, 09:06.740 --> 09:07.870 to come up with the right solution, 09:07.870 --> 09:09.370 but I think when you step back from it, 09:09.370 --> 09:10.203 you have to ask yourself, 09:10.203 --> 09:11.229 "What are we trying to do?" 09:11.229 --> 09:12.930 And I think what we're trying to do is recognize 09:12.930 --> 09:15.410 that space is no longer a place 09:15.410 --> 09:17.400 from which we support combat operations 09:17.400 --> 09:19.330 or from which we look down upon the world 09:19.330 --> 09:20.370 and see what's happening. 09:20.370 --> 09:22.260 It is now a war fighting domain, 09:22.260 --> 09:23.490 not because we made it that way, 09:23.490 --> 09:26.260 but because the Russians and Chinese are making it that way, 09:26.260 --> 09:28.130 and so what you want to do as much as possible 09:28.130 --> 09:30.850 to make sure we are sufficiently robust 09:30.850 --> 09:32.860 in the space war fighting domain 09:32.860 --> 09:34.660 is to ensure you have unity of command 09:34.660 --> 09:36.020 and unity of effort, 09:36.020 --> 09:37.410 people who are focused on that 09:37.410 --> 09:39.473 as a war fighting thing going forward. 09:41.500 --> 09:43.530 The closest analogy I have to this, 09:43.530 --> 09:44.960 and I think I may have mentioned it to you, 09:44.960 --> 09:46.450 is when in 1947, 09:46.450 --> 09:47.630 they pulled the Army Air Corps 09:47.630 --> 09:49.110 out of the United States Army. 09:49.110 --> 09:52.650 It freed up our aviators to think about war fighting 09:52.650 --> 09:53.670 in the air domain 09:53.670 --> 09:55.400 and how you conduct warfare 09:55.400 --> 09:58.040 unencumbered by a hierarchy, if you will, 09:58.040 --> 10:00.030 that was focused on ground combat, 10:00.030 --> 10:01.700 and so that's how I think about this problem. 10:01.700 --> 10:02.780 I think we just got to realize 10:02.780 --> 10:04.630 that it is a new domain of warfare now, 10:04.630 --> 10:06.870 and it requires a different organizational construct 10:06.870 --> 10:08.840 and a different way of thinking about it. 10:08.840 --> 10:10.597 - I think your illustration is right on point, 10:10.597 --> 10:12.757 and I appreciate again your service 10:12.757 --> 10:14.040 and your good answers. 10:14.040 --> 10:14.990 I yield. 10:14.990 --> 10:17.670 - Yeah, and I appreciate that also 10:17.670 --> 10:19.280 since I'm one of the few up here 10:19.280 --> 10:20.570 who was around at that time. 10:20.570 --> 10:22.170 I remember vividly, 10:22.170 --> 10:26.660 but I would like to announce that questions for the record. 10:26.660 --> 10:28.300 We're gonna try to expedite this, 10:28.300 --> 10:32.150 and we're gonna have a deadline on questions 10:34.120 --> 10:36.070 for the record that have to be submitted 10:36.070 --> 10:38.030 by close of business today, 10:38.030 --> 10:39.137 and we say that to the members, 10:39.137 --> 10:43.550 and I'd ask any staff that's representing someone here today 10:43.550 --> 10:46.100 to tell their member the same thing. 10:46.100 --> 10:47.263 Senator Manchin. 10:48.300 --> 10:50.980 - Secretary Esper, thank you very much for being here today 10:50.980 --> 10:52.300 and the service you've given to our country. 10:52.300 --> 10:54.850 Thank your family for being and attending with you. 10:56.310 --> 10:58.870 I've often told my children and my grandchildren, 10:58.870 --> 11:03.200 when we put ourselves forward to serve in public service, 11:03.200 --> 11:04.890 and I say, you're gonna hear a lot of things, 11:04.890 --> 11:06.107 and when you do, you're gonna get upset about it, 11:06.107 --> 11:07.990 and it kind of bothers you, and all that, 11:07.990 --> 11:09.510 but it's a very small price to pay 11:09.510 --> 11:12.130 when you think about the great opportunities in life 11:12.130 --> 11:13.840 we had living in the greatest democracy 11:13.840 --> 11:15.310 and the freedoms that we have, 11:15.310 --> 11:16.650 and it's a very small price to pay, 11:16.650 --> 11:19.580 so I hope you realize that this is part of this process. 11:19.580 --> 11:21.570 I'm sure there are people in the private sector 11:21.570 --> 11:24.940 that would like for all of us to sign a four year deal, 11:24.940 --> 11:27.810 no books, no speaking engagements, 11:27.810 --> 11:31.160 no income enhancement after we leave public service. 11:31.160 --> 11:33.130 I'm sure they're out there, 11:33.130 --> 11:34.750 so with that being said, 11:34.750 --> 11:38.100 thank you for your service and your stellar career. 11:38.100 --> 11:39.650 I will want to get to the thing, 11:39.650 --> 11:40.483 and you and I have talked about, 11:40.483 --> 11:42.433 and you were kind enough, and we sit down. 11:43.413 --> 11:47.020 The defense industrial base has long been targeted 11:47.020 --> 11:48.760 for foreign espionage, as we know. 11:48.760 --> 11:51.584 The Chinese are the greatest proliferators of that, 11:51.584 --> 11:54.610 and just to show the public a little bit, 11:54.610 --> 11:56.430 here is the Javelin, 11:56.430 --> 12:01.230 the United States FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile, 12:01.230 --> 12:04.640 and it shows the H-12 Red Arrow anti-tank missile 12:04.640 --> 12:06.190 from the Chinese. 12:06.190 --> 12:10.760 Here we have the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper UAV, 12:10.760 --> 12:11.840 and if you look below, 12:11.840 --> 12:16.710 you have the CH-4 Rainbow UAV from China. 12:16.710 --> 12:19.590 If you look also at Northrop Grumman MQ-8 12:19.590 --> 12:22.360 Fire Scout unmanned helo, 12:22.360 --> 12:24.780 and look down below, Secretary, 12:24.780 --> 12:29.780 the Chinese SVU-200 Flying Tiger unmanned helo, 12:30.940 --> 12:33.850 and then at the top of the food chain, 12:33.850 --> 12:36.270 the Lockheed Martin F35 Joint Strike Finder, 12:36.270 --> 12:39.800 and you look at the Shenyang J-31 fighter. 12:39.800 --> 12:41.330 Now there's no way this could have been, 12:41.330 --> 12:42.830 absolutely no way any of this 12:42.830 --> 12:45.350 could have been accomplished in the record time 12:45.350 --> 12:47.730 that they did it if it wasn't for the espionage, 12:47.730 --> 12:49.930 so you and I spoke about this before, 12:49.930 --> 12:50.763 so I would ask you, 12:50.763 --> 12:53.130 how are you planning to hold those services 12:53.130 --> 12:55.290 in the entire food chain, 12:55.290 --> 12:56.930 not just at the top? 12:56.930 --> 12:58.850 And we've talked about this. 12:58.850 --> 13:00.460 How can we do this, sir, 13:00.460 --> 13:02.280 and hold everybody accountable? 13:02.280 --> 13:05.020 'Cause right now, there's no repercussion whatsoever. 13:05.020 --> 13:06.000 If they've been stolen, 13:06.000 --> 13:08.250 espionage is happening at the lower food chain, 13:08.250 --> 13:10.200 which is gonna be a subcontractor, 13:10.200 --> 13:12.770 a subcontractor to a subcontractor, 13:12.770 --> 13:14.400 somebody at the top of the food chain 13:14.400 --> 13:15.520 has to be held responsible, 13:15.520 --> 13:16.353 so you might want to answer that. 13:16.353 --> 13:17.370 - Yes, sir. 13:17.370 --> 13:18.900 The Chinese are probably perpetrating 13:18.900 --> 13:20.580 the greatest theft of intellectual property 13:20.580 --> 13:22.670 in human history in terms of what they're doing 13:22.670 --> 13:25.400 and directly with regard to our national security. 