I want to call this hearing to order .
Good morning , everybody today . Uh We
welcome Secretary Del Toro , uh Admiral
Franchetti and General Smith . Uh Thank
you for serving our nation and for
leading our Navy and Marine Corps . I
look forward to discussing uh the 2025
budget priorities today . Uh Admiral
Franchetti , this is your first
appearance uh before this sub-committee .
Uh I have enjoyed getting to know you
over the recent months and we look
forward to working with you throughout
this process and moving forward .
General Smith . This is also your first
appearance in front of this uh
committee . It is great to see you and
I want to thank you for your service
and I want to thank you for being here
today . The fiscal year 2025 budget
request , the Navy and Marine Corps is
at 522 152.3
billion uh excluding funds for military
construction . This represents a 1.4%
increase above fy 24 enacted levels .
You received your fy 24 funding uh only
a couple of weeks ago , six months late .
Uh because uh Congress didn't do its
job and get his work done on time . Uh
In my opinion , this is a disgrace .
Our nation continues to face real
threats from China and Russia and Iran
and terrorist groups . As we saw just
this past weekend when Iran brazenly
attacked Israel with hundreds of
missiles . The world doesn't follow any
congressional calendar . The Senate
passed national security supplemental
includes 2.4 billion for the operations
in the US central command area of
operations that includes funds to
replace interceptors fired in defense
of our ships and of our allies in the
region . It is long past time
to get these funds signed into law . Um
I believe the supplement was sent out
in August of last year . Um We
have uh allies and that are
friends of ours . We've got countries
that are fighting for democracy yet we
are soldiers , lives are at risk in in
the region . Yet we continue to fiddle
and do Putin's bidding . Uh It is long
past time to get these funds signed
into law . And like I said , I would
like the witnesses today to explain the
impact of having uh to cash flow these
operations from existing budgets . But
as challenging as the Middle East
situation is uh the number one threat
to our freedom . The pacing threat
remains to be China . And as I've said
before , China doesn't operate on
continuing resolution solutions . So ,
notwithstanding political headwinds and
budget constraints , we will continue
to work with my good friend , Susan
Collins and Chairman Murray to end this
disastrous trend of CRS and insert some
certainty back into our budget cycle .
To be clear , we have our work cut out
for us . The bipartisan Fiscal
Responsibility Act is the law of the
land . It caps spending for both
defense and non-defense programs last
year . Despite our efforts , we were
not able to convince our colleagues to
change those budget caps . Given the
pressures on the budget such as the
impact of inflation . We need to
modernize the nuclear triad , rising
personnel costs and near unprecedented
global threats . And I might say , and
I've said it before . So this is not
breaking news . I think we're in a more
perilous time than has ever been in my
lifetime . Maybe with the exception of
the Cuban missile crisis , it is
imperative , it is imperative that we
invest these dollars that we do have uh
in a way that gets the results that we
want . Um I want to highlight a few
areas that we need further discussion .
The first is our people , our sailors ,
marines and civilians sub-committee has
worked with the department to provide
additional funds for recruitment and
increase suicide prevention efforts . I
would love to hear an update on that
second shipbuilding secretary de Del
Toro . You recently concluded a 45 day
shipbuilding review and , and document
the serious scheduling delays . Uh The
results are damning and I understand
additional studies are now ongoing . I
would love to hear about that . Third ,
the volatile uh global security
environment that has driven a great
sense of urgency and dod attempt to
field innovative technologies and
solutions at scale as quickly as
possible . Um We're always uh
open to working with the department of
events to ensure the warfighter has the
tools that needs to be effective . Um
However , it cannot be ignored . That
programs initiated with expedited
expedition authorities apparently
suffer from the same cost , scheduling ,
technical issues as traditional
programs do . Uh The Navy is no
exception . For example , the extra
large unmanned undersea vehicle was
intended to fill an urgent requirement .
Des despite fabrication starting in
2019 , here we are in 2024 with no
operational assets . But I see on the
cake and I heard the navy is planning
to sole source uh the follow on effort .
Uh And that , and that begs the
question , what message does that send ?
So before we entertain enacting new
budget acquisition authorities , I want
to know how the Navy is going to
improve its performance to ensure that
the capabilities we invest in actually
reaches the hands of the warfighter
without wasting taxpayer dollars . It
is the role of Congress to ensure that
taxpayer dollars are used in the most
effective way possible to maintain
American superiority . And I look
forward to continuing with you , work
with you to make that possible . Once
again , I wanna thank you all of you
for your service to this country . Uh
But before your opening statements , I
want to turn over to Senator Collins ,
uh , for any marks you would like to
make Senator Collins . Thank you , Mr
Chairman . Let me begin my remarks by
saying that I can't imagine a more
timely hearing than this one .
given Iran's deliberate attack
against the sovereign nation of Israel
with more than 300 drones and ballistic
missiles over the weekend . And the
Navy's truly heroic uh
response in assisting Israel
and our other allies impressively ,
with the assistance of the United
States , England , France and certain
Arab States , Israel intercepted
99% of these
missiles that includes more than 80
incoming drones and at least six
ballistic missiles that were taken down
by American forces , including the
crews of two Bath built
destroyers , the US S
Carney and the US S Arley Burke .
Keep in mind that this is the same US S
Carney that has been protecting us
and allied shipping in the Red Sea
and has an amazing record of
shooting down incoming missiles and
drones fired by the Houthis . In fact ,
the US Navy has thwarted numerous
attacks from Iran's terrorist proxies .
And I do think we should remember the
role of Iran in all of this ,
whether it is arming and equipping the
Houthis Hamas Hezbollah . If you
trace it back , it always comes back to
Iran , we place and appropriately .
So a lot of emphasis on China
in our hearings as being the pasing
threat . But we cannot forget as the
chairmans indicated how dangerous the
world is today and how many
adversaries we have . Um and
Iran is certainly among them and I
think we need to remember that the fact
that less than 1% of the weapons
reach their targets this weekend in
Israel does not in any way reflect a
lack of effort or malign intent
by Iran rather it is a testament ,
the service members who successfully
deployed modern missile defense
capabilities capabilities that were
developed over decades at the cost of
billions of dollars . But we should
never take for granted what it took to
make this defense of Israel possible .
If the if ever the
naysayers had any doubt about the
value of today's surface navy .
Those doubts should be eliminated by
the events of the last six months .
Shifting to the budget focus of today's
hearings . I will start by echoing the
chairman uh comments by saying how
great it is to see General Smith back
and help them with us today . I look
forward to continuing to work together
although it appears that amphibious
ships may not require quite as much
work this year as they did last year .
And I imagine that you're quite ok with
that to Secretary Del Toro
and to Admiral Franchetti . Thank you
also for your extraordinary leadership
and service . I also want to recognize
the service and sacrifice of our
marines , our sailors and their
families . I'm proud also that so
many Mainers have chosen to support the
Navy through their critical work at
Bath Ironworks , the Portsmouth Naval
Shipyard , the plant run by Pratt and
Whitney , the Naval Computers and
Telecommunications Center in Cutler and
other locations and facilities around
our state . There are many challenges
confronting the navy today , but three
are at the forefront of my mind . First ,
there are not enough sailors reporting
for duty at sea . Second , shipbuilding
is nowhere close to keeping pace with
China's growing navy . And third , the
funding for the navy's next generation
fighter aircraft that is central to the
air wing of the future has been delayed
considerably in this budget request .
Let me comment briefly on each of those
comments . Last month , the navy
reported a sea duty shortfall of nearly
2 22,000 personnel on average
13 out of every 100 jobs on a ship
are unfilled . These gap at sea are
growing worse . So I look forward to
your assessment of the impact of the
MTC billets on operational readiness
and on retention and recruitment .
