“You Lied…", Ro Khanna, John Garamendi, Moulton Grill Pete Hegseth, Gen. Caine on Iran War — AC1G

[0:00] statement concerning the importance of FISA and Section 702, which is incredibly timely because [0:07] this body is going to be voting today on 702, which could be expiring this week. [0:14] You state this vital tool keeps Americans safe, provides critical intelligence to our [0:18] warfighters, and is subject to a rigorous system of oversight by all three branches [0:24] of government to guarantee the protection of the constitutional rights of the American people. [0:28] I thought I'd give you a moment to expound on that because this is going to be very important, [0:32] because there's several people who right now in this body are going to be considering [0:36] their support for 702's reauthorization. [0:39] Well, thank you for that opportunity, Congressman. Yes, this department [0:44] strongly supports the reauthorization of FISA 702, and it is not hyperbole to say many of the most [0:51] important missions we have executed could not have happened without the intelligence gathered through [0:58] FISA 702. So we would urge members to support that so we can continue doing the good work of the [1:03] American people. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. I appreciate your comments that Iran must never be permitted to [1:08] obtain a nuclear weapon. There have been many comments that have been made concerning allies who [1:16] have not assisted or supported the effort. General Cain, there have been many allies who have been [1:23] essential for us to be able to execute the functions necessary both for Midnight Hammer and for the [1:31] current ongoing operation. I'd like to ask you to speak for a moment about the essential aspect of the [1:39] allies that are supporting the effort. There are bases that are necessary, our forward operating facilities, [1:47] both our allies in the Middle East, both our NATO allies, those in Europe throughout, we would not [1:55] be able to undertake this current operation without the use and support of facilities that we have in [2:03] our bases throughout NATO, Europe, and the Middle East. If you could for a moment expound on the integral [2:11] nature of our facilities that include those bases that are located within our allies. [2:19] Well, Congressman, from a purely military standpoint, allies and alliances are important. [2:29] They allow us, you did a better job than I could on articulating the importance of access, [2:35] basing, and overflight considerations. You know, who those allies are and the quality of those alliances or [2:43] left our civilian leaders, but certainly we appreciate those allies who've helped us and [2:48] assisted us along the way. General, you would describe them as having been essential? [2:54] Yes, sir. Because it's very important. I mean, we want to make certain that, you know, [2:59] that we treat adversaries as adversaries and allies like allies, especially those that are essential. [3:08] The king was here yesterday, and as he was speaking, he received a standing ovation when he [3:15] implored this body to continue our support for Ukraine. In the 2026 National Defense Strategy, [3:22] it assesses Russia will be, will remain a persistent, manageable threat. It specifically identifies [3:31] Russia's continued threats to Ukraine. And we have, of course, the, currently, [3:40] the presidential continued drawdown authority that can support Ukraine. And also, [3:48] the President Trump announced PERL, the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List. And in the FY 2026, [3:57] in the AA, there is the 400 million that is included in the European Capacity Building within the Defense [4:04] Security Cooperation. General, the last time it went on the House floor with respect to funding [4:14] for Ukraine, there was a vote in the House of over 300 members of the House that support Ukraine. [4:21] Could you please give us a description of some of the things currently that we're doing operationally [4:25] support Ukraine? Congressman, I, a few of those are probably left for classified session. We continue [4:35] through our security assistance group, Ukraine, to assist with some information sharing matters. [4:42] UCOM continues to help. But you would describe it as continuous and ongoing and essential for Ukraine, [4:47] with U.S. support? Sir, much of the relationship... [4:50] Gentlemen, the time's expired. Chairman, I'll recognize the gentleman from California, [4:52] Mr. Garamendi. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Secretary and General Cain, let me begin by thanking the men [5:02] and women of the United States military for their service and their bravery. I recognize that our [5:08] service members have performed with extraordinary courage and tactical skill, and they've done incredible [5:13] things that our country has asked them to. Their professionalism and selfless service are not in [5:19] question and never have been. What is in question is the purposes and the strategic direction of this war. [5:27] Mr. Hetseth, as Secretary of the Department of Defense, you are ultimately responsible for the conduct [5:33] of the Iran war. Any unvarnished review of what is happening right now in the Middle East would reveal [5:41] a geopolitical calamity, a strategic blunder resulting in worldwide economic crisis. The result of Trump's [5:50] war of choice is a serious self-inflicted ruin to America. It will take years and a new administration [5:58] to recover from the grave damage to our standing in the world, as well as our economy and our military. [6:05] We must remember that 13 Americans have been killed in action, hundreds wounded, and thousands of [6:10] civilians killed, including more than 100 school children. The risk of this conflict was foreseeable. [6:19] I'm certain that the Department of Defense knew that it was likely that in a war with Iran, Iran would [6:26] create an international economic crisis by blocking the Strait of Hamuz and thus stopping 20 percent of the [6:33] world's oil. Was this existential threat considered? Apparently not. During the 60 days of Trump's Iran war, [6:42] critical munitions have been expended at an alarming rate, depleting magazine levels below what is thought [6:49] necessary to hold China at bay. It will take years and tens of billions of dollars to restock. [6:58] A significant part of the necessary Navy and Marine force in the Pacific has been removed and sent to [7:05] support the Iran war. Our support of Ukraine has suffered as supplies and defense systems are diverted [7:14] to the Iran war. America has lost irreplaceable aircraft, radar systems, and strategic bases have [7:22] been shown to be vulnerable. The continued lengthy deployment of ships, equipment, and personnel has [7:30] sacrificed readiness. We know what we have lost, but what have we gained? Let's consider that the regime