To receive a closed briefing on Department of Defense cyber operations.

1[Senate Hearing 119-295]2[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]34                                                        S. Hrg. 119-29556                 TO CONSIDER THE NOMINATION OF STEPHEN7                  A. FEINBERG TO BE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF8                  DEFENSE9=======================================================================1011                                HEARING1213                               BEFORE THE1415                      COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES16                          UNITED STATES SENATE1718                    ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS1920                             FIRST SESSION2122                               __________2324                           FEBRUARY 25, 20252526                               __________2728         Printed for the use of the Committee on Armed Services2930[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]3132                Available via: http: // www.govinfo.gov3334                      COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES3536                 ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi, Chairman3738 DEB FISCHER, Nebraska			JACK REED, Rhode Island39 TOM COTTON, Arkansas			JEANNE SHAHEEN, New Hampshire40 MIKE ROUNDS, South Dakota		KIRSTEN E. GILLIBRAND, New York41 JONI ERNST, Iowa			RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, Connecticut42 DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska			MAZIE K. HIRONO, Hawaii43 KEVIN CRAMER, North Dakota		TIM KAINE, Virginia44 RICK SCOTT, Florida			ANGUS S. KING, Jr., Maine45 TOMMY TUBERVILLE, Alabama		ELIZABETH WARREN, Massachusetts46 MARKWAYNE MULLIN, Oklahoma	        GARY C. PETERS, Michigan47 TED BUDD, North Carolina		TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois48 ERIC SCHMITT, Missouri			JACKY ROSEN, Nevada49 JIM BANKS, INDIANA			MARK KELLY, Arizona50 TIM SHEEHY, MONTANA                  	ELISSA SLOTKIN, MICHIGAN5152 		   John P. Keast, Staff Director53 		Elizabeth L. King, Minority Staff Director5455                                  (ii)5657                            C O N T E N T S5859_________________________________________________________________6061                           february 25, 20256263                                                                   Page6465To Consider the Nomination of Stephen A. Feinberg to be Deputy        166  Secretary of Defense.6768                           Members Statements6970Wicker, Senator Roger............................................     17172Reed, Senator Jack...............................................     27374                           Witness Statements7576Feinberg, Stephen A., to be Deputy Secretary of Defense..........     67778  Advance Policy Questions.......................................    527980  Questions for the Record.......................................    988182  Nomination Reference and Report................................   1348384  Biographical Sketch............................................   1358586  Committee on Armed Services Questionnaire......................   1368788  Signature Page.................................................   1428990                                 (iii)9192                     TO CONSIDER THE NOMINATION OF93                    STEPHEN A. FEINBERG TO BE DEPUTY94                          SECRETARY OF DEFENSE9596                              ----------9798                       TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 202599100                              United States Senate,101                               Committee on Armed Services,102                                                    Washington, DC.103    The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 9:30 a.m. in room104SD-G50, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Senator Roger Wicker105(Chairman of the Committee) presiding.106    Committee Members present: Senators Wicker, Fischer,107Cotton, Rounds, Ernst, Sullivan, Scott, Mullin, Budd, Schmitt,108Banks, Sheehy, Reed, Shaheen, Blumenthal, Hirono, Kaine, King,109Warren, Peters, Duckworth, Rosen, Kelly, and Slotkin.110111           OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR ROGER WICKER112113    Chairman Wicker. The Committee will come to order. I thank114our guest for being here. We are here this morning to consider115the nomination of Stephen Feinberg, who has been nominated to116be Deputy Secretary of Defense.117    If confirmed, Mr. Feinberg would join the Department of118Defense (DOD) during the most dangerous security environment119since World War II. He would oversee the operations of the120Department as it faces an emerging Axis of Aggressors. This121dangerous coalition, which is characterized by military122cooperation between China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea,123presents a complex and far-reaching set of threats. Make no124mistake: our enemies do not want a 21st century defined by125peace and prosperity for the American people. Mr. Feinberg126would be a crucial part of the team tasked with meeting those127threats.128    Unfortunately, the defense investments we have made during129the cold war have long since evaporated. Defense spending is130near record lows as a percentage of our gross domestic product131(GDP), and all aspects of our military forces are now in dire132need of repair or replacement.133    Our Navy, once the envy of all seafaring nations, is now134too small and too old to meet the growing demands of our135combatant commanders. Our nuclear forces used to be the most136robust and effective on the planet. Now they are decades older137than their intended service lives. Our Air Force continues to138shrink. We have yet to figure out how to scale innovative139weapons into mass production. We have a $200 billion backlog in140basic maintenance that leaves our troops living and working in141substandard conditions--$200 billion just dealing with living142and working conditions, and I could go on.143    Clearly, there are many things that need fixing at the144Department of Defense. Fortunately, Mr. Feinberg has spent his145entire career fixing things. I believe he will make a very fine146Deputy Secretary of Defense.147    Mr. Feinberg ran a highly successful, large organization148for 3 decades, making him eminently qualified to run the149Pentagon effectively. He brings extensive experience at the150intersection of international economics and national security.151Mr. Feinberg is remarkably attuned to the scope and scale of152the challenges we face, as well as the opportunities we might153exploit. His work on national defense is significant, and has154ranged from Subic Bay acquisition to counter-Huawei efforts,155and from spectrum sharing to hypersonic testing.156    Unlike the Secretary of Defense, the Deputy does not often157make high-profile policy speeches or travel around the world to158engage with allies and adversaries. I do not expect to see much159of Mr. Feinberg in the news if he is confirmed. But make no160mistake: the Pentagon cannot function without a capable deputy.161    In many ways, the deputy runs the day-to-day operations of162the Department--driving the budget process, managing the163principal staff assistance, and ensuring the Secretary of164Defense is provided with data-driven and thoughtful options.165    In Mr. Feinberg, President Trump has found a deputy who166combines cutting-edge private sector skills with a thorough167understanding of U.S. national security interests and the168Department of Defense.169    Today, we will hear Mr. Feinberg's views on issues facing170the Department of Defense. I look forward to his thoughts on my171proposals. Last year, I released a report entitled ``21st172Century Peace Through Strength.'' I hope this can serve as a173blueprint to reinvigorate and rebuild our military.174    Additionally, I released a Pentagon reform and innovation175plan called ``Restoring Freedom's Forge: American Innovation176Unleashed.'' I hope it brings much-needed reforms and177fundamentally changes the way the Department does business. We178must cut red tape and get better weapons to our troops faster,179all while maximizing taxpayer dollars.180    I thank Mr. Feinberg and his family and his friends for181being here today. I believe he has a lot to offer as the182Department of Defense directs its focus to lethality,183efficiency, speed, and accountability.184    I now recognize my friend and Ranking Member Reed for any185opening remarks he would like to deliver.186187                 STATEMENT OF SENATOR JACK REED188189    Senator Reed. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Mr.190Feinberg, congratulations on your nomination and welcome to191today's hearing. I would also like to recognize your wife,192Gisella, and your family that are here today. Also, welcome,193Bill Hagerty. Senator, thank you. You will be introducing Mr.194Feinberg.195    Mr. Feinberg, you have been nominated to be Deputy196Secretary of Defense. Traditionally, the Deputy handles the197day-to-day operations of the Department, with a primary focus198on managing the workforce and budget processes. The Deputy199keeps the trains running on time. But also serves as the200Department's main troubleshooter for high-priority problems or201decisions. This, in turn, allows the Secretary to focus on202policy, strategy, and relationships abroad.203    However, I am concerned that the Deputy's primary roles,204workforce and budget management, have already been undermined205by the chaotic actions we have seen over the past week. Last206Tuesday, Secretary Hegseth ordered the Defense Department207leadership to submit plans to slash spending by 8 percent208annually. He suggested that these cuts would be covered largely209by canceling DEI [diversity, equity, and inclusion] and climate210change programs. But I would note that these programs combined211account for barely 0.1 percent of the annual budget. The cuts212will go much, much deeper to systems, and you will be part of213that process.214    In addition, after pressure from DOGE [Department of215Government Efficiency], Mr. Hegseth announced a plan to fire2165,400 Defense Department probationary employees beginning this217week, and eventually to 5 to 8 percent of the entire workforce,218as many as 75,000 workers across the country.219    Let me make one point clear. The United States' greatest220national security assets is not its ships, the aircraft,221weapons, or technology. Our greatest security asset is our222people. We have the most professional and dedicated defense223workforce in the world to complement the greatest and most224lethal fighting force in the world. The men and women who serve225our military, both in uniform and as civilians, are among the226most skilled and valuable professionals in the country, and227they serve in the Department of Defense not because it is a228lucrative or easy career. They do so because they care about229the mission and protecting their fellow citizens. In a word,230they are patriots. The are not opponents; they are patriots.231    That is why I am so disturbed by the Trump administration's232apparent animosity toward that. Arbitrarily firing tens of233thousands of workers and slashing the defense budget will not234create efficiency in our military. It will cripple it.235    This Committee has always advocated for cutting wasteful236spending at the Department of Defense, but tough budget237decisions should be based on facts and analysis, not reckless238layoffs. Such actions will harm our economy and industrial base239and will be felt in every State, not just inside the Pentagon.240Defense civilians work in communities around the country, at241shipyards, military bases, depots, manufacturing sites,242schools, and research centers.243    Mr. Feinberg, if you are confirmed you will be responsible244for managing the fallout from these budget and personnel cuts.245At a time when we face unprecedented threats from China,246Russia, and other adversaries, you will need to find a way to247balance these reductions while also ensuring the Department has248the resources it needs to achieve current missions and invest249in modern technology. You will need the expertise of these250civilians who now are in the fear of losing their jobs, without251cause, or you will have to rely on contractors or military252personnel to fill their cover work, which in the past has253proved only to degrade readiness and drive up costs. I hope you254will explain to this Committee how you intend to resolve these255contradictory demands while ensuring the Department of Defense256accomplishes its mission.257    Finally, I feel compelled to take a moment to addresses the258firings of senior military leaders this weekend. I am deeply259troubled that these firings appear to be part of a broader260campaign by President Trump and Secretary Hegseth to politicize261the military. I salute General CQ Brown, Admiral Lisa262Franchetti, General James Slife, and General Jennifer Short for263their outstanding service. Each of them have had brilliant264careers and have led with great courage, honor, and265distinction. We all owe them a debt of gratitude for their266service and sacrifice.267    However, the timing of these dismissals and the lack of any268explanation for why risks politicizing the military and sending269a chilling message to the ranks that political loyalty to270President Trump supersedes loyalty to the Constitution.271    Mr. Feinberg, these actions will also cause issues for you,272if confirmed, because the Deputy Secretary of Defense works273closely with the Vice Chiefs of the Joint Staff and the274Services, most of whom are now either relieved of duty or275covering two jobs. This will make it difficult for you to get276the focus and time needed from these officers to address the277difficult problems facing the Department.278    I am most alarmed, however, by Secretary Hegseth's279dismissal of the Judge Advocate Generals of the Armed Forces.280These officers, known as TJAGs, are among the most senior281uniformed lawyers in the military, strictly apolitical, and282they have a fundamental role in ensuring that balanced, lawful283counsel is part of any military policy discussion. The TJAGs284provide legal oversight that spans military justice,285operational law, administrative compliance, and U.S. compliance286with the law of armed conflict. We expect the TJAGs to always287provide their best military advice, regardless of politics.288    These firings, along with the firings of the inspectors289generals, should alarm everyone about the President's290commitment to the rule of law, especially for the military.291Laws, rules, and regulations are of utmost importance in an292institution with an enormous budget and a lethal mission. If293adherence to the law becomes option, the job of the Deputy294Secretary becomes infinitely more difficult.295    Mr. Feinberg, if confirmed, you may be one of the most296important advocates for our military servicemembers and defense297civilians within the Department of Defense. I hope you298understand the responsibilities that come with your position,299and that you will commit to speaking truth to power for the300sake of our security. I hope you will also give us your301assurances that you will communicate regularly and be302transparent with this Committee. A close bipartisan303relationship has always been the hallmark of this Committee in304dealing with the Department of Defense.305    Thank you for stepping forward to lead at a critical time306for our Nation, and I look forward to your testimony.307    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.308    Chairman Wicker. Thank you, Senator Reed. We are now joined309by our distinguished colleague and friend, Senator Hagerty, of310Tennessee, who will make introductory remarks for our nominee.311Senator Hagerty.312    Senator Hagerty. Thank you, Chairman Wicker and Ranking313Member Reed. I want to let you know how much I appreciate you314holding this important nomination hearing today.315    It is a real privilege for me to introduce my good friend,316Steve Feinberg. Steve is President Trump's nominee to be our317Deputy Secretary of Defense. During the first Trump318administration, from 2018 to 2021, Steve chaired the319President's Intelligence Advisory Board. There he brought a320fresh perspective and provided expert advice on a range of321challenge that confronted U.S. national security.322    Before his nomination, Steve was co-CEO [Chief Executive323Officer] and Chief Investment Officer of Cerberus Capital324Management, a global investment firm that he co-founded in3251992, and today manages some $68 billion of capital. At326Cerberus, Steve spent 34 years investing in, fixing, and327operating a variety of businesses, including those related to328national defense and the U.S. intelligence community.329    Steve is a patriot with a great heart. One of the many330things that sets Steve apart is his strategic vision and his331willingness and desire to invest in ways that not only create332and grow value for his investors but also advance U.S. national333security interests.334    I want to quickly share a powerful story based on my own335personal experience with Steve's leadership. When I served as336United States Ambassador to Japan, I discovered that two337Chinese firms were attempting to acquire the bankrupt Hanjin338shipyard at Subic Bay in the Philippines. Subic Bay had339previously served as a United States naval base, with a340deepwater shipyard that is quite strategically located on the341South China Sea.342    For various reasons, the International Development Finance343Corporation and other parts of the U.S. Government were not in344a position to engage nor to help us solve this problem. So I345engaged with top officials in the Trump administration and the346governments of Japan and the Philippines, as well as with top347actors in the private sector, and in specific, with Steve348Feinberg and Cerberus.349    Working together, we assembled an ad hoc, public-private350solution to this problem and thwarted China's effort to acquire351this very strategic port. Thanks to leadership from the Trump352administration and Steve Feinberg and his team, we succeeded.353Today Hanjin shipyard is known as Agila Subic shipyard, and it354is own by American investors.355    As a result, U.S. and allied firms have a joint presence356there. For example, HAD Hyundai, a South Korean firm, will357build and maintain vessels at the shipyard, and SubCom, a U.S.-358based undersea cable firm, is advancing projects in the region359from that location. United States Military and the Armed Forces360of the Philippines also have a significant presence there now.361    If Steven's team had not stepped up to solve the problem,362the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) today would likely possess a363vital piece of strategic infrastructure in the South China Sea,364and the threats to the security of the United States and our365partners would be enormous as a result.366    At Cerberus, Steve also worked hard on another issue that I367dealt with firsthand as United States Ambassador to Japan, and368that is helping the United States and our partners counter369China's threat in 5G telecommunications by investing in370commercial alternatives to Huawei and other Chinese telecom371companies. Here again, Steve recognized a strategic challenge372to the United States and sought to counter and minimize the373influence and access that China could gain from control over374spectrum and telecommunications infrastructure.375    On that note, I want to commend the Committee for its376strong support of the Defense Department's efforts to377accelerate adoption of 5G and ORAN technologies in order to378provide strategic advantages to the warfighter, including by379directing the Pentagon to establish a Secretary of Defense 5G380cross-functional team to accomplish this objective.381    We could not have addressed these problems without Steve382Feinberg, an outsider with a fresh perspective, who, at the383same time, knows how to work on the inside while bringing384innovation and ingenuity to the table. Steve, if confirmed,385will do an outstanding job as the Pentagon's second-highest-386ranking civilian official.387    Steve understands the mission. He will leverage his388leadership, his strategic thinking, his deep knowledge, his389decades of experience, and his vast professional network, as390well as his willingness to listen and learn, and his391decisiveness to improve the Defense Department. Just as he did392at Cerberus for the past 34 years, Steve will work his heart393out every day at the Department of Defense. He will ensure that394the building, its management, its operations, and its programs395run better and more efficiently, and he will focus on the396Department's goal of providing decisive, strategic operational397and tactical advances to the warfighter.398    Steve Feinberg is the right man for this job. I look399forward to his testimony today and to working with my400colleagues to advance his nomination as quickly as possible.401Thank you.402    Chairman Wicker. Thank you very much, Senator Hagerty. We403would love to have you stay with us all morning, but perhaps404you have other engagements. So feel free to go, and you have405our thanks.406    Mr. Feinberg, welcome, and you are now recognized for your407testimony.408409  STATEMENT OF STEPHEN A. FEINBERG TO BE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF410                            DEFENSE411412    Mr. Feinberg. Thank you, Senator Hagerty. Your words are413too kind. I very much appreciate it. I would like to thank414Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Senator Reed, and all the415distinguished Senators on the Committee for this opportunity to416speak in front of you today. It is a real honor. I would like417to thank the President of the United States, President Trump,418for his nomination, giving me this great opportunity to serve419our great Nation.420    While the United States has all types of threats today,421from North Korea to Russia to Iran, by far our biggest threat422and most challenging is China. China is the first nation we423have ever competed with that has both a great economy and a424great military. China's entire private sector is fully425committed in supporting that military development, and as such,426they effectively have unlimited funding. China is incredibly427determined, they feel a great sense of urgency, and they are428fully dedicated to becoming the strongest nation in the world429and having dominance over the United States.430    This is coming at a time when the United States has431significant shortages in both our national security, many areas432from weaknesses to shortages to problems. Chairman Wicker433outlined so many of these in his opening remarks. We have434shortages, obviously, in shipbuilding, nuclear modernization,435aircraft development, cyber defense, hypersonics, counter-436space, defending our satellites, counter-drones, defending437against drone attacks, and so forth. There are so many more.438Our workforce is challenged. Fabrication and batteries, two439major areas of our industry, we are relying on China for.440    So a lot of big challenges that we have to face, and it is441all coming at a time when our budget is challenged, when all442the services do not have enough money to meet all our current443and future needs.444    However, there is some good news here, is DOD, Pentagon,445there is great opportunity to improve our cost structure, our446efficiency, our operations, to really save a lot of money, that447could be plowed into mission. We do not have great financial448accountability, financial metrics, poor systems, awful lot of449low-hanging fruit there, so we can improve our cost structure.450    This is in my wheelhouse, hopefully. I spent a career451helping organizations improve, and after doing it for so many452years, I have certainly made my share of mistakes, but I453certainly believe I understand and I think I can add some value454there.455    There are great people in the Pentagon, great people, and456there is so much to work with. At any time when you are trying457to improve operations and efficiency and do better, there are458going to be changes. Those changes could be initially459difficult, but with the right leadership, the right focus there460are so many people at the Pentagon that want to do better at461our Department of Defense and will work incredibly hard to do462that. We will find the top people. We will give them autonomy,463flexibility to do things, but of course we will hold them464accountable.465    As Chairman of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board466under President Trump in the first administration, it was clear467that we had some of these deficiencies. Five years later, I468think things have only gotten worse. In our DOD companies,469which we have bought over the years, certainly we were470insiders, but I also have an outside perspective to bring. I471think that is a good combination.472    Not meaning to be too negative, but we really need to plug473these shortages, focus on our priorities, get rid of legacy474programs, be very disciplined, and while, at the same time,475focusing on the economics. If we do that, given America's great476innovative capabilities and entrepreneurship, we will defeat477China. If we do not, our very national security is at risk.478    With that, Mr. Chairman, I was wondering if I could479introduce my family, if that is okay.480    Chairman Wicker. Please do, yes. We would love to get to481know them better.482    Mr. Feinberg. Thank you. Well, I am fortunate to have483behind me my nephew, Jovan Diaz, who is currently a major in484Special Forces, Green Beret, served multiple tours in Iraq and485Afghanistan. His brother, Eric Diaz, retired, former officer,486served multiple tours in Iraq and Central America. My brother-487in-law, Joe Swallow, former marine. My godson here today, Moses488Franco, former marine NCO, and, of course, my brother-in-law,489Fred Sanchez, who is not in the military but sort of like it.490He spent nearly 27 years, New York Police.491    My dad, who is too ill to be here today, is going to be 99.492He served in the South Pacific. I believe he is watching. All493my uncles, may they rest in peace, all served in World War II.494    None of this would be possible without my wife of almost 39495years, Gisella, and my three daughters, Madeline, Gillian and496Lisa----497    Chairman Wicker. I am glad you finally got around to them.498    Mr. Feinberg. I'm sorry?499    Chairman Wicker. Just a quip.500    Mr. Feinberg. My son-in-law, also who works at Cerberus501today, buying companies that help America, which is a big part502of our business.503    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.504    [The prepared statement of Mr. Feinberg follows:]505506               Prepared Statement by Stephen A. Feinberg507    Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Reed, and distinguished members of508the committee, I am honored to appear before you today as President509Donald Trump's nominee to be the Deputy Secretary of Defense. I would510like to explicitly thank President Trump for the confidence and trust511he has placed in me.512    I would also like to acknowledge my family. Thank you for your513continued support.514    My father, who will be 99 years old this year, served in the515Pacific during World War II and my uncle in Normandy. They instilled in516me a desire to serve and a devotion to the prosperity of the United517States. While I will never come close to the contribution they and so518many others in uniform have made to this great Nation, if confirmed, I519pledge to do my best every day to serve in a manner worthy of their520sacrifices.521    Our Nation faces an urgent challenge from China and an increasingly522complex array of threats as we witness deepening ties between China,523Russia, Iran, and North Korea. China's military continues to expand524exponentially, and they become more emboldened and aggressive each day.525Additionally, China effectively has a budget much larger than ours when526you count the financial support their private sector provides. Their527progress is disturbing, and their commitment is absolute. War is not528inevitable, but strength is our path to peace. Simply, if we do not do529more to counter the Chinese threat, our national security is at risk.530    Our uniformed men and women, supported by Department of Defense531(DOD) civilians at all levels, must be the most lethal fighting force532in the world. This means being the best equipped, most modern, best533trained, and best led military in the world, without question.534    For too many years, the DOD has been plagued by mismanagement and535inefficiency. From an outsider's perspective, overly bureaucratic536processes, poor fiscal responsibility, and a lack of accountability has537led to cost overruns, outdated infrastructure, and ineffective weapons538platforms and capabilities. DOD's business failures continue to put our539national security, and our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and540guardians at risk.541    For over 30 years, I have led organizational assessments,542implemented complex reforms, and driven operational improvements with543significant experience in the defense sector. If confirmed as Deputy544Secretary, I will leverage my knowledge of strategy development,545business operations, and risk management and work in collaboration with546this Committee and Congress, across the executive branch, with our547industrial base, technology sectors, and private investment to help548this Administration achieve its defense policy goals.549    Under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, the United States550military must be stronger and more lethal than it has ever been. If551confirmed, my priorities as Deputy Secretary will be: (1) meet mission552requirements; (2) improve the DOD's financial and economic stewardship;553(3) plug the increasing number of shortages and gaps in our military554and operational capabilities that threaten our national security; and555(4) cultivate the current and next generation of leaders.556    My primary focus will be on enhancing the most critical mission557capabilities needed to fight and win any war. We must adapt and scale558our capabilities and address critical shortages in areas such as559shipbuilding and munitions. We must invest smartly in advanced560technologies and ensure our supply chains are more secure and561resilient. We must take advantage of autonomy in all domains, and the562modernization of our nuclear triad and other core capabilities is563essential. There are unfortunately dozens of critical areas we must564address.565    This will require greater efficiency in managing the DOD's budget,566streamlining the acquisition of key capabilities, implementing567effective auditing and accountability measures, and improving other568core business functions. Simply put, we must decrease costs, reduce569waste, increase competition, and successfully execute the programs we570initiate. If confirmed, I will review the full set of recommendations571from the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) Reform572Commission and I will hold leaders across DOD accountable for achieving573financial statement audit outcomes. Such a clear commitment to574financial integrity will maximize the impact of our resources while575upholding the trust of the American people.576    The strength of our military is built on the quality of our people.577Our military will prioritize meritocracy and cultivate the leaders and578both recruit and retain the talent we need--from both the public and579private sectors--to implement the President's vision and Secretary's580priorities.581    I am committed to strengthening the mission capabilities, financial582stewardship, and leadership development across DOD. Leveraging the full583potential of our national strength, we can decisively defeat any threat584to national security and enable a lasting peace.585    I am eager to continue to work with this Committee to ensure that586our military remains the strongest--and most lethal--in the world. I587look forward to your questions.588589    Chairman Wicker. Well, thank you very, very much for that590testimony. We now have some standard questions that are591required of civilian nominees, so I ask you simply to answer592with yes or no.593    Have you adhered to applicable laws and regulations594governing conflicts of interest?595    Mr. Feinberg. Yes.596    Chairman Wicker. Have you assumed any duties or taken any597actions that would appear to presume the outcome of the598confirmation process?599    Mr. Feinberg. No.600    Chairman Wicker. Exercising our legislative and oversight601responsibilities makes it important that this Committee, its602Subcommittees, and other appropriate committees of Congress603receive testimony, briefings, reports, records, and other604information from the executive branch on a timely basis. Do you605agree, if confirmed, to appear and testify before this606Committee, when requested?607    Mr. Feinberg. Yes.608    Chairman Wicker. Do you agree to provide records,609documents, and electronic communications in a timely manner610when requested by this Committee, its Subcommittees, or other611appropriate committees of Congress, and to consult with the612requestor regarding the basis for any good faith delay or613denial in providing such records?614    Mr. Feinberg. Yes.615    Chairman Wicker. I assume there will be no bad faith delay.616    Will you ensure that your staff complies with deadlines617established by this Committee for the production of reports,618records, and other information, including timely responding to619hearing questions for the record?620    Mr. Feinberg. Yes.621    Chairman Wicker. There may be, indeed, undoubtedly will be622some questions for the record.623    Will you cooperate in providing witnesses and briefers in624response to congressional requests?625    Mr. Feinberg. Yes.626    Chairman Wicker. Will those witnesses and briefers be627protected from reprisal for their testimony or briefings?628    Mr. Feinberg. Yes.629    Chairman Wicker. Thank you very much for those answers.630    Now, you really have answered something that we are all631interested in. We are not where we need to be, and we are632facing two nuclear near-peer adversaries, and, for example, our633shipbuilding. according to your testimony, is nowhere near634where it should be.635    There are people who say we do not have the industrial636capacity, so what is the answer to that?637    Mr. Feinberg. Well, Senator, it is a tough problem. Our638supply chain is definitely weak. Our workforce needs to be639improved. But a big piece of improving our supply chain is640working more closely with our private sector. We have companies641that can get us where our needs are, where our shortages are,642and we need to work more closely with them. We need people643inside of Government, that understand their issues, understand644what drives their boards, what drives the pressure they get645from shareholders. That kind of knowledge will enable us to try646to find and work with more private sector companies who would647be willing to get into this space.648    We certainly have the manufacturing capability to meet the649shortages in our supply chain. We have just got to encourage650those companies to do it.651    Chairman Wicker. Okay, and we probably will want you to652enlarge on that on the record.653    We are at 3 percent of GDP now. Is a percentage of GDP an654accurate measure? I have been advocating for 5 percent. Why do655people talk about a percentage of GDP?656    Mr. Feinberg. Well, I think historically our military657spending has been at a higher percentage of GDP, and of course,658more funds would help us in a very difficult period. But my659humble opinion, my job as Deputy, if I am fortunate enough to660be confirmed, would be work with whatever the funding the661Senate and the House gives me, and I will do my best with that.662    [The information referred to follows:]663664    Mr. Feinberg. Increasing the capacity of the shipbuilding and ship665repair industrial base is critical. We need to expand our combatant,666submarine, and auxiliary fleets to meet our requirements in INDOPACOM667and across the globe. If confirmed, I look forward to understanding the668Navy's progress on its Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program669(SIOP), Submarine Industrial Base investments in production capacity,670workforce expansion and retention, and supporting efforts to accelerate671capacity and capability growth. I also look forward to addressing this672issue wholistically and working with the Department of the Navy, other673U.S. Government agencies, state and local governments, and industrial674base partners on a whole of Government and Nation approach.675676    Chairman Wicker. Well, I think we took a real good step677Thursday night, early into early hours Friday morning. You678mentioned in terms of doing the sorts of things that I679mentioned in my FORGED Act, in my paper, about restoring680freedoms forge. You mentioned there is some low-hanging fruit.681There is discussion about the 8 percent request that went out682from the new Administration. I can tell you you are going to be683very thoughtful about this, but discuss, if you will, the684extent of this low-hanging fruit and to what extent do you685think we can get started on that in this fiscal year.686    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, Senator, thank you. For example, in our687program requirements, they are very rigid, gold-plated,688expensive. We can get the job done with a simplification of689many of those requirements. Then often, as the program starts,690the requirements get changed, and then the industry has to then691make changes, which really drive costs up. There are all types692of things we can talk about regarding that.693    I will say, on the cut, and obviously I have not been694involved in any of the conversations, but I do believe that695part of the plan should be, and will be, a lot of that money696they are talking about saving will be reallocated inside DOD to697mission priorities.698    Chairman Wicker. Of course. Absolutely.699    Well, let me briefly ask you. This Committee has been700supportive of the Office of Strategic Capital and the idea of701leveraging comparative advantages in private capital. Do you702support the OSC and do you believe we need to significantly703grow the Office of Strategic Capital?704    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, I would agree, but I think they also705need to move faster. Right now it is a great concept. It can706really help. But funding has to come quicker, with a faster,707less bureaucratic process, and it is very key for us to address708that or else that office will not be successful. But if we move709at the speed of urgency, given our threats, that could be a710great asset for us.711    Chairman Wicker. Thank you for that commitment to the speed712of urgency. Senator Reed.713    Senator Reed. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and thank714you, Mr. Feinberg, for your testimony. You have already715highlighted one of your major issues. That is building a budget716and managing resources in which the threat environment is717accelerating, and we still have current crises and commitments718we must make. With this 8 percent cut, that is very deep. You719go after the low-hanging fruit and then you have got a lot more720work to do, I perceive.721    Can you tell us how you are you are going to approach this722problem?723    Mr. Feinberg. Thank you, Senator. I think that when you724look at DOD today you do not have good systems, good725understanding of our cost structure, you do not have the right726financial metrics. So much is possible if you put in those727types of capabilities into the Department.728    I think that in most cases that I have seen, in businesses729that there is the need to do better, we always are able to find730more cuts than we would have expected, without hurting mission.731Of course, all of these cuts can be reappropriated to the732things we really need.733    I do not think the idea is just to slash. The idea is to734reallocate from things we do not need, which, for example,735could be legacy systems that are not valuable in the fight736anymore, to things we do need.737    Senator Reed. But reallocation, does that get you an 8738percent reduction, if you take X money and put X money739someplace else?740    Mr. Feinberg. I'm sorry, Senator?741    Senator Reed. Reallocation. If you take X dollars from one742account and put it in another account, how do you cut 8 percent743of the DOD budget?744    Mr. Feinberg. My understanding of what I thought those cuts745were is that we would have an ability to put it into the746mission in ways that we cannot today. But if that is not747available, if confirmed as Deputy Secretary, I think that there748is so much there we can get at without cutting into the bone,749and a lot of it is systems, capabilities, reporting,750transparency. There is so much you can do when you do that.751    Senator Reed. Thank you. Over the weekend, the Secretary752announced that 5,400 probationary employees would be dismissed,753and it apparently was not done with any analysis. It was just754preemptive, and you have run companies. Have you ever walked in755and fired thousands of people without any analysis of the cost756or benefits?757    Mr. Feinberg. Well, I believe that every person is758significant, and these cuts are always hard. But I believe that759most of the cuts that we will see will be from people that want760to retire, people who would like to resign early. You know,761obviously there are over 900,000 civilians in DOD.762    While you can never not take one person seriously, in these763kinds of reorganizations there is always turnover, and without764some turnover you cannot become an efficient organization.765    Senator Reed. Another topic is, I mentioned in my766statement, Secretary Hegseth fired essentially all the TJAGs of767the military services. One of his rationales is, quote,768``removing blockades to what is going to happen.'' In usual769terms, those blockades are called laws, so I believe Secretary770Hegseth has just shown, again, his contempt for the law.771    Do you commit to following the rule of law in your job?772    Mr. Feinberg. Absolutely, Senator.773    Senator Reed. Federal law states clearly that no DOD774employee may interfere with the provisions of independent775advice by TJAGs, military service leadership, and by JAG776officers to commanders. Do you commit to respecting their777independence?778    Mr. Feinberg. Yes.779    Senator Reed. Also instructing others to do so?780    Mr. Feinberg. Absolutely.781    Senator Reed. Relatedly, do you commit to the independence782of DOD and other agencies' inspectors general?783    Mr. Feinberg. Yes.784    Senator Reed. Thank you very much, Mr. Feinberg. Thank you.785    Chairman Wicker. Thank you, Senator Reed. Senator Cotton.786    Senator Cotton. Mr. Feinberg, it was already mentioned in787your opening remarks and in your exchange with Senator Wicker788the importance of revitalizing our defense industry. One789important tool the Department has is the Defense Production790Act, going back decades. But unfortunately it has frequently791struggled to effectively use the Defense Production Act. The792previous Administration used it for non-critical needs like so-793called green energy.794    What are your thoughts on how we could reform the Defense795Production Act and use it more effectively to jumpstart our796defense industry?797    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, Senator, thank you. It is a great tool798for us. I think we have to combine some of our top people at799the Pentagon with private sector capability and look at the800kind of things that we really need, with urgency, speed, of801course, a lot of due diligence, but not crushing due diligence,802which takes us 6 months, a year, a year and a half, which often803happens in those kinds of programs. We have got to go faster.804We have got to realize the threat. We have got to put the right805people who can go faster.806    Senator Cotton. Thank you. I appreciate that, and I agree,807and especially when you get to the subcomponent level in808industry, there are a lot of challenges with supply, and the809Defense Production Act was passed decades ago out of810recognition that when we are in a crisis, as I think we face811now around the world, the defense industry simply has to come812first when it comes to certain critical components or supply813chain challenges.814    You identified China as the most serious threat we face,815certainly the most serious long-term threat we face. I816completely agree with that. I am curious about your thoughts on817what are the key acquisition programs underway right now, or818that might soon be underway, that you think we would need in a819conflict in the Western Pacific, obviously a conflict most820likely to happen if Communist China decided to go for the821jugular in Taiwan.822    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, clearly we need to develop autonomy,823autonomy in significant numbers with a centralized command,824effectively brain. We have to make the right decision on825whether we need to build the next generation of aircraft, or we826can rely on autonomy. Of course, we have got to improve our827shipbuilding. China is very strong there. Our nuclear828capabilities, we have to upgrade them, and we have to develop829hypersonics. We cannot allow the Chinese to be faster than us,830both in their weaponry and aircraft, and so many more, Senator.831    Senator Cotton. Yes, thank you. I agree on all of those.832One question or issue that you mentioned in there is whether we833have a manned, sixth-generation fighter. I know that you have834not been on the job yet, you have not gotten all the briefings835that we have had on the Committee. Do you have any preliminary836thoughts on the need for a manned fighter?837    Mr. Feinberg. Well, that is a controversial issue, Senator,838that are used on both sides. I want to get in there, if I am839fortunate enough to be confirmed, look at all the classified840information, and ultimately that decision could be made by the841Secretary or the President even, and see if I can add some842value to it.843    Senator Cotton. Sure, and as we discussed, I hope that we844can move along promptly, and you can get the same information845the Committee has. It is a decision that needs to be made soon,846but it is not imminent, in a matter of days. I mean, there are847several weeks left, I believe, before the decision needs to be848made.849    Any thoughts on munitions? Obviously, munitions are850complicated these days, but they are still not a stealth851bomber, they are not an aircraft carrier. We do need to852increase basic rates of production on these. It is not853reinventing the wheel. It is just making more of the same854stuff. Any thoughts on how we can accelerate production rates855in private industry?856    Mr. Feinberg. It is a tough problems. A lot of times in857ammunition you need ammunition machines, effectively, to help858build it, and those are in short supply.859    You know, my hope is, if I am confirmed, that for each of860these shortages, get in there, look at the specific facts, go861over it in detail, understand the weaknesses, and come up with862a detailed operating plan. In my humble opinion, often, in the863past, maybe some of the senior civilian leadership in the864Pentagon may be not as deep into the detail of these. Every865operating entity has all sorts of detail you have got to get866into.867    I do not know yet, but I think there are a lot of companies868we can attract to help us with this problem. It is not rocket869science, munitions, and there is an ability to expand.870    Senator Cotton. Okay. Thank you, and thanks to your family,871your very large, extended family, and their record of service872to our Nation and the military and in law enforcement, and also873thanks to your father who is watching today, part of the874Greatest Generation, along with your uncles. It is a great875American story that reflects the story of so many other of our876military families.877    Mr. Feinberg. Thank you for your service, Senator. I878appreciate it.879    Chairman Wicker. Thank you, Senator Cotton. Senator880Shaheen.881    Senator Shaheen. Mr. Feinberg, congratulations on your882nomination and welcome to all of your family. Thank you for883your willingness to serve.884    Mr. Feinberg. Thank you.885    Senator Shaheen. Chairman Wicker and you, yourself, in your886opening statement, made the point that we have been887underinvesting in our defense in order to ensure the national888security of this country. So I am a little confused about the889strategy that, on the one hand, we have the Administration890talking about cutting 8 percent across the board, primarily.891There are about 17 areas exempt from those cuts, but those do892not include any manned aircraft, so no fighter jets, no893tankers, excludes military construction for the Indo-Pacific894area.895    On the one hand we are talking about cutting 8 percent for8965 years, and on the other hand we have upped the budget by $150897billion, based on what the Senate voted to do on Thursday.898    Help me understand what the strategy is here, and why, on899the one hand--I can understand, as you pointed out and I think900you are absolutely correct, that being strategic and thoughtful901about how we become more efficient is really important. But902across-the-board cuts do not do that. So how is this making us903more secure, based on upping the budget on the one hand and904cutting it on the other?905    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, obviously I do not have the detail on906where these cuts are going to go. But there is always907significant opportunities of things we do not need when you908really get into the detail. In my humble opinion, if I am able909to get through confirmation, I think I can add value to that910discussion and try to ensure that we make the right cuts. I do911trust the Secretary's judgment on where he wants to go.912    But there is a real opportunity to make the right cuts, and913it has to be done thoughtfully, to your point. But I do not914think the exact nature of these cuts have yet been determined,915so I think there is an opportunity to apply them correctly.916    Senator Shaheen. Perhaps the nature of the cuts have not917been determined, but the layoffs have already started. One of918the places where layoffs have been proposed is with our public919shipyards. We have the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard that New920Hampshire and Maine share. It is the oldest continuously921operating shipyard in the country. It has the best on-time922record in terms of maintenance. It maintains our nuclear attack923submarines, and I guess I would raise real concerns about924whether it makes sense to cut our workforce when those attack925submarines are one of the real advantages we have over China.926    Would you agree with me that we need to look long and hard927before we start talking about cutting a workforce that928maintains our nuclear attack submarines and gets them out on929time and on budget?930    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, Senator. Again, I have not seen the931detail of this, but if I am able to get in the job I will look932at it super carefully and try to ensure that we make the right933cuts that will not cut into mission.934    Senator Shaheen. Senator Reed talked about his concerns935about the firing of some of the top generals at the Pentagon,936and I share that concern. I appreciate that the President can937put in whoever he wants, but get rid of the years of experience938and expertise so quickly seems to me to be short-sighted. But939the question that I have for you is, if you are confirmed as940Deputy Secretary of Defense, would you support military941officers providing the Committee their best military advice on942issues, even if that advice differs from the Trump943administration, or President Trump's views?944    Mr. Feinberg. Well, as Deputy I believe I am an execution945person, and I do not think it is my place to, make decisions on946what our top military officers communicate. But I would support947an honest, transparent conversation at all times, and I am948confident in President Trump's strategies, and I think that the949military will work well with him and support the950Administration's goals.951    Senator Shaheen. Well, certainly and honest and transparent952conversation is important to ensure we have the best military953advice, which should be based on military capability and not954based on politics.955    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.956    Chairman Wicker. Thank you, Senator Shaheen. Senator957Fischer.958    Senator Fischer. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and welcome, Mr.959Feinberg, both to you and to your family today, and thank you960for putting yourself forward in these times to serve your961country.962    Historically, nuclear deterrence has been the highest963priority mission of the Department of Defense. Our triad964protects the United States every single day from the only true965existential threat that we face, and nuclear weapons guarantee966our sovereignty. Mr. Feinberg, do you believe that nuclear967deterrence should be the Department's highest priority mission?968    Mr. Feinberg. Yes. It is one of our very top priorities.969    Senator Fischer. Is it the highest priority, sir?970    Mr. Feinberg. It might be. If I am able to get in there and971look at all the classified data and all our problems, I could972certainly answer more directly. But there is nothing that could973be more important than our nuclear modernization.974    Senator Fischer. Today, for the first time in history, we975face two peer competitors when it comes to our nuclear posture976that we have. We have a current force posture that was designed977in 2010, when the threat environment looked different, before978Russia and China modernized, before they expanded their own979arsenals. So I look forward to being able to have conversations980with you in the future on the importance of making that,981continuing to make that the Department and our Nation's highest982priority. Mr. Feinberg----983    Mr. Feinberg. Senator, I was thinking, one of the reasons984why I hesitated on if it is the most important is clearly985modernization is key. We also need hypersonics, you know,986because if our enemy can carry nuclear capability on things987faster than ours, it is a big problem. So I think it is a988coordinated effort.989    Senator Fischer. It is all part of the problem that we have990when we have those peer adversaries threatening this country991every single day.992    If confirmed, would you work with the Secretary to make993sure that these modernization programs continue, and continue994as best they can on schedule, and if opportunities present995themselves to accelerate those programs would you be supportive996of that, as well, and work with the Secretary on that?997    Mr. Feinberg. Yes.998    Senator Fischer. Thank you. Mr. Feinberg, given your999experience in the private sector, if confirmed, how would you1000foster greater innovation inside the Department, and what can1001the Department do to make itself more attractive to private1002sector companies in developing that innovation?1003    Mr. Feinberg. Well right now, with the way our programs1004work, it is very rigid, gold-plated, endless rules, and the big1005defense contractors have an advantage just based on how1006contracts work, bids and proposals. The process is cumbersome,1007and often they win simply because they are better at it. So if1008we can simplify that process, make it fairer, not be as1009inflexible, that will promote competition, so competing1010companies can worry more about capabilities than the process.1011    I also think that the cost of our very tough, rigid1012requirements sometimes is too gold-plated, which makes1013companies without as much capital unwilling to take the kind of1014risk. Some of that risk is unnecessary in development.1015    So a lot we can do by getting into the program detail, line1016by line.1017    Senator Fischer. Good.1018    Mr. Feinberg. My view is that the Deputy has to go program1019by program, line by line, not hand it off to somebody else.1020    Senator Fischer. Okay. Good. Mr. Feinberg, there are1021currently efforts underway to force the Department of Defense1022to vacate critical bands of spectrum, including the lower 31023band and the 7-8 gigahertz band. This would mean that the1024Department would not be allowed to operate radar systems or1025satellite systems that allow our warfighters to detect, to1026discriminate, track, and shoot incoming missiles and enemy1027targets. I adamantly believe that forcing national security1028systems to vacate these bands would be detrimental to national1029security. It would degrade our missile defense capabilities1030when we should be aggressively pursuing an Iron Dome for1031America. That would be off the table if these were vacated.1032    However, I also understand that sharing these bands with1033commercial entities may be possible. This would potentially1034allow DOD systems to operate and coexist with commercial1035systems in the same exact bands without forcing us to lose1036these capabilities.1037    Do you believe the Department of Defense must have1038meaningful co-leadership role in interagency determinations1039about the future of Federal spectrum? Should DOD be at the1040table to be involved in those decisions?1041    Mr. Feinberg. I totally agree. We need spectrum to defend1042our country. We also need commercial use of it to develop the1043technology to be able to defend our country. The best solution1044is sharing, but we have to get it right, make sure sharing can1045be done without risk. That needs to get tested, and until that1046is clear that it can be done without risk, we must protect1047DOD's spectrum position.1048    Senator Fischer. Thank you. It must be clear that it can be1049done without risk. Correct?1050    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, Senator.1051    Senator Fischer. Thank you, sir.1052    Chairman Wicker. Thank you, Senator Fischer. Senator1053Hirono.1054    Senator Hirono. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Feinberg,1055welcome to you and your family.1056    I ask the following two initial questions of all nominees1057before any of my committees, to address the fitness to serve.1058    Since you became a legal adult, have you ever made unwanted1059requests for sexual favors or committed any verbal or physical1060harassment or assault of a sexual nature?1061    Mr. Feinberg. No.1062    Senator Hirono. Have you ever faced discipline or entered1063into a settlement relating to this kind of conduct?1064    Mr. Feinberg. No.1065    Senator Hirono. Now, the DOD will need to cut some 81066percent off its budget, and again, we wonder how that happens1067when, at the same time, other parts of the budget is being1068increased. But a lot of these cuts, I think, will come from the1069workforce, which I think we acknowledge is a critical part of1070our readiness.1071    So here we see that some 5,400 people have already been, or1072will soon be let go from DOD, and these are people who are on1073probationary status. These are not people getting ready to1074retire. In fact, across the many departments, people on1075probation are being let go, 1,000 in DOJ [Department of1076Justice], 250 in SBA [Small Business Administration]. So these1077are cuts that are happening across the board, not based on any1078analysis of impact. There are some 55,000 people on probation1079within the DOD, and I think the expectation is that many of1080them will be also let go. There are some 350 people on1081probationary status at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, and so1082these are critical people in our shipyards, as also mentioned1083by my colleague, Senator Shaheen.1084    Since all these cuts are being made without any kind of1085analysis, don't you have a concern that these cuts will have an1086impact on readiness?1087    Mr. Feinberg. Well, most of the substantial cuts that they1088are talking about are yet to happen.1089    Senator Hirono. As I mentioned, though, they are happening1090to those in the probationary status. These are people who just1091got hired, who are just being trained to serve.1092    Mr. Feinberg. Yes. I have spent a career in restricting1093companies and dealing with these workforce issues. If I can get1094through confirmation I do think I can add some real value1095working with the Secretary, of course, in the process to do1096that properly, fairly, with the right people.1097    Every organization goes through some turnover when you have1098really needs to improve. Initially it is difficult, but the top1099people will step up, and it can be ultimately improving the1100culture.1101    Senator Hirono. Mr. Feinberg, as I mentioned, these are not1102based on any kind of analysis that you would normally do in the1103civilian sector, which you are very familiar with. I hardly1104think that in your business you would just start getting rid of1105people across the board, especially new hires who presumably1106went through the process of vetting.1107    Now regarding the concerns about the purging of senior1108military officers, I too have the concern. Let me just ask you1109a series of questions that I expect either a yes or no answer.1110    Do you believe it is important that senior military1111officers be able to provide their best military advice,1112regardless of politics and without fear of reprisal?1113    Mr. Feinberg. Yes.1114    Senator Hirono. Do you believe that it is important that1115uniformed JAG officers feel free to provide their best legal1116advice on the fair administration of military justice and1117compliance with the law of armed conflict?1118    Mr. Feinberg. Yes.1119    Senator Hirono. Do you believe in the independence of the1120inspectors general to root out fraud, waste, and abuse?1121    Mr. Feinberg. Yes.1122    Senator Hirono. We are concerned about similar cuts to1123USAID [United States Agency for International Development], and1124we are talking about thousands of people who were providing1125services to not just very important to our own country, but1126obviously to our allies. Mr. Feinberg, do you agree that1127gutting USAID funding and personnel endangers our interests1128around the globe, especially in the Indo-Pacific?1129    Mr. Feinberg. I do not know. I do not have all the facts1130and knowledge of that USAID and what the considerations were in1131making those decisions. But I do trust the Secretary and the1132President's judgment on that.1133    Senator Hirono. Wouldn't you say that if you were a1134country, including island nations, who receive USAID funds,1135this kind of cut would be shocking and would have negative1136impacts on their economy and their people?1137    Chairman Wicker. Thank you very much, Senator Hirono.1138    Senator Hirono. I would say the answer has to be yes. Thank1139you.1140    Chairman Wicker. Thank you, Senator Hirono. Senator Rounds.1141    Senator Rounds. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Feinberg,1142first of all, thank you for the opportunity to visit beforehand1143in my office. I enjoyed that discussion. I want to also thank1144your family for their service to our country and also thank you1145for taking the time to leave the private sector and to come in1146and to offer your expertise.1147    The time that you spent at Cerberus Capital and the fact1148that you have looked at a number of different defense-related1149businesses in the past really does help with regard to how we1150make changes at the Pentagon level.1151    I want to start just by clarifying one thing. When we talk1152about an 8 percent cut, we are talking about prioritizing,1153which is the bottom 8 percent that they think, or that they1154want leaders within the Pentagon to identify as perhaps being1155reapportionable to other more important portions. Is that your1156understanding as well, sir?1157    Mr. Feinberg. It is.1158    Senator Rounds. Thank you. Your background has also given1159you some insight, even before getting classified briefings,1160with regard to spectrum, and I want to spend some time on that1161once again. I think this is one of the most important issues1162that faces the Department of Defense right now, and that is1163spectrum sharing, which you are familiar with because actually1164one of the companies which you had invested in actually looked1165at spectrum sharing and the need for that. So that is the1166reason why I want to go through this a little bit.1167    Senator Fischer did an excellent job of laying out the real1168serious threat to our national security should we lose the1169ability to use radar, which is located in the 3.1 to 3.451170gigahertz of the spectrum. I do not want to get real deep1171technically, but basically that is the most advanced radars we1172have. You indicated hypersonics was an important part of the1173discussion right now. Those weapon systems, you are aware that1174we detect them using this portion of the spectrum. Are you1175familiar with that, sir?1176    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, Senator.1177    Senator Rounds. If the Department of Defense was forced to1178either give it up, or because of interference have a less1179likely chance of identifying that, it would make those systems1180less reliable. Would you agree with that, sir?1181    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, sir.1182    Senator Rounds. Right now, in Hawaii, it is defended by1183destroyers that carry this portion of it that provides the1184radar defenses. The Secretary of the Navy, or the Navy has1185indicated, in multiple testimoneys before this Committee, that1186there is a cost should they have to either make significant1187changes or lose that part of the spectrum or replace it1188elsewhere. At $250 billion for the Navy alone to replace it1189over a period of perhaps 20 years. Are you familiar with that,1190sir?1191    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, I am.1192    Senator Rounds. Okay. Right now, we need to find a solution1193that allows for further development of spectrum by our1194commercial sectors, but at the same time, we cannot lose or1195force the Department of Defense to give this portion up, or our1196Nation is at risk. Would you agree with that, sir?1197    Mr. Feinberg. I do agree.1198    Senator Rounds. Today, if we look at the President's new1199idea, and I fully support him in this. President Trump has1200issued what I believe is a game-changing executive order (EO),1201directing the Department of Defense to develop and build an1202Iron Dome missile defense shield for America. I think some1203people called it the ``golden dome.'' This dome for America1204would not be possible if the Department of Defense has to1205vacate some or all of the lower 3 band and other crucial1206portions of the spectrum.1207    In fact, as Senator Fischer noted last week, Iron Dome for1208America will need even more radars than we currently have, and1209those systems cannot function properly if there is too much1210noise, which includes development of 5G by the commercial1211sectors, that noise on the spectrum, where they are operating.1212    If confirmed, will you protect the Department of Defense's1213spectrum so that the President's Iron Dome for America can be1214built and function optimally?1215    Mr. Feinberg. Yes.1216    Senator Rounds. Thank you, sir. Look, your background, you1217are a finance guy. You invested in a company that looks at1218spectrum sharing. Can you share a little bit of the expertise1219that you picked up with regard to spectrum sharing and the1220availability of it, if we are allowed the time to actually get1221it developed and prove it to be functional?1222    Chairman Wicker. About 30 seconds worth of that, sir.1223    Mr. Feinberg. Okay, there are two ways. One is managed1224spectrum share, which we have to improve significantly to1225ensure it can be done safely and still protect our country. But1226I think we can do that over time. It has to be tested.1227    The other is simultaneous share, and that is what DOD1228really would love, and that is early in its stage, it has to be1229tested, but it does provide great promise in terms of solving1230these problems. We have got to really test it and make it sure1231it works.1232    Senator Rounds. But it is a path forward, but it has to be1233tested.1234    Mr. Feinberg. Yes.1235    Senator Rounds. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.1236    Chairman Wicker. Thank you, Senator Rounds. Senator Ernst.1237    Senator Ernst. Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you,1238Mr. Feinberg, for being here today. I want to thank your1239family, as well, for their service.1240    Let's start with our defense budget auditability, okay. We1241spoke about this in my office. I have been long committed to1242cutting unnecessary spending in Washington, DC, and the1243Pentagon is no exception to this. The DOD, which controls the1244largest discretionary budget in the Federal Government has1245never passed a full financial audit. This failure continues to1246erode our public trust, and it prevents the efficient use of1247taxpayer dollars for critical defense priorities.1248    Mr. Feinberg, what specific measures will you implement to1249ensure the DOD finally passes an audit, as our law requires?1250    Mr. Feinberg. Yes. It is super important. We have got to1251have financial accountability. I guess I was told we have 4801252systems at DOD. I am not sure of the exact number, but1253obviously we have got to consolidate systems. We have got to1254bring in the right help to work closely with the Pentagon to be1255able to clarify and make simpler our financial process.1256    If confirmed, I can get in there and look at the specific1257details. We have done this, historically, in so many companies.1258Generally when a company has a problem, they often have1259financial issues.1260    I cannot say exactly, but it is all achievable. Financial1261audits are very achievable. We will get it done.1262    Senator Ernst. Yes, and that is why I am trusting that your1263background and expertise can make this possible. We know that1264there are many private organizations and businesses that are of1265a similar scale to the Pentagon, maybe not quite as large. But1266they successfully undergo rigorous financial audits all the1267time. This is possible. But I do believe you are heading on the1268right thing when you talk about structural changes, the siloing1269of information within the Department. That needs to change for1270auditability.1271    Are there also cultural changes that would be necessary at1272the Pentagon to make sure that there is financial1273accountability?1274    Mr. Feinberg. For sure, it has to be a priority. We have to1275recognize the importance of it. Because not only it is about,1276as you said, getting an audit done. It is about being able to1277understand our finances, understand our cost structure. I do1278not believe, in the Department of Defense, any of our leaders1279fully understand our cost structure, and at one hit of a button1280to say, like most of our CEOs say this is what this costs, this1281is what that is, this is where we are spending money. That1282specificity is simple, but it is key.1283    It has to be a priority. Not that easy to do quickly, to1284change all the different systems in a way that does not make1285things worse. It has to be done carefully. We need a great1286controller at DOD, one that has great private sector1287experience. But we also need a great deputy for him that1288understands the FAR [Federal Acquisition Regulation] and all1289the issues that relate to Government.1290    Senator Ernst. Yes, thank you. Another issue, very quickly,1291is making sure that we are streamlining the acquisition1292process. Procurement is a mess at the DOD, and anyone familiar1293with the Pentagon understands that the current acquisition1294process is very sluggish. It is burdened by a lot of1295bureaucracy, and obviously everyone is prone to cost overruns.1296    Mr. Feinberg, what steps will you take to accelerate the1297transition of AI [artificial intelligence] and other emerging1298technologies from research and development to actual1299operational deployment?1300    Mr. Feinberg. AI is an overused word in this sense. Most of1301it is just high-end data analytics. Of course, there is some of1302use of AI, but it is developing.1303    The key, I think, to success, is having the operators1304partner with the technologists, and they really have to work1305together. Often the technologists are, you know, we know it1306all, and other times the operators are, hey, don't bother me1307with this, I'm busy.1308    Both sides have to accept that partnership. Technologists1309have to accept the operators' knowledge is essential in1310developing better data analytics and AI, and the technologists1311have to work closely, and the operators have to understand the1312value and the benefit. Part is culture. Every company that is1313successful at that integration has that partnership.1314    Senator Ernst. Very good. Thank you so much, Mr. Feinberg.1315    Chairman Wicker. Thank you. Thank you very much, Senator1316Ernst. Senator Kaine has slipped in under the wire.1317    Senator Kaine. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Congratulations to the1318nominee. I am still huffing and puffing from racing from1319another meeting. But I really appreciated the meeting that we1320had in my office. I think you have sort of a nontraditional1321skill set to bring to this nomination, but for reasons I may1322get into with my questions and that we discussed in the office,1323I think some nontraditional skills are sort of necessary right1324now in some of the matters you discussed in your opening1325statement.1326    Mr. Feinberg. Thank you.1327    Senator Kaine. Before I ask you a question I just want to1328tell my colleagues, I had a whirlwind weekend. We were on the1329floor until 5 a.m. Friday on the reconciliation bill, and then1330I flew to Finland. I just spent the weekend with the Virginia1331Army Guard and the Karelia Brigade, which is one of the three1332brigades of the Finnish Army, doing a joint training exercise1333in snow-covered birch forests in southern Finland. It was a1334fascinating 48 hours on the ground with a great NATO [North1335Atlantic Treaty Organization] ally.1336    I met with the President, the Foreign Minister, the1337Department of Defense Secretary of the shipbuilding industry.1338Finland is a great ally and a great friend, and it is important1339to hear what your friends say.1340    I came back with some thoughts. We have got to remember13411938, a desire on behalf of the Prime Minister of England to1342declare peace in our time. He was able to achieve it and1343declare peace in our time, but it was a disaster because the1344peace of appeasing a bully was a catastrophe.1345    In 1975, in Helsinki, 50 years ago this summer, we entered1346into the Helsinki Accords to create stability in Europe, and1347the then-Soviet Union pledged to respect the sovereign1348integrity of every other nation. In fact, all the signators to1349the accords did. That is worthy of celebration after 50 years,1350and revitalizing.1351    In 1995, we created the OSCE [Organization for Security and1352Co-Operation in Europe] coming out of the Helsinki Accords, to1353essentially do the same thing.1354    Five years ago this week, President Trump negotiated a deal1355with the Taliban, leaving the government of Afghanistan out of1356the deal, and we were able to declare peace in our time. But1357the decision to omit Afghan participation in that peace deal1358turned into a catastrophe, and the inspector general that did1359the after-assessment, after August 2021, indicated that cutting1360the Afghans out led to such a feeling of abandonment that that1361was one of the critical factors in that going wrong.1362    Even if you forget all the history, just remember what your1363parents told you when you were going to school, the first time1364you complained about a bully. They said, ``You have got to1365stand up to a bully, or a bully will keep bullying you, and1366others.''1367    Yesterday, in the meetings in Helsinki, it was the third1368anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and a1369resolution as offered at the UN [United Nations] General1370Assembly containing this phrase: ``The full-scale invasion of1371Ukraine by the Russian Federation has persisted for 3 years.''1372That phrase, saying that it was an invasion by the Russian1373Federation, led the United States of America to vote no. The1374resolution failed. The United States voted no, along with1375Russia, Nicaragua, North Korea.1376    It was sobering to be in Helsinki with this new NATO ally,1377who joined NATO and is exercising with Virginia troops, and1378have the United States unwilling--unwilling--to vote for1379something because it placed the blame for the invasion on the1380Russian Federation. We have a President who will not clearly1381say it. We have a Secretary of Defense who will not clearly say1382it. We have too many people who will not speak the truth. This1383was a Russian invasion of Ukraine. At the highest levels of our1384Government right now we have folks who will not speak the1385truth, and they will stand with Russia and Nicaragua and North1386Korea rather than standing with allies.1387    It is important that we not let these things just pass by1388unremarked upon. This is the first Armed Services hearing we1389have had since the third anniversary, and I just felt like I1390wanted to put it on the record. Would you agree with me, Mr.1391Feinberg? You talked about the competition with China and what1392it is going to take for us to succeed. Would you agree with me1393that in that competition, a robust network of allies is one of1394the great assets that the United States has, and we should work1395to maintain it?1396    Mr. Feinberg. Yes. I think our allies are very important,1397but our relationships with them need to be fair to America and1398in our interests.1399    Senator Kaine. I would never suggest otherwise.1400    Mr. Feinberg. Of course, Senator. Also, as Deputy,1401execution would be my job, and making diplomatic policy and1402relationship decisions would be more of a job of the Secretary1403and, of course, the President.1404    Senator Kaine. I really will want your help, and we talked1405at length about shipbuilding. We are putting more money in,1406year after year, and then let's put more money in is not1407getting us the result that we need. I think you have a skill1408set, again, that is a little bit nontraditional, but we are not1409going to be able to solve our production woes just by this1410Committee voting for greater appropriations. If we do not have1411some changemakers, we are not going to get to where we need to1412get, and I look forward to continuing that discussion.1413    With that, Mr. President, I yield. I would like to ask that1414the U.N. General Assembly resolution that I referred to, that1415the U.S. voted against and caused it to fail, I would like to1416ask that it be entered into the record.1417    Chairman Wicker. Reserving the right to object, I was told1418the resolution was adopted by the General Assembly.1419    Senator Kaine. There was a resolution adopted. The one that1420I read that put the onus on Russia was defeated. One that1421removed it, the Security Council did approve it, although the1422U.S. abstained.1423    Chairman Wicker. If it is all right, let's put both of them1424in the record, for clarity.1425    Senator Kaine. No worries.1426    [The information referred to follows:]14271428    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]14291430    Chairman Wicker. Thank you very much. Take a deep breath.1431Perhaps Senator Scott would like to pass. Senator Mullin.1432    Senator Mullin. Now that is a gentleman there. Thank you,1433sir.1434    Chairman Wicker. Who are you speaking of? I am just1435kidding.1436    Senator Mullin. Both. I want to take some time here,1437because it was not where I was planning to go, but I just1438cannot allow my colleagues on the other side to just spew 1001439percent mistruths constantly, and then play into the fear of1440the American people.1441    I am just going to start, first of all, with national1442security issues. National security issue one is our national1443debt, and our national debt is now costing us more to just pay1444interest than we spend on our military. That is a huge national1445security risk.1446    So at what point do we start making cuts? People want to1447start talking about cutting 5,400 jobs out of the DOD as a1448whole when they have 950,000 employees, and we are talking1449about less than 0.5 percent of the workforce, where do we start1450cutting? We are spending trillions of dollars with agencies1451that are not unfunded, and you are going to tell me we do not1452have the ability to cut some employees when underneath the1453Biden administration it was bloated, and there is not room to1454cut? When a company is going underwater you do have to take a1455look at the workforce. I do not want to suggest that our1456country is going underwater, but if we continue this path, we1457will.1458    I commend President Trump and those that he has put in1459place to actually make hard cuts. Making cuts are difficult. It1460is tough. But when are we supposed to start if we do not start1461now? The previous Administration was not willing to do that.1462    Then, as the Senator that just asked questions, wanted to1463bring up the Afghanistan withdrawal? Brother, that is very1464close to me. That hits home, and you are going to lay the1465withdrawal on President Trump and say it was his fault? The1466disastrous withdrawal came 100 percent from the Biden1467administration, and American lives were left behind, and they1468are still dying because of it. Americans' lives were lost1469during the withdrawal, and you are going to sit there with a1470straight face and try to say that it was President Trump's1471fault, when the Biden administration, and all of know this1472because we were briefed on this, that the Biden administration1473threw out the entire withdrawal plan that the Trump1474administration had, and decided to go their own way, and man,1475wasn't that great.1476    Then we are going to start talking about President Trump1477not calling a bully out, like Putin? Did we forget what1478happened in 2017, when Trump 100 percent told Russia to stay1479out of Syria, not to be involved, especially with the bombing1480of Hassad's own people? When they did, President Trump, within148130 minutes, took out the airfield that they operated out of,1482destroyed it, and then took back the airspace, and we had the1483airspace in Syria all the way up until Biden took office, and1484we gave it back to Putin.1485    Or stand up to a bully, do we want to go back to Israel and1486Hamas, and discuss the way the Biden administration handled1487that, and the way they refused to call Hamas a terrorist1488organization, and the Houthis a terrorist organization, and1489Iran a terrorist organization? You are going to sit there with1490a straight face and actually say that about President Trump.1491Are you joking me?1492    Are we serious saying that President Trump is not willing1493to stand up to a bully when underneath his Administration was1494the only time that Russia did not advance into Ukraine, because1495they did it underneath Obama when they took Crimea, and they1496did it underneath Biden because they did not respect him1497because of the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, and1498every expert will tell you that.1499    So where is it that we are coming up with this, other than1500just plain fear? All I want to do is just stroke fear into the1501American people and try to divide something between us and the1502President. Because the President is bringing back hostages. He1503also brought back a hostage that Biden left behind, and he did1504not give up one thing to Russia, including a guy that was1505highly, highly considered a threat to the world. What was his1506name, anybody? What was his nickname? No, not Soleimani. Dr.1507Death, that we decided to trade for. I am sure you guys thought1508that was a good trade.1509    Guys, give me a break. We are trying to advance America's1510agenda and do what is best for this country, and the American1511people agree with the direction we are going.1512    So, sir, sorry about going on a rant here, because I1513actually did want to get into your business and the direction1514that you can take our defense industry. But that could not go1515without answers.1516    You and I have already had a conversation, and we will1517continue our conversation, and I look forward to working with1518you. With that, I yield back.1519    Chairman Wicker. Thank you, Senator Mullin. Senator Warren.1520    Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, you have been nominated to be1521Secretary of Defense in charge of DOD's $850 billion budget.1522Your main qualification is that you have built one of the1523world's largest private equity companies. You have spent your1524entire career honing the private equity tools that used to1525hollow out our businesses, from department stores to veterinary1526practices, and presumably those are the skills that you would1527bring to the Department of Defense.1528    I just want to look at how that has worked. Let's start1529with how you treat people. In Massachusetts, in 2010, your1530private equity firm bought six nonprofit hospitals, turned them1531into for-profit hospitals, called Steward. Ten years later, you1532cashed out, having made a profit a little shy of a billion1533dollars, and leaving behind a hospital system that was1534staggered under a load of debt, and 4 years later, collapsed1535into bankruptcy.1536    Now, Mr. Feinberg, when we met in my office you told me1537that your private equity outfit made an average 23 percent1538annual return each year that you owned your hospitals. If1539Steward nurses had gotten the same 23 percent salary increases1540that your investors effectively got every year, do you know how1541much they would be paid at the time you sold off your1542hospitals?1543    Mr. Feinberg. Well, I do know that in 2010, the hospitals1544were going under, and we were----1545    Senator Warren. I am sorry, Mr. Feinberg, we have very1546limited time here and I actually want to spend it on your1547qualifications to do this job, and it is about how you treat1548people. The average nurse in the Steward hospitals at the time1549you bought them made $85,120. At a 23 percent annual raise, how1550much money would they be making right now?1551    Mr. Feinberg. I am not going to do the math, but----1552    Senator Warren. Okay. I will do the math for you.1553    Mr. Feinberg.