13:25.400 --> 13:27.080 I'm well aware of this. 13:27.080 --> 13:28.870 I said earlier when we talked about cyber 13:28.870 --> 13:30.630 that I think we were vulnerable. 13:30.630 --> 13:33.790 Defensively, we were nearly not as strong as our offensive, 13:33.790 --> 13:35.040 so we need to build it up. 13:35.040 --> 13:36.180 My time in private sector, 13:36.180 --> 13:38.047 one of my experiences I bring is that 13:39.050 --> 13:40.600 the bigger companies have the means 13:40.600 --> 13:42.330 to address cybersecurity. 13:42.330 --> 13:43.740 They're working pretty hard, 13:43.740 --> 13:45.370 and they're conscious of their supply chains, 13:45.370 --> 13:47.260 but when you work your way down at those chains, 13:47.260 --> 13:49.520 the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth tier, 13:49.520 --> 13:50.930 they simply just don't have the means 13:50.930 --> 13:52.200 to protect themselves, 13:52.200 --> 13:54.420 and oftentimes, in my experience, 13:54.420 --> 13:55.520 again in the private sector, 13:55.520 --> 13:57.020 and the committee had a hearing on this 13:57.020 --> 13:59.200 under Senator Levin many years ago. 13:59.200 --> 14:01.210 That's where the Chinese were getting in. 14:01.210 --> 14:02.744 - [Joe] Yeah, we know where they were getting in. 14:02.744 --> 14:05.153 - They're working their way in at the small tier-- 14:05.153 --> 14:06.640 - I think, quickly, Mr. Secretary, 14:06.640 --> 14:08.430 if I could just ask you, 14:08.430 --> 14:11.980 would you be receptive to basically holding 14:11.980 --> 14:14.460 the primary contractor responsible 14:14.460 --> 14:16.160 for the entire food chain 14:16.160 --> 14:18.320 of the product they'd been awarded? 14:18.320 --> 14:19.153 - I'd have to think about that, 14:19.153 --> 14:21.020 and not because I'm trying to dodge it, 14:21.020 --> 14:23.610 but because there are, obviously, legal restrictions-- 14:23.610 --> 14:24.498 - [Joe] I understand. 14:24.498 --> 14:25.331 - On what you can require, 14:25.331 --> 14:27.460 but I do think we need to tackle it together 14:27.460 --> 14:29.070 because I agree with you on the threat. 14:29.070 --> 14:30.452 - We're not going to stop it, 14:30.452 --> 14:31.600 with everything I'm passing around here. 14:31.600 --> 14:32.590 That'll never be stopped 14:32.590 --> 14:34.440 unless we hold everyone accountable, 14:34.440 --> 14:36.010 and it's the big boys at the top 14:36.010 --> 14:38.610 that have the money to do this, to protect, 14:38.610 --> 14:40.070 but also protect the opportunity 14:40.070 --> 14:42.570 for those people to be able to contract them. 14:42.570 --> 14:43.620 The second thing very quickly, 14:43.620 --> 14:44.580 and I'll follow up with this-- 14:44.580 --> 14:45.860 - Again, I just don't want to put a mandate 14:45.860 --> 14:47.690 on the small guy who can't afford to do something-- 14:47.690 --> 14:49.110 - [Joe] No, no, no, it's not gonna be on the small guy. 14:49.110 --> 14:51.060 I'm saying hold the top guy responsible. 14:51.060 --> 14:52.440 - Well, sometimes they interpret that 14:52.440 --> 14:53.510 as kind of then requiring-- 14:53.510 --> 14:55.070 - [Joe] Oh, they'll pass it down if they can. 14:55.070 --> 14:56.260 I understand that, but-- 14:56.260 --> 14:57.093 - And I understand that, too. 14:57.093 --> 14:59.170 - [Joe] That's where the market's got to balance itself out, 14:59.170 --> 15:01.080 but we've got to have protections built in. 15:01.080 --> 15:01.913 - Sure. 15:01.913 --> 15:03.190 - So I look forward to working with you. 15:03.190 --> 15:05.980 National Guard, we get so many experts, 15:05.980 --> 15:07.460 and when you look at basically what we've got, 15:07.460 --> 15:10.523 we've got 54 cyber teams in National Guard, 15:12.476 --> 15:15.650 and we have there are National Guard Space Units 15:15.650 --> 15:20.210 in seven states with 1,400 National Guard members 15:20.210 --> 15:21.960 conducting space duties. 15:21.960 --> 15:23.590 All of this expertise, 15:23.590 --> 15:25.600 and sometimes there's still kind of a shun 15:25.600 --> 15:28.010 from our mainstream military, if you will, 15:28.010 --> 15:29.210 to part time National Guard, 15:29.210 --> 15:31.180 which is not the National Guard we've known. 15:31.180 --> 15:32.367 Tell me how you intend to strengthen that 15:32.367 --> 15:33.770 and if you could expedite that 15:33.770 --> 15:35.560 and basically build off of that. 15:35.560 --> 15:36.393 - [Mark] I-- 15:36.393 --> 15:37.270 - Cost saving measures. 15:37.270 --> 15:38.340 - I think it's a great asset. 15:38.340 --> 15:40.140 When I came into the Army two years ago, 15:40.140 --> 15:40.980 I was really impressed 15:40.980 --> 15:42.660 that we were building the teams at that time. 15:42.660 --> 15:44.400 These are very capable people 15:44.400 --> 15:46.720 that Monday through Friday are working for companies 15:46.720 --> 15:47.940 or doing I.T. 15:47.940 --> 15:49.280 They're involved in the space, 15:49.280 --> 15:51.390 and I think we need to continue to go after them, 15:51.390 --> 15:53.900 recruit them, adapt our personnel management procedures 15:53.900 --> 15:54.733 to get them in 15:54.733 --> 15:55.730 and have them work for us 15:55.730 --> 15:58.010 on the weekends doing either offensive, 15:58.010 --> 15:59.960 defensive, preferably offensive cyber. 15:59.960 --> 16:01.220 - [Joe] Yeah, thank you, Secretary. 16:01.220 --> 16:02.090 I look forward to voting for you. 16:02.090 --> 16:03.141 - Thank you, sir. 16:03.141 --> 16:03.974 - [Jim] Thank you. 16:03.974 --> 16:05.141 Senator Scott. 16:07.085 --> 16:09.330 - I want to thank the secretary and your family. 16:09.330 --> 16:11.370 Thank you for your dedicated years of service, 16:11.370 --> 16:13.490 and you're a highly qualified candidate. 16:13.490 --> 16:15.050 I'm very disappointed that Senator Warren 16:15.050 --> 16:18.550 would demonize you after your decades of service 16:18.550 --> 16:20.440 simply because you served in the private sector. 16:20.440 --> 16:22.720 There's a lot of us that have been in the private sector, 16:22.720 --> 16:25.840 and that doesn't take anything away from our ability 16:25.840 --> 16:26.903 to do our job. 16:27.830 --> 16:29.090 I guess she just needed a moment 16:29.090 --> 16:30.400 for her presidential campaign, 16:30.400 --> 16:34.130 but I believe you deserve to be confirmed, 16:34.130 --> 16:35.680 and I know you've done a great job 16:35.680 --> 16:36.650 as Secretary of Army, 16:36.650 --> 16:39.277 and I know you'll do a great job in this. 16:39.277 --> 16:40.490 As we talked about, 16:40.490 --> 16:43.230 one of my biggest concerns is Venezuela. 16:43.230 --> 16:47.440 We've got Maduro is clearly killing citizens. 16:47.440 --> 16:50.010 Kids like my grandkids don't have food, 16:50.010 --> 16:51.440 water, medicine. 16:51.440 --> 16:52.980 They're dying constantly. 16:52.980 --> 16:54.000 I've been to the border. 16:54.000 --> 16:54.993 Many of us have. 16:56.000 --> 16:56.833 Russia is there. 16:56.833 --> 16:57.666 China is there. 16:57.666 --> 16:58.573 Iran's there. 16:58.573 --> 16:59.406 Hezbollah is there. 