China's navy continues its explosive
growth from more than 370 ships
today to 435 by the year
2030 . Well , this budget request
results in only 294 US
navy ships in the same time frame ,
merely a single ship more than today's
current fleet in total . The request
includes only six new ships for fiscal
year 2025 . The last time the navy
requested so few ships was more than 15
years ago . It's worth pointing
out as the chairman has that the
bipartisan uh navy national
security supplemental that the Senate
passed more than two months ago
includes more than $3 billion to
bolster the submarine industrial base
to help address the lengthy delays in
both submarine programs . I would also
add that the supplemental includes 2.4
billion to reimburse for the direct
costs being incurred by us . Military
units in harm's way in central command
for six months . Those were costs that
could not have been anticipated . And
that is yet another reason we need to
get this supplemental to the president
and signed into law , navy , sailors
and service members have the other
branches of the military have answered
the call , doing everything as to them
and more we need to pass the
supplemental so that these missions can
continue in the necessary investments
in the sub shipbuilding industrial base
can be made . Therefore , we also need
to mark up and pass some fiscal year
2025 defense appropriations
bill as soon as possible . That defers
conflict by providing the Navy and the
Marine Corps with the ships , aircraft
munitions and other capabilities
necessary to keep our country and our
allies safe during this extraordinarily
difficult and dangerous time . Thank
you , Mr Chairman . Thank you Senator
Collins . Uh Now I hold opening
statements uh and please know that your
full opening statement will be a part
of the record . We'll start with you .
Uh Senator uh Secretary Del Toro ,
Chairman Tester , Vice Chair Collins ,
distinguished members of the committee .
It's an honor to appear before you this
morning to discuss the posture of the
Department of the Navy , first and
foremost . I do also want to thank
General Smith and Admiral Frank Ketty
for answering the call of our nation .
Time and time again . They like all who
devote their careers and in some cases
even sacrifice their lives in defense
of their fellow Americans represent
everything that makes the United States
a beacon of hope and freedom around the
world . Together , our combined years
of service to our country totals over a
century , a century marked by multiple
deployments , time away from home and
sacrifices made by our families . And
as we gather here this morning ,
thousands of our sailors , marines ,
civilians and their families are either
stationed or deployed all over the
world , making the same sacrifices and
enduring the same trials that myself ,
Jonah Smith and Admiral Franchetti have
faced throughout our careers . In the
inter pacific . Our Navy and Marine
Corps are sailing and operating
alongside our international allies and
partners in support of a free and open
maritime commons . One where nations
are secure in their access to the seas
and where their rights within their
exclusive economic zones are respected
and upheld by all across Europe . We in
Cooper operation with our NATO allies
are supporting our Ukrainian partners
as they continue their fight to restore
their territorial and national
sovereignty . As Russia is illegal ,
full scale invasion enters now its
third year . And I also urge Congress
to pass the national security
supplemental without further delay in
support of our Ukrainian partners as
they fight to restore peace in their
homeland defense . The democracy for
all free nations , not just Ukraine .
And in the Red Sea , our sailors and
marines have encountered hundreds of
missiles and drones launched by the
Houthis these past six months targeting
merchant shipping and the warships of
both the United States and
international allies and partners . As
you have stated , we are confronting an
adversary , supported by Iran . All
roads lead to Iran that has no respect
for the innocent lives of civilian
merchant Mariners . And one that is
actively targeting our ships attempting
to harm our sailors and marines because
we dare to defend the defenseless . And
just this past weekend , as you have
stated , us , S Carney and US S Arley
Burke , both operating in the eastern
Mediterranean Sea intercepted several
Iranian ballistic missiles heading
towards Israel . For those who question
why the American taxpayer should
provide for and maintain a Navy and
Marine Corps . Look at what is
happening today in the Middle East
where we are defending the free flow of
international commerce and actively
defending our international allies and
partners members of the committee . We
appear before you today to ask for your
continued support for your partnership
and your commitment in ensuring that
the nearly 1 million sailors , marines
and civilians of the Department of the
Navy that we lead are ready on all
fronts at all times . Well , the Fiscal
Responsibility Act of 2023 forced us to
make very hard choices . The
$257.6 billion in the president's
budget request for fiscal year 25 for
our department adapt balances ,
maintaining and modernizing the fleet
enforcement today against planning for
the future force while also taking care
of our people . This budget directly
supports our department's three
enduring priorities of strengthening
our maritime dominance , building a
culture of warfighting excellence and
enhancing our strategic partnerships .
We are acquiring the most lethal agile
and capable warships , submarines ,
aircraft weapon systems and other
systems . Our world has ever seen .
We're also funding the research and
development of transformational
technologies and fielding them more
quickly to make our fleet more lethal
and persistent within the current fit
up . We are investing billions of
dollars in the industrial base that
supports us while encouraging them to
invest more in themselves at the same
time . And as responsible stewards of
taxpayer funds , we will enforce
accountability to ensure that our
sailors and marines have the platforms
and capabilities they need delivered on
time and on budget . Above all else ,
we are taking care of our personnel and
their families by focusing on improving
housing , expanding childcare capacity
and increasing access to mental health
resources amongst other critical areas .
We are clear eyed about the challenges
our nation faces today in the maritime
domain , both commercial and naval and
as a maritime nation . We must confront
the challenges of today and prepare for
the potential conflicts of tomorrow by
investing in a strong Navy and Marine
Corps . Again , it is an honor to
appear before you this morning and to
lead the the the the most powerful
lethal and flexible Navy Marine Corps
team in the world . And we look forward
to discussing with you how best to
deliver the Navy and Marine Corps that
our nation requires . Thank you ,
Secretary Del Toro . Thank you . Thank
you for the statement . Uh Next , we'll
have Admiral Franchetti , Admiral
chair Tester , Vice Chair Collins ,
distinguished members of the committee .
Good morning . And thank you for the
opportunity to testify on the posture
of the United States Navy on behalf of
all our sailors , navy , civilians and
their families deployed and stationed
all around the world . Thank you for
your leadership and your continued
support in providing and maintaining
the navy the nation needs . I'd also
like to thank my teammate , General
Smith for his exceptional partnership
and collaboration . As we guide our
services under the leadership of
Secretary Del Toro , flanked by two
oceans . The United States is and
always has been a maritime nation whose
security and prosperity rely on access
to the sea and for over 248 years ,
the US Navy has guaranteed that access ,
operating forward , defending our
homeland and keeping open the sea lines
of communication that fuel our economy
and underwrite our nation's security .
The events of this past year and the
actions taken by your Navy Marine Corps
team in the Indo Pacific in the
Mediterranean , in the Red Sea and
beyond underscore the enduring
importance of American naval power with
an average of 100 and 10 ships and
70,000 sailors and marines deployed on
any given day . The Navy Marine Corps
team is delivering power for peace ,
deterring potential adversaries and
standing ready to fight and win our
nation's wars . If deterrence fails , I
could not be more proud of this team .
No other navy in the world can train ,
deploy and sustain such a lethal combat ,
credible force that operates from the
seabed to space at the scope scale and
tempo that we do . This year's budget
request supports the national defense
strategy and my priorities of war ,
fighting war fighters and the
foundation that supports them . It
enables the navy to continue to meet
our congressionally mandated mission in
both peace and war . It is strategy
driven , maintaining our focus on the
People's Republic of China as a pacing
challenge , the acute threat of Russia
and other persistent threats like the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea ,
Iran and violent extremist
organizations given the discretionary
spending caps prescribed by the Fiscal
Responsibility Act and a top line
increase of 0.7% . The navy had to make
tough choices , favoring near term
readiness , investing in our industrial
base and prioritizing our people while
assuming risk in future capabilities
within this fiscally constrained
environment . The budget request fully
funds the navy's top acquisition
priority and the most survivable leg of
our strategic deterrence . The Columbia
class submarine , it provides funds for
six battle force ships and incremental
funding for two forward class carriers
in fy 25 and continues our support for
Marine Corps Force design by
maintaining 31 amphibious ships
procuring three LP DS one LH A and
eight medium landing ships . In total .
The budget request procures 57 ships
across the fit up . This budget request
prioritizes war fighting by funding our
operations , training and readiness
accounts . It continues our strong
commitment to our war fighters and our
families through pay raises for our
sailors and navy civilians and
investments in quality of service
initiatives such as unaccompanied
housing education , childcare , and
sailor resiliency . And it invests in
our foundation with funding for our
installations for our shipyard
Infrastructure optimization program and
for the broader defense industrial base ,
sending a strong signal to our industry
partners on the need to increase our
capacity to meet the growing demands of
the present and the future . As chief
of naval operations , I am committed to
pulling every lever available to me to
put more ready players on the field
platforms that are ready with the right ,
capabilities , weapons and sustainment ,
and people who are ready with the right
skills , tools , training and mindset
to defend our nation's security and
prosperity wherever and whenever it is
threatened . I thank the committee for
your leadership and your partnership in
ensuring the world's premier war
fighting force remains ready to
preserve the peace , respond in crisis
and win decisively in war . If called .
I look forward to your questions .
