▶ 0:15:19Chair Wicker: I welcome our witnesses and their families. I thank them for being here this morning. We face a threat environment more dangerous than any since world war ii. We face it together. The members of this panel will be very much involved in answering that call and I appreciate them standing forward and doing that. Mr.
▶ 0:15:46Chair Wicker: Timothy dill, assistant secretary of defense for manpower and will see over the department's policies affecting careers and quality of life for our military and civilian workforces. He will play a key role in ensuring the department fosters a culture rooted in merit, a culture that recognizes excellence, supports families and remains competitive with the civilian sector.
▶ 0:16:15Chair Wicker: President trump and secretary hegseth have refocused the pentagon readiness and were fighting, eliminating policies such as dui -- d.e.I. About american performance. I look forward to hearing Mr. dill's vision for strengthening the way the department manages the military and civilian personnel and rewards top performers and sustains the positive momentum our administration has generated in recruitment. Mr.
▶ 0:16:44Chair Wicker: Maurice todd, nominated for the assistant secretary of defense for readiness. The department faces hurdles, maintenance backlog for aircraft and naval fleet, supply chain disruptions, and a lack of flying hours. If confirmed, Dr. todd must accelerate reforms. These are forms that help build better tools for senior leaders, equipping them to fix readiness challenges.
▶ 0:17:12Chair Wicker: Then they must ensure that readiness is measured and reported to congress in a way that is transparent and fosters accountability. Today we hope to hear Mr. todd's perspectives on how to improve joint force readiness, leverage emerging technologies and predict readiness gaps, and ensure our industrial base can sustain operations in a protracted conflict. Mr.
▶ 0:17:41Chair Wicker: Michael payne, nominated to serve as director of cost assessment and program evaluation, cape. If confirmed, he's responsible for the critical work of providing independent cost analysis for the department's acquisition programs. However, he would be also inheriting a fractured relationship with congress. We need to talk about that.
▶ 0:18:11Chair Wicker: Congress previously considered actually fully de-establishing cape. Section 902 of the fiscal year 2024 national defense authorization act was passed to perform the office -- reform the office. There has been limited reform to date. Now the house defense appropriators have contributed their voice to the mix, adding a provision to shrink cape. A provision which I support.
▶ 0:18:44Chair Wicker: The congressional defense committees ask to justify massive decisions about weapons programs. We often hear that cape analyses and advocacy played a determinative role in these decisions and resulted in setbacks. We need a strong, centralized civilian analytic group to support the secretary and the deputy secretary.
▶ 0:19:15Chair Wicker: That group needs to be honest about its biases. Willing to revisit assumptions and mindful of the fact that simple modeling analysis cannot possibly capture the complexity of the decisions the pentagon must face. That is not what we have right now. And finally, Mr. velez-green nominated for the deputy undersecretary of defense for policy.
▶ 0:19:44Chair Wicker: If confirmed, he would serve as the principal advisor to the under secretary of defense for policy. He would have the full power and authority to execute the duties of undersecretary colby and heavily involved in managing the policy enterprise. Sound judgment is the principal attribute required of the individual serving in this position.
▶ 0:20:10Chair Wicker: He must also bring deep experience and in managing large organizations. Mr. velez-green no doubt watched the committee's hearing on tuesday and saw that many of this committee have serious concerns about the pentagon's policy office and how it is serving the president of the united states and the congress.
▶ 0:20:36Chair Wicker: On tuesday, several members reviewed a number of actions taken by the pentagon's policy office. We discussed ukraine's security assistance, forced posture moves, augkus, the defense strategy and where it stands and more. I want to be clear we ask these questions based on discussion with other administration personnel.
▶ 0:21:07Chair Wicker: And with U.S. allies. We do not simply rely on articles from the press. No one at this dais takes everything the process as gospel truth. Certainly the president has been treated terribly by the media since he walked down that escalator. But to put it simply, I do not believe members are asking about any of this simply because we read in the papers or hear it on the airwaves.
▶ 0:21:36Chair Wicker: Members of this committee are in regular contact with people inside the executive branch, with career civilians and political appointees. We talked to the japanese, the taiwanese, the koreans and the baltic nations. In many of these conversations we hear that the pentagon policy office seems to be doing what it pleases without coordinating, even inside the U.S. executive branch.
▶ 0:22:05Chair Wicker: Some I hope to talk ups of accusations to faulty -- chalk up such accusations to faulty news recordings. Officials are deliberately misleading us or we have a problem coming from this office at the pentagon. That problem needs to be cleared up.
▶ 0:22:29Chair Wicker: One way to clean this up is for the policy shop to meet its statutory requirement to consult with this committee. It is a statutory requirement to consult with this committee rather than simply informing us of the decision after the fact. I say this at the outset because I think we will have questions today. As I said on tuesday, I'm under no illusion everyone involved in U.S. foreign policy agrees on everything.
▶ 0:22:57Chair Wicker: We need a process that works for the president and the article one branch of the government. Unfortunately do not have such a process at this moment. That makes it more difficult for the president and the congress to align our national security against xi jinping and all the other junior partner dictators. During the hearing I hope to hear how Mr.
▶ 0:23:20Chair Wicker: Velez-green would improve the policy office's performance so it aligns more closely with the president on these consequential matters so that the office works in consult with congress in a productive way. With that I think my colleagues for their attention and I turned to my colleague, ranking member reed.
▶ 0:23:46Sen. Reed: Good morning to our witnesses and congratulations on your nominations. I would like to extend my best wishes to your family members and friends who are here with you today. Mr. payne, you are nominated for cape. You will be responsible for providing independent analysis on all aspects of defense programs, including weapons systems, for structures, evaluation of program performance and the cost-effectiveness of defense systems.
▶ 0:24:18Sen. Reed: Your long career should serve you well in this role. There are a number of challenges to address. In the near term, you must work with congress to improve the quality and time management of acquisition data by establishing streamlined methods to reduce bureaucratic burdens while enabling congressional oversight. Longer-term, cape must improve operation and sustainment costs and develop accurate methods for reporting the growing portion of the pentagon's budget spent on contracted services.
▶ 0:24:49Sen. Reed: We will need to balance rigorous -- speed and tailored acquisition approaches. I would like to have you will improve cape's transparency with congress and your views on cape's role in the new requirements and resourcing alignment board. Mr.
▶ 0:25:08Sen. Reed: Velez-green, you are nominated to be deputy undersecretary of defense for policy, responsible for advising the undersecretary and shaving defense policy and strategy at a consequential moment. The policies we set will shape america's security for decades. China and russia have made no secret of their aggressive ambitions, must focus our time, resources and attention on competing effectively with them.
▶ 0:25:36Sen. Reed: You have argued the united states must avoid distractions from wars of choice and low priority theaters and I agree. With that in mind, I would like to know how you and undersecretary colby reconcile this theory with the department's ongoing military campaign and buildup in south-central america. Is this not precisely the kind of strategic distraction you both warning against?
▶ 0:26:04Sen. Reed: You have written extensively in favor of the steep reductions to america's role in europe, the middle east and elsewhere. I would like to know I support that approach and if confirmed, how would you work with our allies and restore our competitive position as we see credibility in the indo pacific? I'm concerned that the forthcoming defense strategy will make a turn to heavily refocus the defense inward on american soil and homeland security. Mr.
▶ 0:26:34Sen. Reed: Velez-green, you have served in ost in osdp since day one. We expect clear answers on whether you believe the department's focus should be on security missions or long-term competition with china and russia. Mr.
▶ 0:26:51Sen. Reed: Dill, you are nominated to be assistant secretary for defense for manpower and reserve affairs, responsible for policies for the military and civilian personnel, reserve component integration and total force readiness. Serving as a principal adviser to the secretary of defense on manpower and military community policy. I'm troubled by the administration treatm -- the administration's treatment of the military.
▶ 0:27:22Sen. Reed: They held campaign rallies on military bases, fired senior officers without cause and threaten to deploy troops against domestic political opponents, among other divisive orders. These actions threaten the 250 year tradition of an apolitical military, a tradition that made our armed forces the most trusted institution in america.
▶ 0:27:45Sen. Reed: You would be responsible for protecting and aggregating for every single military service member and defend civilian regardless of their personal political preferences or demographics. I would ask you to commit to this committee you understand maintaining the apolitical military and that will defend this principle even if it's on welcomed by other leaders in the administration. Dr.
▶ 0:28:09Sen. Reed: Todd, in this role you would advise the secretary on training, oversee policies insuring the joint force is prepared for assigned missions, and maintain the safety of 2.7 million uniformed and civilian personnel. There has been a troubling pattern of mishaps in the department this year. Last week two aircraft of the uss nimitz crashed in the south china sea within one hour of each other.
▶ 0:28:38Sen. Reed: The uss truman suffered incidents at sea. Last month, and artillery exercised dropped shrapnel on the highway 5. Several patrol vehicles were hit. There have been multiple fatal helicopter crashes this year. While the service members perform dangerous work, peace time accidents must be minimized. I think you understand that very clearly. I would like to know what your plan is to ensure a culture of safety across the force.
▶ 0:29:07Sen. Reed: I'm concerned about impact from president trump's domestic and border deployments. I asked for your plan to address training and readiness for missions unrelated to the goal of lethality of the military. Thank you again for nominees. I look forward to your testimonies.
▶ 0:29:27Chair Wicker: Thank you, Mr. ranking member. Senator cruz is here to introduce Mr. dill. Who are.
▶ 0:29:37Sen. Cruz: -- you are recognize.
▶ 0:29:41Sen. Cruz: It is great to be back in for the mighty armed services committee. I enjoyed my six years on this committee and I'm glad to be back. I have a great privilege of introducing my friend and former military legislative assistant and national security advisor 10 dill -- tim dill. Tim was born in grand prairie, texas.
▶ 0:30:10Sen. Cruz: Although he grew up in ohio, being a texan is a permanent condition and we proudly claim him. Only a small percentage of young americans volunteered to serve in the army. Of those who do, only 2% earned the green beret. Ti is part of that elite groupm. He served 10 years as an officer in the infantry and special forces, deploying in afghanistan, iraq and multiple countries in africa.
▶ 0:30:38Sen. Cruz: During his service in our -- to our country, he earned the combat infantryman badge, the ranger taft, the pathfinder badge, and the distinction of jump master. After his time defending our nation he attended duke university where he earned both his jd and mba and developed a terrible habit of reading for duke and basketball.
▶ 0:31:08Sen. Cruz: Later he joined my office as my military legislative assistant and national security advisor where he served from december of 2022 to january of 2025. While on my staff he worked tirelessly for a stronger military and a safer america. To ensure the lethality of our forces he visited every active-duty military installation in texas and worked closely with service members and veterans to improve their care and treatment.
▶ 0:31:38Sen. Cruz: Tim played a key role in numerous legislative initiatives, including the americans act, the command act and the metal act -- medal act, and leading funding to counter transnational criminal organizations along our southern border. Beyond his distinguished service, remarkable sacrifice and leadership in the army he's a man of great character. He is a warrior and a true patriot.
▶ 0:32:10Sen. Cruz: He's a proud husband to andrea and the father of two, who you have been hearing from this morning. From leading soldiers in combat the shaping legislation that strengthens our national defense and security, tim understands the weight of responsibility that comes with leadership. I know he will work every day to ensure our military remains ready to fight.