16:59.406 --> 17:00.239 ELN's there. 17:00.239 --> 17:01.072 Isis is there. 17:01.072 --> 17:01.905 All the bad guys are there. 17:01.905 --> 17:02.738 Cuba is there. 17:04.470 --> 17:07.577 Xi and Putin are putting up with this and supporting it, 17:07.577 --> 17:09.270 and it's wrong, 17:09.270 --> 17:10.913 so my question for you is, 17:13.100 --> 17:15.840 everybody, our country has spent a fortune 17:15.840 --> 17:18.570 in time and money in the Middle East, 17:18.570 --> 17:20.050 and what the question is, 17:20.050 --> 17:22.670 is, what's the status of our U.S. forces 17:22.670 --> 17:25.000 and their readiness in this hemisphere 17:26.250 --> 17:28.840 to not only deter but to defeat any enemy 17:28.840 --> 17:30.390 that seeks to harm us? 17:30.390 --> 17:34.560 I think this is national security, us or allies, 17:34.560 --> 17:37.840 and do our enemies even think we care 17:37.840 --> 17:38.820 about what's going on 17:38.820 --> 17:40.660 because, I mean, if you look at the amount of troops 17:40.660 --> 17:43.930 we have in this hemisphere versus all over the world, 17:43.930 --> 17:46.680 you wouldn't think that they think we have any concern. 17:48.220 --> 17:51.617 - Senator, as I think we discussed this 17:51.617 --> 17:53.070 in another meeting we had, 17:53.070 --> 17:56.440 but it's an important theater. 17:56.440 --> 17:58.440 Under the national defense strategy, 17:58.440 --> 18:01.550 it's identified as an economy of force, if you will. 18:01.550 --> 18:02.870 We do do a number of things down there, 18:02.870 --> 18:04.900 training exercises with partners. 18:04.900 --> 18:07.630 Our special operations folks are down there. 18:07.630 --> 18:08.500 I think importantly, 18:08.500 --> 18:10.100 we also leverage other parts of the government, 18:10.100 --> 18:11.380 whether it's USAID 18:11.380 --> 18:14.110 and Department of State functions down there, 18:14.110 --> 18:15.980 and what's been very successful, 18:15.980 --> 18:17.070 and I actually participated 18:17.070 --> 18:20.040 just during one of my times at Fort Benning, Georgia, 18:20.040 --> 18:21.440 is we do a lot of IMET training 18:21.440 --> 18:23.200 where we bring officers up from 18:24.040 --> 18:25.120 those countries down there to do it, 18:25.120 --> 18:27.740 but to the broader point, you're right. 18:27.740 --> 18:30.930 We have an illegal Maduro regime down there 18:30.930 --> 18:32.470 that is killing its people, 18:32.470 --> 18:33.810 suppressing their rights. 18:33.810 --> 18:35.890 They have driven that country into the ground, 18:35.890 --> 18:39.190 and the risk is that that would spread 18:39.190 --> 18:40.023 throughout the region, 18:40.023 --> 18:40.856 and you're right. 18:40.856 --> 18:42.980 It has invited in all the spoilers 18:42.980 --> 18:47.290 who want to either enable the illegal Maduro regime 18:47.290 --> 18:49.400 or kind of poke a finger in our eye, 18:49.400 --> 18:51.000 and you named them all, 18:51.000 --> 18:52.690 and so it's something we need to pay attention to, 18:52.690 --> 18:56.021 and I know the admiral down there, Admiral Fowler, 18:56.021 --> 18:58.760 is focused on this, 18:58.760 --> 19:00.480 and it's something that I'm gonna continue 19:00.480 --> 19:01.500 to pay great attention to, 19:01.500 --> 19:03.253 as has the White House, by the way. 19:04.920 --> 19:07.260 - I mean, none of us want to go to war. 19:07.260 --> 19:08.420 We want Maduro out, 19:08.420 --> 19:11.240 and we want freedom and democracy, 19:11.240 --> 19:13.420 not only there, but to Cuba, all these places, 19:13.420 --> 19:16.070 so what can the Department of Defense do 19:16.070 --> 19:19.490 that would put more pressure on Maduro to step aside? 19:19.490 --> 19:21.370 - There are things to put pressure, 19:21.370 --> 19:23.050 but there are also other things we can do. 19:23.050 --> 19:24.990 I spoke earlier about the importance of our values 19:24.990 --> 19:26.040 and what we speak to, 19:26.040 --> 19:27.810 and one of the things we need to highlight more 19:27.810 --> 19:28.840 is the fact, for example, 19:28.840 --> 19:32.160 that we've got the U.S. Naval Ship Comfort down there. 19:32.160 --> 19:37.160 She's in the waters off of eastern of South America, 19:41.060 --> 19:42.560 and just those type of engagements 19:42.560 --> 19:43.900 to show America's commitment 19:43.900 --> 19:45.480 without the heavy hand that sometimes 19:45.480 --> 19:47.910 we get accused of exercising in the region. 19:47.910 --> 19:50.220 At one point, when it looked like the regime 19:50.220 --> 19:51.790 may get turned over, 19:51.790 --> 19:54.240 we flew in humanitarian supplies down there 19:54.240 --> 19:55.073 to show our commitment, 19:55.073 --> 19:56.250 so there are things like that we could do. 19:56.250 --> 19:58.030 There's obviously in the cyber realm, 19:58.030 --> 19:59.340 there are things we can do. 19:59.340 --> 20:00.710 Whatever we take, and in some ways, 20:00.710 --> 20:02.290 we need to take our cues, 20:02.290 --> 20:03.390 the State Department would lead on this, 20:03.390 --> 20:05.570 take our cues from our diplomats on the ground 20:05.570 --> 20:06.800 and find out, what do they recommend? 20:06.800 --> 20:08.340 What role can we play to best 20:09.860 --> 20:12.430 kind of move that situation forward? 20:12.430 --> 20:14.817 - All right, well, thanks for your decades of service, 20:14.817 --> 20:16.967 and I apologize you were demonized earlier. 20:22.180 --> 20:23.480 - Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 20:25.150 --> 20:26.840 Nice to see you, Dr. Esper. 20:26.840 --> 20:27.673 - Yes, sir. 20:27.673 --> 20:29.300 - As a part of my responsibility, 20:29.300 --> 20:30.820 I ask the following two questions 20:30.820 --> 20:32.670 of every single nominee who comes before 20:32.670 --> 20:35.220 any of the five committees on which I sit, 20:35.220 --> 20:37.090 so here are the questions. 20:37.090 --> 20:38.670 First, since you became an legal adult, 20:38.670 --> 20:40.480 have you ever made unwanted request 20:40.480 --> 20:43.130 for sexual favors or committed any verbal 20:43.130 --> 20:47.006 or physical harassment or assault of a sexual nature? 20:47.006 --> 20:48.130 - No, Senator. 20:48.130 --> 20:50.010 - Have you faced discipline or entered 20:50.010 --> 20:53.890 into a settlement relating to this kind of conduct? 20:53.890 --> 20:54.883 - No, Senator. 20:55.750 --> 20:58.140 - You have testified that you would resign 20:58.140 --> 20:59.800 if you were asked to do anything illegal, 20:59.800 --> 21:02.020 immoral, or unethical, 21:02.020 --> 21:03.840 and certainly the country cannot afford 21:03.840 --> 21:07.220 to have a yes man leading the DOD, 21:07.220 --> 21:08.863 so I just want to ask you. 21:10.250 --> 21:11.500 There was a time when the President 21:11.500 --> 21:14.460 did not acknowledge the importance of NATO, 21:14.460 --> 21:18.970 and Secretary Mattis tried to convince him otherwise. 21:18.970 --> 21:20.590 Would you have taken the same position 21:20.590 --> 21:21.853 as Secretary Mattis? 21:23.510 --> 21:24.770 - Senator, if I understand your question, 21:24.770 --> 21:25.900 I have taken that position. 