Thank you , Admiral . Uh We appreciate
your testimony . You're up , General
Smith .
Good morning , Chairman Tester , Vice
Chair Collins . Ladies and gentlemen ,
thank you for the opportunity to
represent your Marines today . I'd like
to start by sincerely thanking this
committee for its enduring support and
your advocacy for a timely predictable
and sufficient budget that enables the
Marine Corps to remain first to fight .
I would also like to express my deep
gratitude for the partnership between
my shipmate Admiral Franchetti and me
as we lead our respective sea services
under the leadership of Secretary
Secretary Del Toro . Whether deterring
responding to crisis or in conflict .
It will be the Navy and Marine Corps
expeditionary forces who make first
contact with partners seeking help or
adversaries seeking a fight . Our
partnership . Collaboration and
integration is a decisive advantage .
Last week , I published updated
guidance to the Force entitled Maintain
Momentum . I chose this title as I
firmly believe the Corps is on the
right path under force design . A few
points from that document . First , I
believe the Marine Corps must continue
to strike a balance between high end
modernization and our commitment to
persistent four deployed naval
expeditionary forces that campaign and
respond to crises globally . This
effort is represented by our marine
expeditionary units . Second , we must
prioritize our operations with the Navy
and its amphibious ships and we must
provide marines with the organic
mobility to rapidly maneuver from shore
to shore , ship to shore and back again .
Third on recruiting , our performance
speaks for itself . We will continue to
make our mission without ever
diminishing our standards .
Additionally , our top performing
marines are re enlisting at record
rates and we must sustain this trend .
Fourth , we must maximize the
capabilities of our reserves to ensure
that our nation has the ready bench of
warriors . They have relied on since
the founding of Marine Corps Forces
Reserve in 1916 and fifth , I'm
dedicated to ensuring a quality of life
for our marines that matches the high
demands we place on them every day .
That means nutritious food , high
quality and accessible gyms and a safe
quiet place to recover from a hard
day's work . Our barracks 2030
initiative is our most consequential
barracks investment ever and it is
sorely needed while aggress
aggressively pursuing these priorities .
I commit to you that our corps will
always be frugal and accountable with
the resources you and the American
people provide . I'm proud of my
marines and civilian marines who
enabled the Marine Corps to receive an
unmodified audit opinion earlier this
year , the first of any service to do
so , they told us what we have long
known that when you entrust us with the
taxpayers' money , it is money well
spent and fully accounted for all these
things are critical to maintaining the
strength and dominance of your Marine
Corps . This year marks 249 years since
the founding of our corps . That is 249
years of battles won and peace upheld
in the name of democracy and prosperity
for our nation and for all nations who
abide by the international rules based
order . But increasingly world events
demonstrate this order is being
challenged , free trade , unrestricted
access to the seas , peaceful cooper
between nations big and small are under
assault . Our nation's prosperity is
underwritten by a strong Navy and
Marine Corps who maintains a global
presence and keeps malign actors at bay .
Thank you again for the opportunity to
represent your marines today . I pledge
to continue to work closely with each
of you to ensure your Marine Corps
remains the most lethal fighting force
on the planet . I look forward to your
questions . Thank you for your
statement . General . Um We appreciate
you being here as well as uh the entire
panel . Uh I'm gonna start with you uh
with rounds of questions here ,
Secretary Del Toro . Um This past
weekend , uh us forces are stationed in
the Middle East , uh defending Israel
from Iran's barrage of missiles .
This is just the latest in a series of
us forces have taken in the area to
defend assets and assets of our allies .
Secretary Dre so far you're paying for
these operations out of your existing
budget even though the Senate passed
national security supplemental contains
2.4 billion to cover these costs
including replacing the missiles . Can
you please explain the impact of having
to cover these costs without the
supplemental funds that the Senate has
already passed by the way ? Well ,
thank you , Mr Chairman and thank you
both are actually recognize the bravery
and the courage of our sailors and
marines who've been now operating in
both the Mediterranean and the Red Sea
over the course of the last six months
first , the Ford Carrier strike group
then followed the Baton uh amphibious
uh uh uh Redness group as well too .
And of course , now the Eisenhower
carrier strike group with additional
ships that are being provided for in
the Mediterranean over the course of
the last six months , we've fired . Uh
we have actually countered over 100 and
30 direct attacks on us navy ships and
merchant ships . Uh The munitions that
are critical to these to these counter
strikes are extremely important to the
Department of the Navy . We currently
have approaching $1 billion in
munitions that we have uh need to
replenish at some point in time . So
therefore the over $2 billion that's uh
provided for in the supplemental is ,
is direly critical to our Navy and
Marine Corps to be able to replenish
those munitions and continue to provide
the types of defensive measures that we
have this past 6.5 months now . Uh
Thank you , uh uh Admiral Franchetti ,
I I know that uh ship maintenance is ,
is a , a priority for you in addressing
that . Uh What is the impact of
extended operations and deployment on
the force is one
of my biggest priorities . I don't know
that your mic is on , go ahead ,
sorry on it's on now .
Ship maintenance is one of my very
biggest priorities . When I talk about
getting more players on the field , you
know , one way to do that , of course ,
is to procure new ships , but the other
one is to get them in and out of
maintenance on time . So we're very
focused as we are looking at the ships
that are already uh underway , several
of which have been extended , making
sure that we work uh with our shipyards
and our planning uh to be able to get
them in and out of maintenance as
quickly as they come back . I think
more broadly , we're very focused on
improving our processes that are
related to shipyard maintenance in
general . Uh Some . So that is making
sure that we get our packages locked in
uh about six months ahead of time
before the ships come back . So we can
plan the work ahead of time . So we
don't have as much growth work or new
work once the ship uh is in the actual
availability , uh the other one is
developing uh putting in place
basically a surface readiness group .
Uh It's going to be led by a second
tour , a sequential uh captain at the
06 level , who will have a team of
folks that are very experienced in
shipyard maintenance to bring the ships
through , help provide that expertise
and oversight along with our N AC
counterparts that will be doing that .
So again , I think we're starting to
see some big improvements in shipyard
maintenance for our surface ships and
look forward to continuing that
progress . We can't take our foot off
the gas and I'm very focused on this .
Thank you . Uh Secretary of LAO . Uh
You had a 45 day review of navy
shipbuilding documented a three year
delay in the new frigate program . Uh
two year delay in the latest aircraft
carrier , two year , uh 2 to 3 year
delay in the Virginia class attack
submarines , 12 to 16 month delay in
the Columbia class submarine . Uh This
is despite unprecedented support by
Congress headlines and delays like this
uh should constituent should uh
constitute a full blown emergency for
the navy and the shipbuilding industry .
I know there's no fix , no quick fixes ,
but I have yet to see what either party
is prepared to do about it . Uh And to
be specific who's being held
accountable . Now , look , we do
studies and we do surveys where I'm
talking about . We be in the Senate .
Um , and that's exactly what they end
up being . Um , I think your review has
shown that we've got a problem , a
major problem and a problem that puts
our national security at risk . So ,
the question is , is how do we hold
these folks accountable ? How do we ,
what do we need to do uh to make sure
these folks understand that uh
profitability in the shipbuilding
industry isn't your number one
responsibility . It's to get these
ships out and submarines and equipment
out on time on budget the way we need
them to keep this country safe . Well ,
that's exactly right , Mr Chairman and
uh when I was confirmed , I committed
to you that I'd be honest , transparent
and committed to making a difference .
And that's my intent . That was my
intent in uh asking for the 45 day
review which reviewed over 10
shipbuilding programs for the purpose
of providing the assessment of national
and local causes of the shipbuilding
challenges in that regard . Uh The
contributing factors that were
discovered in that review are
leadership issues , design maturity .
First of class challenges faced by the
shipyards as well , transition of
production , design workforce and a
shortage of blue collar labor across
the country as well . It was also
determined and that shipyards simply
aren't making enough of a contribution
on their own to the increasing their
own production rates at their own
shipyards , which is also critical . I
mean , it's just one example , Mr
Chairman , we're making a $15 billion
investment over the course of the next
five years , that money , that's the
taxpayer's money . And at the same time ,
many of these shipyards actually making
stock buyback programs where they're
buying back stacks to the tune of $4
billion and upwards of that uh that's
unforgivable and we need them to invest
in their own shipyards just as much as
the American taxpayer is investing in
the budget to get these production
lines back up . Well , I , I would just
say that , you know , Eisenhower warned
of the military industrial complex . Um
The fact of the matter is , is that
they're an important partner for us .