in [7:39] Tehran is still intact with new and more radical leadership, as are Iran's ballistic missile and [7:47] drone forces, as is Iran's ability to rebuild their military industries, also as is Iran's coordination [7:58] with China, Russia, and North Korea, and Iran's ability to choke off global energy supplies, and their [8:08] stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which they only built after President Trump shredded President [8:16] Obama's Iran deal in 2017. Secretary Heseth, you have been lying to the American public about this war from [8:26] day one, and so has the President. You have misled the public about why we are at war. You and the President [8:34] have offered ever-changing reasons for this war. You've misled the public about the progress of the war. [8:42] While the Secretary has executed this war with tactical success, the strategy has been an [8:48] astounding incompetence, doing immense economic damage to America and the world. [8:56] Mr. Chairman, Mr. Chairman, with the personal attack on the Secretary, he should have an opportunity to respond. [9:02] He certainly will. [9:03] Thank you. [9:03] No, no, no, at the time you're doing it. [9:05] It's the gentleman's time. He can use it as he sees fit and add an extra five seconds to Mr. Garamendi's time. [9:11] Thank you. [9:12] You and the President are ever-changing reasons for the war. You have misled the public about the [9:17] progress of the war. While the military has executed this war with tactical success, [9:22] the strategy has been an outstanding example of incompetence. [9:28] This war of choice is a political and economic disaster at every level. [9:32] Despite the President's promise to lower the cost of living, gas prices are up 40 percent, [9:38] and inflation is soaring so much for lowering the cost of living. [9:42] The President has got himself and America stuck in the quagmire of another war in the Middle East. [9:47] He's desperately trying to extricate himself from his own mistakes. [9:52] It is in America's and indeed the world's interest that he succeed in that. [9:58] I yield back. [9:59] The gentleman yields back here, and I recognize the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Whitman. [10:03] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to thank our witnesses for joining us today. [10:06] General Cain, Secretary Hegseth, Mr. Hurst, thank you so much. I want to go to a statement [10:12] I've been making here for the last several years, and that is we are in the most dangerous national [10:17] security position that this world has been in since 1939. And we know that it's a critical effort [10:25] that we undertake to make sure we can deter through the concept of peace through strength. [10:31] Mr. Secretary, I'd like to start with you. We know that peace through strength has a number of [10:36] tenets. I think the most important of those is presence. And we know that the United States has [10:42] the Marine Corps Amphibious Ready Group, Marine Corps Expeditionary Unit that provides us that [10:47] presence. We know there are over 2,000 Marines and an aircraft combat unit that are on board those [10:53] vessels, and they let us do a number of different things. That's the crisis response team that gets [10:57] to go around the world. Today, as we speak, we have three ARG-MUs that are deployed around the world. [11:02] Unfortunately, that's an anomaly. It should be standard. Secretary Hegseth, the President and [11:09] the Combatant Commanders need maximum flexibility to respond in multiple places at multiple times to [11:14] combat and deter these threats. I just want to get your perspective on your goal to make sure we have [11:22] a persistent 3.0 ARG-MU presence and to look at how are we going to make sure through our shipbuilding [11:29] plans that we assure that we have the adequate number of amphibs that are being built. I think [11:33] that number is probably right around 40. And then what are we going to do to make sure, too, that [11:38] the A sub O, the operational availability, is going to be at the level where we can maintain an [11:43] ARG-MU 3.0 with the effort we have to put in to maintain these ships? [11:47] So thank you for the question, the substantive question. Ultimately, we support 3.0 ARG-MU. [11:54] That presence right now gives us a lot of flexibility. And this budget supports moving [11:59] in that direction to ensure that this administration and future administrations have that kind of [12:05] strategic flexibility with the incredible capabilities the ARG-MU provides. We saw it in Southern [12:10] Spear. We saw it on the Maduro raid. We see it right now. It's a persistent capability. So I think you'll [12:16] find our shipbuilding investments to meet that as well. But if I may. Sure. Yeah. I didn't get a [12:23] chance. I didn't see a question in the statement from the Congressman. I hope you appreciate how [12:29] reckless it is. When I said reckless, feckless, and defeatist of congressional Democrats at the [12:34] beginning, that came after watching you say the same thing on CNN this morning, a quagmire. My generation [12:41] served in a quagmire in Iraq and Afghanistan, years and years of nebulous missions and utopian nation [12:47] building that led us to nothing. What we have right now, the way you stain the troops when you tell them [12:56] two months in, two months in, Congressman, you should know better. Shame on you. Calling this a quagmire [13:02] two months in. The effort, what they've undertaken, what they've succeeded, the success on the battlefield [13:07] that could create strategic opportunities, the courage of a president confront a nuclear Iran, [13:11] and you call it a quagmire, handing propaganda to our enemies. Shame on you for that statement. [13:17] And statements like that are reckless to our troops. Don't say I support the troops on one hand, [13:21] and then a two month mission is a quagmire. That's a false equivalation. Who are you cheering for here? [13:27] Who are you pulling for? Our troops are doing incredible work. They've done incredible things [13:31] for the entirety of this mission and achieved incredible battlefield successes. And you sit there [13:37] and go on TV for your clickbait about quagmires. It undermines the mission. Your hatred for President [13:44] Trump blinds you to the truth of the success of this mission and the historic stakes that the [13:51] president is addressing, which the American people support. Iran's been at war with us for 47 years. [13:56] You want to talk about a forever war? For two months, this president has stared them down. He's going to [14:01] get a better deal than anyone ever has and ensure that Iran never has a nuclear weapon. I know the [14:06] American people support that mission despite your loose talk and words like quagmire. Thank you. [14:14] Thank you, Mr. Secretary. General Cain, I want to quickly go to you. We