21:25.900 --> 21:28.220 I think I said my second day on the job as acting-- 21:28.220 --> 21:29.580 - Yes, I know that, 21:29.580 --> 21:32.070 but this would be standing up to the President. 21:32.070 --> 21:33.240 That's what I'm getting at. 21:33.240 --> 21:36.666 - Oh, in terms of expressing the importance of NATO? 21:36.666 --> 21:37.499 - [Mazie] Yes. 21:37.499 --> 21:38.340 - Absolutely, and not just NATO. 21:38.340 --> 21:39.830 All of our allies and partners. 21:39.830 --> 21:43.320 - Another question, the President announced unilaterally 21:43.320 --> 21:44.400 getting out of Syria, 21:44.400 --> 21:46.440 and this is a move that General Mattis 21:46.440 --> 21:48.300 very much disagreed with. 21:48.300 --> 21:51.340 Would you have done what General Mattis did, 21:51.340 --> 21:52.420 not necessarily to resign, 21:52.420 --> 21:53.460 but to take the position 21:53.460 --> 21:55.200 that was not a wise decision 21:55.200 --> 21:56.410 on the part of the President? 21:56.410 --> 21:58.090 - I take the position I've taken 21:58.090 --> 21:59.310 with everybody I've worked for, 21:59.310 --> 22:00.520 even members here in Congress, 22:00.520 --> 22:02.050 and that is I owe the principal, 22:02.050 --> 22:03.010 in this case the President, 22:03.010 --> 22:05.510 my honest, candid advice in terms 22:05.510 --> 22:07.720 of what I think is the right course forward. 22:07.720 --> 22:09.620 - Yes, and also to uphold the Constitution 22:09.620 --> 22:11.260 and the interests of our country. 22:11.260 --> 22:13.300 - That is the oath we swear, yes, ma'am. 22:13.300 --> 22:16.770 - So you were asked earlier 22:16.770 --> 22:21.040 about your support for reviewing 22:21.040 --> 22:23.520 the dishonorable discharge of service people 22:23.520 --> 22:25.230 who had come back from deployment 22:25.230 --> 22:26.840 or during deployment with PTSD, 22:26.840 --> 22:30.730 and I think that recognition of the high incidence 22:30.730 --> 22:34.835 of PTSD and other illnesses, 22:34.835 --> 22:38.650 that is a good thing that you're acknowledging. 22:38.650 --> 22:41.460 Let me point to a group of people 22:41.460 --> 22:44.740 that I wanted to mention to you 22:44.740 --> 22:49.410 that would be, I would say, similarly situated. 22:49.410 --> 22:51.870 There was a recent report by NPR 22:51.870 --> 22:54.140 about the plight of veterans 22:54.140 --> 22:55.440 who have fought for this country, 22:55.440 --> 23:00.440 but because of a lot of incidence of PTSD, et cetera, 23:01.140 --> 23:02.670 they have been deported, 23:02.670 --> 23:04.190 and these veterans joined the military 23:04.190 --> 23:06.290 believing that one of the benefits 23:06.290 --> 23:08.530 would be expedited citizenship, 23:08.530 --> 23:10.070 expedited citizenship. 23:10.070 --> 23:11.740 For one thing, a lot of them don't even know 23:11.740 --> 23:14.420 that they actually have to apply for citizenship, 23:14.420 --> 23:16.740 and this is not automatically conferred to them 23:16.740 --> 23:17.840 because they have served, 23:17.840 --> 23:21.800 and apparently that is also an issue, 23:21.800 --> 23:23.340 so they are sent back, 23:23.340 --> 23:25.140 and we're talking about probably hundreds 23:25.140 --> 23:26.710 of former service members 23:26.710 --> 23:28.320 who have been deported in this way, 23:28.320 --> 23:30.330 and then they go back to the countries of their birth 23:30.330 --> 23:31.410 that they know nothing about, 23:31.410 --> 23:34.710 having to leave, in instances, their children, et cetera, 23:34.710 --> 23:39.710 so can you make sure that the naturalization process 23:40.770 --> 23:43.840 for eligible service members is clarified 23:43.840 --> 23:44.910 so they all understand? 23:44.910 --> 23:48.970 Because one of the inducements to serving 23:48.970 --> 23:50.940 the country that they know, 23:50.940 --> 23:52.620 our country is the only one they know, 23:52.620 --> 23:55.770 that they actually have to apply, 23:55.770 --> 23:57.610 and they should not be under a mistaken impression 23:57.610 --> 23:59.630 that this is automatic. 23:59.630 --> 24:00.623 - Yes, ma'am. 24:00.623 --> 24:02.440 I mean, I obviously have a soft spot in my heart 24:02.440 --> 24:03.380 for anybody who serves, 24:03.380 --> 24:05.180 and anybody who serves and fights for their country 24:05.180 --> 24:06.270 should go to the front of the line. 24:06.270 --> 24:09.260 - So this is a group that obviously needs your help, 24:09.260 --> 24:10.800 and I don't know if this is a matter 24:10.800 --> 24:13.170 that has ever been brought to your attention, 24:13.170 --> 24:15.440 but I would want to have a commitment from you, 24:15.440 --> 24:17.110 just as you are very concerned 24:17.110 --> 24:21.080 about those veterans who are discharged dishonorably, 24:21.080 --> 24:23.460 to review those, that this is a group of veterans 24:23.460 --> 24:25.040 that you would want to help, 24:25.040 --> 24:28.040 and, yes, so you're saying yes. 24:28.040 --> 24:29.150 - Yes, ma'am, I am, 24:29.150 --> 24:31.050 just as you described it, absolutely. 24:31.050 --> 24:33.160 - And of course the people who are doing the deporting 24:33.160 --> 24:34.440 would be Homeland Security, 24:34.440 --> 24:37.540 so would you pledge that you will not expend 24:37.540 --> 24:39.900 any DOD resources to help 24:39.900 --> 24:42.370 the Department of Homeland Security identify 24:42.370 --> 24:44.330 and deport these veterans? 24:44.330 --> 24:46.590 - No, in fact, ma'am, what I'd like to do is, if confirmed, 24:46.590 --> 24:50.230 is reach out to DHS regardless 24:50.230 --> 24:51.630 and just find out what's going on with this 24:51.630 --> 24:53.090 and kind of come back to you. 24:53.090 --> 24:54.450 - Yeah, I would like to have that, 24:54.450 --> 24:57.460 and one of the other things that the President has done 24:57.460 --> 25:00.760 is that he has eliminated a program 25:00.760 --> 25:02.390 called Parole and Place, 25:02.390 --> 25:07.100 which says that family members of those 25:07.100 --> 25:09.690 who are in service cannot be deported, 25:09.690 --> 25:12.530 and he's stopped that, 25:12.530 --> 25:14.283 and so I would like to have your commitment 25:14.283 --> 25:16.860 that you would advocate for the reinstatement 25:16.860 --> 25:18.320 of the Parole and Place program 25:18.320 --> 25:20.600 so that the service members' family members 25:20.600 --> 25:23.940 are not deported while he or she 25:23.940 --> 25:25.420 is in service to our country. 25:25.420 --> 25:26.725 - I'm not familiar with that program either, 25:26.725 --> 25:29.090 but you have my commitment to look into it for sure. 25:29.090 --> 25:30.920 - You've been asked about, if I could, 25:30.920 --> 25:32.290 just one short question, 25:32.290 --> 25:35.940 a lot of discussion about the importance of alliances, 25:35.940 --> 25:38.920 and you noted that one of the first things you did 25:38.920 --> 25:41.960 as the Secretary of the Army was go to Brussels 25:41.960 --> 25:45.000 to indicate the importance of NATO, 25:45.000 --> 25:46.870 so I would like to ask for your commitment 25:46.870 --> 25:48.720 that one of the first things you would do, 25:48.720 --> 25:51.060 knowing the importance of the Indo-Pacific command, 25:51.060 --> 25:53.090 the biggest physical AOR, 25:53.090 --> 25:55.760 that you would go as Secretary of Defense 25:55.760 --> 26:00.020 to visit Japan, South Korea, particularly. 