▶ 0:32:34Sen. Cruz: On top of that, he actually has a decent post game and basketball, which is a requirement to work in my office. Mr. chairman and members of the committee, I cannot think of anyone more qualified, more prepared, more principled to lead this critical office and the department of war. Tim served texas servicemembers and their families with dedication and he will do the same for the 3 million american service members and their families. I strongly encourage you to support his nomination.
▶ 0:33:05Thank Chair Wicker: You.
▶ 0:33:05Chair Wicker: Senator cruz, thank you very much for your introduction and endorsement. It means a lot. I do understand and some 12 minutes you must gavel the commerce committee to order. A committee, member of. If you really need me, send for me. I will probably be in this room for the duration.
▶ 0:33:32Sen. Cruz: Go with god, my friend. >> we were hoping for some questions for the senator.
▶ 0:33:41Sen. Cruz: On the advice of counsel likely the fifth.
▶ 0:33:43Chair Wicker: Thank you very much, senator cruz. Mr. dill, having been generously introduced, you are recognize for your opening statement, sir.
▶ 0:33:53Mr. Dill: Chairman wicker, ranking member reed, distinguished members of the committee, I'm honored to be here today as nominee for the assistant secretary of war for manpower's. Thank you to my lord and savior jesus christ for guiding my steps throughout my life. Thank you to president trump for nominating me and secretary hegseth and undersecretary tailored for the confidence and support.
▶ 0:34:20Mr. Dill: Thank you to senator cruz for the opportunity to serve on his staff and his kind introduction today. It was in order to work on behalf of the people of texas. My time as a senate staffer deepened my appreciation of the role of the senate in this committee in overseeing our armed forces. Behind me is my beautiful wife andrea, a constitutional law attorney who has supported my career, our daughter naomi and our son.
▶ 0:34:44Mr. Dill: I'm joined by my father doug and mother annie, my sister bethany, my brother david and his wife, my sister emily and her husband could not be here because rob is stationed in germany is a long serving department of the army civilian. I'm joined by my wife's parents scott and kristi, aunts and uncles, friends and fellow soldiers from various points of my army career.
▶ 0:35:07Mr. Dill: Thank you to each of you in a special thanks to my mother for patiently homeschooling me and my father of modeling a lifetime of leadership. I grew up across from sam mcneil, a world war ii veteran who earned the silver star while serving in the 82nd airborne division. Both my grandfathers also served in world war ii. William knapp and the army and leslie dill in the navy. I was 16when the world trade center towers fell .
▶ 0:35:34Mr. Dill: Like many of my generation, that defining event in our nation's history called me to military service. I was commissioned an army officer in 2007. I served 10 years down active-duty. -- on active duty. I let soldiers in iraq, afghanistan, the middle east and north africa.
▶ 0:35:59Mr. Dill: My military service was transformational coming me -- transformational, giving me more than I could have given back. I served along the finest paratroopers and green berets that challenged me to shape my future steps. When I took, up my uniform the g.I. Bill covered my graduate school at my dream school.
▶ 0:36:21Mr. Dill: I'm grateful to have a new opportunity to serve and if confirmed I will strive for excellence in my role as a senior civilian leader in the department of behalf of three groups. First, my comrades in arms who gave their lives to preserve our freedom. I hope for my service to honor their memory and further the cause for which they fought. The second is the 3 million soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, guardians and department civilians who now have the watch, including many of the outstanding men and women whom I was honored to serve. There is a generation who will next carry the torch.
▶ 0:36:52Mr. Dill: The generation bank of my own children and I hope to ensure their opportunity to likely serve their country in the military that serves the next generation of leaders. Our military has long fielded an all volunteer force and we must inspire the men and women to serve both in uniform and as members of a critical civilian workforce. We must persuade the best among them to stay and become senior leaders.
▶ 0:37:15Mr. Dill: To do those things the department must continue to communicate the high calling of military service, the same call that led me to an army rotc recruiter 19 years ago. It must also provide desirable opportunities, relevant training and a quality of life including for their families. The assistant secretary of war for manpower and reserve affairs shoulders each of those responsibilities and more. If confirmed, I will welcome the challenge. Thank you for considering my nomination and I look forward to answering your questions.
▶ 0:37:44Chair Wicker: Thank you very much, Mr. dill. As an rotc graduate myself I very much appreciate you pointing that out. Mr. payne, you are now recognized.
▶ 0:37:56Mr. Payne: German wicker, ranking member reed, distinguished members of the committee, I'm honored to appear before you today as president donald trump's nominee to be the director of cost assessment and program evaluation. First I would like to express my gratitude to god for his many blessings. I also want to especially thank president trump, secretary hegseth and deputy secretary feinberg for the confidence and trust they have placed in me to serve in this critical position.
▶ 0:38:26Mr. Payne: Finally, I want to acknowledge my family, including my wife melissa, my daughter ellen and her fiancé josh who were here with me today. And my son john and my mother and father, karen and david payne who cannot be here. Thank you all for your continued love and support. Growing up in a small village in upstate new york I was surrounded by a family and community of people who love this country.
▶ 0:38:52Mr. Payne: I was greatly influenced by the stories of world war ii veterans like my great uncle, captain jack marshall. My uncles, my cousin brian and my brother steve also served in the army. Their example and still did me a strong sense of service and commitment to the security of the united states. Today our great nation faces an urgent challenge.
▶ 0:39:16Mr. Payne: The rise of china, particularly their expanding military and deepening ties with russia, iran and north korea is alarming and presents one of the most pressing challenges of our time. China continues to develop, test and field advanced military capabilities at a rapid pace. Though progress and determination are unmistakable. We must meet this challenge with resolve. Strength remains our surest path to peace but we must confront the hard truth.
▶ 0:39:47Mr. Payne: For too long or military has been asked to defend our nation with systems that are outdated, overbudget and delayed. Our adversaries modernize with purpose and speed. Under the leadership of president trump and secretary hegseth we will restore the military to unmatched strength and readiness. They set a clear vision and charted a path to protect the home and with the golden dome initiative. They prioritized restoring america's maritime dominance by addressing our shipbuilding industry.
▶ 0:40:18Mr. Payne: The initiated efforts to shore up our nation's supply chain, including munitions production. These efforts and many others will ensure peace is preserved through unmistakable american power. If confirmed as a director of cape, I will support these efforts by focusing on three core priorities. First, during my time as a career civil servant in the pentagon I have worked both within cape and in the air force working with cape.
▶ 0:40:47Mr. Payne: I recognize that cape has often been viewed as operating beyond its mission responsibilities and consequently been under heavy scrutiny. If confirmed, my first priority will be focusing cape on its defined mission of providing independent cost estimating and program evaluation analyses to the secretary, deputy head other department leaders.
▶ 0:41:14Mr. Payne: Objective, fact-based analysis is the cornerstone of sound defense decision-making that was the most advanced capabilities in the hands of our war fighters. The second, I will modernize processes and systems. We must leverage cutting-edge methods, tools and digital systems to deliver faster, more accurate and more relevant evaluations to keep pace with modern warfare and acquisition demands. Third, I will invest in the next generation of analyst and leaders.
▶ 0:41:44Mr. Payne: America's strategic advantage depends on only on technology but also on people. Dedicated professionals who think critically, challenge assumptions antibody integrity and service to the nation. Cape has exceptionally talented men and women. If confirmed, I will do everything possible to enhance their professional development and uphold the independence and integrity that defines their work.
▶ 0:42:13Mr. Payne: I believe strongly in the department's mission to deter conflict, defend our nation and ensure every taxpayer dollar strengthens the security of the united states. If I am confirmed, I will work tirelessly to uphold these principles and provide the objective, rigorous analysis to national security demands. Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to your questions.
▶ 0:42:34Chair Wicker: Thank you very much, Mr. payne. Mr. velez-green, you are recognize.
▶ 0:42:41Mr. Velez-Green: It is an honor and a privilege to come before you today to be considered for the role of deputy under secretary of war for policy. I spent my formative years in government as national security advisor for a member of this committee. It is with great respect, humility and gratitude I sit before you today. With respect to my nomination, I would like to thank president trump for his historic vision and leadership.
▶ 0:43:08Mr. Velez-Green: I believe deeply in the president's determination to restore peace through strength with a real desire for a durable peace on terms that leave americans better off but also recognition that we can only achieve that peace through military strength. It's been extremely honored to be part of the president's administration. I'm deeply grateful for the president's and nominating me for the role. I would like to thank secretary hegseth for his support and for his clear eyed, thoughtful and courageous leadership.
▶ 0:43:38Mr. Velez-Green: Under the secretary's direction the department is rightfully returning to its roots as a war fighting organization as the president has instructed. It has been a privilege to be part of the secretary's team and I'm deeply grateful to be considered for this opportunity to support his critical work at this critical time. 200 secretary corby, iod gratitude. The undersecretary is a brilliant thinker, strategist and leader. He's also a good and decent man, mentor and friend. It's been a true honor to support and for many years.
▶ 0:44:10Mr. Velez-Green: I'm honored even more to be considered to serve as his deputy. I could not be here at all if not for the love and support of my wife megan who is here with me today. There are countless long hours, late nights and weekends spent at work away from her and our loved ones she has stood by me every step of the way. I can never thank her enough for her support and the sacrifices she has made so I can serve my country. I would like to thank my parents , my sister and other family and friends, many who are here today and to whom am forever grateful.
▶ 0:44:41Mr. Velez-Green: To my parents especially. To my mother who was born to puerto rican migrant and hells kitchen and went on to be a social worker and serve in our town's board of education. To my father grew up in a jewish family in the bronx and went on to become a teacher. Anything I have accomplished or ever accomplished will because of what they taught me about be good to others, hard work, determination and overcoming adversity, and the value of serving our fellow americans.
▶ 0:45:11Mr. Velez-Green: My family's story from humble beginnings in new york to this seat in our nation's capital, I have been all around this world and that story is only possible here in the united states. For them and for that I am incredibly grateful and it is my sincere honor to be considered for this opportunity to give back, especially in a period of historic consequence on the world stage.
▶ 0:45:33Mr. Velez-Green: If you will allow me, the role of deputy undersecretary is to support the undersecretary as he helps advance the secretary's priorities in line with president trump's common sense america first peace through strength agenda. With respect to this priorities, secretary hegseth has been clear. The department is focused on defending the homeland, strengthening against china in the indo pacific, increasing burden sharing and supercharging our nation's defense industrial base.
▶ 0:46:02Mr. Velez-Green: Each of these efforts is critical in its own right and I believe they offer a path for the department to deliver on president trump's intent not only to defend our nation's homeland but also to achieve and sustain peace around the world. They do so first by ensuring the joint forces always -- force is always ready.
▶ 0:46:22Mr. Velez-Green: At the same time, it position the department building on the success at the hague and makes it more sustainable than it has been in decades, which is good for the united states but important for allies and partners with whom we have worked together closely for many years and I believe we should for many years to come.
▶ 0:46:47Mr. Velez-Green: In closing, under president trump's leadership at the direction of secretary hegseth I believe we have an opportunity to restore peace through strength, not just in this hemisphere but around the world through a combination of focused, revitalized american military power in the fuller engagement of our allies and partners. If I'm fortunate enough to be confirmed for the role, you have my fullest and strongest possible commitment to dedicate myself to that effect. Thank you very much again for your time and consideration. I look forward to your questions.
▶ 0:47:16Chair Wicker: Thank you very much. Dr. todd, you are recognize.