know all about the need for [14:18] exquisite platforms, but we know if we're going to close the gap with our pacing threats, we have to make [14:23] sure we have those expendable and intruditable platforms. And we know those nation capabilities are key, [14:29] and we have to be able to spin them up quickly because that's the fastest way for us to, again, [14:33] deter by peace through strength. Give us your perspective on how you see the urgency of getting [14:39] that capacity not only in place, but getting that ability to go to scale and get those capabilities [14:44] in the hands of our warfighters. Sir, I think it's critical. And when I look at [14:49] what OSW above us is doing and the Deputy Secretary, as well as Secretary Duffy, and frankly, [14:56] the National and Defense Industrial Bases, all rallying around the need to scale, [15:02] along with the new entrants that are out there who are coming and bringing products to the Joint [15:07] Force. A key is capacity. The time is expired. I recognize the gentleman from New Jersey, [15:11] Mr. Norcross. Thank you, Chairman. I'd like to thank witnesses for being here today. [15:16] Mr. Secretary, it's well known that our Defense Industrial Base and Maritime Industrial Base has [15:22] declined greatly over time. It's the shipyards. It's many things that you already spoke about. [15:29] In my community, we used to have three shipyards, 40,000 workers. We've lost that critical job skills [15:36] earned and 40,000 people who know how to do it. And quite frankly, most of it went overseas because it [15:44] was cheaper. Well, cheaper doesn't buy the security we need for our industrial base. I championed a [15:51] provision in the 24 NDAA entitled Enhanced Domestic Content Requirement for Major Acquisition Programs. [16:00] It had to do with our industrial base making things here in America long before this administration came [16:07] in. The goal was to strengthen our supply chains and have that critical oversight, push for greater [16:15] investments, much of what you're doing now on these major defense acquisition programs. So we passed that [16:25] in a bipartisan manner because we knew that this was critical and things can happen. Lo and behold, here [16:32] we are. There was a reporting requirement in that that calls on you, the Secretary of Defense, to establish [16:40] an information repository, issue rules, create a fallback process to govern the Department of Defense. [16:47] We wanted to better understand much of what is being done here, but it's not being reported back to [16:54] us. I sent to your office on January 8th, followed up on February 4th. We're years overdue on this report [17:02] that will give us insight onto how we're addressing it. We hear what you're saying, but can you commit that [17:09] we will get that report to us in the next 30 days? Unless Jay has additional details, I'll make sure [17:17] we look into it. Whatever we can get to you as rapidly as possibly, we will. We'll also check with the new Navy [17:23] leadership and make sure they're complying as rapidly as possible with every aspect that could apply to [17:29] shipbuilding. That's been our focus on the Navy side. It's not just shipbuilding. Major acquisition programs [17:35] across the board. This is incredibly important, and they are ignoring us, and 30 days is being generous, [17:42] certainly. Second issue is you talk about championing the American worker and how important this is, [17:49] yet in the memo on April 9th, you terminate all the collective bargaining agreements across the DOD, [17:55] taking away from hundreds of thousands of workers at DOD their collective bargaining rights that they [18:01] voted for. There was nothing to indicate there were any issues with any of the bargaining agreements, [18:08] yet you decided to take away from them. Over the last few years, we have increased the wages for those [18:15] war fighters, incredibly important this year, up to 7%. Yet on the other side of this, you talk about [18:21] supercharging the defense industrial base. We are in this. How do you go and say, yes, we support the [18:29] war fighters? They can't do their job unless we are building things that they can use. Yet no evidence [18:37] to prove that these collective bargaining agreements were a problem anywhere across the Department of [18:42] Defense under Democrat and Republican administrations. How do you kind of square that circle that you care [18:48] about this, yet you take away their voice in the job? Well, certainly, sir, the great workers that, [18:56] whether they're contractors or DOD civilians that do the important work for us, the great ones are going to [19:00] stay. And we've invested in more in merit bonuses for civilians than any administration previous. So [19:05] if you're doing great work, you're going to stay and you're going to have even more opportunities. [19:08] But with our ear to the ground in those shipyards and other factory floors, there were issues with [19:13] collective bargaining, which led to restrictions to the workforce and our ability to move faster. [19:17] If I may. And in that case, we made the decision to provide additional flexibility. You didn't [19:22] take it away from the shipyard workers. You took away from Department of Defense employers, where there [19:27] hasn't been any issues. Let's be clear. Those are independent contractors and they have their [19:33] collective bargaining groups, the ones that work for you. The ones that work for us should be at will [19:39] like anybody else based on their performance. And if they're performing well, which I'm sure they are, [19:44] as you've represented, they will have a job at the Department. But where is the issue that you took [19:48] away their collective bargaining rights? Why did you do it if it wasn't a problem? Well, I stated up front, [19:53] it has been a problem. There are plenty of cases, whether it's conference or inside our own department, [19:57] where collective bargaining had led to arrangements and agreements that minimize the efficiency and [20:03] effectiveness of employees at the point of their impact. That's what we were focusing on. And that's [20:07] why we made the change, which we very much stand behind. Well, I yield back. The gentleman yields back [20:13] here and I recognize the gentle lady from New York, Ms. Stefanik. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Secretary [20:18] Hesseth, I appreciate the department and the administration's focus on expansion and innovation in the defense [20:24] industrial base. That's particularly important for emerging technologies. For years on this committee, [20:29] my office has led the effort to ban the procurement of Chinese communist drones, which pose a significant [20:35] national security threat. And last year, after years of work, this committee finally passed my [20:40] countering CCP Drones Act or Section 1709 of the NDAA, which was fully implemented in December. How does the [20:48] FY27 budget scale domestic production and deployment of drone systems to ensure the U.S. has the decisive [20:56] advantage against our U.S. enemies? Well, thank you for the question. First of all, thank you for your work on [21:02] that. It's critically important. When you look under the hood of the ways in which China is trying to use [21:07] critical elements of our defense industrial base and supply chain against us or capabilities in the future that could [21:12] hamstring us with options for a future president, it's staggering. So drones is one that not only have we [21:18] recognized, but thanks to your leadership and the leadership of others, we are supercharging in [21:23] this budget. Conservatively, $54 billion in drone and drone dominance and counter UAS. Jay just slid me a [21:31] piece of paper. If you add it all up, it could be closer to $74 billion. We started a defense autonomous [21:36] working group, autonomous warfare group, excuse me, to focus on this, but we're going to do even more. [21:41] We will shortly announce a sub unified command, autonomous warfare. Drones are so central to the future of [21:47] warfare and where we get them from that we have to be able to both make the exquisite ones better than [21:52] anybody else and also the intrudible swarm and then the ability to defeat them ahead of our adversary [21:58] learning from battlefields like Ukraine and Epic Fury. So thank you for your leadership. It is front and [22:03] center in this budget. I very much appreciate all that the department is doing under your leadership. [22:08] One of the concerns I have is recent reporting indicates that while DJI, which is a communist Chinese [22:13] drone company, is prohibited from receiving new FCC authorizations, there are still DJI products such [22:20] as the DJI Avada 360, widely available in the U.S. through major retailers. These received FCC [22:28] authorizations before my provision in the NDAA was fully implemented. So my question to you is, [22:34] we need to close this loophole to protect our national security. Will you commit to working with this [22:39] committee in my office to ensure that these products that pose a significant risk to our national [22:44] security are no longer permitted given the evident threat CCP drones pose to U.S. national security? [22:51] Congressman, yes, the department will commit to working with your staff and looking at that [22:56] loophole, which we are aware of. And I missed in my first response, of course, that $54 billion is [23:02] American-made drone dominance. Absolutely. That is exactly where they need to be and that's where our focus [23:07] is. Great. Another emerging technology that's very important and has a strong tie to my district [23:12] is quantum computing. China continues to invest heavily in quantum computing, sensing, and secure [23:18] communications for military advantage. I represent Rome Air Force Research Lab, which is a hub of [23:23] research when it comes to quantum. Secretary Hegseth, how does the budget proposal position the U.S. to [23:29] maintain leadership in operationally relevant quantum technologies? The country that dominates in [23:37] quantum will dominate the future in C2, in comms, in every way that we fight. And so this makes the [23:44] maximal investment possible here at home to ensure that quantum compute, and working across the [23:50] interagency, by the way, this is not just a DOW issue, this is an interagency issue, to ensure that [23:55] we've got the ability to scale and compute, out-compute adversaries who are racing for the same code. [24:01] General Kane, throughout my time in Congress, I've pushed for the department to optimize its approach to [24:07] quantum and develop a strategic roadmap. In your opinion, which quantum capability areas offer the [24:13] most immediate benefit to the joint force and should be priority investments moving forward? [24:18] Probably some of the work in crypto and quantum to make sure we can see, sense, understand, defeat, [24:24] and protect our own stuff. So that's where I'm most interested in it right now, ma'am. [24:28] Great. And I also want to use my remaining time. I just want to invite both of you to visit Fort [24:33] Drum, home of the 10th Mountain Division, most deployed division in the U.S. Army since 9-11. [24:38] In the first Trump administration, I had the honor of hosting President Trump, where he signed the NDAA [24:43] in my district, and it's been a privilege to represent them. So I encourage you to visit that [24:48] installation before the end of this year. Thank you very much, and I yield back. [24:52] General Lee yields back. Chair now recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts, Mr. Moulton. [24:56] Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Secretary, you and I agree that Iran is a national security threat to us [25:02] and our allies. Now, earlier, you called us feckless for questioning your war. Do you think Congress was smart [25:08] or feckless when it failed to ask tough questions of the Bush administration and gave them a blind [25:13] check for Iraq? Well, if you're trying to compare this war to the Iraq war, which the president is [25:20] the first one to call a stupid war, then it's a false comparison. Okay. Well, probably a good idea [25:25] to ask tough questions. So let me just ask you a few questions. Did you advise the president that [25:29] we should attack Iran? We were, first of all, in this position in the cabinet, we never talk about what [25:35] we would advise the president to do or not. Do you think the president or you deserve more? [25:39] I've been in every meeting. I understand that, Mr. Secretary. With the chairman and everybody else [25:42] as those presentations were made, and he got every, every perspective possible when it came to this. [25:47] I'm just asking what your perspective is. Are you afraid to take ownership of this? Do you think [25:51] it was a good idea or not? My, when I, as I have consulted the president, do I think it's a good [25:55] idea to confront a nuclear bomb in the hands of the, imagine what the world would look like right now [26:00] if Iran had a nuclear weapon. Okay. So let's just, just imagine. Which by the way, if they had one, [26:04] every previous administration, including the first Trump administration, they had prevented [26:08] them from having a nuclear weapon. So listen, how is this war going? Do you think we're winning? [26:14] Militarily on the battlefield, it's been an astounding military success. But are we winning the war? [26:19] Absolutely. Okay. So do you call Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz winning? Well, I would say the [26:25] blockade that we hold that doesn't allow anything to come in or out of Iranian ports. Okay. So always. [26:30] So we've blockaded their blockade. They