26:01.110 --> 26:03.060 That is something that General Mattis did 26:03.060 --> 26:04.180 when he became secretary. 26:04.180 --> 26:05.630 Would you commit to that? 26:05.630 --> 26:07.540 - [Mark] Yes, ma'am, I do, absolutely. 26:07.540 --> 26:08.373 - [Mazie] Thank you-- 26:08.373 --> 26:09.260 - It's too important, and by the way, 26:09.260 --> 26:11.690 I'll visit (mumbling) headquarters as well. 26:11.690 --> 26:13.460 I did that as Army Secretary. 26:13.460 --> 26:15.120 It was a fantastic trip. 26:15.120 --> 26:15.953 - [Mazie] Thank you. 26:15.953 --> 26:16.786 Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 26:16.786 --> 26:19.940 - Thank you, and Senator McSally is recognized. 26:19.940 --> 26:22.290 However, I want to make one comment 26:22.290 --> 26:25.310 since I'm gonna ask Senator Ernst to chair 26:25.310 --> 26:26.510 the rest of the meeting, 26:27.840 --> 26:29.960 to apologize to you for what you had 26:29.960 --> 26:31.880 to be confronted with. 26:31.880 --> 26:33.330 It was unfair, 26:33.330 --> 26:34.979 and you handled it beautifully. 26:34.979 --> 26:35.812 Thank you. 26:37.177 --> 26:38.010 - Thank you, Mr. Chair. 26:38.010 --> 26:40.000 Secretary Esper, it's good to see you again. 26:40.000 --> 26:41.313 Congratulations. 26:42.310 --> 26:45.410 Your nomination was tweeted out the day 26:45.410 --> 26:47.670 before you were supposed to come visit Arizona, 26:47.670 --> 26:49.560 and so if you're confirmed, 26:49.560 --> 26:52.470 I look forward to hosting you back in Arizona 26:52.470 --> 26:55.210 not just for your mission related to your duties 26:55.210 --> 26:56.043 as Secretary of the Army, 26:56.043 --> 26:57.120 but also as Secretary of Defense, 26:57.120 --> 26:58.690 so I just wanted to extend that invitation. 26:58.690 --> 26:59.523 - Sometime in my life, 26:59.523 --> 27:00.735 I want to make it to Fort Huachuca. 27:00.735 --> 27:01.568 - Some time in your life? 27:01.568 --> 27:02.430 All right, we'll do it soon, 27:02.430 --> 27:04.600 so thanks for that. 27:04.600 --> 27:05.910 I've appreciated working with you 27:05.910 --> 27:06.940 on many issues in the past. 27:06.940 --> 27:08.630 We only have four and a half minutes, 27:08.630 --> 27:10.590 so I'll just go into a few here. 27:10.590 --> 27:13.210 The first is I'm grateful for your partnership 27:13.210 --> 27:14.330 since I've been in the Senate 27:14.330 --> 27:17.220 specifically on the issue of combating sexual assault. 27:17.220 --> 27:20.820 We've got some good initiatives in this year's defense bill 27:20.820 --> 27:24.190 to build on the past year's initiatives 27:24.190 --> 27:26.510 related to the investigation 27:26.510 --> 27:28.160 and the prosecution side of things, 27:28.160 --> 27:30.410 but we have more work to do on the prevention side 27:30.410 --> 27:31.980 and the education side 27:31.980 --> 27:33.310 and to eliminate this all together, 27:33.310 --> 27:34.740 so I just want to get your commitment to continue 27:34.740 --> 27:36.380 to partner with me on this really important issue-- 27:36.380 --> 27:37.836 - Absolutely, Senator, 27:37.836 --> 27:39.160 and just let me thank you for your courage 27:39.160 --> 27:40.160 and your leadership on this, 27:40.160 --> 27:41.620 and we are fully committed 27:41.620 --> 27:44.280 to implementing all the recommendations of the task force. 27:44.280 --> 27:45.113 - Great, thank you. 27:45.113 --> 27:46.480 I appreciate that. 27:46.480 --> 27:48.200 I want to talk about China. 27:48.200 --> 27:53.200 Do you agree China is our biggest long term threat 27:53.730 --> 27:54.980 to our national security? 27:54.980 --> 27:56.730 - Right, I don't like to paint them as a threat right now, 27:56.730 --> 27:58.450 but certainly a strategic competitor-- 27:58.450 --> 27:59.390 - [Martha] Potential. 27:59.390 --> 28:00.223 - Absolutely. 28:00.223 --> 28:01.721 - And there are many elements we could talk about, 28:01.721 --> 28:04.270 but one I wanna talk about is in the area of 5G, 28:04.270 --> 28:06.040 and you touched on this 28:06.040 --> 28:09.170 at a recent NATO defense ministerial meeting, I think, 28:09.170 --> 28:11.710 related to communications network security. 28:11.710 --> 28:16.710 I'm particularly concerned about recent reports this spring. 28:17.730 --> 28:19.280 Specifically, there was a CNN story, 28:19.280 --> 28:21.910 highlighting some rural wireless carriers 28:21.910 --> 28:25.480 in America being allowed to use Chinese technology 28:25.480 --> 28:27.260 on their cellular networks 28:27.260 --> 28:30.050 that are right near U.S. military installations, 28:30.050 --> 28:32.610 including facilities with ICBM silos. 28:32.610 --> 28:35.300 Again, the concern is surveillance, 28:35.300 --> 28:38.730 and then also disruption or the potential for that, 28:38.730 --> 28:40.400 so I just want to get your thoughts on, 28:40.400 --> 28:42.350 are you aware of those reports 28:42.350 --> 28:45.820 and the danger of them being so close 28:45.820 --> 28:47.650 and the impacts of that, 28:47.650 --> 28:50.930 and what can we do in order to protect our assets 28:50.930 --> 28:52.340 and our bases from threats like this? 28:52.340 --> 28:53.680 - I have not heard that report. 28:53.680 --> 28:54.750 I'm not surprised. 28:54.750 --> 28:57.030 I don't believe in coincidence like that. 28:57.030 --> 28:58.030 I will tell you last summer 28:58.030 --> 29:00.480 when I was visiting Fort Greely, 29:00.480 --> 29:02.520 where our missile base is, if you will, 29:02.520 --> 29:04.850 they told me how some Chinese tourists 29:04.850 --> 29:07.230 somehow wandered up upon our base up there, 29:07.230 --> 29:09.540 so, look, the Chinese have a grand plan out there 29:09.540 --> 29:10.630 to collect data on us, 29:10.630 --> 29:12.440 whether it's physical collection, 29:12.440 --> 29:13.660 whether it's collection over the internet. 29:13.660 --> 29:16.010 You name it, and we need to be aware of that. 29:16.010 --> 29:17.362 - Right, exactly. 29:17.362 --> 29:20.350 Just recently Secretary of Commerce Ross 29:20.350 --> 29:23.760 announced restrictions on U.S. tech companies 29:23.760 --> 29:26.980 selling to Huawei would be relaxed, 29:26.980 --> 29:30.000 saying that the ban would only apply to products 29:30.000 --> 29:32.020 that pose a national security threat. 29:32.020 --> 29:34.320 How do you see DOD playing a part 29:34.320 --> 29:36.440 in deciding where that national security threat is 29:36.440 --> 29:38.540 and how we can combat it? 29:38.540 --> 29:39.373 - Yes, Senator. 29:39.373 --> 29:41.790 My understanding is that Huawei would remain 29:41.790 --> 29:42.730 on the entities list. 29:42.730 --> 29:44.890 There would be a presumption of denial, of course, 29:44.890 --> 29:47.790 and that it would only be for non-national security, 29:47.790 --> 29:49.900 so that's where I think that DOD needs to participate 29:49.900 --> 29:52.660 with commerce, as we do in (mumbling), 29:52.660 --> 29:54.155 to make sure that clearly nothing 29:54.155 --> 29:57.860 has a dual capable national security nexus. 