▶ 0:47:23Dr. Todd: It is an honor and privilege to appear before you as the president's nominee for the assistant secretary of readiness. I want to thank the president for this opportunity. I'm honored by the president's nomination and his trust. I'm grateful for the times many of you have spent with me in recent weeks and thankful for the committee's attention to my nomination. I thank secretary hegseth and undersecretary for their support.
▶ 0:47:53Dr. Todd: Ink onto the duties of the assistant secretary of war for readiness will entail should I be confirmed, I recall george washington's words in his first annual address to congress in 1790. "to be prepared for war is the most effectual means of preserving peace."more than 200 years later these words continue to ring true, capturing president trump's vision to achieve peace through strength.
▶ 0:48:19Dr. Todd: Further, as secretary hegseth and the department work to restore the warrior ethos focusing on flea theology, meritocracy and accountability, if confirmed, I will be laser focus on ensuring the total forces ready to deter and if called upon -- to that end if confirmed, I will dedicate my full attention to the following responsibilities.
▶ 0:48:47Dr. Todd: I will assess the readiness of the force to execute the interim national defense strategic guidance, and support .requirements I will enhance readiness data analytics capabilities to provide the president and the secretary with the advantage critical for the global operations. I will align military training and exercise investments with our national priorities to build greater lethality and execute were fair.
▶ 0:49:17Dr. Todd: I will protect our war fighters and readiness with the highest safety and occupational health standards. Working cleverly across the department and focus on these efforts will reinvigorate our war fighting capabilities and competitive advantages to ensure we can achieve strategic objectives across threats and time horizons. If confirmed, I look forward to bringing over 40 years of experience in security affairs focused on the defense of our country and the safety of the american people.
▶ 0:49:46Dr. Todd: As a former army field artillery officer, army aviator, for an aerial officer, planner, intelligence officer, strategist and veteran of the gulf war, through a wide range of positions I intimately understand the dimensions of our nations readiness, the importance of deterring our enemies and the preparation required to prevail in conflict.
▶ 0:50:13Dr. Todd: I plan to bring this experience, commitment and passion to the role of assistant secretary of war for readiness. Inspired by the honorable service of our service members and civilians, I apply my full devotion as a servant to the american people. Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to your questions.
▶ 0:50:31Chair Wicker: Thank you, gentlemen. I will ask a series of standard questions this committee poses to all civilian nominees. Answer simultaneously just with a yes or no. Have you adhered to applicable laws in relation governing conflicts of interest? >> yes.
▶ 0:50:55Chair Wicker: Have you assumed duties or taken any actions that would appear to presume the outcome of the confirmation process? >> no.
▶ 0:51:03Chair Wicker: Exercising our responsibilities makes it important is committee gives subcommittees and appropriate committees of congress receive testimonies, briefings, reports, records and information from the executive branch on a timely basis. Do you agree to appear and testify before this committee when requested? >> yes.
▶ 0:51:25Chair Wicker: Do you a great -- agreed to provide them in a timely manner when requested by the committee and sub committees committees or other appropriate committees of congress, and consult with the requester regarding the basis for any good-faith delay or denial in providing such records? >> yes. >>chair wicker: will you ensure your staff complies with deadlines established by this committee for the production of reports, records and other information, including timely responding to hearing questions for the record?
▶ 0:51:57Chair Wicker: >> yes.
▶ 0:51:57Chair Wicker: Will you cooperate providing witnesses and breeders in response to congressional requests? >> yes.
▶ 0:52:05Chair Wicker: Will they be protected from reprisal for their testimony for briefings? >> yes.
▶ 0:52:14Chair Wicker: Now we will begin a round of five-minute questions. Perhaps take a second round. As chair, I will try to hold members to the five minutes. First of all, a quick yes or no for me to be. Much of the funding in the defense reconciliation bill is for -- is unspecific and will technically be at the discretion of the department because of our senate rules.
▶ 0:52:44Chair Wicker: We have providedwritten recommendations for them . Will you follow the spending recommendations and defense reconciliation unequivocally, Mr. dill?
▶ 0:52:56Mr. Dill: Yes.
▶ 0:52:57Mr. Payne: Yes.
▶ 0:52:58Mr. Velez-Green: Yes.
▶ 0:53:00Dr. Todd: Yes.
▶ 0:53:02Chair Wicker: Let me start with Mr. payne. I thank you for your testimony where you recognized that cape has often been viewed as operating beyond its mission responsibilities and has been under heavy scrutiny. I mentioned a proposal by the house appropriations committee.
▶ 0:53:34Chair Wicker: That you intend to make a priority of focusing cape on his defined mission. Thank you for that and I think it does acknowledge something we all understand is out there. Three years ago, again, some people wanted to get rid of the escaped office. This committee working with colleagues decided against that. We work on a compromise.
▶ 0:54:05Chair Wicker: But it did involve some changes. You are no doubt familiar with the law. Section 902 in the 2024 and the act -- nda act. It must create a working group on methodology, and it was accomplished. It must create an analytical cell to pressure test are most important studies.
▶ 0:54:37Chair Wicker: Third, it must create an alternative analysis -- must create an alternative analysis procedure within cape to ensure they are thinking about immediate problems and not long-term problems. The second and third legal requirements have not been implemented, have they?
▶ 0:54:55Mr. Payne: Senator, I appreciate you raising this issue. It's an important one to you and the committee, and to me as well. In my 30 years of experience both on active duty --
▶ 0:55:10Chair Wicker: We are limited on time.
▶ 0:55:11Mr. Payne: They have not been if limited, have they?
▶ 0:55:14Mr. Payne: We have stood of the working group. We absolutely need to do more. Red teaming is an important part of any analytical or scientific endeavor. I will make it a priority to ensure we comply fully, working with you, your staff --
▶ 0:55:33Chair Wicker: You have been deputy director since the law passed. Since january, you have been acting director. Yet the second and third directives of this statute passed by the congress and signed into law by the commander-in-chief have not been implemented. That is a concern. Let me turn in the few seconds I have left to Mr. velez-green.
▶ 0:56:04Chair Wicker: Yes or no, the policy office with a review of aukus?
▶ 0:56:12Mr. Velez-Green: Yes.
▶ 0:56:13Chair Wicker: That review is now correct -- now complete, correct?
▶ 0:56:21Mr. Velez-Green: We are in the final stages in coordination with the secretary.
▶ 0:56:23Chair Wicker: When your colleague was before as he said aukus was focused on pillar one. We are familiar with pillar one. I finished a lonely period as a stick in the mud on this deal, which I did not intend to be. I wanted the bite administration to invest more in the submarine industrial base, which it did.
▶ 0:56:55Chair Wicker: Do we know more about the severing industrial base now than we did before the review was complete? What did we achieve by reviewing this deal for more than half a year that we did not know beforehand?
▶ 0:57:09Mr. Velez-Green: The secretary directed the undersecretary to lead this review to ensure it aligned with the president's intent to be as successful as possible on a sustained basis. That was taking into account the submarine industrial base. Fixing over many years. We did get additional insight into the state of things and where we are going on the production issue and other aspects.
▶ 0:57:39Mr. Velez-Green: All with a clear and focused intent, collaborative across the agency and with our australian counterparts with the goal of making this as strong and enduring as possible. It is our view that it is in our interest for this to work. We gain significant benefit from it.
▶ 0:57:58Chair Wicker: I have violated my own edict and gone for 45 seconds over. It would have been unfair not to let you answer the question. Supplement it in the second round if you like. And in the questions of the record. Senator reed.
▶ 0:58:21Sen. Reed: Mr. velez-green, you have been in the policy shops is the very beginning. You were the acting undersecretary until april 2025, then you became secretary colby's senior advisor. Since september 2, the evisceration conducted 15 levo strikes off the coast of argentina in the pacific. -- venezuela and the pacific, killing 67 individuals.
▶ 0:58:51Sen. Reed: What is your understanding of the strategic goal of this operation?
▶ 0:58:55Mr. Velez-Green: President trump has been cleared the day in which narco terrorist can operate freely in this hemisphere is over. He has directed the department of work includes coronation with other members of the agency to see to that effect. The department has been engaged in an effort including for the operations you are referencing. It is my understanding that the core intent is to protect the american people against narcotics that have frankly devastated this country.
▶ 0:59:24Mr. Velez-Green: It is something I feel quite strongly in support of president on this.
▶ 0:59:34Sen. Reed: Since you have been here since day one, can you give me your best estimate of how much it costs to maintain multiple ships, p2 aircraft, f-35's, a marine detachment? How much per day are we spending?
▶ 0:59:55Mr. Velez-Green: That information is available. I can confirm -- I know exactly where I will find it and I'm happy to come back and share as much as possible.
▶ 1:00:04Sen. Reed: Can you give us your best estimate now?
▶ 1:00:10Mr. Velez-Green: I would not feel comfortable estimating.
▶ 1:00:11Sen. Reed: I would feel comfortable if you answered the question. It is an estimate.
▶ 1:00:15Mr. Velez-Green: I would not be -- it is not possible for me to give an estimate with confidence that is close to the number at this time.
▶ 1:00:23Sen. Reed: You are one of the key people at the department of the policy department at the department of defense and you do not even have a rough estimate of how much we are spending every day in a major operation? We have not had that many ships in the caribbean since the cuban missile crisis.
▶ 1:00:44Mr. Velez-Green: That information is part of the process. I want to make sure anything I say is accurate.
▶ 1:00:51Sen. Reed: When will you deliver that answer to us?
▶ 1:00:55Mr. Velez-Green: I will be pleased to deliver it as quickly as possible.
▶ 1:00:59Sen. Reed: Tomorrow?
▶ 1:01:01Mr. Velez-Green: I will work through it as quickly as possible.
▶ 1:01:06Sen. Reed: Let me turn onto Mr. dill. First of all, your children are extremely well behaved. Congratulations. One aspect I mentioned in my opening statement is we have maintained an apolitical military, and including in that the civilians in the department of defense. It is just announced today that the omb and opm are directing an agency set up hiring committee.
▶ 1:01:40Sen. Reed: Federal civilian employees will be subject to these committees. They will be staffed by political appointees, the majority of them. Are you going to allow political choices in the advancement or hiring of individuals in the department of defense?
▶ 1:02:06Mr. Dill: I appreciate you bringing up the topic speaking about your thoughts on this matter. Give confirm you have my commitment I will certainly not politicize or respect the status of all career officials, whether in uniform are out of uniform and the department. I'm not familiar with the committee you are referencing. I will certainly take a look of that if confirmed and I will always be focused on honoring the nonpartisan status of our career workforce.
▶ 1:02:33Sen. Reed: To my knowledge and I suspect your knowledge, the hiring has been done very explicitly on nonpolitical rounds at the department of defense. There is not as yet, I believe, I could be corrected, a committee of principal he political appointees deciding who gets hired and appointed.
▶ 1:02:57Mr. Dill: I'm not aware of the committee you are referencing, ranking member reed. I would certainly look into the status of such a committee and always strive to honor the nonpartisan status of our career workforce.
▶ 1:03:10Sen. Reed: Thank you. Dr. todd, a quick question. We talked about this yesterday. I only have three seconds. We are in some respects severing issues with regard to deployment of troops to the border and other missions that are not specifically focused on tactical operations, military operations. How do you propose to make up the difference in readiness?
▶ 1:03:45Dr. Todd: Senator, if confirmed, I will take a look at what missions they are performing on the border, how those missions impact the readiness and other were fighting missions, and work with the services to identify any gaps and any refit and regeneration requirements so they can meet other missions when they are redeployed.
▶ 1:04:07Sen. Reed: Thank you.