blockaded us. And then we blockaded their blockade. That's [26:36] like saying, tag, you're it. Or, you know, if, if president Madison has said, well, the British [26:40] just burned down Washington, but don't worry, we're going to burn it down as well. Chairman Cain, [26:46] did the military have plans for the idea that Iran might blockade the Strait? Sure. Thanks for, [26:52] thanks for the question. I'll, I'll answer it this way. You know, in this job, [27:00] I have to maintain trust with a variety of, of, of constituents. Okay. I'm just asking if the [27:05] military- Yes, sir. We, as always, my point in this is, as I explain the role, my point in this is we [27:10] always offer a full range of military options that are carefully considered with the associated risks [27:18] with those options and the considerations therein. So, Mr. Secretary, did you consider this risk? [27:23] Of course, this department has looked at all aspects of this risk. And why did you send mine [27:30] sweepers, the only mine sweepers we had in the Gulf to Singapore weeks before the war started? [27:35] We have lots of capabilities that you may or may not be aware of, aware of at the classified [27:39] level. Okay. And so, by the way, would the Trump class battleships have helped with this? [27:44] You're talking about a prospective future battleship, which we welcomed in the fleet. [27:49] Okay. So you're supportive of the, of the battleships? Yes, sir. [27:53] Okay. How much has Iran profited from your administration lifting the sanctions on Iran [27:59] when you started this war? I can tell you, Iran is financially devastated right now. [28:05] Okay. Well, they've heard about 14 billion dollars. [28:08] Economic fury. They're at a point where between the blockade and what we've done to them militarily, [28:13] remember, they don't have a Navy, they can't contest the blockade. Okay. [28:16] Between what we've done to them. What kind of Navy can they buy for 14 billion dollars? [28:19] They have very few options. How many Chinese missiles can [28:22] they buy for 14 billion dollars? Does that sound like winning? [28:26] They're not. We're, we're insuring and they're not buying Chinese missiles. [28:30] Okay. You know, at the end of the day, this also has a cost to us. [28:35] If you, if, if let's say this war costs a hundred billion dollars, I mean, you've already said, [28:38] give us more time. It's only been two months. It could go on for 20 years, like Iraq and Afghanistan. [28:43] Let's just say it costs a hundred billion dollars. What is that to the average American taxpayer? Do you [28:47] have any idea? Well, unlike foolish previous administrations, it won't go on. [28:51] I'm just asking for, for years and decades. But let's just say it's a hundred billion dollars. [28:55] It's hard to imagine how it's allowed those things to happen. You were a part of that war. [28:58] You know the answer to that? So was I, and I never, I never, I never. [29:00] I'm just asking if you know what your war cost the average American taxpayer. [29:05] What is the cost of Iran having a nuclear weapon that they wield over? [29:07] I'm just asking if you know the cost of the average American. [29:09] I'm asking you what the cost would be of that. [29:10] It's about $600. So for, for the American taxpayers out there, my constituents, [29:14] some of the constituents you wanted to represent in Minnesota, I'm just wondering if they have an extra 600 [29:18] bucks lying around to pay for your war. I think that's just a, just a question that we ought to ask. [29:24] Now quickly on March 13th, in a press conference, you said we will give them no quarter, no mercy. [29:30] In order for no quarter or no survivors is a war crime under the Geneva, Geneva Conventions. [29:35] You understand that's murder. Do you stand by that statement? [29:38] Um, the department of war fights to win and we ensure that our war fighters have the rules of [29:43] engagement necessary to be as effective as humanly possible. [29:46] Okay. So just to be clear, you called democratic members of Congress to be tried for sedition, [29:50] for reminding our troops to follow the law. But when you tell them to commit a war crime, [29:54] you stand by yourself. [29:55] For insinuating that the laws that we're giving them are unlawful. [29:58] The gentleman's times expired. [29:58] The chair not recognized. The gentleman from Tennessee, Dr. Desjard Lee. [30:02] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank our witnesses for being here today. And I'd like to thank you for [30:07] your commitment to our advancement in space, Golden Dome and nuclear modernization, all which are critical. [30:13] And also, uh, I understand we're going to start, uh, some reproduction of the MQ-9 Reaper drones, [30:21] which, uh, you, Mr. Secretary and Ms. Secretary, uh, share my great state of Tennessee. And we know [30:27] the 118th air wing, uh, the national guard operate very field and conduct many of these missions and, [30:33] and, and they do so with great precision. So thank you for that. Uh, Secretary Hegseth, [30:37] you commissioned as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army National Guard in 2003. [30:42] You've been deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay. Uh, you have been awarded two [30:47] bronze stars, the combat infantry treatment badge, joint commendation medals, two army [30:53] commendation medals, among other recognitions. You have seen military actions from both an [30:58] operational and service member perspective. Have you ever seen operations with the scope [31:03] and scale and complexity of Midnight Hammer, Operation Absolute Resolve, and Operation Epic Fury? [31:09] Thank you for the question, Mr. Congressman. Uh, not only have I not seen missions like that, [31:16] but if you ask, if you earnestly go into our formations right now and you talk to colonels [31:22] and majors and staff sergeants and two star generals, and you ask them about the environment [31:26] of our military right now and its capabilities right now, compared to under the Biden administration, [31:31] under Obama, they will tell you it is night and day. Even the, even the ranking member acknowledged that [31:37] the troops performed incredibly well over the past 15 months and have demonstrated to the world. [31:42] These are not new troops in a lot of cases. These are the same troops with new leadership [31:47] under President Trump, who gives them every authority under a department that ensures they [31:52] have what they need. I have operators looking at me saying, for the first time ever, we have [31:56] everything we need to accomplish the mission, both in equipment and in authorities. That matters when you go [32:02] 37 hours around the world for midnight hammers. That matters when you go downtown, uh, in, in Venezuela [32:08] and grab the indicted dictator of a country in the middle of the night in the