29:57.860 --> 29:59.280 - Great, thanks, 29:59.280 --> 30:00.560 and in the last time I have, 30:00.560 --> 30:02.320 I want to continue on again on another element 30:02.320 --> 30:06.100 of China's aggression and concerns in the South China Sea. 30:06.100 --> 30:07.313 Early this month, 30:08.370 --> 30:11.680 China launched several of its DF-26 missiles 30:11.680 --> 30:12.790 in the South China Sea, 30:12.790 --> 30:15.163 its most powerful anti-ship ballistic missile. 30:16.380 --> 30:18.950 Again, it's incredibly provocative, 30:18.950 --> 30:20.140 given the timing of it all, 30:20.140 --> 30:24.513 but increasing to show their aggression in the region. 30:25.850 --> 30:28.630 We do have some capabilities, of course, 30:28.630 --> 30:31.720 which we have related to combating that, 30:31.720 --> 30:33.670 but I just want to get your thoughts 30:33.670 --> 30:35.780 on their aggression in the South China Sea. 30:35.780 --> 30:38.600 This is just one of the last incidents 30:38.600 --> 30:40.310 and the best way that we can, 30:40.310 --> 30:42.140 with our international partners, combat that. 30:42.140 --> 30:43.760 - Well, as I recall, a few years ago, 30:43.760 --> 30:45.130 the President of China made a commitment 30:45.130 --> 30:47.530 to our President not to militarize the South China Sea, 30:47.530 --> 30:49.210 and then they consequently went 30:49.210 --> 30:50.650 and militarized the South China Sea, 30:50.650 --> 30:52.070 so we should be concerned 30:52.070 --> 30:55.410 because it undermines the international rules based order, 30:55.410 --> 30:57.540 certainly in terms of freedom of navigation, 30:57.540 --> 30:58.600 freedom of the seas. 30:58.600 --> 31:00.430 It affects commerce. 31:00.430 --> 31:02.470 They are undermining customary international law, 31:02.470 --> 31:04.680 so we need to be very aware of this, 31:04.680 --> 31:08.146 and we need to have a strategy to go after it. 31:08.146 --> 31:10.520 - Thanks, and again, we can't do it by ourselves, right? 31:10.520 --> 31:11.680 So our leadership 31:11.680 --> 31:14.170 and our executing the national defense strategy 31:14.170 --> 31:16.200 where we're having more resources 31:16.200 --> 31:17.060 dedicated to that region, 31:17.060 --> 31:18.500 working with allies and partnerships 31:18.500 --> 31:20.370 to stop this has got to be the-- 31:20.370 --> 31:22.160 - And we've exercised our rights 31:22.160 --> 31:23.900 under freedom of navigation operations, 31:23.900 --> 31:24.830 what we call FONOPS, 31:24.830 --> 31:26.830 and we had participation too by our allies, 31:26.830 --> 31:27.790 and that's important. 31:27.790 --> 31:29.270 It's not just U.S. versus China. 31:29.270 --> 31:30.103 It should be-- 31:30.103 --> 31:31.056 - [Martha] Exactly. 31:31.056 --> 31:31.889 - The world versus China on these things 31:31.889 --> 31:32.722 where they're breaking the law. 31:32.722 --> 31:34.450 - Exactly, thanks, Secretary Esper. 31:34.450 --> 31:35.551 Appreciate it. 31:35.551 --> 31:36.384 - [Mark] Thank you, Senator-- 31:36.384 --> 31:37.217 - Senator Duckworth. 31:38.190 --> 31:39.830 - Thank you. 31:39.830 --> 31:40.943 I'm the last one here, 31:42.010 --> 31:42.843 but I wanted to stay 31:42.843 --> 31:45.750 because I want to go over some really important points 31:45.750 --> 31:49.760 that you and I had conversations about in our meeting, 31:49.760 --> 31:50.680 so I want to go over again 31:50.680 --> 31:53.440 the importance of logistics, infrastructure. 31:53.440 --> 31:55.740 As we're focused on great power competition 31:55.740 --> 31:57.233 as outlined in NDS, 31:58.130 --> 31:59.380 we talked about this. 31:59.380 --> 32:00.213 Our logistical (mumbling), 32:00.213 --> 32:01.800 it needs to be robust enough 32:01.800 --> 32:04.040 to address our shipping priorities. 32:04.040 --> 32:05.910 Would you commit to me that if you're confirmed 32:05.910 --> 32:08.820 you'll pay closer attention to our logistical needs, 32:08.820 --> 32:10.940 to include funding for sea lift, 32:10.940 --> 32:12.580 airlift, and other aspects 32:12.580 --> 32:14.350 of our logistics infrastructure, 32:14.350 --> 32:16.280 which also include here amphibious shipping 32:16.280 --> 32:17.450 for the Marine Corps? 32:17.450 --> 32:18.320 - Absolutely, Senator, 32:18.320 --> 32:21.020 and just to share with you for the broader audience, 32:21.020 --> 32:23.700 look, the Army gets to the fight through sea lift. 32:23.700 --> 32:25.420 90% of its equipment goes by sea, 32:25.420 --> 32:26.830 and if it can't get there, 32:26.830 --> 32:28.010 it won't be in the fight. 32:28.010 --> 32:28.843 It won't be relevant, 32:28.843 --> 32:30.790 and I've had this conversation as Secretary of the Army 32:30.790 --> 32:32.510 with Secretary of the Navy Spencer, 32:32.510 --> 32:33.343 and he agrees. 32:33.343 --> 32:34.270 We need to modernize 32:34.270 --> 32:36.120 and build capacity into our sea lift, 32:36.120 --> 32:38.050 and then second, with regard to the Marines, absolutely. 32:38.050 --> 32:39.230 They need to have the requisite number 32:39.230 --> 32:40.960 of amphibs to do their missions. 32:40.960 --> 32:41.793 They're short now, 32:41.793 --> 32:44.210 and that's something that I'm committed to seeing through. 32:44.210 --> 32:45.043 - Thank you. 32:46.050 --> 32:48.920 I want to address the night courts (mumbling). 32:48.920 --> 32:51.270 We discussed this a little bit. 32:51.270 --> 32:54.125 The savings and (mumbling) enabled reprogramming 32:54.125 --> 32:57.580 to unifying the Army's efforts behind these priorities, 32:57.580 --> 32:59.010 and I congratulate you for that. 32:59.010 --> 33:00.710 If confirmed, will you carry out 33:00.710 --> 33:03.550 a similar rigorous defense-wide review 33:03.550 --> 33:05.160 or multiple service specific reviews 33:05.160 --> 33:06.900 to focus on future game changers, 33:06.900 --> 33:08.790 which might include things like AI, hypersonics, 33:08.790 --> 33:09.970 or nuclear command and control? 33:09.970 --> 33:11.840 You've touched on this a little bit-- 33:11.840 --> 33:14.077 - Absolutely, the Congress and the American people 33:14.077 --> 33:16.680 are very generous with what they give us for defense, 33:16.680 --> 33:18.050 and I think we can make better use 33:18.050 --> 33:19.540 of every single dollar, 33:19.540 --> 33:22.150 certainly before we come back asking for more. 33:22.150 --> 33:23.360 - Thank you. 33:23.360 --> 33:25.280 Again, I want to address, 33:25.280 --> 33:27.210 since I get the last word here, I guess, 33:27.210 --> 33:31.290 about the ongoing use of the 2001 and 2002 AUMFs. 33:31.290 --> 33:33.250 The U.S. Constitution vests with Congress 33:33.250 --> 33:36.510 the sole and solemn responsibility to declare war. 33:36.510 --> 33:38.210 However, over the past several years, 33:38.210 --> 33:40.150 administrations from both parties 33:40.150 --> 33:41.970 have used the existing AUMF in a way 33:41.970 --> 33:44.090 that outstrips the intent of Congress 33:44.090 --> 33:47.610 and has, at best, dubious legal justifications. 