--but what I could tell you----1554    Senator Warren. Eight hundred twenty-nine thousand, eight1555hundred twenty-eight dollars. Now, of course, the nurses did1556not do that well. During that same period of time, Carney1557Hospital, one of the hospitals you bought in Massachusetts,1558raised nurses' salaries about 1.5 percent a year, and that was1559the best increase across the Steward hospitals that you were1560running.1561    Mr. Feinberg. That is incorrect.1562    Senator Warren. In other words, you seem to think that when1563it is time to reorganize a business, that equity should get1564about 15 times as much return on their investment as the people1565who actually do the work.1566    Let's take a look at the second issue, and that is1567maintaining critical functions.1568    Mr. Feinberg. Senator, would you like me to respond to1569Steward----1570    Senator Warren. We need to make progress at the Department1571of Defense----1572    Mr. Feinberg.--because a lot of inaccurate statements.1573    Senator Warren. But we also----1574    Chairman Wicker. Mr. Feinberg, she is entitled to make a1575speech.1576    Mr. Feinberg. I apologize.1577    Chairman Wicker. She is entitled to go on and on.1578    Senator Warren. Now let's go back to Steward hospitals. Did1579you cut fat or did you cut vital functions?1580    Now, Mr. Feinberg, the town of Quincy used to have a full1581medical center, with primary and specialty care, a surgery1582department, an urgent care department, and a VA clinic. That1583was its basic function. After your private equity company1584finished with it, what was left?1585    Mr. Feinberg. Well, when we exited the investment in 2020,1586the company was doing well.1587    Senator Warren. I am asking, what was left of the Quincy1588hospital?1589    Chairman Wicker. Now, Senator, he is trying to answer a1590question.1591    Senator Warren. That is what I am asking.1592    Chairman Wicker. You finally stopped for a breath. Do you1593intend to let him at least have maybe 20, 30 seconds to answer1594a question?1595    Senator Warren. Can I have my time back?1596    Chairman Wicker. Yes. I said you are entitled to make a1597speech. But you stopped with a question mark, and he started to1598try to answer the question.1599    Senator Warren. All right. What is the answer to the1600question? What was left of the Quincy hospital? That was my1601question.1602    Mr. Feinberg. Lots happened after we exited, and there has1603been mismanagement.1604    Senator Warren. My question, what was left when you exited?1605    Mr. Feinberg. I am not certain that that changed.1606    Senator Warren. It was an emergency room and nothing more.1607    Mr. Feinberg. But, but, we took those hospitals from1608collapse, in 2010, and we were going to shut it down, as the160910th-largest employer of Massachusetts. We turned them around,1610fixed them, grew them, had a tremendous amount of success,1611worked closely with the Governor, and the problems at Steward1612happened after we exited the investment.1613    Senator Warren. I am asking about questions as you exited1614and during the period of time you ran it.1615    Now, of course, a hospital is supposed to provide good1616quality care, and that takes qualified nurses and other1617staffers. Mr. Feinberg, for the hospitals that did not close1618down, during the time you ran it, do you know how many unsafe1619staffing complaints were filed?1620    Mr. Feinberg. I do know the vast majority of problems1621happened after we left, and by the way, our nurses were among1622the highest paid in the country.1623    Senator Warren. Is that a no, that you do not know how1624much----1625    Mr. Feinberg. I do not know.1626    Senator Warren.--how many unsafe staffing complaints were1627filed? Well, let me tell you. There were over 1,000 filed. That1628is five times the normal rate in Massachusetts.1629    Mr. Feinberg. What year was that?1630    Senator Warren. This is the years that you were in control.1631So the two hospitals----1632    Chairman Wicker. Senator Warren, perhaps you would like to1633take another round.1634    Senator Warren. No. I would like to just finish. I just1635have a quote.1636    Chairman Wicker. Your time has expired, Senator. Your time1637has expired.1638    Senator Warren. I spent a great deal of that time listening1639to the Chairman tell me how I have to conduct my questions.1640    Chairman Wicker. Your time has expired. The Senator's time1641has expired.1642    Senator Warren. No. Could I just close----1643    Chairman Wicker. Senator Sullivan.1644    Senator Warren.--could I just close, Mr. Chairman? I would1645just like to say why I care about this issue.1646    Senator Sullivan. I have a----1647    Chairman Wicker. Your time has expired. She can have1648another round.1649    Senator Sullivan. Mr. Feinberg, thank you for your service,1650and I appreciated our meetings over the last several months.1651    Let me just begin. The Ranking Member mentioned the1652apolitical military. Secretary Hegseth, in his confirmation1653hearing, said that the professional uniformed military, quote,1654``must remain patriotically apolitical and stridently1655constitutional.'' That is the Secretary's statement. I agree1656with that. Do you agree with that?1657    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, sir.1658    Senator Sullivan. This is a unique and important attribute1659of our U.S. military that makes our country very strong and our1660military very strong. Do you agree with that, as well?1661    Mr. Feinberg. Yes.1662    Senator Sullivan. Let me ask another question that I raised1663in Secretary Hegseth's hearing. He got the question, I asked1664him, right, about when Billy Mitchell, the father of the U.S.1665Air Force, testified in front of this Committee in the mid-16661930's, calling a Alaska the most strategic place in the world.1667Do you agree with that?1668    Mr. Feinberg. I agree it is one of the most strategic1669places in the world.1670    Senator Sullivan. All right. Well, maybe I will not support1671your nomination. I am kidding. It is not Greenland, though.1672Let's make that----1673    In all seriousness, we have a lot going on in Alaska. We1674have had Russian, Chinese, Asia's incursions, naval incursions.1675It is a real active place. The Lower 48 media does not cover1676it. We had two incursions just last week by Russian air1677bombers.1678    Will you commit to come to Alaska with me, if confirmed, to1679see our great military up there and just how strategic it is?1680    Mr. Feinberg. I will.1681    Senator Sullivan. Let me ask on shipbuilding. We are in a1682crisis. The Biden administration focused more on climate change1683than shipbuilding. The congressional Research Service, which is1684our research service here in the Congress, their experts said1685we are in the worst crisis in shipbuilding in over 40 years.1686The Chinese are building a giant navy. It is already bigger1687than ours. By 2030, I think it is going to be over 420 ships.1688It will be about 120, 130 times bigger, in terms of ships, 120,1689130 ships bigger than our Navy.1690    We could spend two hearings on shipbuilding. But can you1691give me a sense. You have done this kind of thing, where you1692have turned around a real big problem in the private sector.1693This is a huge private sector and government challenge. Give me1694a couple of big ideas. My team and I have put together a big1695shipbuilding plan. So has the Chairman. This is a bipartisan1696issue, by the way. Senator Kelly is very focused on this. Our1697National Security Advisor now, Mike Waltz, is very focused on1698this. There are a lot of good ideas there. But give me a couple1699of key elements of how we turn this around.1700    I mentioned this to President Trump. Republicans actually1701have a history of this. Theodore Roosevelt's Great White Fleet.1702President Reagan's 600-ship Navy. This should be a priority,1703and I think it is, of the President, the Secretary of the Navy.1704But we are going to need your experience to do this. What are1705some big ideas you have on this?1706    Mr. Feinberg. You know, talent is everything, people. HR1707[human resources] is hard, and trying to get the right people.1708Even the best leaders will have failures. But I think we need1709to work very closely with the PPO and the administration and1710find really strong manufacturing, private leaders who1711understand process workforce, who have done this before, and1712really drive talent into the struggling shipyards. They could1713partner with a lot of our great people in the Pentagon and DOD,1714to help improve.1715    This is an operational turnaround. It is about people. It1716is about talent. There are plenty of leaders in America that1717have done this. We have just got to get them on the home team,1718there, and all in.1719    Senator Sullivan. Well, I think this Committee wants to1720work with you on this. It is really important issue. It is a1721bipartisan issue. It is a critical issue.1722    Let me ask one final question, Mr. Feinberg. The President1723has declared a national energy emergency. Unfortunately, the1724last Administration did not recognize the strategic assets of1725our country, especially my State. The Biden administration1726issued 70 executive orders to shut down Alaska. President1727Trump, on day one, issued this executive order on unleashing1728Alaska's extraordinary resource potential. I talked to1729Secretary Hegseth about this over the weekend.1730    Can you commit to me--the Secretary of Defense is mentioned1731in this EO, and many others--to work with me1732    and this Committee on unleashing our critical mineral1733potential, natural gas potential, military bases, buying1734natural gas in Alaska. This is a key component of the1735President's strategy. It is going to make our country stronger,1736and it is far cry from what we just experienced under the Biden1737administration----1738    Chairman Wicker. Will you make that----1739    Senator Sullivan.--to shut down critical minerals.1740    Chairman Wicker. Will you make that commitment, Mr.1741Feinberg?1742    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, I will.1743    Chairman Wicker. Thank you very much.1744    Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.1745    Chairman Wicker. Thank you, Senator Sullivan. Senator1746Blumenthal.1747    Senator Blumenthal. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for1748your willingness to serve, Mr. Feinberg, and welcome to the1749Committee.1750    Mr. Feinberg. Thank you.1751    Senator Blumenthal. As you know, 5,000 probationary1752employees have been fired. The plan apparently is to cut1753another 75,000 Department of Defense civilian employees. You1754would agree with me that civilian employees often perform a1755very critical role for the Department of Defense.1756    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, I do.1757    Senator Blumenthal. Many of these layoffs, in fact, will1758undercut our national security. I have just come from a hearing1759of the Veterans Affairs Committee, a join House/Senate. I am1760the Ranking Member on the Veterans Affairs Committee. Many of1761them are deeply concerned about their jobs in the VA and the1762Department of Defense.1763    The position you have been nominated to fill oversees the1764entirety of the workforce and the civilian workforce at the1765DOD. My question is really simple. What do you have to say to1766the veterans at the Department of Defense whom Elon Musk is1767firing?1768    Mr. Feinberg. Well, we certainly have a cost problem, and1769addressing cost problems are difficult. Sometimes we have to1770make change to help an organization do better in the future. It1771has to be done thoughtfully. So I would say to those veterans,1772we have got to make our Department of Defense stronger. The1773majority of cuts are coming. If I am able to get confirmed----1774    Senator Blumenthal. What I hear you saying, sir,1775essentially we do not need you. You are expendable. Your life1776of service is meaningless, and the job you are doing now is1777going to be road kill.1778    Mr. Feinberg. Sir, I----1779    Senator Blumenthal. That is the message that is being sent1780to these veterans. So I would simply urge you to take into1781account that these Department of Defense civilian employees1782were once wearing a uniform.1783    Mr. Feinberg. I totally understand, and it is something1784that has to be done the right way. All of these people are1785super important. But every organization has turnover, has to1786make change, and if you do not make change you can end up in a1787much worse position. So we cannot endlessly expand the force.1788We have to sometimes make change.1789    Senator Blumenthal. You know, from your--and I apologize1790for----1791    Mr. Feinberg. I apologize.1792    Senator Blumenthal.--interrupting, but as you know, my time1793is limited.1794    Mr. Feinberg. Yes.1795    Senator Blumenthal. You know, from all of your experience1796in the private sector that you just cannot take a meat ax. You1797have to use a scalpel in determining who is necessary and not.1798Eliminating waste does not mean you lay waste to the Department1799of Defense.1800    Let me move on to another topic, if I may. The United1801States military is the best-trained and most effective fighting1802force the world has ever seen. We depend on our Armed Forces to1803protect us from hostile foreign powers. But unlike in countries1804where autocratic leaders deploy their military against their1805own people, the United States military is not a weapon to be1806used against Americans. Domestic deployment of Federal Armed1807Forces is legally authorized under very narrow circumstances,1808and only in the most extreme emergency scenarios.1809    Would you agree with me that any use of the American1810military against American people should be an absolute last1811resort?1812    Mr. Feinberg. Yes.1813    Senator Blumenthal. I welcome that statement, because the1814Administration has implied, in fact, explicitly said that it1815may use the American military for mass deportations,1816suppressing protests, responding to crime in cities and urban1817areas. I hope those statements prove to be untrue and1818exaggerations. But I welcome your statement.1819    Mr. Feinberg. Well, I do have faith that President Trump1820will follow the law and do that appropriately.1821    Senator Blumenthal. Well, more than faith will be required.1822I think you will need to stand up and speak out, and, if1823necessary, resign if you are asked to do something that you1824feel is illegal or immoral.1825    Mr. Feinberg. I do not believe President Trump will ever1826ask me to break the law.1827    Senator Blumenthal. That is what we have heard, again and1828again and again, and history, I think, is a fair warning to us1829about what we can expect.1830    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.1831    Chairman Wicker. Thank you, Senator Blumenthal. Senator1832Scott, you have been most patient.1833    Senator Scott. Thank you, Chairman. Well, Mr. Feinberg, you1834are going to do a great job. You have got a great background.1835You believe in transparency. You believe in accountability. You1836are going to bring a breath of fresh air because you know in1837the private sector you have got to get results by holding1838people accountable but give them specific tasks to get done,1839and you are going to do a great job.1840    In the last 6 years, we have passed a significant amount of1841legislation through the National Defense Authorization Act to1842hold China accountable, whether it is we do not buy Chinese1843drones in our military and our Federal Government, we do not1844buy LIDAR [Laser Identification Detection and Ranging]1845technology, we stopped buying Chinese garlic that is made in1846sewer water in commissaries, we hopefully are starting the1847process of not buying Chinese drugs for our military. How1848important is it to our fighting men and women that we do not1849rely on Communist China, who has decided to be our adversary,1850for anything in time of war?1851    Mr. Feinberg. I am sorry, Senator?1852    Senator Scott. How important is it to completely decouple1853from China from the standpoint of what our military is doing?1854    Mr. Feinberg. It is very important and very difficult, but1855we have got to do it with urgency.1856    Senator Scott. So do you think we ought to be buying1857Chinese computers for our military?1858    Mr. Feinberg. No.1859    Senator Scott. Do you think we ought to be buying Chinese1860medicines for our military?1861    Mr. Feinberg. No.1862    Senator Scott. What about Chinese chips? How about Chinese1863telephones?1864    Mr. Feinberg. No.1865    Senator Scott. Can you name anything that is made in China1866that we ought to just go full force and be buying for our1867military?1868    Mr. Feinberg. Well, there are some completely commoditized,1869basic products that would not put our national security in1870jeopardy, but it is certainly a difficult problem.1871    Senator Scott. Yes. So the audits. You have invested in a1872lot of companies. Did you ever do an audit?1873    Mr. Feinberg. Did I ever do an audit personally?1874    Senator Scott. Yes, no, but are you companies audited?1875    Mr. Feinberg. All of them are.1876    Senator Scott. Yes, and if the auditor gave you some points1877that you had to get fixed by the next audit, did you do it?1878    Mr. Feinberg. You better fix it by that audit.1879    Senator Scott. Yes, and if not, what would you do?1880    Mr. Feinberg. If you don't have an audit, it's a big1881problem.1882    Senator Scott. Yes. So would you keep the CFO?1883    Mr. Feinberg. No.1884    Senator Scott. No. So our military does their own audit,1885and I think the Marines are the only ones that have completed1886an audit. So what do you think ought to happen to change the1887attitude with regard to audits of our Department of Defense?1888    Mr. Feinberg. Well, we have got to make it a priority, but1889in making audit a priority it will also help us on all types of1890understanding of financial metrics, our cost structure, our1891capabilities.1892    One thing that I observed is that while we have had some1893great, obviously, civilian leadership in the Pentagon, in my1894humble opinion at times some of the people in the operational1895execution jobs are not involved in detail. We are going to set1896up a war room, if I am fortunate enough to be confirmed, and we1897are going to go over every program, every cost, line by line,1898with an army of people, until it is done 24/7. We are going to1899understand where our costs are, why we do not have our audit,1900where the financial problems are, and then we are going to come1901up with a plan to fix it. But it has to be done line by line.1902It is a big task. It is a big war room. I think the Pentagon1903will support it, and I think the people will be excited to see1904it, as well.1905    Senator Scott. So in your private sector, as you made1906investments, a lot of times did you have to make tough1907decisions other people would not make? Was it as simple as1908that, they just would not make the decision to look at how1909things were being spent, or programs that did not work, or1910things like that?1911    Mr. Feinberg. We had to make tough decisions all the time,1912and not everyone is right. But if you are afraid to act, the1913problem is worse.1914    Senator Scott. Right. So are you optimistic that you will1915be able to have a positive impact on getting military in a1916position that we are the most lethal fighting force out there?1917    Mr. Feinberg. The Secretary has made that a big priority,1918and I think we can absolutely make great strides toward it.1919    Senator Scott. So let's assume you serve for 4 years. What1920would you like to say you accomplished at the end of those 41921years?1922    Mr. Feinberg. Basically that I have helped the Secretary1923and the President improve DOD, preferably in total anonymity,1924and I will fade off into the sunset, some better performance,1925that hopefully I had some small role in.1926    Senator Scott. Thank you. Thank you, Chairman.1927    Chairman Wicker. Thank you, Senator Scott. Senator King.1928    Senator King. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Total anonymity is1929something all of us seek but none of us achieve.1930    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, sir.1931    Senator King. I understand your impulse.1932    I apologize for not being here. I was at a Veterans1933    Affairs Committee on the House side, and I know there has1934been a great deal of discussion about the potential cuts in the1935workforce. What I am interested in is the discussion of 81936percent. That is 70,000 people. What I am interested in, of you1937as a manager, how do you intend to go about that, because the1938cuts that have been occurring throughout the Federal Government1939so far have not been very thoughtful. For all probationary1940people, for example, that is not a terribly rational way to1941make these decisions. There may be great people who are1942probationary.1943    So what would the process be whereby you reduce the1944Department of Defense workforce by 70,000 people?1945    Mr. Feinberg. Yes. Most of the cuts that are potentially--1946that might happen going forward have not yet been made, and1947hopefully, if I am fortunate enough to get through, I think1948that I can be helpful in the analysis, study, the1949considerations----1950    Senator King. You are the chief operating officer. You1951should not be helpful. You are in charge of this process.1952    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, sir.1953    Senator King. I would like to know the process you intend1954to follow.1955    Mr. Feinberg. Yes. Well, I do not know what role the1956Secretary would want me to play, but assuming I am in charge of1957that, we would look at the exact detail of people, who is doing1958what, what jobs contribute what, what do we need, what do we1959not need. Study it carefully, and really come up with a1960concrete, specific, granular plan before we would have final--1961--1962    Senator King. So firing all probationary employees would1963not be how you would go about it. Is that correct?1964    Mr. Feinberg. Well, I was not involved in that. I do not1965know the detail, so not fair for me to say.1966    Senator King. No, but you can comment on the rationality of1967firing all probationary employees, some of whom maybe have been1968in the Department for 10 years and just got promoted and are1969there for a probationary. Others may be the best person the1970Department has ever hired but they have only been there for a1971year. Do you think it is a rational process to simply1972arbitrarily fire all probationary employees?1973    Mr. Feinberg. You know, I do not know how it was done. I do1974not know the considerations.1975    Senator King. No, I am asking you not how it was done, but1976I am asking you if that approach is a rational way to reduce a1977workforce, fire everybody that has been hired in the last1978couple of years. Is that a good management practice? Is that1979what you would have done at Cerberus?1980    Mr. Feinberg. Well, I will say that we have over 900,0001981civilian employees----1982    Senator King. Right.1983    Mr. Feinberg.--so while every person counts and is, of1984course, very important, there is going to be some change that1985the numbers are more significant.1986    Senator King. That is not my question. There has been a1987stated goal of reducing the workforce by 8 percent. That is198870,000 people.1989    Mr. Feinberg. Yes.1990    Senator King. You are the chief operating officer.1991Presumably, you will be in charge of the process of reducing1992the workforce by 70,000 people. I want to know how you are1993going to do it, and one of my questions is, are you going to1994use the arbitrary yardstick of probationary employees? Yes or1995no.1996    Mr. Feinberg. I do not know the considerations or the1997detail on what was thought before that cut. What I can tell you1998is, if I am in there, we will carefully look at the cuts,1999balance and weigh what we need and what we do not, be careful2000not to cut into mission, and do it in a granular, bottoms-up,2001person-by-person detailed way.2002    Senator King. So does that answer, I mean, you are not2003going to cut all probationary employees arbitrarily? Is that a2004no to that question? It sounded like it. This is a pretty2005straightforward question. Are you going to fire all2006probationary employees first, to get to the 70,000? Yes or no.2007    Mr. Feinberg. I have to look at the detail. I do not know2008yet. I do not think, and I do not know the considerations that2009were thought through before that cut, those cuts were made.2010    Senator King. Okay. You are a smart guy.2011    Mr. Feinberg. I just do not know.2012    Senator King. You know what I am asking. I do not2013understand why you cannot tell me yes or no, whether this is2014going to be one of the tools you use to reduce the workforce.2015    Let me change the subject. There is a lot of discussion2016around here about reinvigorating the defense industrial base.2017Any thoughts on how we actually do that? I have heard that2018phrase a thousand times. I have never heard anybody say exactly2019how we go about it.2020    Mr. Feinberg. I think we need to bring in new companies. We2021have great manufacturing capabilities in the United States. For2022example, if we were to call up General Motors or Ford, and say,2023``We need you in our defense base.'' Find ways under OTA2024[Office of Technology Assessment] or sole source where we can2025give new companies, especially the ones that scale and can2026operate. So much is talked about venture.2027    It is far more important, in my opinion, in scale and2028operations, are larger businesses. They are at a disadvantage2029competing with the big defense companies. They are not in the2030bids and proposals of contracting area. There are a lot of2031restrictions, a lot of tough things to get in there. We have2032got to make it easier for them. Maybe not the most competitive2033answer on the surface, but it will lead to much more2034competitive in the future.2035    I would go to a big manufacturing company, give them a shot2036on new programs that we think their capabilities can meet it,2037and let them figure out a way, under FAR, to give them a shot2038without a wide-scale competition with all our big defense2039companies, which, by the way, are too consolidated.2040    Chairman Wicker. Thank you.2041    Senator King. Thank you.2042    Chairman Wicker. As a matter of fact, Senator King and Mr.2043Feinberg, it is fact that General Mills actually used to be in2044the defense manufacturing business, so good point there.2045    Senator Schmitt, you are recognized.2046    Senator Schmitt. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good to see you2047again, Mr. Feinberg. I actually think of all the confirmation2048hearings that we are going to do, some of which get a lot more2049publicity than this one, I do not know if this is on C-SPAN. I2050do not know if it is being covered by anyone else. Based on2051your testimony earlier about being in obscurity, I am sure you2052are hoping it is not on any channel, I guess.2053    But I think this is actually one of the most important jobs2054in the entirety of the Federal Government, because I sit here,2055in bipartisan unison, we talk a lot about how we absolutely2056have to have procurement reform, and I think it is a huge waste2057for some of my Democratic colleagues to be railing away on this2058temper tantrum about DOGE, when they could be asking the2059questions that we have been told, you know, forever, that are2060actually top of mind, which is sort of with 14 seconds left my2061friend from Maine asked about how you actually get this kind of2062procurement reform.2063    So I would like to drill down just a little bit on that.2064You have talked about introducing more competition. That is2065certainly, I think, part of it. One thing specifically that I2066have heard from a lot of Missouri-based suppliers are these2067TINA requirements, and having this certified cost or pricing2068data for these relatively small or medium-sized businesses2069really is a barrier to entry for the work.2070    Will you support sort of trying to figure out how we can do2071better there so you actually have the requirements that are not2072so burdensome that you can actually have new entrants into the2073system, or they can actually more competitively bid?2074    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, I am not familiar with that piece, but I2075understand the concept, and I will make sure I look at it and2076act on it appropriately.2077    Senator Schmitt. Okay. I think that part of the reason why2078your job is so important is that so much of this is going to be2079a cultural shift that is difficult in an organization the size2080of the Department of Defense.2081    But this kind of mindset of spending what is allocated, how2082do you get to a place where we are actually maximizing the2083benefit of every dollar?2084    Mr. Feinberg. Well, first if we can prioritize it on the2085most important missions, which is hard and takes time, legacy2086spending, and really do it with discipline on what we really2087need. Then focus on how to be efficient and cut costs in our2088program management and on our operations.2089    Senator Schmitt. I know that there has been a lot of2090advancements. I am sure you have seen this in the private2091sector, and by the way, I want to thank you. You have gotten a2092lot of criticism for being successful in the private sector,2093and I want to thank you for your divesting a lot to come take2094this position and share your expertise on behalf of the2095American people, to make our defense structure and the Pentagon2096the weapon systems the best they can be to protect Americans.2097So thank you for that.2098    Mr. Feinberg. Thank you.2099    Senator Schmitt. There has been a lot of changes and a lot2100of innovation as it relates to AI and automation and real-time2101data analytics that have not found their way to the Pentagon.2102How do you go about improving that culture within DOD? What2103have you done before that you think you can bring to the2104Pentagon?2105    Mr. Feinberg. You know, I remember when our supermarket2106company, Albertson's--I should say what used to be the2107company--we went to the CEO and we said, ``Boy, we've got2108Amazon in the grocery business. We've got all these guys using2109technology.'' I remember the CEO said to me, ``I don't need any2110of that stuff. I have been doing this''--really good CEO--2111``I've been doing this my whole life. Leave me alone.''2112    Unfortunately, change is so important and you have got to2113be ahead of it. So it is a challenge going into departments2114that have done things a long time a certain way, and trying to2115make change, and being forceful about it. There certainly needs2116to be a partnership, I said earlier, with technology people to2117understanding the importance of operational, the operational2118people on the ground. You will find the best people, depending2119on who want this change and will embrace it, and those we are2120going to let run with it, give them autonomy, and let them2121drive it.2122    Senator Schmitt. Well, one of the things, I think, that has2123been talked a lot about, which I agree with, is moving toward2124high-tech weapons systems that can be mass produced, like2125drones that are able to swarm. But I do think that we have got2126to be able to do both, which is one of the reasons why the next2127generation air defense program is really, really important. I2128think that those advancements are good, and they may be the2129future. We have talked about this a little bit in my office.2130    The two places where we have absolute advantage over the2131CCP is our nuclear subs and our bomber and fighter fleets, the2132air superiority we have and the underwater superiority that we2133have. I know that you committed in my office that we would work2134together on that, to make sure that in addition to introducing2135some of the new high-tech systems that are available that we2136are not going to abandon the superiority we have in the skies.2137    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, sir.2138    Senator Schmitt. Thank you.2139    Chairman Wicker. Thank you. Senator Kelly.2140    Senator Kelly. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Feinberg, thank2141you for your willingness to serve in this very important role.2142    I want to followup to some of the comments the Senator from2143Oklahoma, Senator Mullin, made earlier in response to Senator2144Kaine calling out Putin as a bully and this Administration's2145unwillingness to State the obvious. Senator Mullin said that2146Senator Kaine was spewing 100 percent mistruths constantly,2147essentially calling him a liar. He was referring specifically2148to the Russian President, Vladimir Putin. In response, Senator2149Mullin mentioned Assad, Israel, Hamas, Houthis, Iran, hostages,2150and Dr. Death. I am pretty sure he did not mention Putin by2151name. I think the appropriate response would be to say that2152Putin was, in fact, a bully, but he did not say that. I think2153it is instructive that he would not even mention Vladimir Putin2154by name.2155    Putin is a bully, and I am not hearing that from this2156Administration. I do hear it from some people on the other side2157of the aisle, and I appreciate that. More people need to get2158off the sidelines on this issue. I think it is clear to many of2159us that Donald Trump blew up the Western alliance this past2160week, 80 years of an alliance, gone. It is disturbing.2161    Mr. Feinberg, earlier you said execution would be your job,2162and it is part of the job, but I do not think it is all of the2163job. You are going to often find yourself in the room. When2164things like, as an example, the SECDEF [Secretary of Defense] a2165few days ago said, when asked whether or not Russia invaded2166Ukraine, he said, ``It's complicated.'' It is not complicated.2167Russia did, in fact, invade our ally, Ukraine.2168    So, Mr. Feinberg, would you agree that you have a role2169beyond just execution in offering some advice when you hear2170things that are just fundamentally inaccurate?2171    Mr. Feinberg. I do think the Deputy should, at times, give2172his view on policy, for sure. I think it should be behind2173closed doors and not in public. I think it is important for the2174Deputy to understand that he, regardless of what his opinion2175may or may not be, that ultimately the Secretary and the2176President will decide what the policies are, and it is2177important to execute it.2178    Senator Kelly. That is fair. That is good to hear. Mr.2179Feinberg, did Russia invade Ukraine?2180    Mr. Feinberg. Well, going to my behind closed doors2181statement a second ago, I will just say this.2182    Senator Kelly. They moved tanks and troops and armored2183personnel carriers across the Ukrainian border. It is a pretty2184simple question.2185    Mr. Feinberg. Yes. Well, here is how, if I may----2186    Senator Kelly. If you would ask the Chairman of this2187Committee if Russia invaded Ukraine, I am pretty sure--the2188Republican Chairman--I am pretty sure I would know the answer.2189    Mr. Feinberg. I got you. However, there is a very tense2190negotiation going on now. It is important for America's2191interests. I do not have----2192    Senator Kelly. Mr. Feinberg, we have got to live in the2193real world here.2194    Mr. Feinberg. But I do not----2195    Senator Kelly. I mean, things happen, and it is obviously2196to the rest of the world. I think it is obvious to Europe right2197now that we just blew up an alliance, and for us not to be able2198to say an obvious fact, it does not help a negotiation.2199    Mr. Feinberg. Well, what I was trying to say, Senator, is I2200do not think some person who is not informed on this, not2201involved in discussions, should make statements public that2202could undermine what the President and the Secretary's intent2203is. I do have confidence that President Trump is very strong at2204negotiation, has a plan, and that he will find a good outcome2205for America.2206    Senator Kelly. Mr. Feinberg, people that are good at2207negotiations do not give up their two strongest negotiating2208points before the negotiation starts, which was membership in2209NATO and land that was taken away from the Ukrainians. So I do2210not agree with that, that he is a good negotiator. He actually,2211this week, has been a pretty bad negotiator. I want to make2212sure----2213    Mr. Feinberg. Actually, President Trump, his policy has2214always been peace through strength, and he is very cunning on2215how he proceeds and how he approaches these. He is the first2216person to ever bring Russia to the table, where we are close,2217potentially, to a settlement. So I would like to see how it2218works out. I have confidence it will work out favorable to2219America.2220    Senator Kelly. Well, I do not share your optimism here.2221    Mr. Feinberg. Understood.2222    Senator Kelly. I mean, we went into a negotiation giving up2223the two biggest points, and that is very troubling, and at the2224same time, in the same week, we blew up an 80-year alliance.2225Some of my Republican colleagues have a hard time even stating2226the obvious, that Russia did, in fact, invade Ukraine 3 years2227ago. Mr. Feinberg, I know you pay attention to the news, and I2228imagine if I asked you this question 3 years ago I am pretty2229sure I know what the answer would be. Thank you.2230    Chairman Wicker. Thank you, Senator Kelly. I recognize2231myself.2232    Mr. Feinberg, thank you for being here. Thank you to your2233family, those who are watching, your father, and for your2234family's years of service. I appreciate their introduction.2235    I was disappointed to hear earlier that some of my2236colleagues characterized your background in the private sector2237as negative. I think that is disappointing. I have got a2238different perspective, a positive perspective on that. There2239was a time in this country when business leaders were applauded2240for their patriotism and their contribution to our country's2241efforts to win World War II. Mr. Feinberg, if your father is2242tuned in at this point in the hearing I want to thank him2243personally, and his generation.2244    Mr. Feinberg. I appreciate it.2245    Chairman Wicker. They also helped us in the cold war. But2246to reform the DOD, I think we need someone who can work2247alongside the Secretary, harnessing the American spirit to2248ensure the United States outpaces our adversaries, someone who2249knows how to reform organizations, improve outputs, harness2250innovations. So not only, Mr. Feinberg, do you have extensive2251background investing in sectors critical to national security,2252but you also served on the President's Intelligence Advisory2253Board. So thank you for that.2254    In this position you had a front-row seat to the threats2255that our country faces. So Mr. Feinberg, can you discuss how2256your business background and service on the Intelligence2257Advisory Board makes you well suited to serve as the Deputy2258Secretary of Defense?2259    Mr. Feinberg. Well, it was an interesting job. It did not2260have a lot of ability to act, but we did a tremendous amount of2261analytics. Every department, all the areas of DOD, all the2262intelligence agencies, Homeland, FBI [Federal Bureau of2263Investigation], even, at times, Treasury and Commerce, when2264they affected national security, we got briefings from all of2265them. I took over 3,000 briefings. Fortunate to have on that2266board General Mike Hagee, who was former Commandant of the2267Marine Corps, as well as Charlie Allen, who was an intelligence2268legend. I guess he retired from CIA [Central Intelligence2269Agency] at 75.2270    So we had a real good group of people I was fortunate2271enough to learn from, and all these problems and shortages and2272issues were laid out for us. So it was an incredibly2273educational job, very frightening, and I think that laid the2274groundwork. You know, as a DOD intelligence contractor we have2275had a lot of classified contracts, but this was so much2276broader, and in some ways it was as broad of an education as2277you can get.2278    Chairman Wicker. Thank you for that, and again, thank you2279for your service on that board.2280    How can the military better harness American ingenuity and2281innovation to get emerging technologies into the hands of the2282warfighter faster?2283    Mr. Feinberg. You know, the Government does not truly2284understand the private sector, and the private sector does not2285understand the Government, okay. Our companies, I wish they2286were more patriotic. They should be all in always helping us,2287but they are not. I wish they could understand that there are2288certain rules in government that are not made by the existing2289sitting people in government but they are just there, that they2290have to work by. I would love to get our private sector to be2291more flexible.2292    But I do think it is people that really understand the2293private sector, that understand how the boards think, how the2294general counsel thinks, what the legal impediments, the2295regulatory impediments are. We need to bring them into DOD,2296have them lead in these conversations with our private sector.2297    The big tech companies have done great things for America.2298They can do an awful lot more. We have to understand them, what2299drives them, and go to them with those thoughts, and I hope2300they will also be more flexible. There is a world of2301opportunity for our private sector, like China is doing, way2302better than us. So it is a big area we need to get at.2303    Chairman Wicker. Thanks for that. Another issue. You know2304that the PPBE process, or the planning, programming, budgeting,2305and execution reform project--we talked about that in the2306office. Will you commit to implementing PPBE Reform Commission2307recommendation endorsed by the Department?2308    Mr. Feinberg. Yes.2309    Chairman Wicker. Thank you. So if confirmed, do you commit2310to frequently updating Congress on your plan for the Replicator2311initiative and counter-UAVs at large?2312    Mr. Feinberg. I do.2313    Chairman Wicker. Thank you for that. That is an important2314initiative. Senator Schmitt mentioned that earlier in regard to2315the swarming technology and Replicator, so very important2316program. I hope you will pay significant attention to that.2317    Mr. Feinberg. Yes.2318    Chairman Wicker. Thank you again. Senator Slotkin.2319    Senator Slotkin. Thank you. Thank you for being here, Mr.2320Feinberg. It was good to talk to you in my office. I think2321there were a lot of things that we can agree on--acquisition2322reform. If someone can crack that code we would be so much2323safer and so much better off vis-`-vis China. Getting China out2324of our supply chains for national security reasons. So I think2325there are a lot of things where I appreciated your views.2326    My questions, as again I previewed in our conversation, are2327just about you managing the Pentagon and managing this huge2328enterprise, and particularly in you serving as the chief2329operating officer of one of the biggest institutions in the2330world, and allowing others outside the Pentagon to access2331sensitive information.2332    I am a CIA officer, so I am putting these pieces together2333in what we have seen, and I just have to say that we know that2334DOGE is going into departments and agencies, collecting data.2335We know that they are using AI-supported software, access2336through the Microsoft Cloud to amalgamate that data. We know2337that they are feeding sensitive information into that system2338where they go, and that that information can be manipulated,2339swept up in cyberattacks, leaked. It is personnel information.2340It is sensitive information about our national security2341architecture. We know that DOGE has reportedly brought in their2342own servers, particularly into OPM, in order to handle this2343data.2344    Mr. Hegseth has said that he welcomes DOGE into the2345Pentagon. We know that they have started to look at places like2346CIA because they just sent an unclassified email with CIA2347recent hire names in an unclassified space. As a former CIA2348officer, you just blew the cover of someone who was going to2349risk their life abroad to protect our country.2350    So my question to you is what are you going to do when they2351come to you and they ask for that data? Will you give DOGE2352access to sensitive classified and personnel data of uniformed2353military bases and locations across the world?2354    Mr. Feinberg. Yean, I mean, as Deputy, if I make it there,2355we have to follow the laws, and we cannot allow classified data2356that is not legal to be in other people's hands, to move. So we2357will look at the laws closely. We will make sure that transfer,2358if it happens, is done by the appropriate ways. Now, of course,2359the President can decide what is classified and what is not,2360and he can declassify. So, of course, always subject to what2361the President wants to do and his wishes. However, I think it2362is our job to look at this carefully and make sure it is done2363properly.2364    Senator Slotkin. So separate from classified information,2365although you have stated that the President can just declassify2366things, will you give access to DOGE to sensitive personnel2367information about our uniformed military and families,2368particularly living abroad?2369    Mr. Feinberg. Make sure that all the necessary laws and2370regulations are met.2371    Senator Slotkin. I just think, maybe it is because I come2372from the national security world, do you know how appetizing it2373is for our adversaries to have this data? Do you know how2374appetizing it is for them to understand how to get at a2375uniformed officer living in a dangerous place? It is not, for2376me, actually a political issue. It is quite literally an issue2377of safety and security, and as someone who has served abroad,2378this is, to me, an issue of major vulnerability.2379    Mr. Feinberg. Senator, I will say, to your point, that in2380my past I have had compartmentalized programs and access for a2381long time, so I understand the issue completely, and I2382understand your concerns, and I will look at it closely.2383    Senator Slotkin. I just think that, I do not doubt your2384interest, but again, these are the conversations that are going2385to happen in the dead of night, when no one here in our2386Committee is watching. You are going to get a call at 7 p.m.2387that a bunch of 25-year-olds, who have never seen classified2388data in their life, who do not understand what personnel and2389base data could do in the hand of our adversaries, are going to2390get a hold of that. They are going to come to you, and you are2391going to have to press the button. All I have to say is we are2392counting on your, and our national security is counting on you2393to push back, have a spine, and say no.2394    Mr. Feinberg. I understand the issue.2395    Senator Slotkin. Thank you. I yield back.2396    Chairman Wicker. Thank you, Senator Slotkin. Senator2397Peters.2398    Senator Peters. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Feinberg,2399congratulations on your nomination to serve as the Deputy2400Secretary, and certainly I am happy we had a chance to meet in2401my office and talk about a variety of issues, including some of2402my concerns and focus areas for the Department of Defense. I2403enjoyed learning about your priorities for DOD moving forward,2404as well.2405    During our meeting you mentioned AI modernization and2406strengthening signals intelligence, in particular, as some of2407your top priorities. We certainly both share the same concerns2408about China's technological abilities and PRC-sponsored cyber2409actors that are really engaging against us on an ongoing,2410regular basis.2411    So my question for you, sir, is if confirmed, what policies2412or initiatives would you change or initiative to ensure the DOD2413stays at the tip of the spear for signals intelligence, and2414two, how will you ensure the continued focus on our foreign2415adversaries like the PRC?2416    Mr. Feinberg. Signal intelligence is an interesting point.2417I think there is significant risk in our ability to continue2418being successful in that collection, that is probably a better2419conversation for us to have in a SCIF [Sensitive Compartmented2420Information Facility]. But I think that is an incredibly2421important issue that has to be very carefully addressed.2422    On the PRC side, I am sorry, Senator, what was your2423question? I apologize.2424    Senator Peters. Just how do we stay focused on them,2425particularly with signals intelligence.2426    Mr. Feinberg. Yes. I mean, it is a key collection tool. Our2427methods and means and capabilities are good, but there is risk,2428both from technology point of view as well as how we approach2429it. Tough to talk about in a public forum. It is something I do2430have a fair amount of knowledge on, and I would love to talk to2431you in a different setting.2432    Senator Peters. Okay. Well, I would love to followup with2433you on that, because I do believe it is critical, and I know it2434is a priority for you.2435    Mr. Feinberg. Absolutely.2436    Senator Peters. We want to make sure that we have the2437resources and the knowledge necessary to deploy effectively.2438    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, and collection for us, especially on2439foreign technologies and knowing where they stand is super2440important to know what we have to spend. If we do not have2441that, we are going to spend everywhere.2442    Senator Peters. Absolutely. So specifically artificial2443intelligence is at the top of that list, as well. My question2444for you is what policies or initiative would you believe will2445lead us to ensure that our warfighting capabilities are2446developed, not only for lethality, which is critically2447important, but also deployed responsibly, lawfully, and with2448appropriate safeguards for monitoring the procedures being used2449by these weapon systems.2450    Mr. Feinberg. Yes. How you use AI is a tough balance, tough2451problem, because on one hand if you do not have effectively the2452authorities to use it, we will not be as lethal. But then using2453these authorities, at times, creates those kinds of problems.2454Boy, that is a tough one. We have got to carefully look at it2455in detail. For example, we are very strong on offensive cyber,2456which is a great capability. Not as good on defense. What2457should those offensive cyber capabilities, because that is a2458great asset of ours.2459    I look forward to working with you and other Senators on2460that right balance, and I think those conversations are best in2461a SCIF.2462    Senator Peters. Very good. Another topic for us in the2463future, if confirmed.2464    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, sir.2465    Senator Peters. Currently the Air Force is programmed to2466lose about 1,000 planes without replacement. This will further2467exacerbate the Air Force's current State of being the oldest,2468smallest, and least ready perhaps in it history. Aviation2469leaders are characterizing this move as, quote, a ``death2470spiral,'' and commented that no enemy has done so much to harm2471the Air Force than the impact of arbitrary spending reductions.2472    Yet crude aircraft were not exempt from Secretary Hegseth's2473directive to scrub 8 percent from nonlethal programs. Luckily,2474corps readiness as a defense industrial base were protected2475areas in that cut. But I think it sends a conflicting message2476on the future of the Air Force fighter planes and missions.2477    So my question for you, sir, is if confirmed, you will be2478charged with executing Secretary Hegseth's priorities and2479helping him align the Total Force toward the country's national2480security objectives. Can you help give this Committee some2481reassurance that the leaders at OSD understand the need to2482continue investment in next-generation tactical fighters so2483that we can improve readiness and, in the process, surpass our2484adversaries.2485    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, it is a really tough question. Some2486believe that we can go straight to full autonomous systems, we2487do not need a next-generation fighter, and we could use the F-248835 updated to meet, you know, as a strategy. Others feel we2489really need the next-generation fighter, despite its expense2490and difficulty.2491    I do not have the classified briefings, nor would I have2492the classified briefings on China's J-20, which I think is an2493important consideration in that. But I do pledge to you that if2494confirmed, I will get right in the middle of those facts.2495Ultimately, that might be the Secretary's or the President's2496decision, but I look forward to working with you on that.2497    Senator Peters. But you plan to dive in and offer concrete2498suggestions?2499    Mr. Feinberg. Absolutely, in my opinion what I think we2500should do.2501    Senator Peters. Great. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.2502    Chairman Wicker. Thank you, Senator Peters.2503    Senator Sheehy. [Presiding.] I got a promotion. I have got2504the gavel now. Thanks for serving the country yet again, and2505being willing to do this. It is an incredibly important role,2506so thanks for taking it on, and for your family because I know2507it is a big sacrifice for them.2508    Mr. Feinberg. Thank you for your service.2509    Senator Sheehy. Would you run your business like they run2510the DOD right now?2511    Mr. Feinberg. No, but I have had my bad days, too.2512    Senator Sheehy. Yes, I think we all have. Well, first off,2513our nuclear triad was designed and built in the 1950s and25141960s, and it is definitely suffering from I would call antique2515equipment. What are your thoughts on how we can upgrade that2516and make sure it is ready for a 21st century adversary?2517    Mr. Feinberg. Oh, boy, it is super important and tough one.2518We are way behind. We are way over costs. We are way late. I2519think we have got to bring the best manufacturing and2520operational people in America onsite, have a heavy recruitment2521so you can work with some of the great people in the Pentagon2522to understand it and really have an enormous, detailed,2523programmatic focus, operationally, line by line, what are we2524going to do, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, in detail.2525    I do not have an immediate answer other than let's get the2526right people on the ground. Let's go at it and look at it with2527incredible urgency, put a plan together, and start getting at2528it.2529    Senator Sheehy. I think one of the most important aspects2530your role is going to be, the overhaul of our acquisition2531system. I know it has been talked about ad nauseum today. But I2532think very specifically there are products and capabilities2533that exist on the shelf that could be bought commercially, that2534have been developed at risk by private companies. I think one2535of the biggest errors we have made in the last half century in2536the American defense acquisition process is the Government is2537paying to develop technologies based on specifications that are2538often times based on past conflicts, and those specifications2539lag battlefield need. By the time that equipment is fielded it2540is either obsolete or just does not work in the first place.2541    So I would be curious, how do you intend to reform the2542acquisition system, and are you going to be able to heavily2543focus on commercially acquiring capabilities that already exist2544and commercially acquiring technology that is on the shelf2545already?2546    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, there is a lot of opportunity and all2547the different commercial capabilities. But some of the program2548restrictions, requirements make it impossible for companies to2549compete with larger defense companies who do not have that2550capability. They end up being a sub, and they get stuffed as a2551sub.2552    I think DOD really has to look past the prime contractor,2553look into what the subs are doing, and take an active role in2554that relationship, and not rely on the big contractors to run2555these programs simply because they won the overall general2556contracting bid.2557    We have got to get into the programs, the detail of each2558program. What are our most important programs? What are we2559missing? Why are we behind costs? What technologies does the2560sub have that should be promoted, moved forward? As a2561contractor, I got caught in the Valley of Death all the time--2562better technology, no interest to the larger company to use it,2563does not help them, not profitable. I think DOD can get in the2564middle of that, to a degree. Not on everything. But there are a2565lot of opportunities to spur the innovation and capabilities of2566smaller companies, and we have got to do it.2567    Senator Sheehy. Looks like I have been demoted again. So2568our defense acquisition paradigm is very focused on engineering2569the highest quality technology and building it oftentimes in a2570vacuum, to the highest engineering specifications. That has led2571to a lot of high quality stuff, but oftentimes not a lot of2572quantity. Our Navy is the smallest it has ever been in modern2573history. Our Air Force, as we heard, is short on aircraft.2574    There is a quality all its own in quantity. The ability to2575produce vast quantities to sustain a conflict and sustain2576supplying our warfighters has a quality all its own. I think2577the concept that quantity in and of itself creates quality, by2578iteration and by constant fielding in a very close customer2579feedback loop, because in this case the customer is not the2580procurement officer. Our customer is the lance corporal or the2581sergeant or the captain on the front line, fighting that enemy.2582I think we have to reorient the DOD back to the fact that their2583customer is not the contract officer. It is not the procurement2584executive. It is not the PEO that is organizing. The customer2585is the warfighter.2586    In the small time remaining I would love to hear your2587thoughts, how do we return our ability to produce quantity2588quickly, and how do we ensure that what we are producing is2589what the warfighter actually needs?2590    Mr. Feinberg. I totally agree, and we better do this2591urgently because developing autonomous capabilities, we are2592going to need mass quantities of drones with a central brain.2593If we do not achieve that, our national security is at risk.2594    So you have seen it from the private sector. I keep saying2595it, and I apologize for repeating it, requirements are gold-2596plated, rigid, inflexible. If a great technology or a great2597capability is out there, and that company does not put in a2598perfectly compliant bid, gets thrown out, versus a compliant2599bid, which may not meet the technical needs, let some of the2600program officers who are really good, let them run with it,2601give them a little more autonomy. Let them make some decisions2602on what is best for our country. Loosen up the requirement.2603Make it more based on mission than technical. Less gold-plated,2604quicker, more nimble. Let's look at what requirements we need2605up front. The Deputy better get into those requirements of the2606big programs in detail and not delegate that out to everybody2607else. It all starts with requirements.2608    Senator Sheehy. Thank you.2609    Chairman Wicker. [Presiding.] Thank you very much, Senator2610Sheehy. Senator Duckworth.2611    Senator Duckworth. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am looking at2612a Fox News article dated February 24, 2022, and it features Fox2613New commentator Pete Hegseth, and the headline is, ``Russia2614invades Ukraine in largest European attack since World War2615II.'' Can you tell me if Russia invaded Ukraine, Mr. Feinberg?2616I mean, Mr. Hegseth said it.2617    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, I understand.2618    Senator Duckworth. It is easy. Yes or no. Did they invade2619Ukraine?2620    Mr. Feinberg. I do not feel that I should publicly comment2621in the middle of a tense negotiation when I am not privy to the2622facts, to undermine what potentially----2623    Senator Duckworth. You are not privy to the fact whether or2624not Russia invaded Ukraine and started a war that has lasted2625for 3 years?2626    Mr. Feinberg. I am not privy to the details of what is2627going on in the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, what2628the sensitivities are, what the President is trying to2629accomplish. So I would be afraid to speak out of turn and2630undermine that. I do have confidence that the President is very2631skillful at this, and he will find the right way to help the2632United States. He is the first guy that brought Russia to the2633table to even begin a conversation, and I----2634    Senator Duckworth. The President is kneeling down to2635Vladimir Putin. I cannot believe the commander in chief of the2636greatest military on the face of the Earth, in my lifetime, is2637bowing down to Russia. Let me just change the topic.2638    Mr. Feinberg. I do not----2639    Senator Duckworth. First I would like to echo my colleagues2640in reinforcing my gratitude for the outstanding service of2641General Brown, Admiral Franchetti, and the other dedicated2642leaders who have been unfairly relieved in Trump and Hegseth's2643political motivated purge of senior DOD leadership.2644    Let me emphasize, this is not normal. The President does2645not typically replace nonpartisan generals and flag officers2646with his preferred choices. In fact, a President seeking to2647install loyalists among those who are supposed to give him the2648best military advice is highly concerning and dangerous, both2649to the good order and discipline of the uniformed services and2650to the country as a whole.2651    Mr. Feinberg, we had a productive conversation the last2652time we met, and I actually enjoyed it very much, and I2653appreciate your frankness during that conversation. I would2654like to reiterate my expectations for you, should you be2655confirmed as Deputy Secretary of Defense. Given the udder lack2656of qualifications of Secretary Hegseth, who himself admitted he2657was going to hire people smarter than himself to help run the2658Department, you will be the brains behind his leadership and2659lack of experience. You will be solely responsible for managing2660the budget and day-to-day operations of the DOD.2661    So it is imperative that you demonstrate to this Committee2662and to the American people your ability to provide the2663stability, expertise, and leadership necessary to ensure that2664Secretary Hegseth does not run the Department aground with2665indiscriminate budget cuts and unprecedented politically2666motivated and deeply damaging purges of highly qualified senior2667DOD leadership.2668    Mr. Feinberg, I have asked this of every nominee before2669this Committee, including yourself in my offices. If President2670Trump or Secretary Hegseth asked you to do something illegal,2671will you refuse to obey an illegal order?2672    Mr. Feinberg. I won't obey an illegal order, and I do not2673believe either the Secretary or the President will ask me to do2674that.2675    Senator Duckworth. Thank you. Should you observe misconduct2676that is unbecoming or unlawful, will you report it?2677    Mr. Feinberg. Yes.2678    Senator Duckworth. Thank you. Like I said earlier, you are2679it. You are second in command. The responsibility of an2680executive officer in the military is not only to execute their2681commander's vision but to be a voice for his staff and manage2682the ins and outs of his command. Mr. Hegseth will not manage2683the minutiae--you will.2684    Mr. Feinberg, I would like to know what are you going to do2685if the Secretary of Defense orders the pausing of a program2686critical to the readiness of the services?2687    Mr. Feinberg. I am sorry, Senator. Orders what?2688    Senator Duckworth. A pausing of a program that is critical2689to the readiness of our military services.2690    Mr. Feinberg. Obviously, I work for the Secretary of2691Defense. If he does something that I think is a real problem, I2692will tell him. I will give him my view. Ultimately, I will2693follow the chain of command and execute what he wants, as long2694as it is lawful. I do think that he will make good decisions.2695    By the way, Senator, I also hope that I can hire, we can2696hire, if confirmed, a ton of people, a heck of a lot smarter2697than yours truly. It is great to bring in talent.2698    Senator Duckworth. It does not take a lot to be smarter2699than the Secretary of Defense or be more qualified. That is a2700low bar, indeed.2701    Many of our recent nominees have been talking about2702hypotheticals, and I am glad that you are talking about some of2703the decisions that are being made. Mr. Hegseth has already2704shown a willingness to make some bad decisions. I mean, he2705ordered DOD to hastily propose an 8 percent, across-the-board2706cuts to the budget while exempting non-mission-essential2707expenses like the DOD's activities on the southwest border.2708    Mr. Feinberg, the DOD is not a place where we can afford to2709make mistakes. Are you going to allow an inexperienced team of2710software company interns to look at our most critical defense2711programs and make decisions that may impact our national2712security? Who is going to be at the wheel?2713    Mr. Feinberg. I am sorry. You said----2714    Senator Duckworth. Are you going to DOGE in there and start2715making cuts?2716    Mr. Feinberg. So at DOD, and the Secretary said this, we2717are responsible for our own people. We are responsible for our2718actions and policies. DOD is in charge of itself. So no, DOGE2719is not in charge of DOD. We are looking forward to working with2720Elon Musk. He has great expertise and talent. He has great2721understanding of so many different things in DOD. He will2722provide counsel and advice. We are looking forward to hearing2723that.2724    But in the end, DOD is accountable to itself, must make its2725own decisions for its people and its policies. Unless, of2726course, the President says, ``I want you guys to do this or2727that,'' and then, of course, we are going to do it.2728    Senator Duckworth. Unless it is illegal.2729    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, ma'am.2730    Senator Duckworth. Thank you.2731    Chairman Wicker. Thank you, Senator Duckworth. Senator2732Banks.2733    Senator Banks. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Feinberg, thank2734you for your incredible sacrifice that you are willing to make2735for our country and serving in this role.2736    There is already good news. President Trump asked Secretary2737Hegseth and yourself and others to go to the Pentagon and shake2738it up, make the Pentagon focused on the warfighter and2739preparing to fight and win wars instead of focusing on itself,2740the large bureaucratic blob that just day-to-day feeds itself2741rather than the mission of what the Pentagon should be doing.2742    The good news is that after 4 years of a historic2743recruitment crisis, the worst recruitment crisis in over 502744years of an all-volunteer force, the Army has already reported,2745since Donald Trump was elected President of the United States,2746those recruitment numbers have shot through the roof. What do2747you make of that?2748    Mr. Feinberg. Well, I guess it does show there is a spirit,2749that morale may be improving, based on the President's2750leadership and what he has said to the American people.2751Hopefully if we can pursue sound policies and execution and2752making some changes to improve DOD, that will increase morale2753more, that is what I have seen in the private sector, and we2754will have an even greater recruitment drive in the future.2755    Senator Banks. Yes, I think that was well put. Lots of good2756signs across the board, early signs of us succeeding in a big2757way on recruitment.2758    One of the areas that I am concerned about, though, we2759talked about this in my office, China is beating us in a lot of2760areas, and one area is in hypersonics. Four years ago they2761launched a hypersonic ballistic missile. It orbited the full2762Earth, entered the Earth's atmosphere, narrowly missed its2763target. We did not know about it until it reentered our Earth's2764atmosphere.2765    We still have yet to launch a hypersonic missile of our2766own. As we talked about in my office, Purdue University, Notre2767Dame, in Indiana, Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center, on the2768front lines of hypersonics research and development. How2769important is more investment in hypersonics to the United2770States?2771    Mr. Feinberg. Huge problem. We are underinvested. It is2772essential for our national security. I do not understand the2773thought process in the last Administration, which did not have2774it at high importance. Again, I am not the person to be sitting2775and making policies. My job would be to execute development,2776faster development, with reasonable cost, and quickly, of2777hypersonic capability.2778    But, at the same time, I mean, if you are totally reliant2779on your nuclear capabilities, because tactically you are2780slower, but you do not have hypersonics, that is a diplomatic2781nightmare. From a nuclear perspective, if the enemy is faster2782than you, boy, that is a problem. So we have got to get on2783that.2784    Senator Banks. Yes, a big problem. You will be tasked with,2785as Secretary Hegseth's Deputy, with shaking up the acquisition2786system at the Pentagon. Have you put a lot of thought into2787that? I mean, your background is so perfect to go there and2788change the way acquisitions are done at the Pentagon. Have you2789given it some early thoughts about what you are going to do on2790day one to change it?2791    Mr. Feinberg. Yes. You know, a lot of thoughts, and have2792worked with a lot of DOD companies closely with the Pentagon,2793so we have a decent knowledge of what is going on and how to2794improve it.2795    Senator Banks. Good. You are incredibly qualified for this2796role. I look forward to working with you and partnering with2797you and Secretary Hegseth and others to make our military as2798strong as it can possibly be. Your background is perfect for2799the role. You have my full support. Mr. Chairman, I yield back.2800    Mr. Feinberg. I appreciate it. Thank you.2801    Chairman Wicker. Thank you. Are there further questions? If2802not, let me just say, I think we have seen a display of super2803competence and intelligence and capability today, and I feel2804very, very good about the role that you will fill, Mr.2805Feinberg.2806    Today's hearing is concluded. I want to thank our witnesses2807for their testimony, and for the information of members,2808questions for the record will be due to the Committee within 22809business days of the conclusion of the hearing. We are now2810adjourned.2811    Mr. Feinberg. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you,2812Senator Reed.2813    [Whereupon, at 12:02 p.m., the Committee adjourned.]28142815                              ----------28162817    [Prepared questions submitted to Mr. Stephen A. Feinberg by2818Chairman Wicker prior to the hearing with answers supplied2819follow:]28202821                       duties and qualifications2822    Question. Section 132 of title 10, U.S. Code emphasizes that the2823Deputy Secretary must be ``highly qualified for the position by reason2824of background and experience, including appropriate management2825experience.''2826    What background, expertise, and experience do you possess that2827qualify you to serve as Deputy Secretary of Defense?2828    Answer. For the last 33 years, I have built my firm, Cerberus2829Capital Management. Our main focus is buying underperforming assets and2830companies and then working to drive operational and financial2831improvements. We take on hard complex problems that require significant2832operational and financial expertise. We have a large portfolio of over2833$65 billion and have employed our turnaround strategies in hundreds of2834investments. Taking on these types of tough challenges is difficult,2835has significant risks, and is not a perfect science. So, people in our2836business will have some failures, as we have had, but overall, our2837track record has been very good over a long period of time.2838    I believe this operational background gives me valuable experience2839necessary as Deputy Secretary of Defense. Our Department of Defense2840faces very significant operational problems, delays, and cost overruns2841in building ships, submarines, and aircraft, modernizing our nuclear2842infrastructure, and developing a wide variety of military capabilities.2843I have spent a career attacking these types of problems in the2844companies and assets we have managed. Additionally, the Department of2845Defense has very significant financial problems. It has poor financial2846systems, struggles with understanding its cost structure, is unable to2847achieve transparent and consistent financial reporting, and has great2848difficulty in making accurate forward financial projections. These are2849exactly the types of financial problems that I have attacked in the2850companies and assets we have operated.2851    I served as Chair of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board in2852the first Trump Administration. This board was effectively an2853analytical organization that studied in great depth both intelligence2854and U.S. national security shortages and problems and then provided2855advice to the White House on potential remedies. The board had a very2856strong team, including General Mike Hagee, former Commandant of the2857Marine Corps, and Charles Allen, a legendary 50-year veteran of the2858CIA. I took over 3,000 briefs during my chairmanship from all of the2859intelligence agencies, most parts of DOD, Homeland Security, Commerce,2860FBI, and most other parts of the U.S. Government that play a role in2861national security. This very broad exposure to our national security2862problems gives me a good sense of mission weaknesses and priorities in2863DOD. That knowledge is essential for the Deputy Secretary of Defense.2864    At Cerberus, we have bought dozens of companies involved in2865national security, many of which worked for DOD. So, I have significant2866experience with the Pentagon as a contractor and understand how it2867functions and is organized. This practical, hands-on knowledge helps me2868understand both the strengths and weaknesses of DOD and is invaluable2869for the Deputy Secretary of Defense.2870    Question. Specifically, what is your experience in the management2871of large, complex organizations?2872    Answer. At Cerberus, we currently own and have owned in the past2873over three decades, in whole or in part, large complex companies and2874assets in large complex structures. For example, today, one of our2875holdings is Albertsons supermarkets, which is a national chain with2876over 2,200 stores, 275,000 employees, and over $70 billion in revenue.2877Today, we are one of the largest holders of non-performing loans in the2878world, with a portfolio containing hundreds of thousands of assets and2879a large complex multinational servicing operator managing the loans.2880    There are countless examples, past and present, that demonstrate2881one of our core skill sets at Cerberus is managing large complex2882organizations. A key to Cerberus's success over many decades has always2883been our large multifaceted operational teams who drive the day-to-day2884management of our companies and assets.2885    Question. If confirmed, and given your observations and experience,2886what innovative ideas would you consider implementing with regard to2887the structure and operations of the DOD?2888    Answer. As a DOD contractor over the past two decades, I have2889developed numerous ideas that should be considered. If confirmed, I2890will go very deep in due diligence to ensure these ideas are sound and2891determine if they should be pursued. Of course, the Secretary of2892Defense would have to support any implementation of these new concepts.2893    One idea would be to change how our DOD program requirements are2894structured, working with the JROC. I believe our program requirements2895need to be far less rigid, far less gold-plated, much easier to2896achieve, less costly, and much quicker to meet. We also need to stop2897changing the requirements once we set them. This is essential to be2898able to not only meet our program demands but also to meet them on2899time. This also enables us to have a much more nimble and agile2900acquisition capability that would also attract new entrants and promote2901more competition. This is not easy to achieve, but it can be done2902effectively.2903    Another idea would be to effectively sponsor some of our best2904private sector manufacturing companies to help them get into DOD. As we2905know, we have too few fully capable product providers at DOD as there2906has been way too much consolidation and too much concentration among2907the big major defense players. This reliance on a few companies leaves2908DOD very exposed. We have great manufacturing companies in the United2909States who are excellent in developing and scaling capabilities who2910aren't working with DOD today. There are creative ways under the FAR to2911provide sole-source non-competitive opportunities for these large2912companies to motivate them and make it possible for them to enter the2913defense industry. Often these types of companies, despite their great2914capabilities, are not conversant in DOD process or practices and2915requirements and competing with our big defense majors is very2916difficult. Being creative to give them help and a big jumpstart in non-2917traditional ways may be frowned upon because this is a departure from2918traditional competition-based acquisition policy. But it can be done2919legally and is very necessary to bring a much bigger part of our large2920industrial base into the defense industry. We have seen this in the2921past during wartime, and this is so important today due to a dearth of2922large manufacturing companies who know how to scale who are currently2923servicing DOD.2924    These are a couple of the dozens of ideas I have developed that2925need to be carefully looked at and determined if they are possible.2926    Question. What do you consider to be the most significant2927challenges you will face if confirmed as the Deputy Secretary of2928Defense and what are your plans to address each challenge?2929    Answer. The biggest and most urgent challenge is to find a way to2930meet our mission needs within a finite budget. We have so many gaps in2931our national security capabilities and shortages in essential areas2932today that put our Nation in a troublesome, risky position. We must2933urgently prioritize the most important gaps and shortages and fix this2934problem. We can achieve that, but it starts with leadership. We must be2935realistic and transparent about these issues and, with great urgency,2936put the necessary plans in place and execute them.2937    What makes this more difficult is the fact that our most capable2938and toughest competition is the Chinese, who get funded not only by2939their budget but also by their private sector, which often effectively2940works for the government. So, the Chinese have better funding and an2941all-in national commitment to becoming the most powerful and dominant2942nation in the world. Closing all our gaps is very difficult because2943China will keep moving the goalposts on us.2944    On top of all that, the United States has significant budget2945constraints and currently doesn't have the necessary money to fix our2946current weaknesses and compete effectively with China.2947    This is a very tough problem, but there are ways to attack it. We2948must manage our own finances at DOD better to ensure we are getting the2949maximum out of the dollars we have. We have to run the department much2950more efficiently by cutting significant costs from unnecessary2951departments inside DOD and from legacy programs still funded by DOD. We2952have to develop much better systems and financial metrics to attack our2953efficiency problems. There are significant dollars to be found through2954better operations and decisionmaking.2955    Another big piece of the solution is getting far more help from our2956private sector. We have the greatest private sector in the world, and2957they can help us close the funding gap and the capability shortages. To2958get the private sector more involved, we must focus on how to approach2959the relationship. We need private sector people in government who fully2960understand how our best private companies operate, what their legal and2961regulatory issues are, what their shareholder issues are, how their2962Board of Directors will respond to the government, and what it takes to2963get their help and partnership. Finally, we need to understand what2964issues and impediments the general counsels will bring and how we can2965solve them. Yes, our private sector companies should be more patriotic2966and easier to work with all the time. But that's not reality, and2967through significant private sector expertise inside DOD, we can really2968start driving great partnerships with the private sector.2969    Of course, there are so many other big challenges for the deputy to2970involve themselves with, but progress in the above areas will go a long2971way.2972    Question. Section 132 of title 10, U.S. Code, provides that the2973Deputy Secretary of Defense shall perform such duties and exercise such2974powers as the Secretary of Defense may prescribe. Except as expressly2975proscribed by law or order of the President or Secretary of Defense,2976the Deputy Secretary has full power and authority to act for the2977Secretary of Defense on any and all matters.2978    What do you perceive to be the duties and powers of the Deputy2979Secretary most critical to the national defense?2980    Answer. The Deputy Secretary will perform duties and exercise2981powers as prescribed by the Secretary of Defense. Historically the2982Deputy Secretary has the primary responsible of managing the day-to-day2983activities and management of the Pentagon, to include decisionmaking2984related to budget and resourcing, acquisition, and research and2985engineering. Additionally, the Deputy Secretary assumes the duties of2986the Secretary of Defense when the Secretary is unable to do so.2987    Question. What other duties and/or powers would you expect the2988Secretary of Defense to prescribe for you, if confirmed?2989    Answer. In his hearing, Secretary Hegseth stated his intent to2990designate the Deputy Secretary to manage the day-to-day activities2991regarding budget and resourcing, acquisition, research and engineering,2992and overall management of the Pentagon. If confirmed, I will ensure the2993Department prioritizes fiscal accountability, efficiency and lethality2994in accordance with President Trump's direction to achieve Peace through2995Strength, and Secretary Hegseth's priorities of reviving the warrior2996ethos; rebuilding our military by matching threats to capabilities; and2997reestablishing deterrence by defending our Homeland.2998                         conflicts of interest2999    Question. Federal ethics laws, to include 10 U.S.C. Sec. 208,3000prohibit government employees from participating in matters where they,3001or certain family members or organizations with which they have certain3002relationships, have a financial interest.3003    Do you agree, without qualification, if confirmed, to disclose any3004potential conflicts of interest, including investments, business ties,3005family relationships, or other connections that could be perceived as3006influencing your decisionmaking?3007    Answer. Yes.3008    Question. Do you agree, without qualification, if confirmed, that3009if a conflict of interest arises, you will recuse yourself from3010participating in any relevant decisions regarding that specific matter?3011    Answer. Yes.3012    Question. Do you commit, without qualification, if confirmed, to3013decisionmaking on the merits and exclusively in the public interest,3014without regard to private gain or personal benefit?3015    Answer. Yes.3016                    civilian control of the military3017    Question. What are your personal views on the principle of civilian3018control of the military?3019    Answer. Civilian control of the military is a foundational3020principle in democratic governance, ensuring elected officials maintain3021control and authority over armed forces. This principle prevents3022military leaders from exerting undue influence on political decisions,3023which in turn safeguards democratic institutions and civil liberties.3024    I also believe that civilian oversight is meant to foster3025transparency and public trust. It emphasizes accountability, because3026military actions must align with the elected government's policies and3027priorities. By maintaining a clear separation between military and3028political realms, this principle promotes stability, and ultimately it3029ensures that military power is used responsibly.3030    Question. If confirmed, specifically what would you do to ensure3031that your tenure as the Deputy Secretary of Defense epitomizes the3032fundamental requirement for civilian control of the Armed Forces3033embedded in the United States Constitution and other laws?3034    Answer. If confirmed, I will ensure that decisionmaking in the3035Department of Defense is in accordance with the United States3036Constitution and applicable laws and aligned with elected officials'3037policies and national interests. The Deputy Secretary reinforces the3038principle of civilian control by integrating civilian perspectives into3039budgetary and acquisition processes and ultimately ensuring that3040military capabilities are developed and funded in a way that reflects3041democratic governance and public accountability.3042                  2022 national defense strategy (nds)3043    Question. The 2022 NDS outlines that the United States faces a3044rising China, an aggressive Russia, and the continued threat from rogue3045regimes and global terrorism. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the NDS3046Commission testified in July 2024 that China, Russia, Iran, and North3047Korea have formed an ``axis of aggressors'' supporting each other's3048military aggression and illegal wars.3049    What is your assessment of the military threat posed by the3050People's Republic of China?3051    Answer. Both the 2018 and 2022 National Defense Strategies pinpoint3052the People's Republic of China as posing the most significant challenge3053for the United States Department of Defense. The most threatening3054scenario facing the Department is a sudden PRC attempt to seize Taiwan3055by force. A successful invasion of Taiwan could severely damage U.S.3056trade, alliances, and global influence.3057    Xi Jinping's stated goal of annexing Taiwan, his directive to the3058Chinese military to be ready for such an operation by 2027, and China's3059significant and ongoing buildup of capabilities designed to hold the3060Joint Force at risk suggest that China poses a significant and growing3061threat across the near, medium, and long term.3062    Question. What is your assessment of the military threat posed by3063Russia?3064    Answer. The 2018 and 2022 National Defense Strategies both3065recognize Russia as a threat to the United States and Europe, and3066Russia also destabilizes several other regions around the world.3067Despite facing international sanctions since 2014, which were further3068strengthened during the first Trump Administration, Russia has3069maintained a capable military, developed strategic capabilities, and3070increased production of crucial military equipment.3071    Of particular concern is Russia's expansion of its nuclear arsenal,3072posing a threat to the United States Homeland, as well as its tactical3073nuclear weapons, which threaten its European and Asian neighbors.3074Russia also presents challenges in cyberspace, information warfare,3075undersea warfare, space, and the Arctic.3076    Question. What is your assessment of the military threat posed by3077collusion among Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea?3078    Answer. China, Russia, Iran, and North Korean cooperation in3079Ukraine, and in other regions of the world, suggest a common interest3080in weakening United States influence and alliances globally.3081    These countries share technology and sell military equipment3082amongst themselves, circumventing or muting the impact of sanctions.3083This collaboration allows them to develop their military capabilities,3084fund operations, and challenge U.S. interests. Examples include the3085transfer of drones between Iran and Russia, Chinese purchases of3086Iranian oil, and North Korean special forces fighting alongside Russian3087troops in Ukraine.3088    Question. Are there significant opportunities that, in your view,3089DOD has been unable to leverage, or has leveraged only in part, since3090the NDS was published in 2022? If so, how would you correct this3091situation, if confirmed?3092    Answer. It is my understanding that the Department of Defense has3093not fully utilized the potential of our industrial and innovation bases3094to deliver necessary military capabilities efficiently and at the3095required pace. While there have been efforts to develop numerous,3096dispersed, and expendable capabilities quickly, a shift in mindset is3097crucial.3098    The DOD's focus needs to move away from expensive, overly3099sophisticated platforms that take years to develop and are difficult to3100replace, toward embracing rapid innovation and scalable production. If3101confirmed, I will prioritize working to streamline the requirements and3102acquisition process.3103    Question. In mandating changes to the process and form of the3104National Security Strategy, the National Defense Strategy, and the3105National Military Strategy, Congress intended that these documents,3106through the Defense Planning Guidance, would more rigorously drive3107program planning of the Military Departments, Defense Agencies, and3108Combatant Commands.3109    If confirmed, how would you ensure consistency between the guiding3110strategies of the Department and its allocation of resources?3111    Answer. Timely issuance of the Secretary's strategic guidance to3112the Department, including through the National Defense Strategy and the3113Defense Planning Guidance, ensures that strategy is the driving force3114behind all of the Department's resourcing decisions, and that U.S.3115strategic priorities are infused throughout the Planning, Programming,3116Budgeting, and Execution cycle. If confirmed, I will support the3117Secretary in the development of this guidance and in overseeing its3118implementation across the Department.3119                             dod readiness3120    Question. The United States now faces two near-peer competitors in3121an aggressively militaristic China and revanchist Russia.3122    In your view, how do the readiness challenges facing the DOD today3123and over the next 10 years impact the Department's requirements for3124force structure investments?3125    Answer. Readiness is a multi-dimensional challenge that involves3126tradeoffs between near-term and long-term priorities. Certain readiness3127spending can increase our ability to maintain current operations but3128spending to maintain high readiness in the present has a high3129depreciation rate. If we do not expect to ``fight tonight,'' readiness3130dollars might better be spent on long-term force structure and3131modernization investments to ensure that we are ready for the advanced3132challenges we may face in 5-7 years.3133    If confirmed, I will ensure that short-term readiness investments3134are tailored to maintain a ready, deterrent force, but ensure that we3135do not cannibalize our ability to modernize the joint force for the3136future fight. I would direct the Military Departments and Services to3137do a line-by-line review investments in mobility, logistics,3138maintenance, and sustainment capabilities, as well as to understand3139where increased ally and partner cooperation can enable us to optimize3140our forward posture.3141    Question. If confirmed, how would you balance force structure and3142readiness demands, particularly with respect to rotational forces in3143the United States Indo-Pacific and Central Command areas of3144responsibility (AOR), against the imperative to modernize or3145restructure current forces to meet NDS requirements?3146    Answer. Continuous rotation of troops into AORs ensures that3147forward forces are always at a high level of readiness. However,3148constant rotation also imposes costs upon the Services as they balance3149spending on readiness against spending on modernization. Given the3150strategic environment, we must maintain high readiness in the Indo-3151Pacific, and, if confirmed, I intend to carefully review which forces3152are deployed forward.3153    Additionally, arrangements with Allies and partners can reduce the3154readiness impact on forward forces. If confirmed, I will review the3155force posture in CENTCOM to ensure that we have the right force mix3156available and ready both in the AOR and over the horizon for the3157dynamic situation in the region.3158    Question. If confirmed as Deputy Secretary of Defense, how would3159you prioritize the needs for continued readiness, force structure, and3160modernization?3161    Answer. Balancing readiness, force structure, and modernization is3162a constant challenge for the Department of Defense. If confirmed, I3163would work to ensure first that investments in these three categories3164are focused on warfighting and lethality to enhance the credibility of3165our deterrent. We should be prioritizing resource allocation against3166the most significant threats and particularly directed toward the3167Department's plans to deal with those threats.3168    Question. How would you assess the current readiness of the DOD3169components across the domains of materiel and equipment, personnel, and3170training to execute operational plans in support of the 2022 NDS?3171    Answer. I do not have access to classified briefs on operational3172plans and cannot accurately assess current readiness levels, but I3173understand that the Joint Force is organized, trained, and equipped to3174execute operational plans and achieve our national objectives.3175    If confirmed, I will work with my staff, the Chairman of the Joint3176Chiefs of Staff, and the combatant commanders to review our operational3177plans and our current states of readiness across these domains to3178ensure that our forces can credibly fight and win our Nation's wars. I3179believe it is critically important that our joint force maintains its3180position as the most capable, lethal force in the world.3181                        national security budget3182    Question. In its July 2024 report, the Commission on the National3183Defense Strategy recommended that Congress provide real growth for3184defense spending, at an annual average rate of three to 5 percent above3185inflation.3186    Do you agree that sustained real growth in the defense budget is3187necessary to achieve the aims of the current NDS without incurring3188significant additional risk?3189    Answer. Achieving peace through strength requires investment and3190sacrifice as a Nation. We must make the right investments to rebuild3191our military, ensuring it remains the strongest and most lethal in the3192world to deter adversaries considering actions that would be3193detrimental to American interests.3194    Question. Many observers assert that the only way to force DOD3195leaders to make the ``hard choices'' to divest of lower priority or3196underperforming programs, is to constrain the Department fiscally.3197    If confirmed, by what standards would you measure the adequacy of3198the defense budget?3199    Answer. I will measure the adequacy of our budget by its ability to3200match threats to capabilities and reestablish deterrence by defending3201the Homeland. If confirmed, I expect to lead a thorough review of3202Defense Department spending, incorporating bottom-up and top-down3203reviews to ensure that the President's priorities are funded within the3204guidance provided by the Office of Management and Budget.3205    If confirmed, I welcome the opportunity to work with Congress to3206improve efficiency and increase readiness by rapidly fielding3207innovative technologies, reviving our defense industrial base,3208reforming our acquisitions process, and passing a financial audit.3209    Question. Do you believe that this approach leads to more effective3210and efficient decisionmaking by DOD leaders?3211    Answer. If confirmed, I will ensure that the Secretary of Defense3212is presented with the most robust and accurate data to support the3213President's Budget Request. The Department must operate within the3214constraints set by Congress, but will actively seek areas for lawful3215reduction and realignment to meet the Secretary's priorities for force3216readiness and lethality. If confirmed, I will embrace fiscal restraint3217as an opportunity to reduce wasteful spending and prioritize the most3218effective programs and systems.3219    Question. The Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution3220(PPBE) process has remained fundamentally unchanged since its inception3221more than half a century ago.3222    Do you believe the PPBE process results in the proper allocation of3223resources according to the strategic priorities at the Department of3224Defense?3225    Answer. The current geopolitical landscape demands speed and3226agility. The current PPBE process was designed for a postindustrial3227age. Today, we are in an age of rapidly changing technology where3228technology is obsolete almost as soon as it is developed.3229    Not having yet been a part of the PPBE process inside the3230Department, I looked through the Commission on PPBE Reform's Final3231Report from March 2024 and the Department's PPBE Reform Implementation3232Plan that was released recently in January by the former Administration3233so that I could learn more about the process of PPBE, how that unfolds3234inside DOD, and what reform efforts are currently underway. If3235confirmed, I look forward to implementing applicable recommendations.3236    If confirmed, I am committed to ensuring that allocation processes3237align resources to President's Trump strategic priorities, delivering3238capabilities that advance the goals of the Department, and closing gaps3239through the rapid fielding of emerging technologies.3240    Question. What changes would you make, if any, to the PPBE process3241to improve both resourcing decisions within DOD and information flow3242about those decisions to the Congress?3243    Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to working with OSD staff3244principals to determine needed changes to the process to ensure we have3245the strongest tie between strategy and resources to support the3246Administration's priorities, while ensuring open communication between3247the Department and Congress.3248    Question. The congressionally appointed Commission on PPBE Reform3249released its final report in March 2024, and Congress has directed the3250DOD to establish a cross-functional team to oversee the implementation3251of the Commission's recommendations.3252    If confirmed, what would you do to implement the recommendations of3253the Commission, and how would you work with Congress to ensure success?3254    Answer. I understand that the former Deputy Secretary of Defense3255signed a PPBE Reform Implementation Report that was made publicly3256available in January 2025, which provides an overview of the3257Commission's recommendations the previous Administration wanted to3258support.3259    I have read that as well as the PPBE Reform Commission's Final3260Report from March 2024 and concur with many of its ideas to streamline3261the PPBE process and provide additional flexibilities to the Department3262of Defense while maintaining the appropriate level of congressional3263involvement.3264    If confirmed, I look forward to understanding the efforts underway3265in the Department, and working with my staff principals and Congress to3266determine how those proposed reforms could improve the process, while3267also pursuing other improvements to ensure DOD maximizes it allocated3268resources to support our Defense priorities.3269    Question. Former Secretary of Defense Mattis stated, ``If you don't3270fund the State Department fully, then I need to buy more ammunition.''3271    What are your views on the role of the State Department and other3272non-DOD departments and agencies in achieving U.S. national security3273objectives?3274    Answer. DOD will need to work with multiple U.S. Government3275departments and agencies to advance national security priorities.3276Diplomacy and economic and trade policy play important roles in3277achieving our objectives. If confirmed, I would coordinate with my3278colleagues across the Government to ensure resources collectively3279support the national security objectives outlined by the President and3280Secretary of Defense.3281    Question. Do you believe non-DOD departments and agencies have been3282sufficiently resourced to appropriately contribute to U.S. national3283security objectives?3284    Answer. If confirmed, I would welcome the opportunity to work with3285the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to review other agencies3286resourcing and provide recommendations to OMB.3287               vice chairman of the joint chiefs of staff3288    Question. The Deputy Secretary of Defense and Vice Chairman of the3289Joint Chiefs of Staff often partner to lead the Department in3290addressing emergent issues and policy challenges that require the3291integration of civilian and military expertise and perspective.3292    If confirmed, how would you structure your relationship with the3293Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff?3294    Answer. A strong, productive relationship between the Office of the3295Secretary of Defense and the Joint Staff is critical to ensure we bring3296the most lethal capabilities into the hands of our warfighters. If3297confirmed, I will count on the Vice Chairman to provide me the best3298military advice and faithfully represent the independent voice of the3299warfighter.3300    Question. If confirmed, how would you allocate particular3301responsibilities to the Vice Chairman and yourself as co-chairs of the3302Deputy's Management Action Group?3303    Answer. My understanding is the Deputy's Management Action Group3304[DMAG] is the key forum for making the difficult but necessary3305resourcing recommendations and associated risk calculations that enable3306the Secretary to realize the President's vision of Peace through3307Strength.3308    If confirmed, I will use this body to provide the Administration's3309guidance in our national defense and security and solicit from the3310pertinent Department leadership how they will enact that guidance and3311hear their concerns. As the body's co-chair, the Vice Chairman provides3312an indispensable, independent warfighter's perspective within DMAG3313deliberations.3314    Question. In your view, how could the Deputy's Management Action3315Group be more effective in ensuring that DOD issues with resource,3316management, and broad strategic and/or policy implications are3317addressed in a manner that aligns with the Secretary of Defense's3318priorities, planning and programming schedule? Please explain your3319answer.3320    Answer. As the Department's principal governance forum for3321management actions including planning, programming, budgeting, and3322execution (PPBE), and strategic and policy guidance, the DMAG is3323critically important. If confirmed, I will consult with the DMAG's co-3324chair, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the3325Secretary's Principal Staff Assistants to drive and assess compliance3326with the President's and Secretary's priorities, foster alignment on3327cross-cutting issues, threat assessments and trends, vulnerabilities,3328and strategic matters and evaluate resource and policy implications.3329    Question. If confirmed, what, if any, recommendations would you3330make to revise or refine the Joint Requirements Oversight Council3331process?3332    Answer. If confirmed, modernizing and preparing the Department for3333future contingencies will rank among my top priorities. The3334warfighter's independent role in developing effective and interoperable3335capabilities is vital. I am also aware of the multifaceted approach to3336requirements, acquisition, and programming reform being championed by3337Chairman Wicker and Secretary Hegseth to accelerate delivery of3338capabilities to the warfighter.3339    If confirmed, I pledge to expeditiously reform how the Department3340attains capability through the entire Planning, Programming, Budgeting,3341and Execution (PPBE), Joint Capabilities Integration and Development3342System (JCIDS) which includes many elements, including the Joint3343Requirements Oversight Council (JROC), and Defense Acquisition System3344(DAS) processes.3345                       alliances and partnerships3346    Question. The 2022 NDS stresses that mutually beneficial alliances3347and partnerships are crucial to U.S. success in competition with,3348deterrence of, and potential conflict against long-term strategic3349competitors.3350    What is your view of the strength of our current alliances,3351relationships, and partnerships, and the trust our partners have in the3352willingness of the U.S. to meet its obligations? If confirmed, how3353would you enhance that trust?3354    Answer. The United States boasts a formidable network of alliances3355and partnerships, providing an unparalleled strategic edge through3356collective defense with our Allies and partners. We must remain3357committed to fostering balanced relationships, recognizing that strong3358alliances require mutual contributions to thrive. Encouraging increased3359defense spending and shared responsibility from our Allies and partners3360is crucial to ensure fairness and sustainability. By fostering long-3361term cooperation and consistent support, we can empower our Allies and3362partners, bolster their capabilities, and strengthen the foundation of3363mutual trust.3364    Question. If confirmed, what specific actions would you take to3365strengthen existing U.S. alliances and partnerships in each combatant3366commander's geographic AOR for long-term strategic competition?3367    Answer. I have not been briefed on classified material, but I3368understand the challenge we face is not confined to one region or one3369area of expertise. Every Combatant Command, whether focused on a3370specific geographic area or a specialized military function, plays a3371crucial role in maintaining our advantage. This will be achieved3372through ongoing strategic planning, security cooperation, military3373diplomacy, and other initiatives. If confirmed, I welcome the3374opportunity to dive into the details and my focus will be on achieving3375the objectives laid out in the National Defense Strategy.3376    Question. Industrial and technological integration between alliance3377members and international partners are critical to ensuring3378interoperability and economies of scale when modernizing and3379maintaining combat forces.3380    Based on your experience, do you have any recommendations for how3381DOD can leverage foreign military sales and industrial base integration3382as a tool to improve our own military systems, as well as improve our3383ability to fight by, with and through our allies and partners?3384    Answer. I have not been briefed on specific details, but I3385understand DOD has taken steps to allow for more seamless integration3386and interoperability with allied technology. Leveraging Foreign3387Military Sales (FMS) to enable our Allies and partners to procure3388interoperable and complementary capabilities improves our ability to3389fight by, with, and through our Allies and partners. This3390interoperability is enhanced through joint training and exercises.3391Additionally, FMS can support our broader acquisition strategy by3392driving down unit costs for both the United States and our Allies and3393partners, enabling us to collectively deliver more advanced3394capabilities than if a program was not designed for export. Industrial3395base integration can also improve military systems and the production3396of platforms and materiel, enabling us to bring in allied technology3397and expertise as well as allied production capacity.3398    If confirmed, I will collaborate closely with the Under Secretaries3399of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment and Policy to identify and3400investigate opportunities to craft acquisition and allied and partner3401force development strategies to leverage their expertise and capitalize3402on economies of scale.3403                 united states africa command (africom)3404    Question. AFRICOM has minimal assigned forces and, as a result, is3405required to compete for the vast majority of its United States Forces3406in the global force management process.3407    What is your assessment of the availability and predictability of3408forces and associated capabilities to support the AFRICOM Theater3409Campaign Plan, the NDS, and other emergency requirements?3410    Answer. It is my understanding that USAFRICOM has fewer allocated3411and assigned forces than most other Combatant Commands and competes for3412capabilities when it faces an emerging requirement. If confirmed, I3413look forward to supporting review of our global force posture to3414reassess whether existing missions and forces assigned to USAFRICOM are3415sufficient to achieve our goals given the competitive geostrategic3416environment.3417    Question. Are there any changes you would implement to the3418allocation or assignment of forces to AFRICOM, if confirmed?3419    Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to supporting review of our3420global posture to assess whether existing missions and forces assigned3421to USAFRICOM are sufficient to achieve our national defense strategy3422goals given the competitive geostrategic environment.3423    Question. What should be the primary objectives of the DOD3424specifically, and the United States more broadly, in the AFRICOM AOR?3425    Answer. It is my understanding that the Department has two primary3426objectives in the USAFRICOM AOR. The first is to degrade terrorist3427groups' ability to strike the United States. The second objective is to3428counter China's attempts to co-opt African governments in ways that3429undermine United States strategic interests. There is not a military-3430only solution to these major challenges. I recognize that to achieve3431progress toward those two main objectives we must devise whole-of-3432government strategies, coordinating DOD resources with the entire3433interagency and Allies to address a variety of issues affecting Africa.3434Additionally, the Department must increase its work with Allies in the3435AOR to build operational independence so that our regional partners can3436undertake missions on their own.3437    Question. What is your assessment of United States counterterrorism3438strategies in the AFRICOM AOR? If confirmed, what changes, if any,3439would you propose to these strategies?3440    Answer. My understanding is that the current United States3441counterterrorism strategy in the USAFRICOM AOR is to disrupt violent3442terrorist organizations, with continued focus on ISIS and al Qaeda3443affiliate groups, especially those with the intent and capability of3444posing a direct threat to the United States Homeland, U.S. personnel3445and facilities, or vital U.S. national interests.3446    I understand the Department prioritizes working by, with, and3447through Allies and regional partners to disrupt and degrade terrorist3448threats. If confirmed, I will look for ways to further improve on our3449efforts to cooperate with and strengthen Allies and regional partners3450as we pursue our shared counterterrorism interests.3451    Question. What is your assessment of the strategic objectives of3452Russia and China in Africa? In what areas, if any, do these oppose3453United States and partner objectives?3454    Answer. The People's Republic of China (PRC) and Russia have both3455deepened their engagement in Africa. The PRC has sought to bolster3456relationships with African countries and their militaries and increase3457investment in Africa, and where possible create dependencies. The PRC3458has looked to gain African countries' support for its global policy3459objectives. Conversely, Russia uses irregular means to assert influence3460in Africa, including through paramilitary deployments, seeking to3461create dependencies on Russian military assets.3462    My understanding is that many of these activities are not in line3463with United States and partners' shared objectives for stability and3464security. For example, the PRC's lending practices create economic risk3465for African countries. Russian private military companies and3466paramilitary forces have contributed to instability within Africa. Both3467use engagement in Africa in ways that prioritize their own gain.3468                united states central command (centcom)3469    Question. In your opinion, what are the key United States national3470security interests in the Middle East? Please explain your answer.3471    Answer. In my opinion, the key United States national security3472interests in the Middle East are: 1) preventing, deterring, and3473disrupting credible terrorist threats to the United States Homeland, 2)3474ensuring the free flow of goods and trade 3) acting as a security3475enabler and integrator for our partners and Allies, 4) preventing Iran3476from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and 5) ensuring the defense of Israel.3477    It is my understanding that counterterrorism remains a high3478priority national security interest in the CENTCOM AOR. Many of the3479terrorist groups that have either the intent or capability to strike3480the United States Homeland or United States personnel have their3481ideological, financial, or operational base originating in the Middle3482East, as we have seen in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and Yemen.3483    The United States has strong partners in the Middle East with whom3484we have shared interests, long-standing cooperation, and substantial3485economic and technological trade ties. The Department has a number of3486mechanisms through which we can provide security cooperation, Foreign3487Military Financing, Foreign Military Sales, joint training and3488exercises, and forward presence to strengthen the ability to disrupt3489and defeat shared threats.3490    If confirmed, I will ensure that the Department of Defense stands3491ready to support the President's National Security Presidential3492Memorandum on Iran.3493    Question. In your opinion, to what extent does achieving United3494States national security interests in the Middle East require a3495continuous United States military presence, and in your view is the3496current United States Force presence appropriately sized? Please3497explain your answer.3498    Answer. It is my understanding that the Department maintains the3499capability to surge forces anywhere in the world if needed during a3500crisis. As a result, United States Forces are able to execute multiple3501missions in the Middle East--to include deterring Iran and its proxies.3502    If confirmed, I will work with OSD components, the Joint Staff, and3503the combatant commanders to review the global U.S. Force posture and3504reassess the optimal level of forces assigned to CENTCOM in order to3505achieve our regional and national defense strategy goals, given the3506evolving geostrategic environment.3507    Question. What opportunities exist for increasing burden-sharing3508with U.S. partners to counter threats emanating from and affecting the3509CENTCOM AOR?3510    Answer. The United States collaborates effectively with multiple3511Allies and partners in the region as well as European Allies to counter3512threats emanating from within the CENTCOM AOR. If confirmed, I would3513seek increased opportunities to enable regional partners to counter3514terrorist groups and defend their sovereign territories. Our partners3515can, and must, do their part.3516    If confirmed, I would also look to increase cooperation with3517regional and European partners in countering the Iranian Threat Network3518and the Iranian missile and UAV threat. Joint missions, security3519cooperation, missile defense integration, and capacity building are3520effective