They're an important part of the
equation and uh I get it , excuses are
many uh whether it's workforce or
whatever it is . But the fact
that some of these corporations are
using the money to buy stocks back
without building capacity first is
incredibly irresponsible and uh I hope
they're listening because quite frankly ,
uh we will do whatever we can do to
make sure they have a workforce . But
it , they got to step up the plate and
uh in many cases , I have not seen that
happen . Senator Collins , thank you ,
Mr Chairman Admiral . I wanna follow
up on the chairman's question to you
about maintenance and delays . Um
you addressed it from surface ships . I
wanted to talk to you about submarines .
The shipyard infrastructure
optimization program si A and the
ship depot mount maintenance line item
are both well resourced in the budget
request . I support these needed
investments in the Portsmouth naval
shipyard in Kittery Maine and in our
other shipyards because during the past
decade , fewer than one third of the
navy's attack submarines have completed
maintenance on time . Last year , navy
officials conceded that there were
nearly twice as many non deployable
submarines as were anticipated because
of maintenance or other issues . This
is a trend that we simply have to
reverse . To what extent we make the
investments in the budget can we expect
that the submarine maintenance backlog
will decline ?
Thank you , Senator . And as you know ,
our submarines are our true asymmetric
advantage and we really do need uh to
improve on our overall submarine
maintenance . I think uh two things
that you mentioned there . So the
shipyard in infrastructure optimization
program , you know , this isn't a once
in a generation really once in 100 year
overhaul of our four public shipyards ,
we really appreciate the investments in
those shipyards because they are so
critical to that maintenance that
you're talking about . And this is
recapitalization of the dry docks . It
is a reorganization of the shipyard to
ensure that the flow of the work across
the shipyard uh will be effective and
more efficient as we're doing that
maintenance and then of course ,
upgrading the equipment that is part of
that is all part of the shipyard uh
optimization program that we're putting
in place . And I think you will really
see those investments pay off over many
years . These are long projects . And
again , we appreciate the investment in
that as far as the getting our ship
submarines out of the shipyard on time .
You know , we've made a lot of progress
in putting uh in place processes that
help us look at the data analytics . So
we can better understand where are the
choke points . Uh What are the barriers
to getting our submarines out of
maintenance on time and then working to
implement the corrections . We put the
head of our submarine force in charge
uh of that overall process last year to
really drive the operational demand and
understand the sense of urgency that we
need in each one of our shipyards to be
able to get them out on time . One of
the other things we found was that uh a
shortage of supply parts and a
rotatable pool uh would be away . So we
put that in our budget for last year ,
we're looking forward to getting those
all on contract now . Uh a little bit
delayed about six months delayed , but
we will get that in there and then
expect to see positive results of
having those spare parts and long lead
time materials in place ahead of time
to expedite . Uh that maintenance . So
again , we're starting to see some good
progress out in Pearl Harbor Naval
Shipyard . We have two submarines , the
Minnesota and the Illinois that are
currently on track uh for their
maintenance availabilities . And we
look to take the learning that they're
doing out in Pearl Harbor and bring
that to our other shipyards as well .
Well , the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in
Kittery Maine is the gold standard uh
just to get that on the record . Uh But
obviously I've visited there many times
and the physical constraints are a real
barrier and that's why the CIA
program has been absolutely
critical . General Smith , I
want to talk to you about an unfunded
priority . That is uh that you've
submitted and that's for the
procurement of 4 F-35
engines and engine power modules to
alleviate potential logistical problems
associated with transporting engines to
ships and the time that it takes to
replace an engine at sea , could you
comment on how funding
additional F-35 C spare engines and
power modules would improve F-35
readiness and better support our
operational commanders ,
Senator I can and thank you for the
question . Those four engines
enable us to do repairs at sea um which
are incredibly difficult when we're
deployed aboard uh our amphibious
landing ships , our lhaslh DS and when
we have the appropriate number of
spares , we can in stride swap an
engine out . We have the maintainers
and the tools to do that at sea , but
we need the , the spare engines to do
so and that increases our readiness uh
dramatically . So those four engines
are vital um as we have encountered .
Um um I would say higher than
expected uh degradation in our engines .
Thank you . I couldn't help but
notice this morning that sitting next
to our highly decorated marine are two
former commanders of the , are
captains of the Arley Burke destroyers
and I appreciate the fact that you
understand that they are truly the
workhorse of the fleet and have been
there for more than three decades .
Um Mr Secretary , could you
describe for the members of the
committee who may be less familiar with
the important role played by our
destroyers ? How important they have
been both in protecting the shipping
lanes in the Red Sea and in the defense
of Israel this past weekend ? Thank you ,
Madam Vice . Uh without question . Uh
The early brick destroyer is a multi
mission platform that conducts numerous
missions especially including air
defense and ballistic missile defense
uh for us , forces and our allies and
partners has been critically important
to the defense of the Red Sea over the
course of the last six months and they
really have operated uh extraordinarily .
Well , it's a test to the investments
that have been made by the Department
of the Navy and the Congress
specifically over the course of the
last several decades , investments in
the aegis combat system and the weapon
systems and the munitions that actually
go on those ships to be able to
effectively defend our national
security interest . As you know , over
90% of the world's trade actually
travels on the water . And we also have
undersea cables that carry up to 10
trillion financial transactions every
single day . So the protections of
those seas and the other those under
sea cables is incredibly important and
it is actually the early burke
destroyer and hopefully in the future ,
the constellation class frigate as well
too , that will provide that defense to
our national security . Thank you madam
chair . Thank you . Thank you very much
to my vice chair and uh chair tester
and thank you all to our tester uh to
our witnesses for joining us and thank
you for your service to our country .
At at a time when we know some of our
adversaries are making significant
investment in their navies . We have to
keep pace and maintain strong
investments for our Navy and Marine
Corps . And that doesn't mean just
equipment . We have to invest in our
men and women in uniform , getting them
adequate training and equipment and
making sure their families have support
like child care , mental health care ,
safe quality housing and a lot more .
And while we discuss what's needed for
the Navy and Marine Corps in Fy 25 I
can't neglect to mention that we must
also finish the job on Fy 24 by passing
the National uh security supplemental
ASAP uh Iran's attacks over the weekend
are a very stark reminder of the
precarious moment that we're in the
pressing challenges we and our allies
face across the globe , including the
risk of further escalation of
hostilities in the Middle East . And of
the urgent need to pass the national
security supplemental . It is critical
we act that we stand with our allies
that we deter escalation and more
conflict . And of course , we know that
American support can turn the tide of
the war for the war in Ukraine for
months . I've been insisting we pass a
comprehensive and bipartisan national
security supplemental . I wrote with
many of you who are here in this room .
So I'm glad the speaker now seems to be
moving in that direction . I look
forward to working with Chairman Cole
Vice Chair Collins ranking member de
Lauro to make this a reality . After so
many months of needless delay from
House Republicans , we've got to get
this done . We need to get it right as
everyone in the room knows the details
matter and show the world that there is
bipartisan support to stand with our
allies . Having said that let me turn
to questions for our witnesses . Uh Mr
Secretary last week reporting from
military.com revealed deeply disturbing
accounts of child abuse by child
development center employees at navy
installations . The investigation found
that Navy rules prioritize protecting
the institution , keep parents in the
dark and have minimal safeguards to
guarantee accountability according to
the reporting , base commanders and
military police units often don't know
who is responsible for reporting and
investigating abuse at CDC S . And in
one case , it took a full year before
workers responsible for abuse charged
in a civilian court . The reporters
interviewed a dozen families with
similar stories of not being told when
their child was injured . And in many
cases , parents shouldered hefty legal
bills to force the military branches to
tell them what happened . I cannot
emphasize enough how concerning and
unacceptable that is . So Mr Secretary ,
I want to know what is the Navy doing
to investigate these reports and ensure
that those responsible are held
accountable . Well , Senator first and
foremost , thank you for the concern
that you display for our service
members and their families as well too .
I had four Children growing up , many
of them actually were in childcare
development centers and there is no
greater priority than the than the
safety of our servicemen and women in
uniform and the civilians that actually
use those CDC S as well too . I'm quite
familiar with the details actually from
the 22 case of this Child Development
Center , but there are inaccuracies as
well too in the reporting of those
facts . In fact , law enforcement
officials were informed on the very
first day that they were discovered and
they were actually brought to bear .