most fortified location. [32:13] That matters at the outset of the Iran conflict. It matters during Operation Roughrider, which there's [32:18] a reason why the Houthis aren't on the, uh, in this fight right now, because they experienced 50 days [32:23] of the American military under President Trump. That matters, uh, in the Caribbean and our fight [32:28] against designated terror organizations. This military is unleashed and morale is at a level that this [32:33] country has not seen for decades and decades because of the leadership of President Trump [32:38] and because this war department allows them to get back to basics. No more distractions, no more [32:44] debris. It's simple accountability, training standards, lethality, and they respond to it. And it's that [32:51] response that's manifest in highly and historic successful military operations led by our incredible [32:57] joint force, uh, who are grateful to have a commander chief that has their back. I can tell you for [33:02] that our nation, myself and all of us are incredibly grateful. Secretary Hegseth and General Cain, [33:08] with your vision and steadfast commitment to our nation's service members, you have both overseen [33:12] the beginning of a generational transformation of our armed services. This budget request reflects [33:17] that commitment by building and sustaining our defense industrial base, increasing service member pay, [33:23] housing and benefits, robust funding for golden dome missile defense and space capabilities and the [33:28] emphasis on the peace through strength doctrine outlined in the national defense strategy. [33:34] Based on the defense department's recent track record of successful missions, can you share some [33:40] examples of military action that illustrate exactly how your leadership and vision for the department [33:44] of war is translating the peace through strength doctrine into an operational reality and what psychological [33:51] impact that may have on our near peer adversaries such as China and Russia? And I'd like to get both [33:56] yours and General Cain's perspective if you can take 30 seconds each. I'll keep it brief. Re-establishing [34:01] deterrence is one of the core pillars of what we set out to do after Afghanistan, after October 7th, [34:07] after the war in Ukraine, after Lloyd Austin went AWOL for a week and no one seemed to care. [34:12] The world took notice of that. And through the actions we've taken swiftly that I just laid out, [34:17] the world has recognized that American power is back and the willingness to utilize it shows that [34:22] we can achieve peace through strength. And General Cain, in terms of our adversaries? [34:26] Yes, sir. You know, when we look at the totality of actions that we've done over the last year, [34:33] one thing leaps out at me that I think is clearly and unambiguously seen by our adversaries or those [34:39] that may consider it. And that's our ability to integrate and synchronize a whole range of capabilities [34:46] that we have in the joint force. Information, cyber, you know, deception, jamming, [34:54] air power, sea power, land power, etc. And I think that that ability, and I'm so proud of our joint [35:01] force, those young... Gentlemen, the time's expired. [35:03] Chair now recognize the gentleman from California, Mr. Carbajal. [35:07] Thank you, Mr. Chair. And thank you, General Cain, Mr. Hexeth and Hurst for being here today. [35:14] I associate myself with the comments of ranking member Smith and Mr. Garamendi so that I won't [35:20] repeat a lot of what has been said. Mr. Hexeth, I recently realized that we have something in common. [35:28] I'm also a fan of Pulp Fiction. And no, the movie is not an accurate portrayal of the Bible. You know [35:34] what I'm talking about. This president and his administration have claimed to be the most transparent [35:40] of all time. With that in mind, I'd love to get some straightforward, straightforward answers today. [35:48] Some estimates show that the Trump administration's war of choice in Iran is costing taxpayers [35:54] around $1 billion every day. In addition to spending taxpayer money on a war they don't want, [36:01] it is also driving up costs. The cost of gas, while the cost of living is skyrocketing [36:06] under this administration's policies. To me, and I assume to the American people, it is unclear why [36:13] we started this war, how it will end, and what anyone gained from it. Mr. Hexeth, about how much [36:22] money has been spent on this war to date, and how much more do you anticipate spending? [36:30] Well, as our comptroller laid out, the estimate is less than $25 billion at this point as far as [36:35] an expenditure. And the question I would ask this committee is, what is it worth to ensure that [36:40] Iran never gets a nuclear weapon, considering the radical ambitions of that regime? I mean, [36:44] almost every member of this dais at some point has said, whether it was- [36:48] Thank you for your answer. I'll proceed to my next question. [36:51] Thank you for your answer. [36:52] President Trump is the one that's willing to make sure it doesn't happen. [36:55] Supposedly, we have taken care of the nuclear capability last time around. And now this war, [37:01] we're at it again, because obviously we said we did, but we did it. [37:04] In a way that the United States military can do. [37:08] I want to reclaim my time. We know that the cost of oil and gas has gone up as a direct result of [37:14] this war. And the American people are feeling that pain at the pump. In an attempt to alleviate [37:20] the high price of gas caused directly by this president, he lifted sanctions on Russian oil. [37:27] The way I see it, this is a massive gift to Putin and Russia's struggling economy. [37:33] Mr. Hexeth, is there any concern that easing sanctions against Russia will allow Putin to [37:40] continue funding Russia's illegal war against Ukraine? [37:47] Well, we've seen Russia's and Putin's inability to make effective battlefield gains, just like [37:52] their inability to defend the Maduro regime with the billions of dollars of systems the Russians sent [37:57] to Venezuela in order to defend him, which were defeated in 15 minutes. So Russia's military [38:02] capabilities are no match for ours. And you don't believe easing the sanctions [38:07] is helping Russia? Well, we have the best energy team in the planet at the White House. [38:12] It's just a yes or no. This is not deja vu. It's a simple yes or no. [38:16] I understand the energy dominance that this administration has unleashed. [38:19] All right. Well, I'll proceed to my next question. Last week, it was announced that the Department of [38:24] Defense is no longer requiring service members to get their annual flu shot. Now, this is an easy one for you. [38:31] It's a softball. Don't screw it up. The rationale was to, and I quote, restore freedom to our joint [38:38] force. This has been a requirement since 1950 because it is ineffective at preventing the spread [38:47] of flu among our troops. It's not some new woke requirement as you like to lean on for much of your [38:54] rhetoric. This decision is actively making our military less safe and less prepared. Mr. Hexeth, [39:02] at this time, there are plans. Are there plans to remove the mandatory requirement of other [39:08] vaccinations like measles, mumps, and polio? We made very clear in our announcement that it applies to [39:17] service members having a choice as it pertains to the flu vaccine. Don't you think that's a little [39:23] reckless? No, I think allowing well-informed Americans who serve our country to make a choice is [39:30] not reckless. And commanders will still have latitude, say, for a submarine or something else to make a [39:35] decision for a unit about whether it could be mandatory in a particular circumstance. But [39:40] overall, our troops have earned the right to be able to choose about something like that related to [39:43] their health. Mr. Hexeth, I stand by what I said last time you were here. You were incompetent then, [39:52] you're incompetent now, and you're the gift that keeps on giving when it comes to incompetence. [39:58] With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back. Gentlemen, yields back. [40:00] Other than that, I'm doing great. The gentleman from Mississippi, Mr. Kelly. [40:05] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Secretary, don't you think it was extremely reckless to mandate COVID vaccines [40:12] for the healthiest and most unlikely to get COVID and kick them out of the service if they did not [40:20] comply with a, although legal, crazy order from the previous administration, don't you think it was [40:27] reckless to require that those soldiers and marines and sailors had to take that COVID vaccine? [40:33] Congressman, thank you for the question. Not only do I think it was reckless, but we point out the [40:37] nature of the emergency and lack of actual data on it. We think it may not be legal. And as a result, [40:43] we're working very hard to ensure that any service member who was pushed out is brought back in. [40:48] If they were forcibly pushed out with back pay and rank and everything that comes with it, [40:53] those soldiers and troops of conscience who had to make that choice, think of the best troops in our [40:59] force. Listen, I'm grateful that we have two great National Guardsmen sitting at that table today. [41:04] As a longtime serving Guardsman who just retired, I'm so proud of y'all and what you mean for our [41:09] total force. It's not a National Guard. It's not a reserve. It's not an army. It's not a navy. [41:14] It is a total force. And thank y'all for recognizing that. I just want to go back to some of the Iran stuff. [41:20] I don't know. Maybe they're in a different world than I'm living in. But from where I live since 1979, [41:26] Iran has been at war with the United States, although we refuse to acknowledge it, [41:31] whether that's Hezbollah, whether that's the Houthis, whether that is Hamas, [41:37] whether that is trying to build nuclear weapons, exporting terror everywhere. I know for a fact, [41:43] when I was in Iraq, both tours, that EFPs made by Iranians killed our troops. I know for a fact [41:52] that many of the munitions, I know for a fact many of the militias in Iran that were Shia-based were [42:00] there to attack Americans at the willing knowledge of the Iranian government. Do you agree they've been [42:08] at war with us and are still at war with us and the world since 1979? [42:14] Of course, for 47 years, from Beirut to Baghdad, Iran has sought the most dangerous weapons in the [42:20] world to try to achieve death to America. And if they were to get the most dangerous weapon in the [42:26] world, a nuclear weapon, they would most certainly use it, which is why this is at the level of [42:32] seriousness that President Trump was willing to address it. And that's what I think so many in this [42:37] body misrepresent. North Korea is the lesson. Everybody thought North Korea shouldn't have [42:42] a weapon. Under the Clinton administration, they gathered so many ballistic missiles that their [42:46] ballistic missile shield allowed them to blackmail the region and the world to say, [42:50] we're going to get a nuke and you can't do anything about it. Under this administration, [42:54] them weakened by the 12-day war and what happened with Midnight Hammer, the president made a bold choice [42:58] on behalf of the American people to say, never will Iran, with their view of death to America and death [43:04] to Israel, have a nuclear weapon because if they have it, they'll use it. And he's taken that bold [43:09] action in a way I think the American people, when they understand the nature of that threat and they [43:13] do, they support it. Chairman Cain, wow, I've been around a long time. Can any other military in the [43:22] history of the world pull off Venezuela, Midnight Hammer and Epic Fury the way that our great warriors [43:30] that defend and project power for our nation? Are you aware of any other nation in the history [43:36] of the world that could have done that? I'm not, sir. And I remain very proud of the joint force. [43:42] I'll also say we're a learning organization and we're going to continue to look at the things that [43:47] go right in any operations that we're tasked to do and we're going to get better every day. So we do not [43:52] want to sit on the successes and assume future successes. We owe it to the nation and to the citizens to [44:00] constantly improve no matter how well something goes. So I'm incredibly proud of the joint force. [44:07] That said, I'm even more proud when they come back after that, they go into a team room and [44:12] they start debriefing to make sure that we do it better next time, whatever it may be. [44:17] And my final point, I just want to talk about what a stroke of genius it was, [44:21] greater than I would have thought, to blockade the ports of Iran and that blow economically to their [44:28] entire economy and to their leadership and everything else. It's going to take a little [44:32] bit of time to play out. But that was so smart because it is more effective than any bombs. And [44:38] those bombs were effective in Midnight Hammer. They continue to be. But until we kill their will [44:43] to create a nuclear weapon, they will always be a nuclear threat because they've advanced far enough [44:48] along. But that blockade was so important. And it amazes me now we're crying about high gas prices. [44:54] When they were $2 a gallon more just four years ago or five years ago under the previous [44:59] administration. With that, I yield back. [45:01] The gentleman yields back. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from California, Mr. Khanna. [45:05] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Secretary Hegsett, tomorrow is two months since the war has begun. [45:11] You've testified that it was $25 billion in cost in terms of the munitions we used and what we paid for it. [45:18] But when you add to that the damage that was done to our bases and today's dollars for buying [45:25] replacement munitions and replacement aircrafts, what has the total cost been over the last 60 days? [45:33] That number right now reflects the total cost that we're seeing. [45:36] Including buying in today's dollars, the new weapons and replacements and including the damage there? [45:42] That's your testimony? If there's adjustments to that, I would defer to the comptroller on that. [45:47] And how much are you seeing in terms of, are you asking in terms of supplemental funding just for [45:52] the Iran mission from this committee? If and when a supplemental is submitted, [45:58] the majority of it would not just be for, would not be. [46:01] But what would be the whole point for Iran? [46:03] Munitions related to the entirety of what we want to get done. [46:07] A number, what would you submit? [46:09] It would be within the, on Iran, it would be less than $25 billion, but there's a lot more we [46:13] would ask for beyond this. You're saying it's $25 billion. Okay. I would just, if you come back, [46:18] you want to revise those numbers because all the experts are disagreeing with you when it comes to [46:22] today's dollars in damage, but you can revise it. How much did it cost American taxpayers in terms of [46:27] the strike to the Iranian school where kids were killed? Do you have that number in terms of the [46:32] missiles we used? As I've said, that unfortunate situation remains under investigation. [46:40] You don't know how much it costs, but I wouldn't tie a cost to that, to anything. [46:44] That's a reasonable question. No, sir. I mean, our taxpayer money was going there. [46:47] Do you know how much it will cost Americans in terms of their increased cost in gas [46:52] and food over the next year because of the Iran war? [46:56] I would simply ask you what the cost is of an Iranian nuclear bomb. [47:01] I'm going to give you that. [47:02] I would simply ask you what the, you're playing gotcha questions about domestic things. [47:06] I'm not, you're asking, you're saying it's a gotcha question to ask [47:09] what it's going to be in terms of the increase. [47:11] Why won't you answer what it costs to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear bomb? [47:14] I give you that, sir. But let me, what would it cost? What would you pay [47:17] to ensure Iran doesn't get a nuclear bomb? What would you pay? [47:20] I reclaim my time. Do you not know you had no one do the analysis of what the increased cost [47:25] of gas and food on the American people are going to be? [47:28] What is the cost of Iran holding that straight at issue with nuclear weapons? [47:32] It's $631 billion, which means it's an increase of $5,000 a year for American households. [47:40] Now, let me give you this point. You're saying that your operation is preventing a nuclear Iran. [47:45] Will you acknowledge that there is an economic cost to the American people [47:50] for doing what you believe is necessary to make Iran denuclear? [47:55] Will you acknowledge the economic cost? [47:57] We have an incredible economic team that's managing this better than what the previous [48:02] administration did to our economy, what the previous administration did with inflation, [48:07] what the previous administration did with COVID, and you're going to elect this administration [48:11] about the economy? You know what is upsetting? Incredible. [48:14] You didn't even do the analysis on how much it's costing the American people. It's one thing if [48:18] you said, okay, it costs the American people $5,000, but we think it's worth it. That's what we've [48:23] done in World War II and other wars. Here's what it costs. You got to pay for it. You don't even know [48:28] what the average American is paying. You don't know what we paid in terms of the missiles that hit [48:33] the Iranian school. You don't know what we're paying in terms of gas. You don't know what we're [48:36] paying in terms of food. Your 25 billion number is totally off. It's the incompetence. It's the [48:42] incompetence. Let me ask you this. Certainly maybe here we'll find agreement. There were still 440 pounds [48:49] of low enriched uranium, correct? When President Obama, after the JCPOA, is that accurate? [48:54] The amounts and types are classified. Okay. Will you acknowledge that there were 970 pounds of [49:02] uranium enriched after Trump tore up the JCPOA? The JCPOA was a terrible deal that allowed Iran a [49:11] path to a nuclear bomb. You deal with vague platitudes. I'm just asking you about numbers. [49:17] You don't know what gas costs. You don't know what food costs. You don't know what the operation costs. [49:21] You know, I get sound bites, but how about numbers? Do you know how much the enriched uranium was [49:28] after you ripped up the JCPOA? I'll give you a number. I know that as was stated by [49:34] early on, the price of gas is twice as expensive in California. Your home state is anywhere else in [49:38] the country because of the horrible policies your state pursues. You know what? It used to be that [49:42] that type of stuff worked and then you started to lose the people that you campaigned you wanted to [49:48] be for because you said you wouldn't get us into bad wars. You said you wouldn't, you would bring [49:53] down the prices. You know what I'm sad for? I'm sad for all the people who voted for Trump. [49:58] I'm sad for them because you betrayed them. You've betrayed a lot of that MAGA base. And you know who [50:03] knows that? J.D. Vance knows that. That's why, that's why, that's why, that's why, that's why, [50:07] I recognize this gentleman from Nebraska, Mr. Bacon. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank all three of you for [50:12] being here today. It's a real privilege to be a part of this committee. We are the most bipartisan committee [50:18] out of 20 in Congress. We have a tradition of voting on NDAAs with large, large majorities [50:25] year after year. And it's important not to be a Republican first in here or a Democrat first. [50:30] We're Americans trying to ensure that our country is well defended. And in that spirit, [50:34] I compliment the operations in Iran. I served 30 years in the Air Force. We were [50:41] attacked repeatedly by proxy groups from Iran on every deployment I was on. They were the number one [50:46] threat where I was located. I've lost friends, like at Kovar Towers. Iran with a nuclear weapon [50:52] would have been an existential threat to our country. And if they had a missile that could [50:57] hit New York, they would have done it. They would have done it two months ago.