▶ 1:04:07Chair Wicker: Senator fischer, you recognize for five minutes and 40 seconds.
▶ 1:04:13Sen. Fischer: Thank you, Mr. chairman. Thank you two are members of the panel today and to your families as well. Mr. velez-green, do you agree that congress has a significant role to play in developing american security policy?
▶ 1:04:36Mr. Velez-Green: Yes, senator.
▶ 1:04:36Sen. Fischer: I have been disappointing with the quality of engagement this committee has had from the office of the undersecretary of policy. As my colleagues noted on tuesday and also today, that was not the case with the first trump administration. I strongly support peace through strength. I know you and I all share many of those same goals. Including significantly increasing munitions production capacity. Mr.
▶ 1:05:05Sen. Fischer: Velez-green, do you agree that meaningfully engaging with congress is necessary for the department to ultimately receive the authorities and funding that are needed to implement peace through strength?
▶ 1:05:22Mr. Velez-Green: Yes. I would offer my own deep respect for the article when branch and this committee in particular, the expertise of its members included. This was something I believe the chairman referenced as well. I'm cognizant of the distinction between notifications and consultations.
▶ 1:05:41Sen. Fischer: Thank you.
▶ 1:05:42Chair Wicker: See if we have various disagreements of how best to support our allies, our partners, would you agree a healthy discussion with members of this committee would still be valuable?
▶ 1:05:57Mr. Velez-Green: Yes, senator.
▶ 1:05:57Sen. Fischer: If you agree, what steps would you take as the deputy to improve the quality of engagements between policy and this committee?
▶ 1:06:08Mr. Velez-Green: Thank you. I recognize that I'm sorry. Not typically a problem I have. I recognize the frustrations voiced today and earlier this week. If confirmed, you have my commitment to lean as far forward to engage with congress on matters of consultation, not just notification while doing my part to protect the secretary's and president's decision.
▶ 1:06:39Sen. Fischer: Thank you.
▶ 1:06:41Mr. Velez-Green: We have seen years and years underinvestment and shortsighted decision-making in the united states. The country is now faced with a reality that we must modernize all aspects of our nuclear deterrent forces simultaneously. Mr.
▶ 1:07:00Mr. Velez-Green: Velez-green, will you commit to working within the department and with this committee to fully modernize our nuclear forces, and that includes nc-3 systems?
▶ 1:07:18Mr. Velez-Green: I will be a fierce advocate for that.
▶ 1:07:19Sen. Fischer: As undersecretary for policy you would become a member of the nuclear weapons council. In your role as a deputy undersecretary you may be involved in working with the council to execute their oversight responsibilities. What issues do you think are the most important for the council to address?
▶ 1:07:42Mr. Velez-Green: I have not been involved with in bc meetings to this point. It is something I would be looking forward engaging on. Withrespect to the specifics I would encourage them to focus on it, it's through the frame you referenced. I recognize we face very unique challenges sustaining the existing infrastructure while modernizing, developing and fielding these new platforms, in addition to new theater-specific options.
▶ 1:08:12Mr. Velez-Green: If confirmed, that is the framework I would approach this and I'm looking for the pain points where additional attention or resourcing would be required to break through. I would be committed to working closely with you and this committee to that end.
▶ 1:08:24Sen. Fischer: I appreciate the answer. Thank you very much. Mr. payne, thank you for meeting with me. I appreciated our conversation. I was encouraged to hear in your opening remarks your top priority will be to focus capon independent analysis. -- cape on independent analysis. Why do you think that is so important?
▶ 1:08:53Mr. Payne: Thank you for the opportunity to meet and I appreciated our conversation. It's extremely important -- I agree that independent analysis is absolutely crucial. First and foremost, as the chairman mentioned earlier so that it is not impacted by biases or other outside influences. I think red teaming is internal to cape and to keep our important.
▶ 1:09:21Mr. Payne: I look forward to working with you and the committee to ensure that cape operates in that manner.
▶ 1:09:25Sen. Fischer: Thank you very much.
▶ 1:09:27Chair Wicker: Senator hirono.
▶ 1:09:32Sen. Hirono: Welcome to all of our nominees. I asked the initial two questions I will ask each of you and I will start with Mr. dill. Since he became a legal adult have you ever made unwanted request for sexual favors or committed harassment of the sexual nature?
▶ 1:09:55Mr. Dill: Nope. -- no, senator.
▶ 1:10:02Sen. Hirono: Have you entered into a settlement related to this kind of conduct? >> no, senator.
▶ 1:10:07Sen. Hirono: We have had a number of hearings in this committee where various concerns of been raised about the polarization of various departments, the department of justice and department of defense. I have been concerned about the president and secretary hegseth's politicization of the military by sending military assets the city's. -- cities.
▶ 1:10:38Sen. Hirono: I would like you to commit to supporting in a political military. Yes or no please.
▶ 1:10:42Mr. Dill: You have my commitment to maintaining in a political military. That a -- an apolitical military.
▶ 1:10:55Sen. Hirono: Did you say yes?
▶ 1:10:58Dr. Todd: Yes, senator.
▶ 1:11:00Sen. Hirono: Mr. velez-green, you will help write the national defense strategy. What is the most significant threat to U.S. national security and global stability?
▶ 1:11:12Mr. Velez-Green: Thank you for the question. Secretary hegseth said publicly the forthcoming national defense strategy will focus on divinity was homeland, strengthening deterrence against china and strengthening ties with allies around the world in revitalizing the american defense industrial base.
▶ 1:11:31Sen. Hirono: The question of homeland security, up until now we have been focused on indo pacific and china as a threat. There are concerns about what direction this regime is going with regard to continuing to view china as a threat and the assets that need to be there for us to contend with china.
▶ 1:11:57Sen. Hirono: You acknowledge that china will remain a pacing threat, although I'm not sure how that will play out. I am wondering how is the commitment to recognizing china as a threat -- how is that being acknowledged when the department is redirecting its focus and resources away from the indo pacific, such as moving an aircraft carrier to south
▶ 1:12:30Sen. Hirono: America and other assets along those lines?
▶ 1:12:35Mr. Velez-Green: Thank you again for this question. The secretary said that china remains our threat for management, development and design. The question of how that interacts with our focus on homeland defense, that is something we work through on a daily basis, including been making sure -- we have been tasked to do and prioritize both these things.
▶ 1:12:58Mr. Velez-Green: We are careful to theconflict -- de-conflict those priorities as directed by the president and the secretary.
▶ 1:13:10Sen. Hirono: Here remains to be seen how all this will be reflected in the resources that will go towards the homeland. We are all for homeland security but how that is done in view of china's continuing activities and in the indo pacific area. Dr.
▶ 1:13:30Sen. Hirono: Todd, -- department of homeland security border emissions and expands domestic deployments to american cities without being reimbursed. In a budget constrained environment, how does continuing non-reversible spending on the border mission impact dod's ability to deter china's aggressive actions in the indo pacific area?
▶ 1:14:00Dr. Todd: Senator hirono, the readiness of artwork is -- of our forces is critical to the readiness of future operations abroad. I do not currently have information concerning the non-reimbursement for supporting homeland security.
▶ 1:14:19Dr. Todd: My basic understanding from my past experience is there are statutes under title x that allow support the federal law enforcement and local law enforcement if it does not take too much from the requirements.
▶ 1:14:34Sen. Hirono: Maybe I will have another 30 seconds or so, but to question that a lot of resources are being deployed to the president's desire to enforce what he considers his immigration agenda. There are questions as to how much of this aspect of what he wants to do is going to be using military or dod resources. It is amounting to the millions.
▶ 1:15:04Sen. Hirono: Thank you very much.
▶ 1:15:04Chair Wicker: We will have an opportunity for a second round. Thank you very much, senator hirono. Senator rounds.
▶ 1:15:12Sen. Rounds: Let me say thank you to all of you for your offer of additional service to our country. Mr. velez-green, the one issue I have continued to push here has been the issue of spectrum and the defense of it.
▶ 1:15:30Sen. Rounds: Forcing the department to vacate the three point one to 3.4 five gigahertz and the 7.4 to 8.4 gigahertz bands of the spectrum, or to share them with other users in a suboptimal manner would have severe negative impacts on our war fighting capabilities, including homeland defense missions and protection of our deployed troops. I have heard from now 51 senior defense officials who agree with that assessment.
▶ 1:16:00Sen. Rounds: Do you agree with the assessment that forcing the department to share those covered bands with commercial interests or other federal users in a suboptimal manner would negatively impact critical defense systems?
▶ 1:16:12Mr. Velez-Green: Yes, senator. If confirmed I look forward to ensuring the department has access to spectrum to defend our nation.
▶ 1:16:21Sen. Rounds: Including those areas I mentioned?
▶ 1:16:24Mr. Velez-Green: Yes.
▶ 1:16:25Sen. Rounds: As you can tell from the discussions here there is a concern about not only the ability for our country to maintain and to be prepared for any kind of response in the indo pacific region with our pacing threat, there is also a concern that we have to be able to maintain our capabilities around the rest of the world.
▶ 1:16:48Sen. Rounds: We work through this a little bit, because I think one of the issues you are going to get hit up with is during your time at heritage you repeatedly called for prioritizing asia over other theaters. You also argued that focusing defense resources on other theaters, such as europe, has -- and I quote -- "attractive from our ability to strengthen deterrence against china." I want to work my way through questions with you. We talked about this in my office.
▶ 1:17:20Sen. Rounds: In june president trump ordered strikes on iran's nuclear facilities. This use of defense resources in the middle east detract from the president' as counter-china policy?
▶ 1:17:30Mr. Velez-Green: No, senator.
▶ 1:17:32Sen. Rounds: In september president trump issued an executive order assuring the security of the state of qatar, in which president trump committed to acting militarily if necessary to defend the state of qatar. With the use of military force to defend qatar detract from the president's counter-china policy, in your view?
▶ 1:17:54Mr. Velez-Green: Center, if directed by the president we would deploy forces to defend qatar as directed. In the process we would work to ensure that in a way that reinforces our ability to deter china. >> Mr. velez-green, you are doing great, but if you just move the whole speaker system over closer. That's good. Thank you.
▶ 1:18:16Mr. Velez-Green: Sorry for that.
▶ 1:18:17Sen. Rounds: Get comfortable there. Saudi crown prince musselman -- mohammad bin salman will visit washington. Washington is discussing a defense pact and the saudi's have thought formal U.S. guarantees to defend the kingdom , as well as access to more advanced U.S. weaponry, according to reuters.
▶ 1:18:42Sen. Rounds: If president trump signs such an agreement, with the dedication of defense resources for saudi arabia push against defense subtract from the president's policy of deterring china?
▶ 1:18:51Mr. Velez-Green: Senator rounds, here is welcome if directed we would deploy forces to defend saudi. I would say unequivocally it is my view that the united states has interests in the middle east and that we should not withdraw and that we can and should adopt a posture in the middle east that not only vindicates our interests, but complements and reinforces our ability to deter china at the same time.
▶ 1:19:14Sen. Rounds: Ok. Fair to say that the united states has to be in a position with our defense strategy to look at deterrence and more than one theater?
▶ 1:19:25Mr. Velez-Green: Yes, senator. Senator sullivan, one of my colleagues here, spoke on tuesday about the fact that congress has been left entirely in the dark on the pentagon's strategic documents. The mbs in particular. -- nds in particular. You were the acting under secretary of defense for policy.