Unfortunately , we sometimes can't
control how long it takes for civilian
investigations to be followed . Through
and for the , um , the burdens that are
placed on families and having to
demonstrate facts as well too
throughout those investigations . But
that's no excuse obviously for trying
to move as quickly as possible . The
director of that Child care Center was
actually fired , there were actually
seven other employees that were fired
along with it . And I assure you that
moving forward , we have learned the
lessons from that case from both those
cases and ensuring the highest levels
of standards of security and care for
our CDC S throughout the entire
Department of the Navy , Navy and
Marine Corps . So , what are you doing
to make sure this never happened again ?
Well , we've actually learned those
lessons and we've applied those lessons
throughout all child there . Uh , child
development centers from two years ago ,
there were numerous vi uh policy
violations that were not adhered to as
well too . So we've conducted training
across all those CDC S and those , for
the most part , those trainings have
been conducted and applied across all
CDC S in the Navy and Marine Corps
today . Ok . Well , I'm gonna be
following this very closely and I
expect this to be investigated and
addressed swiftly and report back to us .
So our man already has Senator . We'd
be happy to make those facts available
to your office . Ok . I would
appreciate that men and women in
uniform can only do their jobs if they
know their kids are ok . Couldn't agree
with you more , ma'am . In um 2022 the
Defense Health Agency removed labor and
delivery services from Naval Hospital ,
Bremerton and Kitsap County in my state
and it forced um service members and
their families to then seek care in the
community or travel over two hours to
Madigan Army medical center . Kitsap
County has already been a ha has
already got , has a medical provider
shortage and the reduction of services
at the Bremerton Hospital has really
increased the strain on the system . Um
The Navy predicts that the US S Reagan
is going to bring an additional 3500
additional crew members and families to
the Puget Sound naval shipyard . Talk
to me about how you are going to adjust
healthcare capacity to address the
needs . Um As that increase in
population comes in Senator as much of
a concern as this is to you . It's as
much a concern to me as well too ,
especially in the Pacific Northwest
where we are facing significant
challenges in terms of medical care
providers , not just in the military
service but also in the civilian sector
as well too . We are working very
closely with the DH A I myself have
discussed this uh situation with the
under secretary uh for health um trying
to work with DH A and providing them as
much of support as we can . From the
military side , from the operational
medical side to provide uh additional
staff uh to the mtfs themselves so that
we can beef them up . Um I have
actually visited numerous clinics in
the Pacific Northwest and I'm aware of
some of the shortages and the great
work that they're doing despite those
shortages as well , we will continue to
work with uh the Office Secretary of
Defense and the DH A and the Deputy
Secretary of Defense uh to provide the
necessary support from operational Navy
medical resources basically . But that
also creates a challenge in terms of
ensuring that the standards of
proficiency that are required in
operational medical redness are also
adhered to . Should we ever have to go
into a conflict ? Ok . Well , let's
stay in touch on that and keep us
informed and I out of time . But I did
want to mention in Congress approved
100 and 95 million to address the
electrical back um Bone of the Puget
Sound Naval Shipyard and provided 100
and 30 million over the president's
budget request to address the seismic
concerns at PSNS . Um Those projects
are essential for the Navy psy op and
its forward class aircraft
modernization projects . So if you
could provide an update to us on my
staff , on the Navy's work to address
the seismic issues and um I would
really appreciate it . I'd be happy to
do so and I cannot thank um the support
of the communities in the Pacific
Northwest um uh state government ,
local government working with the
Department of the Navy as we actually
worked through those challenges last
year . Uh It really was a case study
and , and how it can be effectively
executed when everybody's working
together as one team . Ok , great .
Thank you . Thank you , Chair Murray ,
Senator Hoven . Thank you ,
raking me coms , I guess acting chair
now , huh ? Yeah , I like that . Yeah ,
me too . Uh Thanks to all of
you for being here and , and for your
service . Um Secretary Del Toro , uh
there's been a drawdown in airborne ISR
and I know that there's a sense that
we're going to do a lot of it from
space which we are , but at the same
time , um you know , we're hearing from
combatant commanders and everybody else
that they need that airborne ISR . How
important is it that we not only
maintain our I uh ISR capabilities ,
but that we continue to have the best
ISR uh globally . Uh For example , for
things like survivability of the fleet ,
Senator , I could agree with you more .
Uh There simply aren't enough ISR
assets throughout the entire department
and there's will always be a need for
more of them , especially as we get
into the realm of countering unmanned
aerial threats as well to not just to
our forces at sea but to our
installations , commands as well too .
And although I can't get into the
details of some of the major
investments that we've made to counter
those threats and be happy to do so in
closed session . Um There is a high
demand for those assets and we need to
continue to invest more in our budgets
moving forward . Thank you , Secretary
uh Admiral Fti . Um Do you have enough
capacity against missile threats ? Not
only in the Mideast , but start there
obviously , of what we saw recently
with the attack from Iran on Israel ,
but also in Europe and East Asia .
Thank you . You know , this is uh one
of the critical things that we provide
every day , uh air defense missile
defense . And you know , we really need
to continue to invest in our weapons
industrial base as well as we're making
investments in the broader defense
industrial base . So continuing to
invest in our weapons , industrial base
is really important . I think the navy
really about two years ago , we started
investing in all of our critical
mission munitions that we need ,
including those we need for air defense
and we wanna continue those investments
we're looking at at that as an
enterprise investment , one that in the
past where munitions were a little bit
of a bill payer for some of our other
capabilities . And we have changed that ,
that we are working to invest in those
munitions that we need . We're also
partnering with missile defense Agency ,
of course , for Ballistic Missile
Defense and look forward to that
continued partnership and getting
exactly what we need to defend our
nation . So your capacity status right
now is adequate ,
inadequate So it , it's , it's
adequate for what we have . Now , as
you'll see in our budget , we have
requested additional funds for
continued improvement uh in those
investments for munitions , as well as
in the supplemental uh to replenish
what we've been using already in the
Red Sea Senator . If I could just
quickly add , you know , I would argue
that the President's budget , uh
numbers are adequate , but that's also
prior to the attacks that we've just
had this weekend alone , for example .
So we are now closely approaching a
billion dollars in ex , in expenditures
for munitions that we need paid back by
the supplemental , which is why it's
critical for Congress to pass a
supplemental this , this week so that
we can actually get the additional
resources to be able to supplement
those munitions that will be critical
moving forward , which is important to
understand that a lot of the funding in
the supplemental goes to restoring uh
our uh weapons as well as
strengthening our military industrial
base to produce more of those uh , new
sophisticated weapons rapidly , whether
it's airborne assets or whether it's
missile defense , the things that we
need now and going forward . Exactly
right . Senator , I mean , we've been
firing SM two S , we've been firing SM
Sixes and just over the weekend , SM 33
is to actually counter the ballistic
missile threat that's come from Iran .
So we need this supplemental to pass
this week . So it really does go to our
arsenal and our defenses . Yes , sir .
These are investments in our industrial
base there . No question about it . Uh ,
then I , for either one of you or both
of you on the nuclear deterrent
commitment to the triad and whether ,
uh , you know , we're tracking both in
terms of the , uh , of the , uh , the ,
the Columbia program and , and you know ,
your commitment to that modernization
of the nuclear triad starting with you ,
Secretary . Absolutely , Senator , I
mean , the , the navy's investment in
the Columbia uh class submarine uh has
been enormous . It is our number one
acquisition priority and it will
continue to be our number one
acquisition priority moving forward .
We've also , as I came into this role ,
made the decision in my first month as
Secretary to assess the possible extent
of Ohio class submarines as well .
Recognizing that there could
potentially be a gap in the Columbia
program as it's turning out to be
accurate now . And so we have actually
assessed five SSBNS Ohio class SSBNS
now that can be extended um for another
deployment . Uh and we will continue
those efforts until we close any gap
that might exist in the nuclear triad .
Very good admiral . Anything to add
there . Yep , Columbia is our , our
number one investment priority . Ok .
Thanks to both of you . Uh General
Smith . Uh again , uh same thing on ISR
on me aircraft . Uh You're , you're
actually working very hard to uh
upgrade , modify , strengthen , enhance
uh you know , your your ability to
deploy and be that rapid reactionary
force globally . And I know you're
looking at how do you do that in the
modern age with new technologies ,
address uh your need for uh airborne
UAs in the battlefield ?