mechanisms for strengthening the ability of our Allies and3521partners to counter threats within the AOR.3522    Question. What threat does Chinese and Russian involvement in the3523Middle East pose to United States operations and interests and to what3524extent does a continuous United States presence counter their3525involvement? In your view, what other policy tools might be useful in3526this regard?3527    Answer. China is working to expand its influence and presence in3528the Middle East, increase PRC-origin defense sales, and put its thumb3529on the scales of the global energy markets. China's efforts to expand3530their technological and defense cooperation in the region have the3531potential to put at risk sensitive United States technology and our3532national security. The Department must be vigilant to ensure these3533activities neither pose a counterintelligence risk to United States3534Forces or operations nor undermine United States security partnerships.3535    Russian involvement in the region has had negative implications for3536United States interests in the region, two examples being Russia's3537strategic partnership with Iran and previous support for the Assad3538regime. Russia is on its back foot in the region after the fall of the3539Assad regime, but we must remain vigilant on this front.3540    The United States can counter negative PRC and Russian involvement3541in the region through strong partnerships and empowerment of our Allies3542and partners across a full spectrum of activities, to include security3543assistance, regional integration efforts, and military cooperation3544through training, exercises and other activities.3545Iran3546    Question. What is your understanding of the objectives of the3547United States national security interests with respect to Iran? What is3548the role of the United States Military in this strategy?3549    Answer. The Department of Defense must stand ready to support the3550President's National Security Presidential Memorandum on Iran, which3551establishes that: 1) Iran should be denied a nuclear weapon and3552intercontinental ballistic missiles; 2) Iran's terrorist network should3553be neutralized; and 3) Iran's aggressive development of missiles, as3554well as other asymmetric and conventional weapons capabilities, should3555be countered.3556    Question. What is your assessment of the current military threat3557posed by Iran? What is your assessment of the threat posed by Iranian3558proxy groups?3559    Answer. Iran poses a significant threat to the security of the3560United States and its Allies and partners. Last year, Iran launched two3561major missile and drone strikes against Israel from Iranian territory.3562In addition to Iran's conventional military, Tehran also leverages3563proxy forces to launch kinetic attacks and advance their interests3564across the Middle East. These forces threaten both United States3565Forces, as well as those of our partners. Iran also continues to inch3566closer to gaining a nuclear weapons capability, which is unacceptable.3567Iranian acquisition of a nuclear weapon would threaten United States3568interests and partner security, provide Iran a shield behind which they3569could engage in more aggressive proxy activities, and increase the risk3570of nuclear accidents or miscalculation.3571    Question. In your view, are United States Military Forces and3572capabilities currently deployed to the CENTCOM AOR adequate to deter3573and, if necessary, respond to threats posed by Iran?3574    Answer. It is my understanding that the Department maintains the3575capability to surge forces anywhere in the world if needed during a3576crisis. As a result, United States Forces are able to execute multiple3577missions in the Middle East--to include deterring Iran and its proxies.3578    It is my understanding that the Department is in the process of3579reviewing the global U.S. Force posture to reassess the optimal force3580posture for CENTCOM to achieve our national defense strategy goals,3581given the evolving geostrategic environment.3582    Question. In your opinion, can Iran be sufficiently deterred3583through military force alone? Please explain your answer.3584    Answer. I believe the Department must continue to support the3585President's stated intent to address Iran's malign activity through3586non-military tools, including economic pressure and diplomacy. At the3587same time, it is the Department of Defense's role to ensure the3588President is armed with the best possible military options. The3589Department must remain prepared to present the President with options3590to deter Iran's malign activity and respond militarily if directed.3591Israel3592    Question. In your opinion, what are United States national security3593objectives in Israel?3594    Answer. Strongly supporting Israel's ability to defend itself is a3595key United States national security objective. It is my understanding3596that the Department of Defense supports Israel's security by helping3597facilitate security assistance to Israel, extensive military3598cooperation through CENTCOM channels, and through coordination with the3599Israelis to help secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, to3600include American citizens.3601    Question. In your opinion, what should DOD's role be in supporting3602Israeli efforts to degrade and defeat Hamas?3603    Answer. Hamas's horrific and unprovoked attack on Israel on October36047, 2023, killed over 1,200 innocent people, including 46 Americans. The3605United States should support Israel by providing the security equipment3606and munitions that Israel needs to defeat Hamas and never again allow a3607Hamas-style attack on Israel.3608Syria and Iraq3609    Question. What is your understanding of current United States3610strategy and objectives in Syria? How have those objectives changed, if3611at all, in light of the recent fall of the Assad regime?3612    Answer. It is my understanding that the Department's primary3613objective in Syria is to support the enduring defeat of ISIS. If3614confirmed, I will work with the Secretary to review our objectives in3615the region in light of the fall of the Assad regime.3616    Question. What role, if any, should DOD play in supporting a3617peaceful democratic transition in Syria? Please explain your answer.3618    Answer. The President has stated his position that the United3619States should not get involved in the political affairs of Syria. If3620confirmed, I will support the orders from the Commander-in-Chief. The3621United States military remains focused on the defeat of ISIS and other3622threats to the Homeland. If confirmed, I will ensure that the3623Department continues to work with interagency partners to ensure3624alignment and support on goals outside of the Department's direct3625jurisdiction.3626    Question. From a DOD perspective, what must be done to ensure the3627enduring defeat of ISIS? What non-military efforts are needed for the3628enduring defeat of ISIS?3629    Answer. Ensuring the enduring defeat of ISIS requires a whole-of-3630government effort. The United States military's role in the region3631supports whole-of-government counterproliferation strategies, defense3632of United States personnel and bases in the region, defense of Israel,3633deterrence of regional conflict, and counterterrorism operations.3634United States military counterterrorism operations rely on the3635intelligence community to maintain awareness of ISIS' goals and3636activities as they adapt to the current environment. Diplomatic efforts3637are also necessary to push those countries whose citizens are living in3638displaced persons camps and detention facilities in Syria to repatriate3639their citizens.3640    Question. What do you perceive to be the role of the Syrian3641Democratic Forces and Iraqi Security Forces in countering ISIS and al3642Qaeda?3643    Answer. It is my understanding the Department has worked with the3644SDF for years to help counter terrorist elements in eastern Syria.3645These partners have historically played a critical role in our efforts3646to counter ISIS and al Qaeda. If confirmed, I will seek classified and3647unclassified briefings on the current role of these forces.3648    Question. In your view, should United States troop levels in Syria3649be tied to the achievement of certain conditions on the ground? If so,3650what conditions would you factor into your recommendation to the3651President on future troop levels in Syria?3652    Answer. The deployment of United States troops in any foreign3653country should always be tied to specific objectives and conditions,3654and this principle would guide any of my potential recommendations to3655the Secretary of Defense about troop deployments to any country.3656    Question. What is your understanding of the current United States3657national security objectives in Iraq?3658    Answer. It is my understanding that current DOD objectives in Iraq3659support the enduring defeat of ISIS and other violent extremist3660organizations through a strategic partnership with the Government of3661Iraq.3662    Question. In September, the United States-Iraq Higher Military3663Commission announced the transition of the global coalition to defeat3664ISIS to a bilateral security relationship with the Government of Iraq.3665However, many of the details of such a transition are still being3666negotiated with the Iraqi Government.3667    In your view, what should the guiding principles for DOD's presence3668in Iraq moving forward? Do you assess that United States Forces should3669remain in Iraq beyond next September? Why or why not?3670    Answer. The deployment of United States troops in any foreign3671country should always be reassessed continually based on changing3672objectives and conditions on the ground. If confirmed, I would support3673a thorough analysis along these lines prior to making a recommendation3674to the Secretary.3675South Asia3676    Question. In your opinion, what are United States national security3677objectives in Afghanistan, and what is your understanding of the3678current strategy to achieve them?3679    Answer. The United States has a vital national interest in ensuring3680terrorism that threatens the United States Homeland does not emanate3681from Afghanistan. It is my understanding that the Department's role in3682pursuing this objective is executed through Operation ENDURING SENTINEL3683(OES), the Afghanistan counterterrorism mission. The Defense3684Intelligence Agency has publicly reported to Congress, via the DOD3685Inspector General's quarterly report on OES, that ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-3686K) maintains the intent and capability to strike outside of its3687traditional area of operations in South Asia and is probably committed3688to enabling attacks within the United States.3689    If confirmed, I will work with the Secretary of Defense, the3690Secretary of State, the National Security Advisor, and our Allies to3691assess whether this strategy is effective and sufficiently resourced.3692    Question. In your view, is the United States properly postured to3693counter ISIS-Khorasan and al Qaeda and related groups in Afghanistan?3694Please explain your answer.3695    Answer. If confirmed, I will seek to understand more clearly our3696posture and support the Secretary on any changes that would be3697necessary to achieve our national objectives to counter ISIS-Khorasan,3698al Qaeda and other related groups in Afghanistan.3699    Question. If confirmed, what changes, if any, would you recommend3700to United States relations with Pakistan?3701    Answer. If confirmed, I will support the Secretary of Defense's3702global posture review. I understand that this review will reassess3703whether existing missions and the forces assigned to CENTCOM can meet3704our needs.3705    Question. In your view, what tools and options are available to the3706United States to ensure that Pakistan is not used as a sanctuary for3707militants and violent extremist organizations (VEOs)?3708    Answer. The President has made it clear that his highest priority3709is to ensure the safety and security of the United States and the3710American people. If confirmed, I will seek briefings on sanctuaries for3711militants and violent extremist organizations and the threats they pose3712to the safety and security of the United States and the American3713people.3714                 united states european command (eucom)3715Implementation of the 2022 NDS3716    Question. Do you believe the deterrent posture in Europe is3717sufficient to support the 2022 NDS and deter further Russian aggression3718in Europe?3719    Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to reviewing our global3720posture to assess whether existing missions and forces assigned to3721EUCOM are sufficient to achieve our national defense strategy goals3722given the competitive geostrategic environment.3723    Question. In your assessment, are there capability and/or capacity3724shortfalls in current United States posture that affect the United3725States ability to carry out the EUCOM Theater Campaign Plan?3726    Answer. It is my understanding that the EUCOM Commander designs the3727Theater Campaign Plan based on NDS priorities and the forces made3728available through the Global Force Management process, and that3729campaign plan is expected to be executable with those forces. If3730confirmed, I look forward to reviewing our global posture to assess3731whether existing missions and forces assigned to EUCOM are sufficient3732to achieve our national defense strategy goals given the competitive3733geostrategic environment.3734    Question. In your assessment, does the United States have3735sufficient air and missile defense capability and capacity to defend3736critical infrastructure in EUCOM? If not, what are the areas of highest3737risk?3738    Answer. If confirmed, I would support a global force posture review3739by the Secretary to reassess whether existing missions and forces3740assigned to EUCOM are sufficient to achieve our national defense3741strategy goals given the competitive geostrategic environment.3742    Question. If confirmed, what specific enhancements would you make3743to other United States capabilities or force posture in Europe to3744execute the NDS more effectively?3745    Answer. If confirmed, once a global force posture review is3746conducted and a new NDS is released, I would recommend that the3747Secretary direct the Department to align forces with the findings of3748both reviews and any other relevant direction from the Commander in3749Chief.3750European Deterrence Initiative (EDI)3751    Question. Since establishment of the EDI in 2014, the NDAA has3752authorized billions of dollars each year for EDI investments to support3753stability and security, and to deter Russian aggression.3754    In your view, has EDI improved United States and allied capability3755and capacity to deter Russian aggression in the European theater?3756    Answer. EDI investments since 2014 did not deter Russia's further3757invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. If confirmed, I would support a3758review of the allocation of resources across the different theaters of3759conflict and recommend investments that best protect United States3760interests, deter conflict, and leverage the investments of our Allies3761to provide for their own defense.3762    Question. Do you believe continued, robust dedicated funding for3763programs under EDI's five lines of effort is required to support3764implementation of the NDS in Europe?3765    Answer. It is my understanding that the EDI's lines of effort--3766increased presence, exercises and training, enhanced prepositioning,3767improved infrastructure, and building partner capacity--have bolstered3768the capabilities and readiness of United States Forces in EUCOM, of3769NATO Allies, and of regional partners. If confirmed, with the3770Secretary, I would review the resource requirements necessary to3771achieve our national security objectives in Europe, with an eye toward3772increasing European Allied capabilities and leadership.3773NATO Alliance3774    Question. In your view, how important to United States strategic3775interests is the United States commitment to its obligations under the3776North Atlantic Treaty, especially Article 5?3777    Answer. The United States has demonstrated over decades the3778strength of its commitment to collective security, both in maintaining3779the world's most lethal military force and in deploying U.S. Forces to3780maintain deterrence and defeat threats to our collective security.3781    If confirmed, I would seek to ensure that our NATO Allies3782demonstrate that their commitment to the Washington Treaty be as strong3783as ours. While the United States remains committed to NATO, it is time3784for more European security leadership for the defense of Europe.3785    Question. What do you view as the essential strategic objectives of3786the NATO Alliance and what do you perceive to be the greatest3787challenges in meeting those objectives?3788    Answer. The strategic objectives of the NATO Alliance remain to3789prevent large-scale conflict in Europe, deter nuclear and non-nuclear3790aggression, and defeat threats to member states should deterrence fail.3791    Question. NATO has long-held the position that, ``as long as3792nuclear weapons exist, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance.'' In your3793view, do you believe this principle requires the United States to3794continue to deploy nuclear weapons in NATO countries?3795    Answer. NATO's status as a nuclear alliance serves to deter3796conflict and coercion against the alliance. It is my understanding that3797the United States has maintained nuclear weapons in NATO countries for3798several decades and is a foundational tenant of the collective nature3799of the alliance. At a time when the NATO Alliance faces nuclear saber-3800rattling from Russia, the presence of United States nuclear weapons3801serves as an important political, strategic, and military link between3802America and its European Allies.3803    Question. The dual-hatted position of the Commander of EUCOM as3804NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) allows United States3805and Allied forces to be highly integrated in Europe. Similar dual-hat3806responsibilities have been integrated to other senior United States3807Commanders, including Commander of United States Air Forces Europe and3808Africa as Commander NATO Allied Air Command (AIRCOM)--and Commander3809United States Army Europe and Africa as NATO Allied Land Command3810Commander.3811    What is your assessment of the benefits of these dual-hatted3812structures to allied cohesion and integration?3813    Answer. It is my understanding that dual hatting of these roles can3814be an effective way to integrate disparate organizations and, in some3815cases, a more efficient use of current resources. If confirmed, with3816the Secretary, I would review dual-hatted structures to understand if3817they serve our national security interests.3818Russia3819    Question. In your view, is Russia a threat to the United States and3820its allies?3821    Answer. There is no question that Putin is willing to use military3822force to accomplish his geopolitical agenda. The United States should3823actively deter Russia from acting against vital United States3824interests.3825    Question. In your view, which EUCOM and NATO activities most deter3826Russia and mitigate the Russian threat to NATO Allies and partners?3827    Answer. If confirmed, I would support a global force posture review3828to assess the effectiveness of existing missions and forces assigned to3829EUCOM, and whether they are sufficient to achieve our national defense3830strategy goals given the competitive geostrategic environment.3831    Question. What aspects of United States and NATO force posture do3832you assess as having the most significant deterrent effect on Russia?3833    Answer. If confirmed, upon completion of the global force posture3834review, I would support the Secretary in making recommendations to the3835President regarding our future deterrent posture in Europe.3836    Question. In your view, what should DOD do to counter Russian3837malign influence in Europe?3838    Answer. Countering malign influence requires a whole-of-government3839approach, performed in concert with Allies and partners, that goes3840beyond conventional military operations. If confirmed, I would support3841a broader interagency effort to counter malign influence as part of an3842integrated national level Russia strategy.3843Ukraine3844    Question. In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale,3845unprovoked, and illegal invasion of Ukraine.3846    How do you assess the trajectory of the conflict and the role that3847the Department of Defense should play?3848    Answer. President Trump has made it a priority to end the war as3849quickly as possible. If confirmed, I will help ensure that DOD supports3850the President's negotiating team in pursuing that goal.3851    Question. Do you believe it is important for the United States to3852continue providing security assistance to Ukraine, including3853potentially after the conclusion of the war, as a means to help Ukraine3854deter and defeat Russian aggression?3855    Answer. President Trump has stated that all options, including the3856provision of additional United States security assistance to Ukraine,3857are on the table as part of negotiations. If confirmed, I will ensure3858that the Department of Defense is prepared to support the development3859of a wide range of options for the President and his team to consider3860as part of negotiations with Russia and Ukraine.3861    Question. What do you see as the role of United States and allied/3862partner security assistance in building the capabilities and capacity3863of Ukraine to meet its military requirements to defend its sovereignty3864and territorial integrity in the short, medium, and long-term?3865    Answer. The President and Secretary of Defense have made it clear3866to our European NATO Allies that they must take the lead in supporting3867Ukraine. If confirmed, I would support the Secretary's efforts to press3868European Allies and partners to increase their security assistance3869commitments to Ukraine and advance the President's efforts to negotiate3870a durable peace.3871       united states indo-pacific command (indo-pacom) and china3872    Question. Is the current United States Force posture in the Indo-3873Pacific region sufficient to support the NDS? How would you propose to3874restructure United States security posture in the Indo-Pacific to3875counter Chinese aggression, if confirmed? Please explain your answer.3876    Answer. We must accelerate efforts to enhance United States Force3877posture and increase operational capabilities in the Indo-Pacific3878region, given China's accelerated military modernization and the urgent3879need to reestablish deterrence. If confirmed, I will focus on3880prioritizing efforts that reestablish deterrence vis-a-vis the PRC.3881    Question. In your assessment, what are the priority investments DOD3882could make to implement the NDS and improve the military balance in the3883Indo-Pacific?3884    Answer. If confirmed, I will engage stakeholders across the3885Department to urgently advance the Administration's goal of3886reestablishing deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region. This will include3887working both within the Department and with Congress to determine3888whether there is appropriate funding for strengthening our posture in3889the region, and whether the Pacific Deterrence Initiative is sufficient3890to achieve our aims.38913892    Question. Do you believe that continued, dedicated funding for the3893Pacific Deterrence Initiative is required to support implementation of3894the NDS in the Indo-Pacific? Please explain your answer.3895    Answer. If confirmed, I will work closely with Congress to ensure3896there is sufficient funding for strengthening our posture and3897reestablishing deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. Furthermore, I would3898work with all other relevant stakeholders across the Department to3899determine whether the Pacific Deterrence Initiative is sufficient to3900achieve our military goals in the Indo-Pacific region.3901    Question. Congress mandated the establishment of the Joint Force3902Headquarters at INDOPACOM. What is your view of INDOPACOM's progress in3903establishing the Joint Force Headquarters? What are the requirements3904for the Joint Force Headquarters at INDOPACOM to fully execute its3905function?3906    Answer. If confirmed, I will work with INDOPACOM to review the3907status and requirements of establishing a Joint Force Headquarters.3908    Question. Can you describe the strategic and operational importance3909of Guam to executing INDOPACOM's plans and operations in the region?3910Can you describe the State of military infrastructure and facilities on3911Guam in the wake of Typhoon Mawar? Do you agree that it is critical for3912Guam to be reconstructed in a resilient manner so that the United3913States Military can utilize Guam as a power projection platform in the3914Indo-Pacific?3915    Answer. Typhoon Mawar, which struck Guam on May 24, 2023, caused3916extensive damage to military and commercial infrastructure across the3917island. I understand that the damage affected Andersen Air Force Base,3918Naval Base Guam, and Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, and now requires3919significant repairs due to high winds and sustained rainfall.3920    While not fully apprised of the details, I understand that Congress3921appropriated $3.7 billion in supplemental funding for recovery efforts,3922and that the restoration process is ongoing.3923    The strategic importance of Guam necessitates a rapid and resilient3924approach to reconstruction. The island serves as a key power projection3925platform for the United States Forces in the Indo-Pacific region and3926hosts significant Air Force and Navy capabilities that support3927operations across the area. Ensuring the continued functionality of3928Guam's military assets is vital to maintaining United States influence3929and deterrence in the region.3930    If confirmed, I will ensure the reconstruction effort not only3931restores Guam but also enhances the resilience of DOD operations to3932future all-hazard risks. This effort could include the use of advanced3933engineering practices, changes in the generation and distribution of3934energy, and collaboration with the government of Guam.3935    Question. Do you support the efforts by the United States and Japan3936to establish a modernized command-and-control structure, to include an3937improved United States Forces Japan? Do you agree that the Department3938of Defense should move as fast as possible to establish a new command-3939and-control structure with Japan, considering its strategic importance3940as a capable ally in the Indo-Pacific?3941    Answer. Japan is a critical ally in the Indo-Pacific region, and we3942must work together to strengthen our deterrent posture in the Indo-3943Pacific region, including through developing joint warfighting3944capabilities and enhancing interoperability. If confirmed, I will3945consider the best command-and-control structure for United States3946Forces in Japan to enable close coordination within our Alliance.3947China3948    Question. The 2022 NDS describes the People's Republic of China3949(PRC) as ``the most comprehensive and serious challenge to United3950States national security'' and states ``The PRC seeks to undermine3951United States alliances and security partnership in the Indo-Pacific3952region, and leverage its growing capabilities, including its economic3953influence and the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) growing strength and3954military footprint, to coerce its neighbors and threaten their3955interest.''3956    How would you characterize the current United States relationship3957with China?3958    Answer. As expressed in the 2018 NDS and 2022 NDS, China is our3959pacing threat. I agree that China is ``the most comprehensive and3960serious challenge to United States national security.'' Through a3961historic military buildup, China has developed capabilities for the3962specific purpose of being able to exercise military power in the Indo-3963Pacific region and deny the ability of the United States to project3964power into the region. If confirmed, I will work with urgency to3965strengthen our force posture in the Indo-Pacific region to deter PRC3966aggression.3967    Question. What is your assessment of the current State of United3968States-China military-to-military relations? What do you believe should3969be the objectives of United States-China military-to-military dialog?3970What are the limitations on this kind of dialog?3971    Answer. United States-China military-to-military engagements are3972important channels to reduce risk and manage crisis. However, China3973seizes upon these important dialogs as leverage by offering or3974canceling senior-level engagements to reward or punish United States3975behavior in hopes of compelling changes in United States policy.3976    United States military-to-military dialog with China should focus3977on clarifying United States policy and correcting China's3978misperceptions to minimize the risk of unintended escalation in a3979crisis. These dialogs should be conducted on a selective basis to3980minimize the chance they are used for political leverage.3981    Question. What do you believe are the objectives of China's steady3982increase in defense spending and its overall military modernization3983program? In what technology areas are you most concerned about the3984erosion of United States advantages?3985    Answer. The People's Republic of China has for decades made3986strategic investments in its military capabilities to exercise military3987power in the Indo-Pacific region and deny the ability of the United3988States to project power into the region. These investments have been3989made across all warfare domains and in capabilities symmetrical to3990those possessed by the United States--air power, aircraft carriers,3991submarines, missiles, nuclear weapons, and space-based capabilities--as3992well as asymmetric and next-generation capabilities that they hope will3993offset our conventional advantages.3994    If confirmed, I will review relevant classified and unclassified3995material to fully understand China's military advances.3996Taiwan3997    Question. How do you assess the current military balance across the3998Taiwan Strait? What do you believe should be the priorities for United3999States Military assistance to Taiwan? Do you think Taiwan is making4000appropriate investments in its defensive capabilities and if not, what4001changes would you recommend?4002    Answer. China's military modernization over the last several4003decades has been executed with a focus of being capable of taking4004Taiwan by force if necessary and resisting a potential United States4005intervention. While it has made some progress, Taiwan still needs to4006significantly increase its defense spending and prioritize the4007acquisition of asymmetric capabilities. If confirmed, I will support4008the provision of critical United States support for Taiwan,4009particularly assistance that provides asymmetric capabilities that4010align with a crisis scenario, and pressure Taiwan to urgently increase4011its defense spending and accelerate reforms.4012    Question. Some have argued that the United States should explicitly4013State that we would respond militarily to any Chinese use of force4014against Taiwan as a means to deter such actions. In your view, what4015would be the benefits and risks of such a policy change?4016    Answer. The United States presently maintains its longstanding4017commitments as outlined in the Taiwan Relations Act, Three Communiques,4018and the Six Assurances. If confirmed, I will review our current posture4019with the Secretary of Defense.4020The Korean Peninsula4021    Question. What is your assessment of the threat posed by North4022Korea to regional and global stability?4023    Answer. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) poses a4024clear threat to stability on the Korean Peninsula, in the Indo-Pacific4025region, and across the globe. It remains intensely focused on expanding4026its illicit nuclear weapons program and improving its ballistic and4027cruise missile programs, while expanding its malign cyber activities.4028The DPRK's longstanding chemical and biological weapons capabilities4029remain a threat. Its recent deployment of combat forces to Russia is4030also of concern. DPRK capabilities pose a particular threat to the4031safety and security of United States Allies that host U.S Forces in the4032region. If confirmed, I will review the latest classified and4033unclassified briefings on the DPRK threat.4034    Question. In your view, are there additional steps that DOD should4035take to improve United States and allied defenses against North Korea's4036nuclear and missile capabilities?4037    Answer. Improving missile defense systems, especially for the4038United States Homeland, will be important to countering the growing4039DPRK threat. We must also seek to stem the growth of DPRK nuclear and4040missile arsenals. If confirmed, I will review classified and4041unclassified materials and advise the Secretary if additional steps4042need to be taken.4043    Question. Do you agree that landmines have played a critical role4044in deterring conflict on the Korean Peninsula? Do you support4045continuing efforts by DOD to modernize related terrain shaping4046capabilities?4047    Answer. If confirmed, I will consult with the Commander of United4048States Forces Korea and look forward to working with the Committee to4049address any concerns.4050India4051    Question. If confirmed, how would you enhance the overall defense4052relationship between the United States and India? What priorities would4053you establish?4054    Answer. As President Trump reaffirmed, the United States-India4055partnership is anchored by a deepening convergence in our strategic4056interests. Our defense partnership has seen transformative growth4057through military exercises, defense sales, and strategic dialog. If4058confirmed, I would continue to bolster our defense partnership with4059India through operational coordination, information sharing, and4060defense industrial and technology cooperation.4061               united states northern command (northcom)4062Defense Support to Civil Authorities4063    Question. Civil authorities may request DOD support for domestic4064disasters and certain counter-drug operations as well as in managing4065the consequences of a terrorist event employing a weapon of mass4066destruction.4067    In your view, are the procedures by which Federal, State, and Local4068agencies request DOD support efficient, effective, and timely?4069    Answer. I understand that the procedures by which DOD receives4070requests from civil authorities, or qualifying entities, allows for4071appropriate coordination of the request across DOD. DOD should4072encourage its partners to, where possible, work with DOD in advance of4073a formal request to ensure clarity of requirements use of appropriate4074legal authorities.4075    Question. What factors should be considered in determining whether4076DOD will provide support to a civil authority?4077    Answer. I understand that all requests for Defense Support of Civil4078Authorities are evaluated based on: Legality (compliance with the law);4079Lethality (potential use of lethal force by or against DOD forces);4080Risk (safety of DOD forces); Cost (including the source of funding and4081the effect on the DOD budget); Appropriateness (whether providing the4082requested support is in the interest of the Department); and Readiness4083(the impact on DOD's ability to perform other primary missions).4084                  transnational criminal organizations4085    Question. Transnational criminal organizations are engaged in a4086diversity of illicit activities, including money laundering, human4087trafficking illicit financial flows, illegal trade in natural resources4088and wildlife, and trade in illegal drugs, precursors and weapons. These4089activities reach not only the entirety of the Western Hemisphere, but4090increasingly throughout the world.4091    In your assessment, how has the threat to the United States from4092transnational criminal organizations evolved?4093    Answer. Transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) are responsible4094for record levels of violence in Mexico and throughout the region. In4095recent years, regional TCOs have expanded their sources of revenue and4096leveraged new technology such as drones and artificial intelligence,4097almost certainly to increase their resilience. This has allowed4098regional TCOs to amass levels of power that directly threaten local4099citizens, regional governments, and the United States.4100    I strongly support the Administration's whole of government4101approach, including robust Department of Defense involvement, to4102appropriately prioritize the threat posed by TCOs. The recent4103designation of six cartels and two transnational gangs as Foreign4104Terrorist Organizations will help counter TCOs by limiting their4105financial resources.4106    If confirmed, I will support the Secretary of Defense in4107prioritizing this threat, consult with Congress, and make a final4108recommendation for the way ahead. Regardless of the outcome, we must4109continue to ensure safety of the Homeland.4110               united states southern command (southcom)4111    Question. If confirmed, what recommendations would you make to the4112President to deter Russian, Cuban, and Chinese influence in the4113SOUTHCOM AOR?4114    Answer. The influence and activities of the People's Republic of4115China (PRC), Russia, and Cuba in the SOUTHCOM AOR are undermining4116United States interests in the region, exploiting critical4117infrastructure, and threatening hemispheric security. The President and4118the Secretary have committed to finding ways for the Department of4119Defense to more actively confront these challenges.4120    If confirmed, I will work with the Secretary and the Commander of4121SOUTHCOM to review and recommend additional actions that the Secretary4122may take to support United States national security objectives and4123defend the Homeland, in coordination with other executive branch4124departments and agencies and with partner countries.4125    Question. Do you believe these influences threaten hemispheric4126security and prosperity?4127    Answer. The malign influence of adversaries, including Russia,4128Cuba, and the People's Republic of China (PRC), in the Western4129Hemisphere threatens our Homeland. If confirmed, I will ensure DOD is4130acting on the President's direction to support United States national4131security objectives and defend the Homeland.4132Detainee Treatment and Guantanamo Bay Naval Station4133    Question. Do you support the standards for detainee treatment4134specified in Army Field Manual 2-22.3, Human Intelligence Collector4135Operations, issued in September 2006 and DOD Directive 2310.01E,4136Department of Defense Detainee Program, dated August 19, 2014, and4137required by Section 1045 of the NDAA for fiscal year 2016?4138    Answer. Yes. I support the standards for detainee treatment in the4139Army Field Manual on Interrogations, FM 2-22.3, issued in September41402006, and in DOD Directive 2310.01E, DOD Detainee Program, dated August414119, 2014 (Incorporating Change 2, Effective September 18, 2020).4142Individuals in the custody or control of the United States Government4143may not be subjected to any interrogation technique or approach, or any4144treatment related to interrogation, that is not authorized by and4145listed in the Army Field Manual.4146    Question. What are your views on the continued use of the detention4147facility at Guantanamo?4148    Answer. Guantanamo Bay is the Department's only long-term detention4149facility for law of war detainees. If confirmed, I will support the4150continued operations of the detention facility at Naval Station4151Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, including the provision of additional detention4152space for high-priority criminal aliens, unless a suitable replacement4153can be identified. I will also ensure the continued safe, humane, and4154legal care and treatment of detainees through Joint Task Force--4155Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO).4156Counternarcotics Activities4157    Question. DOD serves as lead agency for the detection and4158monitoring of aerial and maritime foreign shipments of drugs flowing4159toward the United States. On an annual basis, DOD expends nearly $14160billion to build the counternarcotics capacity of United