▶ 1:19:50Mr. Velez-Green: What interagency engagements did you have with the national security council, the white house, state department, and others during the development phase before its publication in march?
▶ 1:20:01Mr. Velez-Green: We developed that document in direct coordination with the secretary to support his direction and intent with respect to coordination or notification. Those are conversations that there were discussions, but I'm afraid it would not be appropriate for me to discuss the particulars.
▶ 1:20:21Sen. Rounds: I understand. You prepared to provide this committee with evidence in a classified setting?
▶ 1:20:27Mr. Velez-Green: I would be prepared to share as much as possible.
▶ 1:20:30Sen. Rounds: I will ask that for my questions on the record. Thank you, chairman.
▶ 1:20:35Chair Wicker: Senator kelly.
▶ 1:20:37Sen. Kelly: Thank you, all of you, for your continued willingness to serve our country. Mr. payne, I served as the cochair of the defense modernization caucus with senator cramer. Where our focus is on driving innovation and ensuring that the united states can rapidly develop and acquire and field advanced capabilities to sustain our strategic advantage.
▶ 1:21:08Sen. Kelly: I'm very interested in the department's proposed shift from the traditional defense acquisition system to what it is now calling the war fighting acquisition system. This initiative aims to accelerate capability delivery, and that is an objective I strongly support.
▶ 1:21:26Sen. Kelly: But it also compresses decision timelines and may reduce the visibility into individual program costs that congress has a -- relied on for oversight and accountability.
▶ 1:21:40Sen. Kelly: If confirmed, what specific steps would you take so the office of cost assessment and program evaluation continues to provide congress with clear, consistent, and auditable data across the new portfolio-based structure?
▶ 1:21:59Mr. Payne: I appreciate your commitment and the opportunity to discuss this issue. As you correctly have indicated, it has an important role to play statutorily in the acquisition process. That role is providing independent cost estimates prior to milestone decisions.
▶ 1:22:19Mr. Payne: If I'm confirmed it will be a top priority of mine to ensure that we as cape streamline the cost reporting procedures both to keep pace with the accelerated acquisition process, as well as to make it to facilitate the entry of nontraditional vendors and industry into the acquisition process. If confirmed, you have my commitment that we will deliver those cost estimates to you, to the committee, and to congress.
▶ 1:22:50Sen. Kelly: I appreciate that. Mr. velez-green, I recently released a ai for america roadmap that lays out some ideas for safe and ethical use of ai, but also how do we deal with the transition for folks to new careers and jobs and some of the infrastructure challenges we will face with power and water?
▶ 1:23:16Sen. Kelly: On the safe and ethical use of ai, as competitors accelerate the development of ai and autonomous systems, they often put in few safeguards. But here in the united states we have to both maintain a technological edge in developing these systems while also sustaining high ethical standards and responsible governance. I think that is critical.
▶ 1:23:44Sen. Kelly: So, if confirmed, how do you plan to shape the department's approach to ai and autonomous systems to maintain U.S. strategic advantage in these systems while also upholding ethical standards?
▶ 1:24:00Mr. Dill: -- Mr. velez-green: if confirmed I do commit to the systems in a way that -- as you said, our ethical standards. How specifically I would go about that, I expect that I would start with working with the relevant teams to understand the requirements that these technologies can help us to support in an effective way and then working from their understand, ok, what are the different ways he can do so?
▶ 1:24:31Mr. Dill: How does that map against ethical considerations and making sure we are meeting those targets at the same time that we elevate options for consideration.
▶ 1:24:37Sen. Kelly: Do you think ai systems should be used as a decision-maker in the kill chain?
▶ 1:24:45Mr. Velez-Green: Senator, I had the opportunity to work closely with early on in my career with some of the nations leading thinkers on where autonomy should exist and in the loop, out of the loop, with respect to different functions.
▶ 1:25:02Mr. Velez-Green: With respect to where ai should exist in any system, it really depends on the specifics, the framework within which I would address this problem if confirmed is exactly one that you offered, which is, what are the war fighting requirements we seek to a support? And how do we do that in an ethical manner?
▶ 1:25:20Sen. Kelly: It sounds like you don't have any red there, and certainly ai and autonomous systems could help compress timelines dramatically, make faster decisions, and where to position forces. I think we really need to consider how to quickly and safely integrate ai systems into our war fighting decision-making process. I think it could give us a duty jake advantage.
▶ 1:25:49Sen. Kelly: I also think we need to be careful about turning over some really key decisions. Especially on using connecticut facts against people, targets. You know, at least right now I think we need to think long and hard about ethical implications of allowing ai systems to make the decision to kill people.
▶ 1:26:17Chair Wicker: We look forward to reading your paper.
▶ 1:26:21Mr. Velez-Green: I will send it to the office.
▶ 1:26:23Chair Wicker: Senator cramer.
▶ 1:26:25Sen. Cramer: Thank you for being here and your willingness to step up again. Especially to your families. I am never disturbed by the noise of children. It is really quite a blessing. Real quickly, Mr. payne, thank you for our discussion in my office. You stated several times the importance of cape's independence as an evaluator. Cape really is the truth teller, if you will come on cost of performance.
▶ 1:26:55Sen. Cramer: However, I have been concerned in recent years that the independent assessment sometimes gets diluted by advocacy of a particular platform or program, and sometimes it is my sense that the advocacy is masked by scenarios. Scenarios of evaluation. Does that happen at cape?
▶ 1:27:19Sen. Cramer: Either inadvertently or by some bias, or even orders from leadership?
▶ 1:27:27Mr. Payne: Senator, thank you for the time you gave me in your office. In times past, yes, I have seen cape take on an abacus he role that I think is inappropriate for an independent analytic organization, and if confirmed you have my commitment that my priority would be focusing cape on its true mission, which is being an advisory, not a policy-making poor
▶ 1:27:57Mr. Payne: Decision-making organization.
▶ 1:27:58Sen. Cramer: That is encouraging. Thank you for that. Mr. velez-green, this summer the hms prince of wales was sailing, as you know, to the pacific. It has been reported by some sources -- I actually do trust him a Mr. chairman. I appreciate his admonition upfront about on trustworthy sources. But undersecretary colby had made a statement reportedly to the british in a meeting along the lines of, is it too late to call it back?
▶ 1:28:28Sen. Cramer: We don't want you there. First of all, do you have knowledge of that discussion? Did he in fact say that the british leaders?
▶ 1:28:37Mr. Velez-Green: It would not be appropriate for b to comment on two different governments in the setting. What I will say is the secretary has said publicly that it is most important for our european allies to focus on their home theater as they worked to build out the capacity. Especially as we work through these problems that senator rounds has spoken about.
▶ 1:28:57Mr. Velez-Green: That is the guidance the secretary is offering in a public setting, and personal view is I think that does make a lot of sense, because we believe in a nato that is as strong as possible, that is a sincerely-held view. Have an interest in nato being as possible on an dodge -- on an enduring basis. Especially as we face the rise of china our allies have to step up and focus those resources where they are needed most.
▶ 1:29:25Sen. Cramer: Mr. velez-green, are you quoting the secretary there or the deputy secretary?
▶ 1:29:31Mr. Velez-Green: My recollection serves me and I'm confident that secretary hegseth has said publicly that is important for european allies to focus on europe first.
▶ 1:29:43Sen. Cramer: Thank you for that. Although to the original question, and the .9 or stand, you would think it would be inappropriate to speak to, there are other agencies for whom international relationships are the higher priority. Not least of which is the state department. I would be interested if this position was reconciled with the state department or if this was just, again, a private conversation. Or for that matter if other allies were consulted.
▶ 1:30:12Sen. Cramer: Allies that welcomed the british having a ship in the pacific. Because this gets into well beyond what is going on just at the pentagon, it would seem to me. Not to mention the white house.
▶ 1:30:22Mr. Velez-Green: Senator, the undersecretary has been ruthless about ensuring we focus on military matters. In this case thinking about the allocation of defense resources across theaters. We always interact on a regular basis with our colleagues across the agency, including the nsc, including the state department on a range of issues. To ensure that we are having those conversations, -- conversations.
▶ 1:30:47Sen. Cramer: On tuesday your colleague, Mr. dahmer repeatedly said that he was not aware of any "pause" of aid to ukraine. Can you clarify whether there was or was not, and how could he not have been aware if there was? On a dod news release it states there was.
▶ 1:31:08Mr. Velez-Green: I can say categorically that leadership neither ordered nor recommended a pause to any weapon shipments to ukraine as was reported. All, no caveats. That reporting was inaccurate and in substantial part because we do not have the authority to order any adjustment to weapons one way or the other. I am aware of brief disruptions to certain deliveries as a result of the capabilities review. That I believe was referenced on tuesday.
▶ 1:31:37Mr. Velez-Green: I'm not aware I am not aware of a pause issued by the secretary.
▶ 1:31:39Sen. Cramer: We may have a dispute in terms and titles, but it is a dod news release. I don't know what else to say. Thank you. My time is up.
▶ 1:31:50Chair Wicker: Senator scott.
▶ 1:31:53Sen. Scott: Can I just follow up with what the senator just asked about? It says -- this is from the department of war. It says this capability review is being conducted to ensure minute -- U.S. military allies with our defense priorities.
▶ 1:32:13Chair Wicker: I'm having trouble hearing senator scott.
▶ 1:32:17Sen. Scott: It talks about how there has been a pause. It says some assistance has been provided to ukraine is on pause as the defense department reviews its own capabilities to ensure what it tops to provide to other nations. It never sure changes itself in the process. A pentagon spokesperson during briefing today at the pentagon. That sure sounds like a pause.
▶ 1:32:40Mr. Velez-Green: Senator, if I may offer, I believe what Mr. parnell said in response to a question is that he could not go into detail about what weapons were pause and when and why. With respect to the use of the term pause I cannot speak to the word choice in that context. When I'm aware of is that there were brief disruptions to delivery of weapons associated with the implementation of the capabilities review.
▶ 1:33:08Mr. Velez-Green: Candidly, if I may with respect to the chairman's comment earlier, I believe this is a case where more proactive engagement from us would have been helpful. At least to share our side of what we understood to have happened. That is something I take on board and I'm committed to addressing in a forthright manner.
▶ 1:33:22Sen. Scott: Why did president have to come out and disagree with the department of war just a few days later?
▶ 1:33:30Mr. Velez-Green: I would not presume to speak for the president in any matter. I would simply say that I understand the reports about policy's role in this. I have offered my categorical statement on what is factual and there is something I'm prepared to stake my credibility on in this setting.
▶ 1:33:49Sen. Scott: You don't know why the president had to disagree with what was said?
▶ 1:33:53Mr. Velez-Green: It is my understanding there were reactions to the disruption which was characterized by the media as a pause, but again, I'm not sure where they asserted that basis based on my understanding of what transpired.
▶ 1:34:06Sen. Scott: I have had the opportunity to meet with lots of our allies, and the rest they want to buy american products. But what they are being told is, they are being blindsided when they are told they cannot buy american defense products. They are told they cannot buy our products, our allies are told at the last minute that a brigade is leaving. And some of these are weapons they have already purchased.
▶ 1:34:35Sen. Scott: What is frustrating, number one, is they will not invest in our country. We want jobs in our country. We want them to build up their defense. And then they cannot buy. It doesn't make any sense and it seems like it is inconsistent with where president trump is and secretary hegseth are.
▶ 1:34:51Sen. Scott: So, it's seems to me there ought to be a priority that our military should make that we get our friends and allies to buy american manufacturing and we also don't put ourselves in a position that they don't know what our priorities are.