33:47.610 --> 33:49.360 In a real world example of current concern, 33:49.360 --> 33:52.890 do you believe that the 2001 AUMF 33:52.890 --> 33:56.840 or the 2002 AUMF provides the necessary legal authorization 33:56.840 --> 33:59.330 for us to use military force against Iran? 33:59.330 --> 34:00.810 - Not to conduct a war, Senator, 34:00.810 --> 34:01.643 as you and I discussed, 34:01.643 --> 34:02.840 but obviously the President has 34:02.840 --> 34:06.570 under Article Two the right to respond if attacked, 34:06.570 --> 34:08.210 but, no, not in terms of how you described it, 34:08.210 --> 34:09.831 as we discussed, to conduct a war. 34:09.831 --> 34:12.510 - But Article Two is aside from the AUMF. 34:12.510 --> 34:13.814 - Right, as I said, 34:13.814 --> 34:17.130 if Iran were to attack us, our soldiers, 34:17.130 --> 34:18.747 we always have the right of self defense 34:18.747 --> 34:19.937 and to execute those types of-- 34:19.937 --> 34:21.410 - [Tammy] But that's under Article Two-- 34:21.410 --> 34:22.243 - [Mark] That's right-- 34:22.243 --> 34:24.938 - I'm speaking specifically of the 2001 and 2002 AUMF. 34:24.938 --> 34:26.994 Would either one of those authorize you to-- 34:26.994 --> 34:29.640 - No, because 2001 applies 34:29.640 --> 34:31.007 to terrorist groups and organizations, 34:31.007 --> 34:32.220 and that would not be the case here 34:32.220 --> 34:34.210 with regard to the country of Iran. 34:34.210 --> 34:35.670 - Thank you. 34:35.670 --> 34:38.080 Again, I want to touch a little bit 34:38.970 --> 34:41.510 on the issue of sexual assault and harassment. 34:41.510 --> 34:43.970 We've had civilian and military representatives 34:43.970 --> 34:45.420 from DOD coming for years 34:45.420 --> 34:47.850 swearing to take the problem seriously 34:47.850 --> 34:49.240 and effect real change. 34:49.240 --> 34:51.880 Disappointingly, estimated prevalence rates are rebounding. 34:51.880 --> 34:53.440 Will you commit to working on a major effort 34:53.440 --> 34:55.110 to reform our prevention efforts, 34:55.110 --> 34:56.330 not through changes in regulation, 34:56.330 --> 34:59.240 but an actual cultural change that needs to happen? 34:59.240 --> 35:00.080 - Absolutely, Senator. 35:00.080 --> 35:02.530 This is absolutely intolerable 35:02.530 --> 35:06.050 that what we see is happening out there. 35:06.050 --> 35:07.470 The goal should be zero, 35:07.470 --> 35:11.050 and we need to continue to jump on this problem, 35:11.050 --> 35:13.150 take care of the survivors, the victims, 35:13.150 --> 35:15.270 and then also hold the perpetrators accountable. 35:15.270 --> 35:17.040 One of the things that I found coming into the job 35:17.040 --> 35:17.873 as Secretary of the Army, 35:17.873 --> 35:18.790 that we weren't leveraging, 35:18.790 --> 35:20.110 which I think that's what you were saying, 35:20.110 --> 35:22.140 is I don't think we've leveraged well enough 35:22.140 --> 35:24.470 in the past the culture of the army 35:24.470 --> 35:26.190 and the chain of command that says, 35:26.190 --> 35:27.360 leaders at every level, 35:27.360 --> 35:29.520 down to the squad leader level, get involved 35:29.520 --> 35:30.690 and take this task on, 35:30.690 --> 35:32.170 and make sure they know their soldiers well enough, 35:32.170 --> 35:34.350 and they prevent sexual assault and harassment 35:34.350 --> 35:35.310 before it begins, 35:35.310 --> 35:36.910 not deal with it after the fact. 35:37.870 --> 35:39.070 - Well, there's about a minute left. 35:39.070 --> 35:42.340 I want to give you an opportunity to address the issues 35:42.340 --> 35:46.310 and I would think reaffirm your willingness 35:46.310 --> 35:50.860 to stand by the recommendations of your ethics committee, 35:50.860 --> 35:53.040 ethics officers, in how you would conduct yourself 35:53.040 --> 35:54.410 in terms of Raytheon. 35:54.410 --> 35:55.243 - Absolutely, Senator. 35:55.243 --> 35:58.280 Look, it's beyond just laws and regulations and policies. 35:58.280 --> 35:59.260 I will always follow those, 35:59.260 --> 36:00.480 but it's the spirit of the ethics. 36:00.480 --> 36:02.210 It's what you grew up with in the Army, 36:02.210 --> 36:03.240 what I grew up with in the Army, 36:03.240 --> 36:04.840 what Senator Ernst grew up in the army, 36:04.840 --> 36:06.530 is the commitment to the nation, 36:06.530 --> 36:08.810 living an honorable life, and living ethically. 36:08.810 --> 36:10.310 That's what drives me. 36:10.310 --> 36:11.730 That's what drives me. 36:11.730 --> 36:12.610 - Well, thank you. 36:12.610 --> 36:13.837 Thank you for your many, many years of service, 36:13.837 --> 36:15.510 and I look forward to your confirmation. 36:15.510 --> 36:16.343 - [Mark] Thank you, Senator. 36:16.343 --> 36:17.187 - [Tammy] Thank you. 36:17.187 --> 36:18.020 I yield back. 36:18.020 --> 36:19.630 - Thank you very much, Senator Duckworth. 36:19.630 --> 36:21.970 I want you to see, Mr. Secretary, 36:21.970 --> 36:23.640 that it's the logisticians 36:23.640 --> 36:26.540 that are left cleaning up the battlefield here so-- 36:26.540 --> 36:28.729 - [Mark] I recall you were a logistician. 36:28.729 --> 36:29.682 (mumbling) 36:29.682 --> 36:31.010 (laughing) 36:31.010 --> 36:33.030 - So Secretary Esper, 36:33.030 --> 36:35.820 I do want to thank you very much for being here today 36:35.820 --> 36:37.470 and representing so well, 36:37.470 --> 36:39.980 and I want to thank your family as well 36:39.980 --> 36:41.860 for stepping up because it does take 36:41.860 --> 36:45.240 an entire family unit to make these things work. 36:45.240 --> 36:47.700 I want to further extend my appreciation 36:47.700 --> 36:49.690 for the fact that you have not only served 36:49.690 --> 36:52.570 in the United States Armed Services 36:52.570 --> 36:54.400 as a member of the military, 36:54.400 --> 36:56.540 but the fact that you've also served 36:56.540 --> 36:59.310 in public service and in the private sector, 36:59.310 --> 37:02.770 and I think that makes you extraordinarily well rounded 37:02.770 --> 37:05.790 and fit for the capacity 37:05.790 --> 37:07.360 that you have been nominated for, 37:07.360 --> 37:09.060 so thank you very much for that. 37:09.060 --> 37:12.910 I would like to build upon the sexual assault, 37:12.910 --> 37:16.020 sexual harassment issue that Senator Duckworth 37:16.020 --> 37:19.170 and Senator McSally have mentioned. 37:19.170 --> 37:23.430 Senator Hirono always mentions it as well. 37:23.430 --> 37:27.610 I have introduced a Military Special Victims Protection Act, 37:27.610 --> 37:31.090 and it is really placing additional command emphasis 37:31.090 --> 37:32.670 and training oversight 37:32.670 --> 37:36.410 on a full spectrum of sexual misconduct actions 37:36.410 --> 37:39.730 as well as domestic violence. 37:39.730 --> 37:41.960 A number of those domestic violence issues 37:41.960 --> 37:44.910 have not been readily addressed, I've seen, 37:44.910 --> 37:46.180 in the last several years, 37:46.180 --> 37:47.870 so I think there are a number of us 37:47.870 --> 37:49.890 that are really intent on making sure, 37:49.890 --> 37:51.330 as Senator Duckworth said, 37:51.330 --> 37:54.550 that we are changing the culture. 37:54.550 --> 37:57.950 We can't just be out there making hollow efforts 37:57.950 --> 37:59.560 on training or education. 