States4161Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and certain foreign4162governments.4163    What changes, if any, should be made to DOD's counternarcotics4164strategy and supporting activities?4165    Answer. The Department needs to ensure it is maximizing its4166resources and authorities in support of U.S. and foreign law4167enforcement agencies. The Department should continue to assess how it4168can best leverage intelligence assets and other capabilities to support4169these partners' efforts to disrupt and degrade drug-trafficking4170organizations at their source.4171    If confirmed, I look forward to receiving classified and4172unclassified briefings on DOD's counternarcotics strategy and work4173through any updates that would be needed.4174    Question. Corruption and the absence of the rule of law enable the4175transnational criminal organizations' narcotics trade that contributes4176to the flow of illegal drugs into the United States.4177    In your view, what should be DOD's role in countering the flow of4178narcotics to nations other than the United States?4179    Answer. The primary focus should be on the flow of drugs headed to4180the United States. However, some drug-trafficking organizations have an4181increasingly global reach. Working with partners to combat drug4182trafficking can help degrade those drug-trafficking organizations4183responsible for illicit drug flow into the United States.4184    Question. How, if at all, should U.S. security assistance be scoped4185to address factors at the root of counternarcotics trafficking, in your4186opinion?4187    Answer. We should assist partner nations in developing capabilities4188that respond to their specific security challenges. Focusing our4189limited resources on those countries that are major drug-producing or4190transit countries creates stability in those countries, improves4191security within their regions, and makes it less likely that drug-4192trafficking networks can thrive.4193Venezuela4194    Question. What is your assessment of the current situation in4195Venezuela and to what degree is the illegitimate Maduro regime4196dependent on support from external actors like Russia, Cuba, and China?4197    Answer. I am very concerned about the situation in Venezuela and4198its potential to create instability across the region. If confirmed,4199with the Secretary, I will work to ensure the Department is adequately4200resourcing efforts to deter or defend against any steps Venezuela might4201take to threaten United States interests, including by supporting4202United States Government-wide efforts to strengthen United States4203border security and repatriate illegal migrants.4204    Question. How would you assess Venezuelan relations with China,4205Cuba, Iran, and Russia vis-a-vis the national interests of the United4206States?4207    Answer. United States national security is threatened by the malign4208activities of Cuba, Iran, the PRC, and Russia, all of whom provide4209Maduro and his representatives with essential financial and military4210support. Venezuela's increasing ties with Iran and its reliance on the4211PRC and Russia for military equipment are deeply concerning. Venezuela4212regularly sends its personnel to the PRC for training and professional4213military education. Russia also periodically conducts port calls and4214naval visits to Venezuela and has flown nuclear-capable bombers to4215Venezuela.4216  united states space force and united states space command (spacecom)4217    Question. The United States is increasingly dependent on space,4218both economically and militarily. Our great power competitors are4219making concerted efforts to leap ahead of U.S. technology and impact4220U.S. freedom of action in the space warfighting domain. The Space4221Force, within the Department of the Air Force, and a unified Space4222Command, deal with the contested domain of space, upon which the4223terrestrial forces of the United States and peer competitors are highly4224reliant for support.4225    In your view, does the current NDS accurately assess the strategic4226environment as it pertains to the domain of space? If confirmed, what4227changes would you make to the NDS regarding the space domain?4228    Answer. I have not been briefed on the current classified National4229Defense Strategy, so I cannot accurately assess the strategic4230environment as it pertains to space. However, if confirmed, with the4231Secretary, I will ensure the next NDS prioritizes a secure space4232environment for civilian, commercial, and international partners as4233part of a broader U.S. space initiative, while also guaranteeing4234essential capabilities for our military forces.4235    Question. In your view, what will ``great power competition'' look4236like in space and to what extent do you view China's and Russia's4237activities related to the space domain as a threat or challenge to4238United States national security interests?4239    Answer. Space plays a critical role in American security,4240prosperity, and way of life. The PRC and Russia are investing in space4241capabilities designed to deny our freedom of action and undermine our4242strategic advantages. If confirmed, I would ensure that the United4243States pursues a robust space architecture, with a mix of kinetic and4244non-kinetic capabilities across all domains to protect and defend the4245Joint Force from hostile uses of space.4246    Question. Are there other nation-states or actors operating in4247space that you perceive as a risk to the United States, or as cause for4248concern? Please explain your answer.4249    Answer. The space domain continues to become much more contested.4250In addition to the PRC and Russia, both North Korea and Iran are4251expanding their space programs and advancing their ballistic missile4252capabilities. If confirmed, I will support the Secretary's efforts to4253assure Joint Force access to space and to counter hostile uses of4254space.4255    Question. How would you assess current DOD readiness to implement4256the 2022 NDS and U.S. strategic objectives as they relate to the domain4257of space?4258    Answer. I have not been briefed on the current classified National4259Defense Strategy, so I cannot discuss its assessment of space or our4260current preparedness in that domain. If confirmed, I will make certain4261that the updated strategy adequately addresses space as a crucial area4262of military operations.4263    Question. What do you perceive as the most significant threats to4264our national security space satellites and commercial space systems4265owned by U.S. companies?4266    Answer. The PRC and Russia are developing and fielding counterspace4267weapons aimed at denying United States advantages in space. If4268confirmed, I will work with the United States Space Force, United4269States Space Command, and relevant intelligence agencies and commercial4270partners to understand the threats to our space systems and restore our4271deterrence.4272    Question. Do you support the development of offensive space systems4273to counter threats in the space warfighting domain?4274    Answer. I believe the United States must develop and maintain a4275range of kinetic, non-kinetic, space-based, and ground-based space4276capabilities in order to protect and defend the Joint Force against4277threats in and from all domains.4278    Question. Do you support the development of defensive space systems4279to counter threats in the space warfighting domain?4280    Answer. I believe the United States must develop and maintain a4281range of kinetic, non-kinetic, space-based, and ground-based space4282capabilities in order to protect and defend the Joint Force against4283threats in and from all domains.4284    Question. If confirmed, how would you ensure that commercial4285technology is appropriately incorporated into SPACECOM mission4286execution at acceptable risk levels?4287    Answer. To remain competitive, the Department must harness the4288ingenuity, adaptability, and affordability offered by the United States4289commercial space sector. If confirmed, I will prioritize the review of4290Department policies to understand where greater collaboration may be4291achieved.4292        cybersecurity and united states cyber command (cybercom)4293    Question. In September 2023, DOD released its 2023 Cyber Strategy.4294The strategy charges DOD to persistently engage malicious cyber actors4295and other malign threats to United States interests in cyberspace.4296    What role do you envision for DOD and the Cyber Mission Force in4297defending the Nation from an attack in cyberspace? In what ways is this4298role distinct from those of the Homeland security and law enforcement4299communities?4300    Answer. DOD's role in defending the Nation from an attack in4301cyberspace continues to evolve. I understand that DOD partners with the4302Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other Federal, State, and4303local law enforcement agencies to protect against and respond to cyber-4304attacks against the Nation. The Cyber Mission Force (CMF) is primarily4305charged with defending forward, conducting defense cyber operations4306abroad, while DHS and law enforcement are lead for Homeland security4307with DOD in support.4308    If confirmed, I would review the status of the Cyber Mission Force4309and ensure that DOD is postured appropriately, in partnership with DHS4310and law enforcement, to protect the Nation from cyber-attacks.4311    While agencies like DHS and FBI focus on civilian infrastructure4312and criminal investigations, DOD and the CMF's priority should be4313defending against cyber threats with strategic or military4314implications. This includes threats to the defense industrial base,4315nuclear command and control, and the ability to project power globally.4316Effective national cybersecurity demands close partnership between DOD4317and other entities, and I am committed to fostering this collaboration4318if I am confirmed.4319    Question. If confirmed, what role should DOD and the Cyber Mission4320Force have in combating foreign influence operations, especially those4321conducted via social media?4322    Answer. It is my understanding that the published summary of the43232023 Department of Defense Cyber Strategy does not address the role4324that DOD and the Cyber Mission Force should have in combatting foreign4325influence operations. If confirmed, I will work with the Secretary to4326prioritize DOD's role in defending the Homeland from cyberspace4327threats.4328    Question. What role should DOD and the Cyber Mission Force have in4329anticipating, preventing, or responding to attacks on United States4330commercial entities?4331    Answer. It is my understanding that DOD defends forward by4332disrupting foreign cyber threats before they can attack United States4333critical infrastructure; supports requests for assistance from Federal4334civilian agencies or the private sector through appropriate channels;4335and enables U.S. commercial entities by providing better insights4336against foreign malicious cyber threats.4337    Question. Do you believe that the National Security Agency and4338United States Cyber Command should be dual-hatted? What are the4339``pros'' and ``cons'' of this arrangement, in your view? Please explain4340your answer.4341    Answer. It is my understanding the question of the ``dual hat''4342leadership arrangement was adjudicated by the previous Secretary of4343Defense and Director of National Intelligence (DNI), and the4344arrangement was retained. However, I believe critical relationships4345such as these should be periodically re-evaluated, and, if confirmed,4346we will do so.4347    Proponents of the ``dual hat'' structure cite operational4348effectiveness and efficiency, faster decisionmaking, fewer levels of4349bureaucracy, and lower cost as the National Security Agency and U.S.4350Cyber Command share many headquarters' functions. Critics of the ``dual4351hat'' cite the concentration of authority in one military commander and4352the associated challenges of proper oversight. They believe that ending4353the ``dual hat'' relationship and the appointment of a civilian4354director at NSA would increase oversight and would allow the leaders of4355each to concentrate more on the primary mission of their respective4356organizations.4357    If confirmed, I will support the Secretary of Defense in resolving4358these debates, consult with Congress, and make a final recommendation4359for the way ahead. Regardless of the outcome, we will continue to4360ensure mission success of both organizations.4361    Question. If confirmed, what specific measures would you take to4362improve cybersecurity culture across the DOD workforce? How would you4363empower and hold key leaders accountable for improvements in DOD4364cybersecurity?4365    It is my understanding that while cyberspace operations are the4366responsibility of a relatively small number of cyber professionals,4367cyber risk is a challenge that should be shared across the defense4368enterprise. DOD pledged to take action to foster a culture of4369cybersecurity and cyber awareness. DOD also stated that it would4370establish an expectation that senior military and civilian leaders4371possess a baseline fluency in cybersecurity issues, and it committed to4372developing, funding, and implementing technical curricula across4373various levels of professional military and civilian education,4374emphasizing General Officer and Senior Executive Service leadership4375courses.4376    If confirmed, I would assess the effectiveness of these efforts and4377seek to remedy weaknesses and build on successes.4378    Question. at characteristics of a cyberattack would constitute an4379``act of war''? Do you consider the recent breaches in4380telecommunications infrastructure involving Salt Typhoon to be an ``act4381of war or an espionage operation that falls within de facto norms? In4382your view, does the nature and scope of this intrusion operation merit4383a strong and tangible response? Please explain your answer.4384    Answer. If confirmed, I will support the President and the4385Secretary in their assessments of whether a specific cyber-attack by a4386foreign entity constitutes an act of war. Where a cyber-attack on the4387United States causes significant physical damage, disrupts critical4388national infrastructure, targets the civilian population, or is carried4389out with the clear intention to inflict substantial harm on a Nation's4390economic or military capabilities, there would be a strong argument4391that such an attack could be viewed as an act of war.4392    If confirmed, I will work with the Secretary of Defense and the4393interagency community of interest to review the extent and4394ramifications of the Salt Typhoon compromise and potential response4395options.4396    Question. What do you conclude from cyber-attacks carried out by4397Volt Typhoon and Salt Typhoon about the State of our cyber defenses?4398    Answer. I am aware of the general nature of the Volt Typhoon and4399Salt Typhoon attacks, but I have not been briefed on classified4400details. To the extent that cyber actors affiliated with the People's4401Republic of China (PRC) can compromise United States networks, that is4402certainly a national security concern and would suggest that United4403States networks currently lack sufficient cybersecurity safeguards. The4404United States should possess the ability to protect its critical4405networks from malicious cyber intrusions. If confirmed, I will work4406within DOD and with interagency partners to determine how best to work4407with industry to improve cybersecurity of critical infrastructure and4408provide necessary government responses to adversary activity, as4409appropriate.4410    Question. Based on your experience, what do you see as areas where4411the structure and training of the Cyber Mission Force should evolve to4412meet emerging cyber threats?4413    Answer. I believe that the Cyber Mission Force could benefit4414greatly from better access to, and assistance from, top technical4415talent with experience working at private sector technology companies.4416I applaud recent experiments by organizations like the Defense4417Innovation Unit to develop solutions to facilitate placing such4418individuals in military reserve status, allowing them to put their4419technical skills and knowledge to work in support of U.S. national4420security.4421    Question. In your view, are there elements missing from our current4422approach for offensive and defensive cyber operations that you would4423recommend we pursue?4424    Answer. I think DOD should do a much better job of enlisting the4425talent and expertise of patriotic and talented Americans working at4426private sector technology companies to upgrade and enhance its4427capabilities and skills. If confirmed, I will work with the Secretary4428of Defense to review our Nation's current classified offensive and4429defensive cyber operations capabilities and will work with Congress on4430any recommended solutions.4431    Question. How would you characterize our deterrent posture when it4432comes to cyber effects?4433    Answer. It is my understanding from public reporting that our Cyber4434Forces have significant capabilities, but the current deterrent posture4435of the United States with respect to cyber requires further review. I4436also understand that the 2023 Defense Cyber Strategy emphasizes that4437military cyber capabilities are most effective when they are combined4438with other tools of national power. If confirmed, I look forward to4439receiving classified briefings on this topic to gain a greater4440understanding of our current cyber deterrent posture and available4441alternatives to strengthen that posture.4442            united states special operations command (socom)4443    Question. Beginning in fiscal year 2017, successive NDAAs have4444empowered the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and4445Low Intensity Conflict (ASD(SOLIC)) to serve as a ``service secretary-4446like'' civilian official for special operations forces. Among other4447reforms, the law defines the administrative chain of command for4448USSOCOM as running through the ASD(SOLIC) to the Secretary of Defense4449for issues impacting the readiness and organization of special4450operations forces.4451    What is your understanding of the Department's progress in4452implementing the ``service secretary-like'' responsibilities of the4453ASD(SOLIC)?4454    Answer. I am aware of the efforts to institutionalize the service4455secretary-like responsibilities of the ASD(SO/LIC) and the Secretariat4456for Special Operations. I understand the criticality of the civilian4457role in ensuring special operations forces (SOF) are most effectively4458and efficiently organized, trained, equipped, and resourced. I look4459forward to conducting a thorough assessment of the progress in4460implementing this critical civilian-military partnership for the SOF4461enterprise.4462    Question. If confirmed, would you commit to fully implementing4463these reforms?4464    Answer. Yes. If confirmed, I would fully implement these reforms. I4465would also ensure these reforms translate into tangible improvements in4466how we oversee and support special operations forces.4467    Question. In your view, does the ASD(SOLIC) require additional4468authorities and resources, including additional civilian personnel, to4469administer oversight of special operations forces?4470    Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to conducting a thorough4471assessment of current authorities and resources to assure this office4472has the resources, civilian personnel and authorities it needs to4473provide effective oversight of special operations forces.4474                           irregular warfare4475    Question. The Joint Staff's Joint Publication-1 defines ``Irregular4476warfare'' as a form of warfare where states and nonState actors4477campaign to assure or coerce states or other groups through indirect,4478non-attributable, or asymmetric activities.4479    What is your understanding of the role and relative importance of4480irregular warfare in supporting DOD's strategic, operational, and4481tactical objectives?4482    Answer. It is my understanding that Irregular Warfare (IW) is4483critical for the Department's mission to deter adversaries and ensure4484our Nation's security. IW provides flexible options for countering4485adversaries, combating terrorism, and stabilizing volatile regions.4486Unlike traditional warfare, IW leverages indirect, asymmetric4487approaches like working through foreign partners, shaping narratives,4488and disrupting enemy networks. This is essential in today's security4489environment as State and non-State actors increasingly employ tactics4490blending conventional and irregular means. As DOD advances its4491understanding and the implementation of IW into its core activities, it4492is imperative that it considers the role functions such as logistics4493and medical care will play in the accomplishment of its objectives. IW4494requires a concerted effort across the entire Joint Enterprise--not4495just Special Operations Forces.4496    Question. If confirmed, what would be your priorities to ensure4497that DOD is appropriately organized, trained, resourced, and has4498sufficient authorities to effectively conduct irregular warfare?4499    Answer. It is my understanding that Irregular Warfare provides a4500cost-effective and asymmetrical way for our Nation to gain advantages4501throughout the spectrum of competition and in advance of crisis or4502conflict. I am committed to ensuring that irregular warfare lines of4503effort receive sufficient resourcing and that our special operations4504forces continue to be well-trained and equipped.4505    If confirmed, I will prioritize: 1) establishing and maintaining4506intelligence dominance, 2) building resiliency, 3) growing our4507international and inter-organizational alliances and partnerships, 4)4508suppressing adversary networks, and 5) building agile IW policies and4509organizations throughout the DOD components.4510    Question. What is your assessment of the use of irregular warfare4511by China, Russia, Iran, and other adversarial states to undermine the4512national security interests of the United States and those of our4513allies and partners?4514    Answer. It is clear from media reports that the People's Republic4515of China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran challenge us daily, including4516through ``political warfare'' by using their ``benign'' instruments of4517national power in a warlike fashion to undermine our national security4518interests. If confirmed as Deputy Secretary of Defense, I will work4519with Congress to ensure we have the necessary authorities to address4520these threats and coordinate with other Federal agencies (e.g., DHS,4521State, Commerce, Treasury) to reverse this paradigm. We will counter4522our adversaries' irregular warfare efforts and hold them accountable.4523Counterterrorism4524    Question. What is your assessment of the threat to United States4525interests posed by al Qaeda, the Islamic State, and their affiliates4526and adherents? Which group, in your view, presents the greatest threat4527to the United States?4528    Answer. It is my understanding that despite significant and4529continuous United States efforts to degrade al Qaeda and the Islamic4530State, both continue to pose a threat to United States interests around4531the globe. Though the significant degradation of the Islamic State4532appears to indicate that al Qaeda currently possesses a greater4533capability to threaten United States interests, the United States must4534carefully monitor the impact of the fall of the Assad regime in Syria4535on the Islamic State's ability to reconstitute.4536    If confirmed, I will ensure that the Department does not lose sight4537of the threats posed by either group or their affiliates and adherents,4538including their ability to threaten the United States Homeland.4539    Question. If confirmed, what changes, if any, would you recommend4540to the U.S. counterterrorism strategy and DOD's role in supporting it?4541What metrics would you apply to measure the effectiveness of the4542strategy?4543    Answer. If confirmed, I will support the Secretary of Defense in4544countering terrorism. Countering terrorism is a complex challenge that4545requires a whole-of-government approach to be effective, and DOD has a4546key role to play in that fight. We rely on the intelligence community4547to maintain awareness of the terrorist threats facing the United4548States. I believe that focusing on countering direct threats to the4549United States and Americans abroad, while maintaining a capability to4550develop indications and warnings of how the threat is evolving so that4551we aren't caught off guard in the future, will effectively balance our4552resource commitment to this important effort.4553           military operations in the information environment4554    Question. What is your assessment of DOD's ability to conduct4555effective military operations in the information environment to defend4556U.S. interests against malign influence activities carried out by State4557and non-State actors?4558    Answer. It is my understanding that DOD has made recent progress in4559improving the effectiveness of its operations in the information4560environment and defending against malign influence, though more work4561needs to be done. DOD's Strategy for Operations in the Environment in45622023 was an important first step.4563    I also understand that there are important efforts underway to4564fully implement oversight and policy authorities provided to the4565Secretary of Defense's designated Principal Information Operations4566Advisor (PIOA) in 10 U.S.C. 397. These efforts include strengthening4567the role of the PIOA-chaired Strategic Information Oversight Board so4568that the Department can better assess and improve how it is postured to4569shape the information environment to gain and maintain the U.S.4570military advantage. Department-level integration and civilian oversight4571are critical to improving DOD's operations in the information4572environment.4573    If confirmed, I will assess opportunities to use the role of4574Principal Information Operations Advisor to further improve DOD's4575effectiveness in the information environment and our ability to defend4576against malign influence.4577    Question. Does DOD have sufficient authorities and resources to4578conduct these operations effectively? If not, what additional4579authorities and resources would you request, if confirmed?4580    Answer. I appreciate the support from Congress to ensure DOD4581maintains the appropriate authorities and resources for operations in4582the information environment.4583    If confirmed, I will review DOD's current authorities and resources4584to determine if any changes are necessary.4585    Question. The DOD's organizational structure and approach to4586Operations in the Information Environment (OIE) has not changed4587significantly in nearly 25 years, and was largely based on legacy4588psychological warfare approaches that go back to the cold war. Do you4589foresee any need to revisit the organization, doctrine, training and4590tools for OIE to integrate the lessons we are seeing from our4591adversaries?4592    Answer. The information environment has changed considerably in the4593last 25 years. Technological developments have lowered the barrier for4594entry, easing the ability of adversary State and non-State actors to4595spread propaganda to support their ends.4596    If confirmed, I will review DOD's current organization, doctrine,4597training and tools to determine if any changes are necessary.4598    Question. In your view, are DOD approaches for tools and training4599in OIE keeping pace with what we are seeing from our adversaries, in4600particular with regards to new tools like generative artificial4601intelligence, use of publicly available or commercially available data,4602and sentiment analysis tools?4603    Answer. The employment of emerging technology is an essential area4604of focus. I understand that DOD has struggled to fully leverage the4605rapidly developing commercial technology that is driving the evolution4606of our global information environment.4607    If confirmed, I will review DOD's current use of technology in the4608information environment, determine what changes are necessary, and4609explore ways to accelerate the adoption of tools and training to4610support the DOD information advantage.4611    Question. In your experience, where do you see dependencies in4612DOD's approach to OIE on interagency partners, and do you have4613suggestions for how to strengthen those relationships and capabilities?4614    Answer. The global information environment affects everyone. DOD4615must work with interagency partners when and where appropriate to4616ensure synchronization and coordination of U.S. messaging.4617    If confirmed, I will review DOD's current approach to working with4618interagency partners to ensure they are as productive as possible.4619                    united states strategic command4620Nuclear Policy4621    Question. United States nuclear forces are the bedrock of our4622Nation's defense, underpin our most critical alliances, and have4623deterred nuclear aggression and great power conflict for more than 704624years. Unfortunately, long deferred investments have left us with4625systems nearing the end of their useful lives. These capabilities must4626be updated to maintain a viable nuclear deterrent.4627    What is your understanding of how Russia, China, and North Korea4628have expanded and/or modernized their nuclear force capabilities? In4629your view, do these capabilities pose an increasing threat to the4630United States and its allies?4631    Answer. I agree with Secretary Hegseth's assessment that China,4632Russia, and North Korea have significantly expanded and modernized4633their nuclear force capabilities. These improvements, which include4634advances in warheads, delivery systems, and command and control4635systems, pose an increasing threat to the United States and its Allies.4636    China is expanding its nuclear arsenal at extraordinary speed. For4637example, China has rapidly increased its total number of nuclear4638warheads, developed new missile silos for solid-fuel intercontinental4639ballistic missiles (ICBMs), expanded the dual-capable DF-264640intermediate range ballistic missile force, and refitted Type 0944641ballistic missile submarines with the longer-range JL-3 submarine-4642launched ballistic missile. Russia has developed new advanced nuclear4643weapons like the Sarmat ICBM, Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle, and4644Kinzhal hypersonic missile. North Korea is expanding its nuclear4645stockpile and improving miniaturization of warheads and road mobile4646launch systems.4647    Our adversaries continue to test their delivery systems and make4648improvements. Russia and North Korea have announced modification of4649their nuclear warfighting doctrines. This change by the Russians,4650combined with improved nuclear force capabilities has increased the4651potential for employment of tactical nuclear weapons in support of4652conventional operations in Ukraine.4653    Question. Do you agree with the assessment of past Secretaries of4654Defense that nuclear deterrence is DOD's highest priority mission and4655that modernizing our Nation's nuclear forces is a critical national4656security priority?4657    Answer. Nuclear deterrence is a central and critical foundation of4658our Nation's strategy, and modernization of nuclear forces is a top4659priority to counter near-peer nuclear states, and rogue regimes who4660seek to expand their influence through the development of nuclear4661capabilities.4662    Question. Do you agree that a triad of land, air, and sea based4663nuclear delivery platforms is consistent with an effective deterrent4664posture in an era of great power competition with Russia and China?4665    Answer. The three legs of the triad together provide mutually4666supporting attributes which best maintain strategic stability. It is4667critical to maintain and field a safe, secure, and effective nuclear4668triad.4669    Question. Do you believe the current program of record is4670sufficient to support the full modernization of the U.S. nuclear4671deterrent, including delivery systems, weapons, command and control4672systems, and infrastructure?4673    Answer. It is critical to maintain and modernize all three legs of4674the triad--ICBMs, submarines, and bombers.4675    Question. If confirmed, I will support the Secretary's review of4676the programs of record to ensure it is sufficient to meet the4677deterrence challenges of the future and mitigate risks during the4678transition from legacy to modernized systems. As needed, I will direct4679appropriate adjustments to the programs and make recommendations to the4680President and the Secretary.4681    Question. If confirmed, do you commit to support full funding for4682efforts to comprehensively modernize the Nation's nuclear deterrent4683forces and accelerate programs wherever possible?4684    Answer. I agree nuclear deterrence should remain the top priority4685of DOD. Maintaining full funding for a safe, secure, and effective4686nuclear deterrent is much less expensive than fighting a war that we4687are unable to deter.4688    If confirmed, I look forward to supporting the Secretary of Defense4689in any review of the programs of record to ensure they are sufficient4690to support full modernization of the U.S. nuclear deterrent, direct4691appropriate adjustments to the programs, and make recommendations to4692the President.4693    Question. If confirmed, how would you ensure that DOD and the4694National Nuclear Security Administration continue the investments and4695senior leader attention needed to modernize our nuclear deterrent and4696avoid age-driven unilateral disarmament?4697    Answer. As Secretary Hegseth said, the partnership with NNSA is one4698of DOD's highest priorities. If confirmed, I look forward to working4699with them to accelerate production to provide critical nuclear weapons4700and components to our modernized nuclear delivery platforms and forces,4701including Columbia Class Submarines, B-21 bombers, and Sentinel ICBMs.4702    Question. The 2018 Nuclear Posture Review supported the development4703of the submarine launched cruise missile for regional deterrence4704stating that ``in the near-term, the United States will modify a small4705number of existing SLBM warheads to provide a low-yield option, and in4706the longer term, pursue a modern nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise4707missile (SLCM).'' Congress has supported the authorization and funding4708associated with this endeavor.4709    If confirmed, will you support the recommendation of the 20184710Nuclear Posture Review?4711    Answer. I understand that DOD and the Navy are complying with the4712FY24 NDAA requirement to establish and develop a Sea-Launched Nuclear4713Capable Cruise Missile (SLCM-N) program. If confirmed, I will review4714the SLCM-N program, and will work with others in the Department,4715Congress, and our industry partners to implement the law and ensure we4716have a program that delivers the capabilities needed to maintain4717credible deterrence in the evolving security environment.4718The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the Nuclear4719        Weapons Council (NWC)4720    Question. The NNSA is responsible for maintaining the Nation's4721nuclear weapons stockpile and meeting military requirements for nuclear4722weapons, which are established through the interagency NWC. NNSA's4723principal challenge over the next 20 years is to rebuild the cold war-4724era U.S. nuclear weapons infrastructure into a responsive and resilient4725enterprise.4726    Do you support the recapitalization of the NNSA's capabilities to4727design, manufacture, and sustain an effective nuclear weapons4728stockpile?4729    Answer. I support the recapitalization and revitalization of NNSA4730infrastructure for improved and accelerated design, manufacture, and4731sustainment of the nuclear weapons stockpile to move faster and be more4732responsive to warfighter and strategic requirements. I will work with4733the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment, the4734Deputy Secretary of Energy, the NNSA Administrator, the Director of the4735Office of Management & Budget, and other agency stakeholders to strike4736the right balance of cost, schedule, and performance for our nuclear4737modernization programs among the full range of our defense investments.4738    Question. Do you support continued collaboration with the United4739Kingdom in the maintenance of its independent nuclear deterrent?4740    Answer. Yes. The UK is a vital partner and our closest collaborator4741in nuclear security and deterrence.4742    Question. What is your understanding of the role of the Deputy4743Secretary of Defense relative to the NWC's and NNSA's responsibility4744for maintaining the Nation's nuclear weapons stockpile? How would you4745execute your duties vis-a-vis this role, if confirmed?4746    Answer. The Deputy Secretary of Defense supports the Secretary of4747Defense to deliver warfighter weapons requirements through the NWC to4748the NNSA, which is resourced and responsible for modernizing and4749maintaining the safe, secure, and reliable nuclear stockpile. If4750confirmed, I look forward to working with Secretary Hegseth, the4751Secretary of Energy, and the NNSA Administrator to meet the Nation's4752requirements.4753    Question. If confirmed, will you commit to working with the Deputy4754Secretary of Energy, the Administrator of the NNSA, and the Director of4755the Office of Management and Budget to ensure that annual budgets4756adequately support the modernization and sustainment of the U.S.4757nuclear weapons stockpile?4758    Answer. Nuclear deterrence is the top priority for DOD. If4759confirmed, I look forward to working with the Deputy Secretary of4760Energy, the Administrator of the NNSA, the Director of the Office of4761Management & Budget, and other agency stakeholders to support the4762mission.4763Arms Control4764    Question. Arms control, when effective and verifiable, has been a4765valuable tool for managing competition and international security4766concerns. In contrast, unverifiable arms control regimes observed by4767only one party can generate great instability.4768    Do you believe that further reductions should be taken only within4769the context of a formal, verifiable arms control agreement with Russia,4770China and other nuclear-armed powers?4771    Answer. The United States should pursue arms control when it is in4772U.S. interests to do so. Specifically, we should seek arms control4773agreements that enhance U.S. security and are verifiable. Currently4774neither PRC nor most Russian nuclear forces are constrained in any4775meaningful way by arms control agreements. Both the PRC and Russia have4776rebuffed United States efforts to engage in meaningful risk reduction4777talks since 2020. The most effective thing the Department of Defense4778can do to prepare itself for any future dialog on arms control is to4779build a modern nuclear triad that deters conflict and assures United4780States partners and Allies.4781    Question. Do you believe that the United States should consider4782accepting limitations on its missile defense, cyber, or conventional4783power projection capabilities in order to obtain an agreement with4784Russia or China on nuclear weapons reductions?4785    Answer. I do not believe we should limit United States options in4786any future negotiation with Russia or the PRC by prematurely imposing4787limitations, but instead remain open to all negotiable conditions that4788maximize our ability to protect United States interests and defend the4789Nation, deter our adversaries, and assure our Allies and partners.4790Missile Defense4791    Question. Rapidly growing Russian, Chinese, North Korean, and4792Iranian missile arsenals are outpacing United States' capabilities for4793defeating these threats to the Homeland, allies, and United States4794Forces abroad.4795    If confirmed as Deputy Secretary of Defense, what would be your4796priorities for U.S. missile defense capabilities for the Homeland?4797    Answer. If confirmed, my priority will be to deliver on the4798President's Executive Order 14186 issued on January 27 calling for the4799development and fielding of a next generation missile defense shield4800for America.4801               cooperative threat reduction (ctr) program4802    Question. The CTR Program historically focused on accounting for,4803securing, and eliminating cold war era weapons of mass destruction and4804materials in the states of the former Soviet Union. As part of its4805expansion to other countries, the CTR Program includes