▶ 1:35:10Sen. Scott: So, it seems like whether it is communal, the pause with ukraine, or moving the troops out of romania, doesn't seem like there is -- it doesn't seem like what is coming out is consistent with what the president wants to do. Can you address that? Do you think it is consistent? Who do you think you work for? Do you think you work for the president or is there somebody else making decisions?
▶ 1:35:34Mr. Velez-Green: There is no question in my mind or the secretary's mind, I feel comfortable speaking to that. We work for the president of the united states and it will be my job. That is something we take seriously and have, including in every instance referenced on tuesday, jack and speak to in practical terms. We do that in a variety of ways. Secretary hegseth is ruthless about ensuring your very tightly aligned with the president.
▶ 1:36:00Mr. Velez-Green: He is in constant contact with the president and the senior leadership team and the president has expressed his confidence in the secretary. We engage with the secretary to ensure we are in lockstep with them, because we work for the president.
▶ 1:36:12Sen. Scott: Early this week one of your colleagues said we were brief four times on a brigade duction in romania. I asked him, I was informed. I'm on the committee. I've been on the committee for almost seven years. Do you have a list of the dates and locations of these briefings?
▶ 1:36:30Mr. Velez-Green: I believe the correct term would have been notifications. We did notify congress on multiple occasions prior to the public notification, which I can speak to in more detail just out of respect for the individuals involved. I can see that with confidence.
▶ 1:36:49Sen. Scott: Can you tell me the dates of the notifications?
▶ 1:36:52Mr. Velez-Green: The pre-notification was provided to staff on the 23rd and 24th. It was provided again on the 27th, and then a cabinet was sent on the 28th. A public announcement was on the 29th.
▶ 1:37:04Sen. Scott: And was romania and our nato allies briefed ahead of time?
▶ 1:37:09Mr. Velez-Green: Yes, senator.
▶ 1:37:10Sen. Scott: Do you know when?
▶ 1:37:12Mr. Velez-Green: The romanians were briefed on the 27th.
▶ 1:37:16Sen. Scott: When was it announced?
▶ 1:37:19Mr. Velez-Green: The announcement was on the 29th.
▶ 1:37:23Sen. Scott: Do you think that is enough time.
▶ 1:37:24Mr. Velez-Green: The romanians said the decision was expected and that is in part because we socialized them with how the secretary has directed us to think about U.S. force posturing and nato as we work to ensure it is as strong as possible.
▶ 1:37:41Sen. Scott: I think the perception is that there is some disagreement between what has been put out and what the president wants, and I think things could be pretty important as you guys figure out how to stop that.
▶ 1:37:56Mr. Velez-Green: Thank you, senator.
▶ 1:37:59Chair Wicker: Thank you, senator scott. Mr. velez-green, I would just say that congress was not consulted. About this. I think I can say with certainty about that. Senator kaine, your recognize.
▶ 1:38:19Sen. Kaine: Congratulations to the nominees. I'm going to ask some questions I ask of a witness early in the week, just trying to find out about where decisions are being made. I'm not going to ask you about the content of discussions, but rather your involvement in your current capacity in such discussions. If you been involved in discussions about military strikes on boats in the caribbean and pacific?
▶ 1:38:42Mr. Velez-Green: If I recall the line of questioning on tuesday I think the word was to use my involvement in one way or the other to identify what is being planned or not. I'm involved in a wide range of discussions related to a wide range of contingency planning. To be more specific I think would be a per -- inappropriate in this setting.
▶ 1:39:01Sen. Kaine: Why is it inappropriate for you to tell me if you are involved in such discussions? I'm not asking about the content of the discussions.
▶ 1:39:08Mr. Velez-Green: For the simple reason that some planning is sensitive and I want to reserve the president's decisions based on that.
▶ 1:39:15Sen. Kaine: Have you been involved and him -- in discussions about the legal rationale for the strikes are referenced?
▶ 1:39:21Mr. Velez-Green: I would defer to the office of general counsel. I know they are working on that hard and I do believe -- I have at least heard in recent conversations this week that there has been additional information provided. The specifics I would have to refer to the odc.
▶ 1:39:39Sen. Kaine: Have you been involved in the composition of designated terrorist organizations the president is using to direct strikes?
▶ 1:39:46Mr. Velez-Green: No, senator.
▶ 1:39:47Sen. Kaine: Have you been involved in the discussion about particular strikes and whether there is evidence to justify a particular strike in a particular instance?
▶ 1:39:57Mr. Velez-Green: Speaking to my personal involvement at that level of detail, I think, would be an appropriate.
▶ 1:40:04Sen. Kaine: Have you been involved in discussions on a policy basis? Not a particular strike instance, but a policy basis about when we should interdict versus when we should strike?
▶ 1:40:16Mr. Velez-Green: What I will say that from a policy standpoint we support the president's intent and as a general staffing matter both current capacity and certainly have confirmed that these are the kinds of questions I would commit to working through in" a nation with the office of general counsel. With sensitivity to ensuring they are lawful, executable, and they account for considerations across theaters.
▶ 1:40:38Sen. Kaine: We have been given no information -- and I have read the legal opinion. We have been given no information about policy decisions about when to strike versus when to interdict. So, that is what I'm asking. Have you been involved in discussions about that topic? I'm not asking you the content of the discussions.
▶ 1:40:59Mr. Velez-Green: Senator, I understand. I would just -- the phrase policy decisions I want to clarify. Policy is not a decision-making organization. Those decisions are at the secretary or above level.
▶ 1:41:11Sen. Kaine: Let's just call it a topic then. Have you been involved in discussions on the topic of whether we should strike war whether we should interdict?
▶ 1:41:21Mr. Velez-Green: Again, senator, with sensitivity to this particular issue at this particular time I don't think this would be an appropriate state for me to involved --
▶ 1:41:30Sen. Kaine: Have you been involved in any discussions about a potential land invasion of venezuela?
▶ 1:41:36Mr. Velez-Green: It would not be appropriate for me to comment.
▶ 1:41:39Sen. Kaine: Have you been involved in any discussion about the use of U.S. military within or against nigeria?
▶ 1:41:45Mr. Velez-Green: Senator, I'm sorry, it would not be appropriate for me to comment.
▶ 1:41:50Sen. Kaine: Let me point out I ask you about a questions, and the answer to the one of the questions was no, I have not been involved. You said you had not been involved in a discussion about the composition of the list of designated terrorist organizations. And on all of the other ones you did not say no, you instead said it would not be inappropriate to get into in this hearing.
▶ 1:42:14Sen. Kaine: So, I'm taking that as a yes on all of the others, since your link to say no in the instance where you had not been involved in discussions. The fact that you could not give me a no on the other questions suggest that the answer to those questions is, yes. And that is very, very troubling. It is troubling to me that discussions are going on and decisions are being made about war without reading congress into it.
▶ 1:42:42Sen. Kaine: Just yesterday in the supreme court justice gorgeous -- justice courses -- gorsuch ask about whether congress could delegate more patter -- war powers to the president. That would be an abdication, not a delegation. The unwillingness to this day, inability of the pentagon to answer basic questions, Mr.
▶ 1:43:11Sen. Kaine: Chair, I will just say I had a chance to review the legal rationale the other day and it is classified, so I'm not going to get into it. Someone, a republican member was looking at it right before me and had a full panoply of dod and doj officials in the room to answer that member's questions. He had exited the room when I was there. There were people there to watch me read the document but they said they could not answer any questions I had.
▶ 1:43:40Sen. Kaine: So, I remain very concerned, and it is kind of a timely question. We are going to have a vote on the war powers resolution about no war in venezuela without a vote of congress later today and he answers this witness suggests it is a timely and important matter we be taking up now. Thank you, Mr. chair. I yelled back. -- I yield back.
▶ 1:44:00Chair Wicker: Senator schmitt, you are recognized.
▶ 1:44:04Sen. Schmitt: Let me say from the out -- outset I have watched some of the evolution of the criticism of this administration and particular actors, and I think much of the criticism which is cloaked in terms of transparency and communication really is just an effort to undermine a shift in our foreign policy orientation, which I support, which is to realism as opposed to some of the failed points of view that dominated permanent washington over the last 30 years. That is how I see it.
▶ 1:44:36Sen. Schmitt: People can disagree. That is how I see it. The point of my question is, Mr. velez-green, in recent months there has been criticism aimed at undersecretary secretary of war colby and his team. Much of it anonymous and misleading and divorced from reality. Some have suggested that the policy office is freelancing or undermining the president's agenda. Nothing could be further from the truth.
▶ 1:45:01Sen. Schmitt: These attacks do not reflect a policy dispute as much as a resistance to those invested in maintaining a status quo that has failed the american people. I think it is important to set the record straight. The job of the policy arm of the pentagon is to provide informed recommendations to the decision-makers in the chain of command. President and secretary hegseth. In no way are they undermining the president, or the administration's defense policy objectives.
▶ 1:45:29Sen. Schmitt: On the contrary, these are professionals who translate the president's directives into cohesive strategies. And generate the forces to achieve them. You have been in the business -- this business for a while. I want to give you the opportunities -- opportunity to speak for yourself. There has been much about this tired trip of isolationism, which is a joke. And I think what this is, is a refocusing on the homeland in the indo pacific. Let's talk about that.
▶ 1:45:58Sen. Schmitt: Do you think -- I will let you speak for yourself -- do you think we should abandon nato? What about the rest of europe? Do you think we should abandon europe?
▶ 1:46:05Mr. Velez-Green: No, sir. In the strongest possible terms.
▶ 1:46:08Sen. Schmitt: Part of the discussion is, instead of flowery rhetorical versus, europe does need to step up more for their own defense. This conversation about burden-sharing. People laughed at president trump about this the first time, but it is happening now. This is good for us. It is good for europe.
▶ 1:46:28Sen. Schmitt: But I think some people revel in the dependency that we have essentially subsidized their socially-liberal policy in their governments for too long. I think they are stepping up in a more meaningful way. That is a positive development for everybody. Mr. velez-green, you and undersecretary colby are working tirelessly to get this right. You are not making grand foreign policy pronouncements.
▶ 1:46:58Sen. Schmitt: Were certainly not disrupting the president's agenda. You are working hard to ask the tough questions that are necessary to lead this strategy moving forward. Of course, the media is causally coming after president trump this policy shift. It is no surprise they are coming after you and your boss on aid to ukraine. Or the relationship with japan or the review. They have even claimed you oppose sending a carrier to the middle east for operation midnight hammer.
▶ 1:47:26Sen. Schmitt: Would you like to say anything about these particular accusations?
▶ 1:47:29Mr. Velez-Green: I would offer that the reporting on each of those episodes was inaccurate, and I believe in at least a couple of them the complete opposite. For instance, the article with respect to the undersecretary's position about forces to support midnight hammer. The opposite of reality.
▶ 1:47:51Mr. Velez-Green: I categorically a few moments ago stated that reporting that policy ordered or even recommended a pause in shipments of weapons to ukraine was inaccurate without any caveats. That remains my position. And the others as well, with the two plus two. We were in touch with tokyo. They disputed the report contemporaneously.
▶ 1:48:13Mr. Velez-Green: Then on all caps this is something that was oriented on strengthening agreement consistent with the president's intended stated publicly and it was done very collaboratively and last point I would offer here is this is not just me saying it. There is paper trails for most of this. This is not conjecture.