37:59.560 --> 38:02.100 We have to change the culture, 38:02.100 --> 38:04.990 and so I'll just give you a couple seconds 38:04.990 --> 38:08.280 maybe to further reiterate your stance on that. 38:09.380 --> 38:11.530 - Again, there's no room in the Army for sexual, 38:11.530 --> 38:13.330 I'm sorry, in the military for sexual assault 38:13.330 --> 38:15.070 or harassment of any type, bullying. 38:15.070 --> 38:15.903 You name it, 38:15.903 --> 38:18.097 and we got to continue to work on it and stamp it out, 38:18.097 --> 38:20.430 and it's not just a values issue. 38:20.430 --> 38:23.370 I mean, it's a readiness issue as well 38:23.370 --> 38:26.080 because it undermines cohesiveness of a unit. 38:26.080 --> 38:29.020 You tear down one person or many people, 38:29.020 --> 38:30.500 so we need to go after it aggressively, 38:30.500 --> 38:33.080 and I think I'm not familiar with the legislation, 38:33.080 --> 38:34.420 but I think it's fair to say, 38:34.420 --> 38:36.070 is how people conduct themselves at home 38:36.070 --> 38:38.787 is how they conduct themselves in the workplace eventually. 38:38.787 --> 38:41.020 You don't change personalities 38:41.020 --> 38:42.240 and behaviors in between the two. 38:42.240 --> 38:43.190 Eventually it comes out, 38:43.190 --> 38:45.210 so I think the more ways we can go after 38:45.210 --> 38:47.067 and address this problem and change the culture, 38:47.067 --> 38:48.190 and one of the things we were looking 38:48.190 --> 38:49.190 at doing in the army, too, 38:49.190 --> 38:52.260 is not just starting when they get to their first unit 38:52.260 --> 38:53.220 or even basic training. 38:53.220 --> 38:54.340 Can you work all the way back 38:54.340 --> 38:56.270 to when they come into the recruiting station 38:56.270 --> 38:58.860 and start signing paperwork to make sure they know up front 38:58.860 --> 39:00.800 that we're gonna hold you to a higher standard? 39:00.800 --> 39:02.310 You're gonna live the Army values, 39:02.310 --> 39:03.290 and you're gonna treat everybody 39:03.290 --> 39:04.560 with dignity and respect. 39:04.560 --> 39:06.690 Start the training, the inculcation, 39:06.690 --> 39:08.090 the development of those values then, 39:08.090 --> 39:10.000 from literally day one, 39:10.000 --> 39:12.290 and continue that training and education 39:12.290 --> 39:14.630 throughout the course of their career in the service. 39:14.630 --> 39:15.463 - Thank you. 39:15.463 --> 39:16.408 I appreciate that, 39:16.408 --> 39:17.241 and I know a number of us look forward 39:17.241 --> 39:19.730 to working with you on that issue. 39:19.730 --> 39:22.160 We've talked a lot about some of the major players, 39:22.160 --> 39:23.800 our near peer adversaries, 39:23.800 --> 39:25.500 as we have focused very much 39:25.500 --> 39:27.930 on the national defense strategy. 39:27.930 --> 39:29.560 The national defense strategy, of course, 39:29.560 --> 39:32.070 outlined three main lines of effort, 39:32.070 --> 39:34.840 the readiness, which we have addressed in a number of ways, 39:34.840 --> 39:36.460 readiness and lethality, 39:36.460 --> 39:38.050 building up of alliances, 39:38.050 --> 39:40.150 and thank you very much for your commitment 39:40.150 --> 39:42.450 to work in a whole of government approach 39:42.450 --> 39:44.210 and working with our allies on that 39:44.210 --> 39:48.560 and then as well our modernization of our forces 39:48.560 --> 39:51.900 and our platforms and equipment. 39:51.900 --> 39:54.820 If confirmed, would you have anything additional 39:54.820 --> 39:58.490 that you would like to see we focus on as a line of effort? 39:58.490 --> 40:00.041 - As I said in my opening remarks, 40:00.041 --> 40:01.860 I clearly support all three lines 40:01.860 --> 40:03.420 of effort on the national defense strategy, 40:03.420 --> 40:05.210 but again, what's personal to me, 40:05.210 --> 40:06.060 what I have lived through, 40:06.060 --> 40:07.560 what my wife lived through, 40:07.560 --> 40:09.860 was taking care of our families. 40:09.860 --> 40:11.650 Families are critical to readiness. 40:11.650 --> 40:13.530 You can't ask a soldier, sailor, airman, 40:13.530 --> 40:15.080 or marine to go out and deploy 40:15.080 --> 40:17.770 and be worried about what's happening at home. 40:17.770 --> 40:18.640 We can do better. 40:18.640 --> 40:20.330 We always got to strive to do better, 40:20.330 --> 40:21.470 but that would be something I would want 40:21.470 --> 40:22.580 to pull up with me 40:22.580 --> 40:25.210 and make sure I emphasize during my tenure if confirmed. 40:25.210 --> 40:28.120 - No, absolutely, and I very much appreciate that, 40:28.120 --> 40:30.100 and we have heard the testimony 40:30.100 --> 40:32.120 from a number of those that serve on this committee. 40:32.120 --> 40:34.890 They have witnessed you and your family 40:34.890 --> 40:38.250 visiting some of the readiness centers that we have 40:38.250 --> 40:42.030 and addressing concerns of our military families, 40:42.030 --> 40:44.120 housing first and foremost. 40:44.120 --> 40:45.810 You and I have had many discussions 40:45.810 --> 40:48.080 about family members and service, 40:48.080 --> 40:50.633 and so thank you for that as well. 40:52.000 --> 40:54.070 Serving as a former soldier 40:54.070 --> 40:58.700 and as a spouse of a young enlisted soldier, 40:58.700 --> 41:00.900 just understanding some of the challenges 41:00.900 --> 41:03.370 that our families face when they are far from home, 41:03.370 --> 41:05.450 and the need to support those families 41:05.450 --> 41:09.170 is very, very clear to all of us. 41:09.170 --> 41:10.440 We hope that we can project that 41:10.440 --> 41:12.870 to the broader United States as well, 41:12.870 --> 41:14.870 but thank you for that great commitment. 41:15.920 --> 41:18.690 You answered a number of the questions, I think, 41:18.690 --> 41:21.640 that I had earlier in the committee hearing. 41:21.640 --> 41:23.840 I would remind those that are here 41:23.840 --> 41:26.680 for your members that questions for the record 41:26.680 --> 41:29.500 must be submitted by close of business tonight. 41:29.500 --> 41:31.010 We will go ahead and close this hearing, 41:31.010 --> 41:33.400 but again, I want to extend my gratitude to you, 41:33.400 --> 41:35.960 Secretary Esper, for stepping up 41:35.960 --> 41:37.510 during a very challenging time 41:37.510 --> 41:42.010 as we face friends and adversaries all around this globe, 41:42.010 --> 41:45.560 so with that, I will give you 10 seconds 41:45.560 --> 41:48.617 to close out your statement. 41:48.617 --> 41:50.780 - Just thank you for your time, for the committee's time, 41:50.780 --> 41:53.600 for expediting this consideration of this. 41:53.600 --> 41:55.060 It's a calling. 41:55.060 --> 41:56.530 I feel it's a privilege for me 41:56.530 --> 41:57.460 to have this opportunity, 41:57.460 --> 42:00.950 so again, my vow is I will not let you down in this regard, 42:00.950 --> 42:02.090 so thank you very much. 42:02.090 --> 42:03.440 - And I believe that to be true. 42:03.440 --> 42:05.440 I look forward to supporting your nomination. 42:05.440 --> 42:06.290 Thank you very much. 42:06.290 --> 42:07.773 This closes today's hearing. 42:07.773 --> 42:08.606 (wood thudding) 42:08.606 --> 42:09.901 - [Mark] Thank you. 42:09.901 --> 42:12.151 (mumbling)