Senator . We're focused on the MQ nine .
MQ nine is a vital platform for us .
Um We're focused on the training and
the procurement of that platform and
what we call a Tso pod which at a
different classification level , I'd be
happy to come brief you on . Um but it
can detect at great ranges , adversary
movements and it can uh seamlessly uh
complete the the kill chain for our
long range fires uh missile systems .
So the MQ nine is , is vital to our
future both in terms of getting it ,
but also the uh school , how the
development , the training and so forth
that capacity as well . Absolutely .
We're , we are currently working with
the Air Force um to , to train duly ,
but we need to stand up a schoolhouse
as well to pull some of that pressure
off the Air force . Where do you ,
where do you see other modifications
and how you think you make that
expeditionary force more effective ?
What what else can the committee do to
help you in that process ? Senator , I
would say steady procurement for amps
is , is actually the most vital thing
for our um for expeditionary war
fighting capability . Um We need uh
steady funding for our LHAS on four
year centers and our LP DS on two year
centers because we are an expeditionary
war fighting organization . We , we
live to deploy and , and that is the
number one thing for us . Senator .
Thank you again . Thanks to all three
of you . Thank you , Mr Chair , Senator
Bozeman . Uh Thank you Mr Chairman and
thank you all for being here . We
appreciate the great work that you do .
Ensuring the services not only have the
resources to accomplish the mission but
also taking care of the men and women
that serve and sacrifice and , and
their families . And it certainly is a ,
a family affair . General Smith , the
Marines Force design 2030 requires
forward deployed marine sailors as a
stand in force . I understand the
medium range intercept capability
system will be critical to support this
standing force . Is this program funded
at the level ? It needs to be in fiscal
year 25 . And if not , where do you
need the funding to go ? How will this
help our allies in the Middle East ?
Senator , the , the the system you're
describing the medium manage intercept
capability is an Israeli built Tamir
missile combined with TPS 80 gator
radar and that gives us an incredible
advantage in detection and action
against inbound enemy air threats . Um
We are , we are on path to procure that .
Um the the current budget supports it
and it is really just a matter of uh of
time to build the arsenal of TPS eight
and the Tamir missiles that are
required to , to be able to fully
engage this system . So we're funded up
and you've got the resources you need .
We , we do Senator very good . Um ,
tell me , uh , Admiral Franchetti . Uh ,
again , the idea that we're in a
situation where we , uh
have a , the issue of
expenditure , you know , the idea of
shooting , uh , a $2 million missile at
a $200,000 or less drone . Um
What are we doing though to solve that
problem ? Well , first I couldn't be
more proud of our navy team . Our
investments really made over the last
10 years to make sure that our surface
ships would have the weapon systems ,
they need the training uh and the
confidence in those systems to be able
to operate them the way that they are
doing that in the Red Sea . And , you
know , you cannot put a price tag on
the 300 sailors that on each one of
those ships . And , you know , we are
defending in depth and using all of
those capabilities that we put in place
over the , the really the last 10 years
of investment . You know , I think we
are working hard across the entire
joint force . Uh to look as we see this
changing character of war and the use
of unmanned aerial systems . Uh You saw
it in Armenia and Azerbaijan , you're
seeing it in Ukraine and Russia . Uh
you're seeing it here in the Red Sea
that we know we need to develop
additional capabilities to counter
those UASS . Uh whether they're kinetic
or non kinetic as quickly as possible ,
working with industry and the
innovation base to bring to bear some
technologies that are out there . And
uh we're hoping to get those onto our
platforms as quickly as possible . So
you feel like we're doing a good job of
balancing near term with the
again , uh the investments that we
need to to go forward to actually
counter . Does that make sense ? I do ?
We're testing out a laser called the
Helios system right now . But all of
the services right now are testing out
different types of capabilities to get
there . And I'd like to be able to work
together with them to marin some of
those and again , share lessons learned
so we can get after this challenge
because we know that it will be with us
uh for the foreseeable future . Thank
you , Mr Secretary , uh the Navy's $1
billion investment , uh unaccompanied
housing uh is much
needed to improve quality of life . We
also know that there is more work to be
done . Mr Secretary , can you speak to
how quality of life investments add to
the value proposition of service
especially as the Navy continues as all
as all the services do with recruiting ?
Thank you , Senator . Thanks for your
commitment to quality of service for
our , our marines and our sailors .
I've been committed to it in the entire
time and I've been secretary as , as
Secretary of Defense too . And I think
those commitments are really paying out .
We're seeing the highest retention
rates in the Navy and Marine Corps
today that we've seen in a very long
time . And I do believe it's
fundamentally because of those quality
of service investments starting with
increase in pay 5.2% last year , 4.5%
in this presidential budget is combined .
It's the highest paying that we've seen
in a long , long time . That's been
compounded by a long term commitment to
improving family housing on the part of
the Congress and part of the Department
for over the last 20 years . However ,
I think we've fallen short when it
comes to our commitment to
unaccompanied housing . And we're now
correcting the record on that . For
example , in the Marine Corps and
Common , I can , can talk to it . We've
just surveyed all our Marine Corps
housing . We essentially have 40,000
units . Basically that , that have been
uh surveyed . We , we have 60,000
marines living in those 17,000 are
falling short . We need to continue to
make the infrastructure investments in
our unaccompanied housing both in the
Marine Corps and the Navy . Moving
forward . Part of the solution , in my
humble opinion is actually moving some
of those barracks to privatized housing .
When you take a look at the gold
standard of housing for our in the navy ,
for example , out in San Diego , that
should be the the gold the standard
basically for housing . And so just
this past year alone , I made the
decision to move six and I'm glad the
White House agreed with me to move six
of those additional housing units to
that gold standard more has to be done .
And certainly I will welcome my other
one of my service chiefs to comment on
that as well . I think it's also in
addition to the housing , it's it's
also opportunities that folks have ,
for example , to cook their own food in
the housing , to have access to fitness
centers that are nearby . And of course ,
making sure that the unaccompanied
housing is not only new or modernized ,
it's also maintained properly . So
we've put in place , you know , QR
codes and people can report their
maintenance and you know , really
making a strong investments in the fram
accounts and appreciate all the
appropriations from the committee to be
able to improve that . I I would echo
uh the secretary and my shipmate that
uh the fi room accounts are vital , the
facility sustainment , restoration and
modernization funds to modernize the
barracks that we do intend to keep and
then the construction to build the new
barracks that we , we intend to tear
down and build new . Um because the
marines deserve a quiet , healthy place ,
climate controlled to live and uh and
to recuperate after a hard day's work .
Very good . Well , thank you all . We
really do appreciate your service in so
many different ways . Thank you , Mr
Chairman , Senator Graham . Thank you ,
Mr Chairman . I appreciate um each of
you for your service to our country .
I'm gonna try to keep this as simple as
possible . So simple , an air force
person could understand what we're
talking about when it comes to the navy .
Uh There was a report done in June of
last year called uh the Battle Force
BFSAR . Are you familiar with that ?
Admiral ? Yes , force structure
assessment . There you go . We got one
acronym down and many to go . I'm sure .
Uh It said we needed
381 man ships and 100 and
50 unmanned platforms
for a total of 515 . Is that
accurate ? Yeah , that's accurate . And
really every study since 2016 has said
that we need a larger navy . We need
515 . How many do we have now in terms
of ships ? Uh We have a 293
ships today and we are continuing to .
How many will we have under this budget
in 2030 in
2030 ? Uh we will
have 294 ships . Ok .
We're gonna have one more ship than we
have today in 2030 . We got a long way
to go to get to
373 . Uh What does
it take to build ? Out this
515 platform
navy in terms of spending .
So , first of all , on the numbers ,
it's not only about the numbers ,
Senator Graham , it's also about the
capabilities . Wait a minute . No , no ,
no , no , no . You said numbers . You
didn't . The report said 515 it
said 300
81 man ships and 100 and 50 unmanned
are those numbers , right ? Those are ,
numbers are correct . Apart from
capability . Don't put out a report
that's false if these numbers are not
accurate because we have capability to
do it . With half of that . I need to
know right now . Senator , the , the
the ship , I'm not talking to you . Yes ,
that is our analysis that it was done
uh last year that reported that out in
the battle force strike . So you stick
by these numbers , right ? We will
continue to do that , ok ? All right ,
you're telling us what you think you
need . So we got a budget that gets us
to 294 in 2030 .