▶ 1:48:31Sen. Schmitt: I have heard consternation from some on the other side of the break asked that focusing on the homeland is a taboo topic and unimaginable. Somehow our focus on the homeland precludes us from focusing on the end of pacific. Would you like to address this false claim?
▶ 1:48:48Mr. Velez-Green: We have been directed to do both, and that is what we're doing from a force management perspective. In line with the president's intent. I would offer that I think very sensitive to the question earlier there is not a belief that to do these things we have to abandon the rest of the world. I think doing that would be counterproductive, because we do have interests in the rest of the world. The simultaneity problem, that is real.
▶ 1:49:14Mr. Velez-Green: We need to stay engaged in important and critical ways in europe and the middle east, alongside allies and partners that are stepping up. That is how we can achieve -- and achieve enduring peace through strength.
▶ 1:49:26Chair Wicker: Thank you. Senator duckworth.
▶ 1:49:32Sen. Duckworth: Thank you, Mr. chairman. Dr. todd, I want to thank you for the extensive conversation we had prior to this hearing and you demonstrated to me a deep command of the issues you will lead, if confirmed. And from how we gather and manage data to how we analyze mishaps and use those lessons to improve safety and readiness.
▶ 1:49:54Sen. Duckworth: As a former aviator like yourself and from my role as ranking member on the commerce, science, and technology committees I am especially committed to aviation safety. Will you commit to working with me on improving aviation safety across the services to include supporting improvements in aviation maintenance and training and coordinating with the faa?
▶ 1:50:19Dr. Todd: Yes, senator duckworth, and thank you. We had a very fruitful discussion. As a former aviator I leave in the highest standards of aviation safety training and readiness. I will confirm that I will work closely with you and your staff.
▶ 1:50:36Dr. Todd: -- Sen. duckworth: thank you so much. Mr. velez-green, you work dominated to lead one of the most complex and consequential offices within the department. In this role you would be expected to manage a sprawling enterprise that determines our defense strategy and policy across all commands, alliances, theaters, and domains. Is that correct?
▶ 1:50:59Mr. Velez-Green: Yes, senator duckworth.
▶ 1:51:03Sen. Duckworth: Thank you. After our meeting I do have serious concerns about your qualifications to provide strategic, rigorously-expedited dependent advice and your ability to lead a large organization to success. Mr. velez-green, what is the largest organization you have lead, including the number of direct report that fell under
▶ 1:51:25Mr. Velez-Green: Your personal supervision? Senator, I had the great privilege of leading the policy organization in this administration with roughly 1000 individuals. Informed, career, and contractor. As far as direct reports, I believe I had less than 20, more than 10. I would have to count the assistant secretaries, as well as the front office staff and perhaps a few others.
▶ 1:51:49Sen. Duckworth: That 1000 you are claiming is within your acting usd p role from january to april of this year? I think it is pretty disingenuous of you to claim you have the necessary vast management experience just because the administration thrusted you into this acting role on january 20 for just three months. So you have three months experience as an act -- given that before then you managed a maximum of one to two direct reports at most.
▶ 1:52:19Sen. Duckworth: Predecessors in this role have been in charge of talent and resource management for the complex pool of approximately 800 military civilians, contractors, and detail eez. Policy also provides strategic guidance across 11 combatant commands, composed of hundreds of thousands of personnel operating all over the world. In my opinion your meager management experience pales in comparison to the scale of the management challenge you will be in charge of in this role.
▶ 1:52:48Sen. Duckworth: Now, let's set the management piece aside. Beyond management this requires a steadfast leader prepared -- prepared to provide strategic advice and our critical partnerships and preparing our joint forces to deter enemies. You have tried to convince me that you can provide that service to the united states.
▶ 1:53:06Sen. Duckworth: You have previously said prioritizing assistance to ukraine to fight vladimir putin, over preparing on taiwan in the -- the pacific would cause taiwan to doubt america's commitment to taiwan's defense. By prioritizing assistance to ukraine we were, in your opinion, we would cause beijing -- this is a direct quote from you -- because wishing to doubt america's commitment to taiwan's defense. The U.S.
▶ 1:53:33Sen. Duckworth: Footprint is reaching more than 10% of the navy''s total assets. Even before the arrival of the uss gerald ford carrier strike group and its accompanying 10,000 additional personnel. Do you agree with vice president vance that this is the highest and best use of our military?
▶ 1:53:49Mr. Velez-Green: Senator, president trump has been unequivocal that we should prioritize defending our homeland. I come from a community that has been affected by the narcotics of the type the president set his sights on here. I do believe in strongly support in prioritizing defense for our homeland. That is not usually exclusive, but prioritizing and doing what is required to ensure a robust deterrent in the western pacific against china.
▶ 1:54:16Mr. Velez-Green: Or is it mutually exclusive to our ability to remain engaged in europe and the middle east in a manner consistent with the president's intent.
▶ 1:54:22Sen. Duckworth: You were saying you disagree with the vice president when he said the highest and best use of our military in describing the arrival of the uss gerald ford carrier strike group and its accompanying personnel to the pacific?
▶ 1:54:34Mr. Velez-Green: I apologize. I think that was a long way of saying I do agree with the vice president.
▶ 1:54:40Sen. Duckworth: But you also -- I think your logic seems inconsistent. You reject the U.S. opposing prudent because you think it distracts in the pacific, but you are unwilling to sound the alarm. I'm not sure why you would not object to burning the readiness of our stressed fleet to do fundamentally law-enforcement mission in the western hemisphere.
▶ 1:55:09Sen. Duckworth: Nor why you would not be concerned about the signal these deployments are sending to the prc about our capability to respond to any aggression in the end of pacific. Clearly your analysis shifts based on the winds around you and who you are trying to please. I worry you are unable to apply in a consistent and objective rigor to advising and are unable to speak truth to power and that our national security will suffer as a result of that.
▶ 1:55:35Chair Wicker: Perhaps you can answer on the record. Mr. velez-green. Senator budd.
▶ 1:55:43Sen. Budd: On cue for being here today and your willingness to serve. Mr. velez-green, I appreciated the conversation. There has been lots of complaints prior to tuesday from a fellow republican about a series of issues. I think they all boil down to communication.
▶ 1:56:02Sen. Budd: I need a firm commitment from you that if my staff or I reach out to you that I will hear not just from the office of legislative affairs, but from you personally in your personal office if we require it.
▶ 1:56:19Mr. Velez-Green: I am prepared to give you that commitment.
▶ 1:56:23Sen. Budd: That is a yes?
▶ 1:56:25Mr. Velez-Green: Yes.
▶ 1:56:28Sen. Budd: Talk about the drawdown authority with regards to taiwan. Is that on hold?
▶ 1:56:35Mr. Velez-Green: I am not sure the current status. I would say I have been one of the very prominent and strong advocate for arming taiwan and make sure they have what is required to defend themselves. I think that is vitally important not just at a matter -- as a matter of fairness, but from an operational perspective. If confirmed you have my commitment to advocate to that effect, including providing options to higher leadership for their consideration.
▶ 1:57:04Sen. Budd: Thank you. >> but is it on hold? Is that the question?
▶ 1:57:10Sen. Budd: Is the presidential drawdown authority for taiwan on hold?
▶ 1:57:14Mr. Velez-Green: I'm not sure of the current status and I would be happy to share as much as possible, while respecting my chain of command.
▶ 1:57:23Sen. Budd: Much has been said about the prc's objectives in latin america. What is your assessment of the national security implications of china's reach into the western hemisphere? And specifically as you think about the defense policy of countering cartels? How could the dod simultaneously address the prc's inroads in latin america? So, two birds, one stone.
▶ 1:57:50Mr. Velez-Green: Thank you for the question. I would offer two responses, if I may. One is a question of deconfliction and making sure as we are resourcing the requirements to execute the strategy in line with the president's instructions we are also resourcing the need and requirements to maintain disturbance input -- deterrence in the western pacific. With respect to the western hemisphere my view is that this is also a multi-prompt effort.
▶ 1:58:26Mr. Velez-Green: Especially think that is a clear signal to partners across the region that this is a priority, that we are leaning forward in ways the past administration did not and that as an extension we are paying more attention and providing to work more closely in different ways then may have in the past. They have opportunities to step up with us in that regard, including by not doing certain things that could be detrimental to our national security, such as engaging with china in certain ways in this hemisphere.
▶ 1:58:53Mr. Velez-Green: I think the analysis is a clear example of the president's intent and how the department of war and other agencies worked to that effect.
▶ 1:58:59Sen. Budd: I would like to see that increased engagement. Dr. todd, if confirmed, how will you judge our strategic readiness to prevail in a conflict with china?
▶ 1:59:09Dr. Todd: Senator, I think our strategic readiness is critical to understanding how we can deter china. Eating our strategic objectives. I think we would basically continue to gather the readiness data available to us based on the training, education, equipping, and manning of the services.
▶ 1:59:32Dr. Todd: We will look at preparation for contingency plans from the joint staff and the geographic commanders, and we would assess their success from their deployments to meet those mission requirements and then have a feedback group to determine in the future should those abilities -- abilities be available to china based on past performance and what we need to do to better prepare in the future.
▶ 1:59:55Sen. Budd: What metrics would you use to root test to evaluate the readiness of the force?
▶ 2:00:01Dr. Todd: There are a number of metrics. Not familiar with the specific ones now, but I would take a closer look at the contingency planning we have for indo pay column. What we see as our key objectives and our key threats and challenges, and then as we would run both in the pacific and joint exercises we would then be able to gather the data and look at assessing that data and then ensuring that we are
▶ 2:00:31Dr. Todd: Taking the right lessons learned to reapply to the preparation of our forces, to better execute their missions against china.
▶ 2:00:40Sen. Budd: Think you very much. Chairman?
▶ 2:00:44Chair Wicker: Thank you very much. Senator sullivan, are you prepared? You are recognized for five minutes.
▶ 2:00:52Sen. Sullivan: Thank you, Mr. chairman. I need to get a commitment from all of the nominees. First, congratulations on your nomination, and thanks to you and your families for your desire to serve your country again. Steve you have done it already and in many capacities, so thank you on that.
▶ 2:01:13Sen. Sullivan: Can I get a commitment from all of you to come up to alaska with me and see what general billy mitchell called the most strategic place in the world? There is a lot going on in alaska right now. Have the russians and chinese and we are on the front lines of great power competition everyday. Six russian incursions since august. Doesn't make a lot of news down here. But is it -- it is important and it is serious.
▶ 2:01:42Sen. Sullivan: So, can I get a commitment from each of you to join me up in my great state? Why do we go through. Have any of you been before?
▶ 2:01:52Mr. Dill: If confirmed up and look forward to making that. I would love to do that.
▶ 2:01:57Mr. Payne: Senator, I have not been to alaska yet, but I would absolutely if confirmed commit to visiting.
▶ 2:02:06Mr. Velez-Green: If I had the opportunity to visit alaska multiple times, if confirmed I would welcome the opportunity to join you in the state.
▶ 2:02:13Sen. Sullivan: Thanks.
▶ 2:02:15Dr. Todd: Senator sullivan, I have not visited alaska yet, I look forward to doing so.
▶ 2:02:21Sen. Sullivan: We had a hearing the other day. I was hot under the collar on responsiveness. Can I get a commitment and if confirmed you will work with the committee, the chairman, the ranking member, all of us? There is a not -- a lot of knowledge here on military matters. We are not always right, but, you know, we want to work with you guys to make you successful. This is a really bipartisan committee.