Now , Mr Secretary , you support this
budget , support this budget . Do you
support ? Do you support the plan to
get the 515 ships ? 43 sir . You , you
support that plan . I do support the
profile , the number one profile that
we submitted in the ship building plan .
Ok . So how in the hell do we get there
if you support , I'll be happy to ,
I'll get right to you . I'm , I'm happy
to explain how we get there , sir . I'd
be happy to explain how , ok , how do
we get there real quick ? We get there
by having continued support from the
Congress basically , without how much
money do you need ? The Fiscal , the
Fiscal Responsibility Act actually has
made it difficult this year to be able
to invest . Admiral Gidley said , but I
am talking Admiral Gidley said last
year , you need 5% above inflation to
get there according to this plan . And
the Congress passed a fiscal
responsibility . Yeah . Well , I'm I'm
not saying we're not at fault . So
we're 1% above last year's numbers ,
right ? Ok . Last year's numbers were
1% above we're still below inflation .
Now , last year's number actually were
quite significantly higher than the ,
we're 1% over last year's number
because of the Fiscal Accountability
Act . You don't agree with that .
That's correct . Ok . Well , what's
inflation ? Inflation runs at about
3.4% right now ? So we're spending
below inflation . Can we agree on that ?
Ok . So if it takes 5% over inflation
to get to this magic number this year ,
we're spending below inflation . And
when you project it out , the number of
ships will have an inventory is we're
all , we're not the enemy . Here goes
to 294 . Where does China go by ?
Uh 2030 admiral , how many
ships will China have ? It's projected
to have about 430 ships . Yeah . How
many do they have now ? 395 .
Ok . They have 395 . Now is what this
chart says . Maybe it's 370 let's say
it's 370 . They have 435 . We think by
2030 we're going up one ship , they're
going up like a bunch . There is no
plan to the public out there . I trust
you about the 515 . I'm not arguing
with you . I think you know what though
you're talking about ? I'm not arguing
with you that we should have more money .
I'm just saying , we're saying one
thing and doing another , the
responsibility falls on elected
officials . But I would like you all to
echo what I'm saying . I'd like y'all
to legitimize that my concerns are real .
I'm just not making this up that we
talk about a navy to confront threats
that are growing and our budgets do not
meet the needs of this country by a
factor of a bunch and it's gonna take
bipartisan effort to get with the
program . What I want the country to
know is that we're on course to shrink
the navy as China is increasing the
Navy , the budgets we have do not get
us anywhere near where the experts say
we need . So what you can do for this
country ? I think all of you is just
tell us the truth that we're on track
not to meet our goals . Is that true
admiral ? So we have about
86 ships on contract right now . 55
under construction , there's 57 in this
budget . One of the things that we need
to do as a nation is invest in our ship
building , how many already going or
retire ? We're retiring 19 9 a third .
Well , so in 2030 if we're at 294 and
today we're 293 we just gain one ship .
Is that right ? That is correct . Ok .
Well , that's my point . By 2030 we
have like one more ship than we have
today and we need 380 something of
these things and we're going backward ,
not forward . So I just , I'm gonna ,
will you work with me ? Admiral Mr
Secretary ? I hadn't even talked up
about the marines you got off because I
didn't even get to you . Uh Will you
work with me to come up with a
realistic plan that would allow us
as elected officials to get to where we
need to go ? It's up to us to get us
there . But I would like a plan if you
would help me submit , that would get
us on track to getting to the ships .
We need unmanned to man . 515 by 2043 .
Will you work with me to do that ?
We're continuing to work to invest in
the industrial base ? And that's not my
question . I mean , will you work with
me ? Senator we will continue to work
with you to get that right , because
we've got a long way to go . Thank you .
Uh , thank you , Senator . You . You're
exactly right . But , but we got enough
problem on this side of the DAAs , uh ,
than we do on the other side . I am .
We've got problems and I want to work
with you to fix them and I think you
want to fix them . I do want to fix
them and we need to make sure we're
increasing the industrial base so that
they can meet these goals because right
now they can't even meet the goals that
we're funding . That's right . And so I
don't think there's a lot of argument
uh that this is a very dangerous time
and you know , that serving on the
armed services , uh but we need to beat
the hell out of one another . First
Senator Murkowski , count me
amongst those that aren't worried about
our shipbuilding capacity and our
infrastructure . And it's not , it's
not just how many ships we're funding ,
but we know we've got a serious problem
when it comes to the workforce that's
out there . And , and admiral , we've
had an opportunity to talk about this
and I don't know if there's a grand
plan there to , to , to work more on
that . But um , as I've been focusing
on what we're trying to do to build out
these polar security cutters and uh ,
and help Coast Guard with their
shipbuilding we're told it all comes
down to workforce , um comes down
workforce , but it also comes to , to
uh the funding of the , of the vessels
themselves . I want to thank both of
you for , for making the trip to the
Arctic uh Secretary . It was good to
travel with you and Admiral . I know
you went the week following with S uh
Senator Coons . Um I hope that you had
an opportunity to meet with the female
submariners who wanted to talk about
integration of , of , of women
submariners into and into that . Uh I
thought she had a very compelling
message there . The um ah
the the point that I would like
to reinforce , we , we ,
we have challenges again on the
submarine side . We've got challenges
with all of our , with all of our uh uh
shipbuilding . Um But I've been trying
to get Coast Guard moving with the
polar security cutters and have uh been
frustrated on , on , on many , many uh
turns here . We , we try to underscore
how far behind we are and people say we
get the fact that Russia has 55 . We
don't even have two . I don't even
think we have barely one anymore , but
the navy is the contract agent um for
the ongoing effort to , to build out
the additional icebreakers . The Coast
Guard , of course , owns and operates
and maintains . But II I need to know .
Uh and I , I'd like your commitment
admiral that the Navy as the contract
agent for this effort is proactively
supporting the Coast Guard and their
acquisition of additional icebreakers
we have working through this past
appropriations process was a , was a
huge struggle to keep in place any kind
of funding going forward for the , the
acquisition line . We took a rescission ,
it didn't kill it , but it doesn't help
that in the President's budget ,
there's nothing for , for the P CS uh
public security cutters for , for Fy 25 .
So I'm , I'm just nervous on all levels
about the commitment that we have to ,
ensuring that we have the , the assets
in the Arctic and those assets are the
things that can break the ice and
we can't , uh we can't hope that our
submarines are going to be able to pop
a hole through and maybe that allows
for , for ships to move through .
That's not how it works . We've got to
do more . And uh , I'd like , I'd like
your , your commitment here as , as
we're working with the folks at Coast
Guard to ensure that navy's role in all
of this as the , as the contract agent
is really robust and , and engaged .
Yeah , thank you , Senator Mckowski and
thank you for your time . Uh , the
other day . Um After our meeting , I
did go and talk with our folks , I made
sure that they are fully committed ,
excuse me , and they are providing that
robust support that you asked for , to
support the Coast Guard and the design
and the procurement of that uh polar
security coder . So we are very focused
on it and you have my commitment . I
will continue , continue to watch that .
And yes , I did meet with the
submariners when I was on board of the
Indiana as well . Good . Thank you for
that senator equally . So you have my
commitment as well to you as we've
discussed . I'm one of the few
secretary of the Navy that actually um
uh argued for more uh Coast Guard
funding . Um You know , because I think
it's important and the relationship
between the Coast Guard and the Navy
just continues to get stronger and
stronger , as evidenced by our
contracting actions on this uh program ,
we need to keep , keep leaning in and
it's gonna take , take all of us um
still sticking with uh with the Arctic .
Um As you know , we're moving forward
with the first deep water Arctic port
there at Port of Nome . Um It's , it's
going to be incredibly important to our
national defense interests . Uh We're
as , you know , not fully funded with
that project yet , likely not going to
receive milk on funding despite the ,
the clear national security nexus here .
So I , I would ask Admiral that
you um articulate support for this
project to the White House to OMB as
we're moving forward . Um The , the ,
the Navy will benefit greatly , I think ,
you know , that you recognize that . So
we just need a little bit of support
here on , on the infrastructure , shore
side as well as head nod means . Yes .