▶ 2:02:50Sen. Sullivan: The national defense of our nation is pretty much a bipartisan issue. Can I get a commitment that if confirmed you will work with us, be responsive? No, your cell number, things like that? I don't abuse that, but it is important to have a good relationship. Can I get your commitment on that?
▶ 2:03:08Mr. Dill: Yes, senator.
▶ 2:03:10Mr. Payne: Yes, senator.
▶ 2:03:12Mr. Velez-Green: Yes, senator.
▶ 2:03:14Dr. Todd: Yes, senator.
▶ 2:03:17Sen. Sullivan: Mr. payne, kate has an up-and-down reputation. They do things where you are like, that makes a lot of sense. They do other things like, what in the hell are they doing? Do you commit to take a look at this issue of anfibs in the marine corps?
▶ 2:03:44Sen. Sullivan: They are typically not interested in purchasing or building anfibs. For the marine corps it is number one, right? For combatant commanders -- commanders it is very high as well. There is a split right now. I wish the secretary of the navy would help us get there. The marines think we need a lot more. The navy has said, I don't think so. Can you work with me, maybe come and see me on this?
▶ 2:04:12Sen. Sullivan: I feel strongly about the marine corps having what we call a 3.0 him you are capability. Are you aware what that phrase means?
▶ 2:04:23Mr. Payne: Yes, senator.
▶ 2:04:24Sen. Sullivan: Do you agree with that phrase? Do you agree with that as part of our strategy? To kick in doors anywhere in the world?
▶ 2:04:33Mr. Payne: My understanding that -- is that that capability is essential to the marine corps, to their force design, and to our strategy.
▶ 2:04:46Sen. Sullivan: It is a lot of our combatant commanders think it is a credible -- critical capability. Can I get your commitment to work with me on that?
▶ 2:04:51Mr. Payne: Yes, senator.
▶ 2:04:53Sen. Sullivan: Mr. velez-green, you have written a lot on the homeland. I think that is an important focus. It is the start, really, of national security. I had a good meeting with undersecretary colby yesterday where he walked me through a lot of the pillars of the nds that the pentagon is working on right now, which I appreciated a lot. Give me your sense on homeland and in particular the arctic.
▶ 2:05:22Sen. Sullivan: As I mentioned, there is so much going on. When I first got here I will never forget the obama administration had its arctic strategy held up in a meeting with the secretary of defense and said, this is a joke. It had nothing to do with real wars. Mentioned climate change a bunch of times. Mentioned russia once in a footnote. The arctic and north pacific is not a joke.
▶ 2:05:48Sen. Sullivan: It is the front line of great power competition. Can you briefly touch on your views on homeland security as it relates to the arctic?
▶ 2:06:03Mr. Velez-Green: Yes, senator. Alaska is the homeland, so we have a responsibility to defend alaska as a starting point. In terms of defending the lower 48 as well alaska has long played a vital role for missile defense and otherwise. I expect I will continue to be the case for no other reason than physics angiography. As the first island chain becomes harder to operate in alaska is already critical.
▶ 2:06:28Sen. Sullivan: The one big, beautiful bill we got $150 million to open the navy base which we want you guys to implement, not fight. But that is an example of what you are talking about.
▶ 2:06:41Mr. Velez-Green: As a brief last point, one of the things I took from my visit to alaska was the value of the arctic training capabilities in alaska. That that is just not possible. Where does have application. That is another example of alaska and the arctic's about a role in our nations defense.
▶ 2:07:02Sen. Sullivan: Thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 2:07:05Chair Wicker: I do suggest to each of you that you wear layers when you pack for alaska.
▶ 2:07:16Sen. Sullivan: We loved having the chairman of the committee in alaska.
▶ 2:07:20Chair Wicker: He was a wonderful trip and I'm glad it was in the summertime. Let me just ask, one more line of questioning to Mr. velez-green. We acknowledged that notification is different from consultation.
▶ 2:07:45Chair Wicker: Would you concede that there really has not been any consultation with the congress on the national defense strategy?
▶ 2:07:57Mr. Velez-Green: Senator, I am not aware that there has been formal consultations with congress. I know we interact on a regular basis on a variety of issues related to strategy and policy that inform the internal discussions and development process.
▶ 2:08:14Chair Wicker: Nor the global force posture review.
▶ 2:08:18Mr. Velez-Green: I would offer the same response.
▶ 2:08:21Chair Wicker: That is really not the way it is supposed to work. And on the suchus -- the auchus review, I did not receive any consultation about engaging in a lengthy review, which upset our friends in australia and cast doubt on whether we were
▶ 2:08:52Chair Wicker: Committed to this agreement. Would you agree that there should have been consultation before we embarked on a lengthy review?
▶ 2:09:00Mr. Velez-Green: Senator, in all cases I will always be required to, and I think it is appropriate for me to protect the decision space. With that said, if confirmed and as a general matter he do have my commitment to lean as far forward as possible to engage this committee, including you, Mr. chairman, your staff, on matters related to all of the issues you described. Particularly including the form of consultation.
▶ 2:09:29Chair Wicker: This is going to require a change in mindset. For example, there was no consultation with congress, but rather a surprise on the department cutting security assistance to the baltics. Would you concede that there was no consultation?
▶ 2:09:57Chair Wicker: That we were surprised when we were informed through the media about that?
▶ 2:10:03Mr. Velez-Green: Senator, I know the reporting and issue you are referencing. I'm sensitive to the public environment we are in currently. With respect to this, as with other matters you have referenced, you do have my commitment to engage in a forthright matter if confirmed, including consulting on matters such as these.
▶ 2:10:22Sen. Sullivan: I would very much have urged the department not to make that decision. At any rate, I think certainly we have had an airing of some differences of opinion this week. And so, I appreciate your response, and the tone of your assurances today. Senator jack reed.
▶ 2:10:53Sen. Reed: Thank you very much, Mr. chairman. Mr. velez-green, the president of the united states has created a list of designated terrorist organizations which he has ordered the department of defense to conduct the full operations against. In fact, the operations are inherently lethal. Part of the logic of how they can do it is that they are destroying ships from a distance, not even coming close into contact.
▶ 2:11:26Sen. Reed: What is the designation for a terrorist organization?
▶ 2:11:28Mr. Velez-Green: With respective legal basis or other legal considerations related to operations I would have to defer to the lawyers in the office of general counsel.
▶ 2:11:48Sen. Reed: So, lethal attacks against individuals with no real concern for the legal basis for?
▶ 2:11:58Mr. Velez-Green: That is certainly not my position. My position is very clearly that on matters like this and other matters that would come before the organization if I'm confirmed, including in my current capacity, I am extremely diligent and focused on ensuring that the office of general council is a properly engaged in all of these matters to ensure that any options or lawful in addition to other considerations.
▶ 2:12:25Sen. Reed: What has the office told you that is the statutory basis for these operations?
▶ 2:12:30Mr. Velez-Green: Again, with respect to the legal basis am going to defer to them to provide an accurate and appropriate response.
▶ 2:12:37Sen. Reed: So you cannot provide a statutory legal basis for this action?
▶ 2:12:41Mr. Velez-Green: I simply don't want to speak for the office of general counsel in this important matter.
▶ 2:12:47Sen. Reed: You were in the policy department of the department of defense. The policy embraces not just moving troops on the map, but also it is legal, what is not legal. What we can do.
▶ 2:13:03Sen. Reed: Don't you think you have an obligation if you believe there is a failure to follow the laws to at least examine that and be prepared to respond to the questions like this?
▶ 2:13:18Mr. Velez-Green: Mr. ranking member, I have no reason to believe that the president or secretary is doing anything unlawful. That said, with the context of what you are describing or any other part of policy's role is, candidly, is we serve to ensure the relevant stakeholders are part of the process in the way they need to be to bring their expertise to bear. Whether we are talking about military matters, acquisition issues.
▶ 2:13:46Mr. Velez-Green: In this case legal issues in general counsel, who is ultimately the office best positioned provide the answers you and others seek.
▶ 2:13:55Sen. Reed: Have you raised this question josh -- question --
▶ 2:14:01Chair Wicker: Maybe Mr. velez-green could reflect on your question and see on the record if he could respond?
▶ 2:14:10Sen. Reed: Mr. chairman, that is excellent advice.
▶ 2:14:16Chair Wicker: Mr. sullivan.
▶ 2:14:20Sen. Sullivan: Had one question. You have written about taiwan a lot. It is a really important area for our national security. It has been an island democracy for decades, and also critical element of the free world's economy. And in the united states our military is pretty much kept it free for decades. That is a fact.
▶ 2:14:49Sen. Sullivan: You have written that unlike in ukraine this is your words -- taiwan's defense will require where the military from the united states. Taiwan's defense will require U.S. intervention. Can you talk about what constitutes a credible deterrent with regard to taiwan? I think that is the key. And the importance of allies and partners. Not just us as it relates to taiwan. Finally, how we can speed the delivery of arms sales with regard to taiwan.
▶ 2:15:19Sen. Sullivan: It is hard to demand that they spend more in their defense -- which they should -- and I know the administration has been doing that -- and I'm fine with that. To encourage them to spend more. If we cannot then deliver the weapons they you cannot then deliver the weapons they need, that is a quandary for them, so if you can package those three different questions I just asked on taiwan in an answer. >> thank you, senator.
▶ 2:15:45Sen. Sullivan: Above all, certainly I want to be very deferential to the president with respect to taiwan , this is critical terrain within about operating from a position of military strength in the end of pacific. Having forceful deterrence along that geography is vital to ensuring a balance of power that allows us to achieve our ends.
▶ 2:16:14Sen. Sullivan: We have said that here. The congress of the united states in an exceptional piece of legislation that still rules our relationship with taiwan today said that military force taking over taiwan would be a grave concern to the united states. That is about as high a level as national security strategic interest as you get.
▶ 2:16:40Mr. Velez-Green: To my knowledge.
▶ 2:16:43Sen. Sullivan: Do agree with that? The answer is yes. Do you agree with the law?
▶ 2:16:48Mr. Velez-Green: Certainly.
▶ 2:16:50Sen. Sullivan: --
▶ 2:16:52Mr. Velez-Green: With respect to the other elements of your question, in terms of remaining -- retaining a robust turn in the island chain, we operate under denial defense, what is required to convince xi jinping that any attempt at congressional retrogression will not only be costly but ultimately fail and is not worth attempting in the first place this is what the joint force can provide to the president if and when required.
▶ 2:17:24Mr. Velez-Green: It is also a question of what our allies and partners are able to do in that geography. This is a central focus. I have had the opportunity to work on matters related to countries in this area. And helping them, incentivizing them, and enabling them to step up. That has a disproportionate effect by virtue of terrain and advantage.
▶ 2:17:50Mr. Velez-Green: To your observation, it is all good and well to incentivize folks to step up but if we cannot get of the weapons they need to do so that is a problem and something we are -- that is why we spoke to the undersecretary yesterday that did such a central and explicit part of what we are doing.
▶ 2:18:11Mr. Velez-Green: We want to get to a place where there is no question about our ability not just delivery but it is sane -- to sustain the building of partners to ensure lasting deterrent in the indo-pacific. That is a critical element of peace through strength on an enduring basis. >> thank you, senator sullivan p concludes today's hearing. I want to thank our witnesses for their participation and testimony.
▶ 2:18:41Mr. Velez-Green: Questions for the record will be due to the committee within two business days of the conclusion of this hearing and we are now adjourned. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap.org]