Correct . Yes , ma'am . Thank you . Um ,
General Smith . The , uh , sticking
again with the Arctic because I like
this theme here this morning . Um ,
we have , uh , not only expanded the
training opportunities in the Arctic
with the , uh , joint Jade Park , um ,
training facility . You got a training
center . We've got the Northern War
Warfare training center . Uh , marines
have been participating in , in
exercises like Arctic Edge , uh , as
well as Nordic response in Europe . But
I , I look at the marines , uh , role
in Arctic ops as , as absolutely
necessary . There's a , there's a great
read in the Washington Post , uh , from
just a few days about a week ago ,
about , um , about the , uh ,
the Navy seals as well as the green
Berets that we were training . The ,
the seals were down in Kodiak . The
green Berets were up in Fairbanks .
It's 40 below . Uh , but the , the
commander from the seal unit said that
the Arctic is the most rugged and
extreme place for any military to
operate . Um , even the most routine
functions can be an existential threat .
Seems to me that if you're a real
marine by God , that's where you want
to go train , it's the toughest of the
tough . And , uh , uh , the , the hope
is is that in this kind of extreme
environment , um , you can get training
that will , if you can , if you can
live through that by . Gosh , you can
do just about anything else . So I ,
I'm asking you to speak to , uh ,
whether or not you see an increased
role for , for the Marine Corps there
in the Arctic in terms of training and
other , other exercises . Well ,
Senator , thanks for that question and
I , I wholeheartedly agree that the
cold makes cowards of us all . Um ,
it's , uh , well , we cowardly up there .
We embraced it . It is , it is a vital
piece of our training as marines who
fight in any climb and place . And so
we are committed to training in Alaska .
Uh , we're committed to , uh , northern
Edge . Um , we're committed to
operating our F-35s from Alaska through
the Aleutians and we're committed to
our ground forces operating in Alaska .
Um , we , we also have Bridgeport in
California . That's our Northern
Warfare Training Center . Um , but we
are fully committed . You realize how
odd that sounds that our Northern
Warfare Training Center is in
California . Yes , ma'am . It's up in
the Sierra Nevada . It's , uh , it's ,
it's cold , it's colder as Alaska is .
But yes , ma'am , we're fully committed
to being able to operate in any climate
place and that includes Alaska . Thank
you , Mr Chairman , Senator Moran ,
chairman . Thank you . Uh , commandant ,
let me begin with you . Would you
describe for me in this subcomittee ,
the importance of the CH 53 K , um ,
in its support for mobility for the
Marine Corps and how its increased
capabilities will provide , uh , meet
the needs of the , of um , our National
defense Senator I can and thank you for
the question . The CH 53 K is unique in ,
in the dod inventory and that it can
lift itself . It can lift £36,000
external um plus its internal load it
has in flight refueling and it can
conduct operations at great ranges . So
being able to sling load £36,000 means
it can , it literally can lift itself
and it is vital to our work in the
Pacific in our Inter island campaign .
Uh Admiral , let me ask you um a
similar question . Uh
the multi domain uh environment in
which we now live uh as the national
defense strategy laid out integration
of platforms um to support the
warfighter ability to make rapid and
informed decisions in fleet
architecture . The navy is enabling our
autonomous fleet with artificial
intelligence from Kansas . How does the
integration of commercially available
platforms support ongoing navy efforts
like project unicorn to deliver multi
source intelligence battle space
preparedness ? Thank you , Senator Man .
Complicated . My my the way I described
it sounded pretty complicated , but
maybe you can highlight for me the
importance certainly , you know , as we
look to the to the future and the the
evolution of both unmanned and
autonomous platforms . It's really
important to have that backbone , the
architecture uh through which we can
communicate with them . So we are
continuing to work through our project
overmatch uh to develop those
opportunities as well as with our
disruptive capabilities . I think if
you look to the commercial space and in
the innovation base , a large , a lot
of that technology and the work being
done is out in the commercial sector uh
in the innovation space . So we stood
up and under the secretary's leadership ,
a disruptive capabilities office which
really helps connect us uh to all the
people that are developing those
technologies in the innovation area .
So we can more rapidly get those into
the hands of the war fighters . So that
office's job is essentially to go out
and work with commercial industry to
see what is already out there that can
solve challenges that we have and again ,
bring those uh rapidly to bear . And is
it working ? It's it is working , it's
a great pipeline and I'm really excited
about it . Mr Secretary last year , I
asked you about the status of the
Navy's efforts in regard to camp
Lejeune . Um Your uh staff and others
have provided us with information in uh
preparation for expecting my , my
question today . I think they've
answered much of what I want to know .
I would tell you that I've been , my
staff has been told there's 100 and
90,000 , 100 and 95 100 and
9,501,950 claims that have been
received 551 have evidence to support a
settlement . Um I don't know what about
the other have all , have all 190,000
been uh evaluated or there's still ,
those are still in the works . No , sir .
Actually 100 and 90,000 ha uh 100 and
90,500 have it on the online
portal of those 190,500 .
Only 551 claims have actually submitted
all the information that's necessary to
be able to determine uh evaluation on
those claims . 63 currently qualify for
a settlement offer . Um Of those 63
offers have been made to all 63 of
those claimants of those 63 claimants
who have completed their files .
They've been made an offer . Basically
uh they qualify for an offer offer . Uh
29 of the 63 were actually uh accepted ,
two were declined . The remaining uh
offers still await a decision . Uh The
total , the value of the 29 settlement
offers that were already made is
$7,500,000 and we remain deeply
committed to working with all of these
claimants uh for the expeditious
resolution of their claims once all the
information is submitted on the portal .
So Mr Secretary , the the question I'm
looking for an answer for is what is ,
what of the other 190,500 what's
happened to those other claims other
than the 551 . They , they're
essentially gathering their paperwork
and all the necessary medical evidence
that's necessary to be able to submit
it onto the . So , a significant number
of claims still are pending . That's
correct , sir . Uh And my final
question , Mr Chairman is um the
supplemental that I hope that we
receive in the Senate uh this week .
Um Can you explain to the committee
why this supplemental package is
critical to preserving peace and
stability in the Indo Pacific and
assuring our allies and partners . This
is not a throwaway question . It's , it
seems somewhat self evident to me , but
there is , um , there's been some talk
about separating the variety of , of
the package uh into separate segments .
Uh I think it's a package that's
important altogether and I would love
to know uh from uh your department if
that's true and why Senator you could
be , you couldn't be more accurate with
your assessment of how important I
think it is to keep these packages
together as we continue to now look at
three years of warfare on the Ukrainian
battlefield . We have an obligation to
support our sisters and brothers and
Ukrainian who are fighting not just for
their own democracy but the democracy
of all nations . And if we fail to
support them as we have committed to
doing so , then without question , I
think that there'll be a future where
we have to make even greater
investments into the defense of Europe
in the future . So that's point number
one . There's no question in my mind
that as the situation continues to
evolve on the battlefields of Ukraine ,
that President Xi is also looking
intently at our commitment and our
reactions . And if we don't meet our
requirements and our commitments in
Ukraine and Ukraine falls , there's no
question in my mind that he will be
emboldened actually in his intent
towards Taiwan in the future as well
too . And equally important . Obviously ,
the defense of Israel , um the defense
of free trade uh in the Red Sea and
throughout the Middle East is
incredibly important . And so all of
the investments that the American
taxpayers are making , you know ,
hopefully we'll be making in defense of
Israel and defense of our Ukrainian
brothers and sisters on deterring China
are critically important and they're
all interrelated as well . And as I
said earlier today , many roads lead to
Iran as well too . So we need the
investments and munitions and um
operations and O and M money to
continue to support operations in the
Red Sea collectively . And that's why I
think all these packages are together
in addition to the other parts of the
supplemental that are also being
considered fair to say that fair to
invest uh broadly around the uh with
the challenges we face around the world ,
invest in all of them results in
greater challenges to come uh in each
component and you cannot single out one
uh for , without causing consequences
elsewhere , including the , the
security of the United States of
America . That's right . Senator . I
agree . Thank you . Think of that
question , Senator Moran , because uh
the truth is , is that uh those
additional investments also include
people's lives if we don't do what we
need to do today . So , um , uh , thank
you guys . We appreciate your testimony .
Um All of you across the board , we
appreciate the people you represent uh
in the Navy and the Marine Corps . Uh
We appreciate what you do . Uh Senators
may submit additional written questions .
We ask that you respond to them in a
reasonable amount of time . Uh This
defense subcomittee will reconvene on
Tuesday , April 30th at 10 a.m. maybe
earlier . If we can move it for a
hearing with the Department of the Army .
Army is up next . We stand in recess .
Thanks folks .