biological4806weapons and capabilities as well as biological surveillance and early4807warning and encouraging the development of capabilities to reduce4808proliferation threats.4809    In your view, how could coordination of the CTR Program across U.S.4810Government agencies that engage in threat reduction efforts (i.e., the4811Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and the State4812Department) be improved?4813    Answer. The DOD CTR Program, like other programs that support4814partner capabilities, needs a careful and thorough review and a cost-4815benefit analysis to ensure its activities fully support its core4816counter weapons of mass destruction (WMD) mission. Like all DOD4817programs, the CTR Program should directly contribute to a lethal and4818effective fighting force and advance the Nation's priorities as4819established in the National Defense Strategy.4820    If confirmed, I will make clear my expectation--across the4821Department and for all programs, including the DOD CTR Program--that we4822need to work to maintain and improve coordination across the Federal4823Government. Regular engagement is invaluable to align resources and4824ensure efficiency.4825                            air force issues4826    Question. It has been stated the Air Force is too small and too old4827to do what the Nation asks of it.4828    Do you agree with this statement?4829    Answer. The Air Force fleet is the oldest and smallest in the4830history of the Air Force, and my understanding is that the analysis4831indicates that to counter the pacing threat we need to invest in a4832family of medium-and long-range penetrating airframes coupled with4833modern munitions, human-machine teaming, and a hardened warfighting4834network. I believe the Air Force has made meaningful steps in that4835direction, but while there has been progress toward modernizing the4836force, the tension between near term readiness and readiness for the4837future fight remains a challenge due to fiscal realities.4838    Additionally, I do believe the requirements of the Air Force exceed4839its capacity to fulfill them. If confirmed, I look forward to working4840with the Department of the Air Force (DAF) leadership and Congress to4841fully understand and address these challenges.4842    Question. If confirmed, where do you see the greatest risk in4843capability and capacity for the Air Force and what actions would you4844take or direct to mitigate those risks?4845    Answer. It is my understanding that the Department of Air Force4846(DAF) accepted risk in modernization accounts to fund minimum-essential4847readiness in foundational accounts. Meanwhile, our strategic4848competitors are fielding their advanced platforms and developing4849systems that target our vulnerabilities. If confirmed, I commit to4850working with Congress to address DAF risks and deter our most4851consequential competitors.4852    Question. The Air Force is on record as needing to purchase a4853minimum of 72 fighter aircraft per year to maintain requisite force4854structure. In your opinion, what is the optimum mix of 4th and 5th4855generation aircraft required to meet the threat outlined in the 20224856NDS?4857    Answer. I believe our fighter inventory must increase and,4858consequently, the Air Force needs a mix of 4th and 5th generation4859aircraft to balance capability and affordability. I have not received4860any classified briefings on this subject, but, if confirmed, I will4861work with the Joint Staff, combatant commands and the Air Force to4862assess the current capability and underlying combat air requirements.4863    Question. What are your views on continuing development and4864fielding of the Next Generation Air Dominance program, the Air Force's4865sixth generation fighter?4866    Answer. I have not received classified briefings on this subject,4867but, if confirmed, I look forward to doing a full review of the details4868and status of the NGAD program, to include the findings of the Air4869Force's recent analysis of the mission relevance of the NGAD.4870    If confirmed, I look forward to working with Department leadership4871and Congress to develop a balanced and affordable plan to grow the4872tactical fighter aircraft fleet that is prepared to win against a peer4873adversary.4874    Question. The follow-on modernization of the F-35 is slated to4875bring key warfighting capabilities to the Air Force, but the schedule4876and budget of this modernization program remain in flux.4877    Are you confident in the affordability and executability of the4878Department's plan for Block 4 Continuous Capability Development and4879Delivery (C2D2)?4880    Answer. It is my understanding the F-35 Program requires continued4881investment in Block 4 modernization to retain a tactical advantage4882against key competitors and to enable Combatant Commanders to achieve4883success in a future high-end fight.4884    If confirmed, I will review the details and status of F-354885modernization, including the acquisition strategy for Block 4, to4886achieve a balance of cost and timely delivery of required capabilities4887to the warfighter.4888    Question. Given the importance of extending the range of U.S.4889aircraft, what do you believe to be the overall tanker requirement for4890the Air Force and at what rate and on what schedule must the Air Force4891procure KC-46 to be able to meet that requirement?4892    Answer. The tanker fleet is a core element of our overall military4893strength. It is essential to U.S. power projection, Homeland Defense,4894strategic deterrence, global strike, rapid global mobility, and4895coordinated Joint Force and coalition efforts. I recognize the4896Department of the Air Force needs a total aircraft inventory that gives4897them the needed flexibility to manage tanker resources as dictated by4898the environment while investing in the necessary modernization to meet4899warfighting demands in the future. If confirmed, I commit to working4900with the Joint Staff, the Air Force, and Congress to review tanker4901fleet requirements and procurement strategy to maintain a competitive4902edge in a highly contested environment.4903    Question. Do you agree with the Air Force approach of divesting4904aircraft-based command and control and intelligence, surveillance and4905reconnaissance capabilities now and shifting reliance to space-based4906capabilities in the future? Please explain your answer.4907    Answer. It is my understanding that the Department of the Air Force4908(DAF) is divesting components of its airborne command and control (C2)4909and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) fleets to4910transition to more advanced and survivable capabilities in both4911domains. When combined, air and space-based capabilities provide a4912flexible and complimentary force to defend America and prevail in any4913conflict. If confirmed, I look forward to better assessing the4914capabilities needed in both the air and space domains.4915                              army issues4916Army Modernization Priorities4917    Question. The Army is in the midst of a major modernization period4918focusing on six modernization priorities: long range precision fires,4919next generation combat vehicle, future vertical lift, air and missile4920defense, network and soldier lethality. The Army is also establishing a4921path for more continuous upgrades to rapidly evolving technologies4922under its Transformation in Contact initiative.4923    In your view, what are the most critical Army modernization4924priorities, particularly in the context of countering multiple4925simultaneous global threats?4926    Answer. Building peace through strength will require that the Army4927modernize to address the threats facing our Nation today and into the4928future. I understand that the Army's Transformation in Contact4929initiative prioritizes efforts such as Next Generation Command and4930Control and Long-Range Precision Fires. If confirmed, I commit to4931working with the Army, and all the Services, to guarantee that we4932deliver the American people a warfighting force which will create peace4933through strength.4934    Question. How would you evaluate the importance of Army efforts in4935the Indo-Pacific, including the Army's activation of Multi-Domain Task4936Forces, to conduct cross-domain operations in support of the Joint4937Force?4938    Answer. Achieving peace through strength will require DOD to4939provide the right mix of capabilities in the Indo-Pacific and across4940the globe. I understand that the Army's Multi-Domain Task Forces bring4941critical cross-domain capabilities to the Force. If confirmed, I commit4942to working with the Army, and all the Services, to guarantee that we4943deliver the American people a warfighting force which will create peace4944through strength.4945Army Preparedness for the Pacific4946    Question. Army prepositioned stocks remain a cornerstone of the4947Army ability to project power. Army leaders have publicly supported4948expanding land-based equipment packages in the Indo-Pacific region to4949reduce transit times and avoid logistical delays.4950    What are your thoughts of the value of land-basing versus4951maintaining stocks afloat?4952    Answer. While I am outside the Department, I do not have the4953information to fully evaluate the right mix of afloat and land-based4954stocks. However, I understand that, in many cases, land-based equipment4955may be cheaper to maintain, more responsive to the point of need and4956less vulnerable to peer and near-peer adversaries than equipment sets4957afloat. If confirmed, I commit to working with the Army, and all the4958Services, to guarantee that we deliver the American people a4959warfighting force which will create peace through strength.4960    Question. What additional capabilities should be prepositioned in4961INDOPACOM?4962    Answer. While I am outside the Department, I do not have sufficient4963information to identify additional capabilities which must be4964prepositioned in INDOPACOM. However, if confirmed, I will commit to4965working with the Army, and all the Services, to make sure that America4966has the right capabilities to deliver peace through strength.4967    Question. Army watercraft are a discreet but important tool to4968facilitate contested operations in a maritime environment. A decision4969in 2018 and since reversed resulted in significant delay in maintaining4970and modernizing the Army's watercraft fleet.4971    How would you prioritize capabilities like Army watercraft4972readiness, that are critical to intratheater logistics in a contested4973environment?4974    Answer. The Army is critical to providing the intratheater4975logistics that will be necessary to win in a contested environment. If4976confirmed, I commit to working with the Army, and all the Services, to4977prioritize the efforts which will guarantee intratheater mobility and4978achieve peace through strength.4979Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD)4980    Question. In your view, are the roles and responsibilities for Army4981Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) appropriately assigned across4982the defense services and agencies?4983    Answer. It is my understanding that the Integrated Air and Missile4984Defense (IAMD) system involves stakeholders across the Department of4985Defense. Army IAMD is a critical part of our defense approach, and4986President Trump recognizes the importance of IAMD through his Iron Dome4987for America Executive Order. If confirmed, I will work with the4988Secretary of Defense and across the Department to insure IAMD4989responsibilities are assigned in a manner that best supports mission4990success.4991    Question. If confirmed, how would you ensure the Military Services4992make the investments required to fulfill their IAMD responsibilities,4993including for base defense? How would you ensure effective integration4994of the Services' current capabilities, as well as of the capabilities4995each is separately developing?4996    Answer. It is my understanding the IAMD system is a complex4997architecture that involves collaboration with other defense agencies4998and services, which contribute their own sensors and data into the4999overall system. While I am outside the Department, I do not have access5000to the information necessary to fully evaluate the whole system but, if5001confirmed, I will work with all stakeholders to fully integrate our5002capabilities and to insure execution of President Trump's Executive5003Order on Iron Dome for America.5004    Question. The Army serves as the Department's executive agent for5005the Joint Counter Small Unmanned Aerial Systems Office (JCO), and has5006made progress demonstrating, testing, and advancing effective counter5007small unmanned aerial systems (C-sUAS) capabilities for the Joint5008Force.5009    If confirmed, would you support continuation of the JCO effort? How5010would you prioritize and focus efforts across DOD to counter larger5011UAS?5012    Answer. Rebuilding lethality requires effective counter small5013unmanned aerial systems capabilities. While I am outside the5014Department, I do not have sufficient information to evaluate the JCO5015and its place in a cross-Department effort. If confirmed, I will work5016with Department leaders, and with Congress, to ensure the warfighters5017have the necessary tools and technologies to counter UAS and protect5018our assets at home and abroad.5019                      navy and marine corps issues5020Recapitalizing the Fleet5021    Question. Despite the Navy's stated requirement for at least 3815022ships, it is currently operating with approximately 296 battle force5023ships.5024    Do you consider the Fiscal Year 2025 shipbuilding plan, which5025reaches the policy goal of 355 ships only in 2038, to be acceptable?5026How would you accelerate the number of ships delivered to the United5027States Navy?5028    Answer. I have read the Navy's FY25 shipbuilding plan, which5029outlines its perspective on the future battle force with a timeline to5030achieve a 355 ship Navy in 2038 given current workforce and industrial5031base capability and capacity. If confirmed, I will work closely with5032the Navy, USD(A&S), Congress, and industry to continue ongoing efforts5033directed on improving productivity and workforce development, as well5034as developing new initiatives focused on the shipbuilding supply chain,5035that could open windows of opportunity to accelerate shipbuilding5036profiles.5037    Question. The Navy's fiscal year 2025 shipbuilding plan will5038significantly reduce the number of battle force ships and vertical5039launch systems over the course of the next 5 years.5040    How would you mitigate the impacts of this reduced capacity, or how5041would you plan to retain or grow the Navy's capacity?5042    Answer. I understand the number of the Navy's vertical launch5043systems is expected to decrease based on the FY25 shipbuilding plan. If5044confirmed, I look forward to working with the Navy to better understand5045current fleet capabilities, and how extensions of DDG 51 FLT I ships5046and the delivery of DDG 51 FLT III ships and SSNs with Vertical Payload5047Modules, will meet the Navy's needs.5048Nuclear Submarines5049    Question. Navy leaders have testified that the Columbia-class5050program, the Department of the Navy's top acquisition priority, will5051require significant investment and will result in equivalent reductions5052of other programs in the Navy budget, if a higher Navy topline or5053outside funding is not provided.5054    What would you do to ensure the Navy and industry reaches the two5055Virginia-class and one Columbia-class submarine goal per year5056requirement by 2028 while keeping other Navy priorities on track?5057    Answer. A robust shipbuilding industrial base is critical to5058producing the ships our Navy and Nation requires. If confirmed, I will5059work closely with Navy and industry to prioritize efficient investment5060in the shipbuilding industrial base while minimizing impacts to other5061Navy priorities. This will include developing the skilled workforce and5062updating the critical infrastructure necessary to achieve the two5063Virginia-class and one Columbia-class per year construction goal.5064Additionally, I will work with the Navy and USD(A&S) to refine5065acquisition and contract strategies, ensuring that these strategies5066incentivize our industry partners to delivery these vessels on time and5067at budget.5068Hybrid Fleet5069    Question. In Navigation Plan 2024, the Chief of Naval Operations5070made ``scale robotic and autonomous systems to integrate more platforms5071at speed'' a top priority.5072    Do you support the transition to a hybrid fleet of manned and5073unmanned vessels, and if so, what would you do to achieve a successful5074transition?5075    Answer. Yes. I support the transition to a hybrid fleet of manned5076and unmanned vessels. This evolution is crucial for increasing our5077capacity and augmenting our operational forces with new/novel5078technologies that will provide both lethal and non-lethal capabilities.5079If confirmed, I will prioritize our efforts across our Doctrine,5080Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and Education, Personnel,5081and Facilities (DOTMLPF) and advocate for changes that will capitalize5082on the pace of which technology is changing while ensuring robust5083cybersecurity measures to safeguard all of our capabilities.5084    If confirmed, I will advocate for the creation of a Hybrid5085ecosystem alongside our Allies and partners in order to test our5086doctrine and sustainment requirements necessary to ensure seamless5087integration and maximize ``scaling'' of maritime capability.5088Additionally, I would advocate for interoperability standards and5089foster collaboration with industry. By focusing on these areas, we can5090create a resilient and adaptive naval force capable of meeting future5091challenges effectively.5092Military Sealift Command5093    Question. DOD announced that it will retire 17 logistics and5094support vessels due to a lack of civilian mariners.5095    What should DOD and the Navy do to increase the availability of5096civilian mariners? In your view, would there be opportunities to work5097with other agencies to ensure that DOD can meet its logistical5098requirements?5099    Answer. I understand that DOD and the Navy are working with the5100Military Sealift Command to expand outreach efforts to improve the5101civilian mariner talent pipeline. In my opinion, engagements with State5102maritime academies will likely strengthen partnerships that will5103increase the number of maritime academy graduates into the civilian5104mariner population. Additionally, collaboration with the maritime5105industry to identify talent management best practices and efforts to5106expand compensation incentives may improve the retention of civilian5107mariners.5108Naval Aviation5109    Question. What are your views on the current status of the naval5110aviation enterprise?5111    Answer. In my opinion, the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) faces5112opportunities and challenges as it seeks to innovate, adapt to new5113strategic priorities, and navigate fiscal constraints. Naval aviation5114is central to modern naval operations and U.S. Navy's integrated5115contributions to U.S. Joint war fighting capability. Naval aviation5116continues to evolve, though, as it seeks to counter peer threats like5117China, which seeks to directly confront the advantage our Navy and5118naval aviation provide by fielding advanced anti-access/area denial5119(A2/AD) capabilities.5120    Emphasizing and investing in long-range precision strike,5121coordinated, flexible responses, and ensuring carrier air wings remain5122lethal and effective in contested environments will maintain the Navy's5123strategic dominance across the globe. To face challenges in aircraft5124readiness, it is imperative that the Navy continue to balance a5125sustainable, readiness-focused fleet with the procurement of newer5126platforms. Additionally, retaining skilled aviators and maintainers5127amid high operational tempos and resourcing challenges, with effective5128training and readiness, must remain a focus.5129    Question. If confirmed, how will you ensure that the Navy's fighter5130fleet is able to modernize to meet the Chinese threat?5131    Answer. The future carrier air wing (CVW) must harness a5132revitalized aviation/weapons industrial base to be more lethal,5133networked, and autonomous in its role to provide critical battlespace5134awareness, sea control, long-ranged fires, and air superiority for the5135Joint Force. We need to ensure that it integrates advanced sensors, can5136employ advanced weapons capabilities, and has the ability to operate in5137increasingly contested environments.5138    It is my understanding that the Navy is coordinating with U.S.5139Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force in tri-service development of5140collaborative combat aircraft--or ``CCA''--that will be additive5141unmanned and autonomous capability to our manned fighter fleet,5142increasing the mass and complexity that our adversaries will face if5143they choose to confront us in combat.5144    If confirmed, I will work with the OSD staff, Joint Staff,5145combatant commands, and Navy to assess relevant threats and review5146combat capabilities to ensure they meet operational needs.5147Marine Corps Modernization5148    Question. The Marine Corps modernization efforts center on a5149reorientation toward amphibious warfare and improved integration with5150the naval force. Capability development and experimentation focus on5151contested maritime operations.5152    What is your understanding of the Force Design plans of the Marine5153Corps?5154    Answer. It is my understanding that the Marine Corps Force Design5155is an overarching plan to deter and win against the pacing threat5156through innovative formations, equipment, and operating concepts. I5157understand the Marine Corps has made significant progress modernizing5158over the past four and a half years, and this ongoing modernization5159effort was self-funded by the Marine Corps by making hard choices to5160divest legacy systems and invest in systems which provide an asymmetric5161advantage.5162    Question. If confirmed, what changes to the Marine Corps or to5163support from the joint forces would you recommend?5164    Answer. It is my understanding that the Marine Corps has undergone5165transformational change over the last 5 years, optimizing force5166structure while remaining expeditionary, efficient, and lethal. The5167relevance of Marine Corps formations against the pacing challenge5168remains a measure of effectiveness, and their modernization efforts5169ensure the Commandant continues to provide ready forces that meet5170Combatant Commander requirements.5171    If confirmed, I will work with the OSD staff, Joint Staff,5172combatant commands, and Department of Navy leadership to ensure the5173Marine Corps can sustain power projection while maintaining the5174flexibility to respond to evolving threats.5175    Question. The Marine Corps also serves as one of the Nation's5176primary reaction forces, particularly in response to noncombatant5177evacuation operations and natural disasters.5178    Are you comfortable with the Marine Corps' current preparedness to5179execute these missions? Please explain your answer.5180    Answer. I understand the Marine Corps maintains a high State of5181readiness for non-combatant evacuation operations (NEO) and disaster5182relief missions, emphasizing the critical role of logistics. General5183Eric M. Smith, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, has highlighted the5184importance of a continuous presence of ARG/MEUs sortieing forward from5185both United States coasts and Japan. This strategic positioning ensures5186rapid response capabilities, as crises requiring evacuations or5187immediate assistance can arise unpredictably. The Marine Corps5188commitment to balancing crisis response with modernization efforts5189further enhances its logistical preparedness.5190    By integrating naval mobility and maintaining forward-deployed5191units, the Marine Corps ensures it can effectively support a range of5192missions, from humanitarian assistance to full-scale combat operations.5193Overall, the Marine Corps' forward posture and naval integration5194capabilities enable it to respond swiftly and effectively to a range of5195military operations.5196    reform of dod business operations and decision-making processes5197Digital Modernization5198    Question. The Department expends significant resources on5199information technology and related services, yet remains highly reliant5200on slow legacy systems and enterprise infrastructure, and on personnel5201intensive workarounds for critical operating functions such as5202personnel, financial management, logistics, and acquisition. Not5203surprisingly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, DOD struggled to enable the5204total force to work remotely in a persistent and secure fashion,5205incurring health and safety risks that should not have been necessary5206had the Department not repeatedly deferred investments in digital5207modernization initiatives.5208    If confirmed, what steps would you take to prioritize and resource5209digital modernization initiatives such as secure enterprise-wide cloud,5210teamwork, and collaboration tools, as well as senior leader decision5211support initiatives like advanced analytic capabilities (ADVANA)?5212    Answer. Digital modernization is critical to ensure our warfighters5213maintain decision advantage, to improve workforce productivity, and to5214spend tax dollars responsibly as demonstrated by a clean Department-5215wide audit. If confirmed, I will make digital transformation a5216priority.5217    To drive progress on these issues, I will leverage the authorities5218and resources of the Department, including those of the Chief Digital5219and Artificial Intelligence Officer and the Chief Information Officer,5220to accelerate the appropriate use of industry software and data5221management best practices to reduce technical debt and meet the5222Department's priorities in command and control, enterprise analytics,5223financial management, and workforce productivity. From my time in the5224private sector, I have seen such best practices for digital5225transformation and, if confirmed, will be committed to applying these5226practices in the Department to meet our priority objectives.5227    Question. If confirmed, how would you ensure a broader use of5228modern management tools and systems that you would seek to implement at5229the Department of Defense, if confirmed?5230    Answer. The Department's adoption of modern management tools and5231systems is essential to meet the President's priorities for a clean5232Department-wide audit, greater management efficiency, and more lethal5233warfighting effects. If confirmed, I would accelerate data-driven5234decisionmaking and outcome-based performance management in DOD, and5235mandate the enhancement, interoperability, and broader use of tools,5236like the Advancing Analytics (Advana) enterprise data and analytics5237platform, to inform senior leader decisionmaking.5238    If confirmed, I would also use best of breed commercial5239technologies, implement best practices for software development, and5240mandate data sharing to ensure DOD systems can share data with those5241who require its insights. In addition, I would ensure DOD is fully5242capitalizing on the benefits of artificial intelligence to advance the5243Department's priorities, such as the audit. Finally, if confirmed, I5244would drive performance targets and monitor progress through the5245Department's Strategic Management Plan (SMP), ensuring that our work5246here is transparent to our Nation's taxpayers.5247Management reform5248    Question. The Department of Defense is one of the most complex5249organizations in the Federal Government. To help with oversight and5250management, Congress has mandated tools including the Strategic5251Management Plan and the defense management framework codified in title525210, U.S. Code, 125a. In addition, the FY2025 NDAA formally established5253the position of the Performance Improvement Officer to help the5254Department with forward-looking business transformation efforts.5255    Based on your experience, how do you recommend using these tools to5256improve management discipline in the Department to gain greater5257efficiency and effectiveness from DOD initiatives?5258    Answer. I have recognized throughout my decades of experience in5259the private sector that management discipline is crucial for improving5260a business's efficiency and effectiveness. This is done by establishing5261clear expectations and requirements, enforcing standards, and promoting5262accountability.5263    If confirmed, I welcome the opportunity to leverage the tools5264Congress provided to cut unnecessary bureaucracy and streamline5265processes, which will ultimately make the military stronger and more5266lethal.5267    Question. Do you have recommendations for effectively managing DOD5268operations?5269    Answer. I understand the U.S. Congress has provided the Department5270with tools to improve DOD's management discipline in and across the5271defense enterprise (including as recently as December 2024). If5272confirmed, I look forward to understanding and applying all available5273tools to improve DOD's management discipline, including through the5274responsibilities given to the DOD Performance Improvement Officer5275(PIO).5276    Transparency and accountability are essential to improve management5277discipline in the Department, or anywhere else. These will be5278priorities, if confirmed. In my experience, data-informed analytics can5279improve the alignment of strategy to resources; and help track critical5280resource execution in large organizations. I will look for ways to5281drive improved performance through processes, resource execution, and5282accountability. We owe our warfighters efficient and effective resource5283alignment for key programs and results-driven processes.5284    Question. DOD must respond to warfighting needs and unexpected5285contingency operations, A policy that works well in a peacetime5286environment may be ill-suited to the exigencies of warfighting.5287    Based on your experience, how do you consider and evaluate the5288tradeoffs between efficiency and warfighting necessity, and how do you5289anticipate integrating that into DOD decisionmaking processes?5290    Answer. The Secretary has said the ultimate test for everything in5291the Department of Defense is lethality. If confirmed, my priority will5292be to meet the President's vision and Secretary's direction to ensure5293we deliver the American people a warfighting force which will create5294peace through strength. Increased efficiency and accountability are5295core elements to make sure visions are achieved.5296    Question. What role do you see the Deputy's Management Action Group5297(DMAG) in supporting your management processes? Do you have any5298recommendations for how the DMAG can be leveraged differently than how5299it has been used in the past?5300    Answer. My view is that the Department can and should produce both5301efficiency and necessary warfighting capabilities. Warfighting5302effectiveness evaluations will be critical to understanding how much5303capability to pursue. The priority level of a mission and the level of5304threat to that mission will also be important factors in tradeoff5305decisions. If confirmed, I will require that decisionmaking processes5306appropriately consider risk and do so with strong analytic foundations.5307    If confirmed, I intend to use any management forum to drive5308outcomes for the country and to ensure that I have a full understanding5309of the risks that should be considered in any decision brought to the5310forum, and I look forward to using such forums to rapidly advance DOD's5311warfighting effectiveness and make its business processes more5312efficient.5313                            dod auditability5314    Question. Since 1995, DOD's financial management has been on the5315Government Accountability Office's High-Risk List, identified as5316vulnerable to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement. Over the past5317several years, DOD undertook a department-wide financial audit, despite5318not being audit-ready, and has made significant progress toward5319auditability. The Department is now targeting December 31, 2028 to5320achieve an unmodified or clean opinion.5321    If confirmed, what steps would you take to maintain the significant5322momentum achieved in auditability over the past several years at the5323Department of Defense?5324    Answer. The December 31, 2028, clean audit opinion deadline, set in5325law, means DOD has less than four fiscal years remaining to earn an5326unmodified opinion. Secretary Hegseth has already deemed audit as a5327priority. If confirmed, one of my first actions will be to ensure5328existing audit roadmaps and remediation priorities still make sense5329toward achieving accelerated audit progress. Whether they are5330sufficient or need to be adjusted, if confirmed, I would commit myself5331to rigorous oversight of those efforts to drive significant and5332continuous progress to ensure everyone who spends a dollar in DOD5333contributes to our clean audit requirement. All resource owners, not5334just the financial management community, must be held accountable for5335swift, meaningful progress toward this goal.5336    Question. If confirmed, what specific actions would you take or5337direct to achieve better outcomes than have past initiatives intended5338to improve DOD auditability?5339    Answer. In line with what the Government Accountability Office5340(GAO), Congress, and other auditors have observed, I believe much of5341DOD's audit roadblocks stem from its own complexities, one of which is5342the burdensome number of outdated, unauditable, disparate financial,5343logistics, and contract writing systems that hinder rapid5344decisionmaking across the Department. Systems stove piping has led to5345too many business and financial systems. These should be consolidated5346so that processes are simplified, internal controls improved, and data5347standardized, all leading to auditability. If confirmed, I would5348rapidly speed up the shutdown of legacy systems that only serve niche5349requirements, while leveraging cutting-edge technology to increase5350efficiencies, accountability and the ability for DOD to achieve a clean5351audit opinion. This is the sure way to facilitate audit remediation,5352save money, bring greater cybersecurity, implement single source data5353for enhanced decisionmaking, and move the audit needle.5354    Question. How does the DOD audit contribute to operational5355readiness, in your view?5356    Answer. Many naively believe audit is a backroom function, but that5357couldn't be further from the truth. To pass an audit, you must account5358for everything you own or owe--whether billets, bullets, bases, pay,5359planes, and ships--and be able to explain the resource's location, its5360condition, and its value. In fiscal year 2024, DOD owned $4.1 trillion5361in assets and held $4.3 trillion in liabilities. That is an amazing5362amount of resources and responsibility, all of which exists to ensure5363the defense of our Nation. The by-products of audit--accountability,5364strengthened controls, common data pictures, clean single source data,5365and better analytic tools--naturally lead our commanders and leaders to5366better insights and decisionmaking. That is how audit is an enabler to5367increasing operational readiness.5368    Question. Achieving a clean financial audit is massive undertaking5369for the Department. Do you have recommendations for how to improve that5370process to make it less costly and more efficient?5371    Answer. I am very respectful of auditor independence, but I don't5372believe the burden of audit is all on the auditee. Auditors and other5373stakeholders also bear responsibility to ensure audits are conducted5374efficiently and effectively. For example, the DOD OIG is DOD's overall5375financial statement auditor, but both it and the GAO ought to be5376ensuring their own independently conducted program audits build toward5377a comprehensive portfolio of audits that together lead to comprehensive5378insight. Like those being audited, auditors need to ensure everything5379they do is adding value to the overall effort to get DOD audited. They5380need to make sure there is no redundancy between audits, that5381information sought can't be obtained through more efficient means or5382from what's already been provided, and that timelines can expand and5383contract to get DOD's complex audit areas fully vetted. They expanded5384the timeline for the Marine Corps audit and it was a success. More5385importantly, auditors should be funded to have the capacity to fully5386audit. Likewise, we need to be thinking about technology changes that5387will make audit less manual, and more automated in ways that make sense5388and give confidence in test results.5389    Question. In your view, are there lessons that can be learned5390beyond the goal of a clean audit opinion? Based on your experience, do5391you anticipate operationalizing any intermediate lessons from the audit5392into the DOD's overall management reform objectives?5393    Answer. In my view, audit should never only be about the opinion.5394Rather, leaders should view audits as enduring opportunities to5395constantly seek improvements. Use the audit to pinpoint areas for5396enhancement and then do just that. Use the audit to build, leverage,5397and expand analytic tools and grow workforce capability and capacity. I5398understand that DOD audit needs were really the genesis for ADVANA, its5399central data repository that now tracks and supports everything from5400war efforts to humanitarian relief. The same goes for using the audit5401to force modern technology, such as implementing AI warehousing and AI5402budget formulation. Likewise, set the tone-from-the-top and then do5403what you say you're going to do. This is exactly what the Marine Corps5404did to get its first clean opinion. It's also what Secretary Hegseth is5405doing--setting the tone-from-the-top by vocally making audit a priority5406with urgency and applying this urgency to a mandate for reform.5407                         acquisition management5408Acquisition Reform5409    Question. Recent NDAAs have enacted sweeping reforms to the5410Department's acquisition process, including introducing new acquisition5411flexibilities and delegating significant acquisition authority to the5412Services.5413    In your view, has the Department successfully adopted the5414flexibilities provided in the Adaptive Acquisition Framework? If not,5415what would you do to improve the adoption of rapid acquisition5416procedures to bring innovation into the Department?5417    Answer. Congress has given the Department of Defense authorities5418and flexibility to acquire capabilities at speed and scale through the5419Adaptive Acquisition Framework. If confirmed, I will work with the5420Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and the5421Military Departments to ensure the Department of Defense is effectively5422utilizing these authorities to support our warfighters. If I identify5423that the Department needs to do more to use these authorities, then I5424will work to make sure that the Department implements these reforms and5425fully leverages all authorities provided by Congress.5426    Question. How would you seek to balance the need to rapidly acquire5427and field innovative systems while ensuring acquisition programs stay5428on budget and schedule?5429    Answer. Our warfighters need the best capabilities to deter and5430defeat our adversaries in conflict. It is my understanding that5431Congress has given the Department the authorities to acquire and field5432innovative capabilities at speed and scale. If confirmed, I will work5433with the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and5434other Department stakeholders to ensure we are providing proper5435oversight of acquisition programs, so they are staying on budget and5436schedule.5437    Question. Civilian control of the acquisition system has been a5438cornerstone of the post-World War Two acquisition system. What are your5439personal views on the principle of civilian control of the defense5440acquisition system?5441    Answer. A strong acquisition workforce is needed to ensure our5442warfighters are getting the best systems at speed and scale. Strong5443civilian leadership is needed to support the workforce in delivering5444the capabilities to the warfighters. If confirmed, I will work with the5445Secretary of Defense to lead the Department and civilian experts to5446ensure the acquisition workforce is a good steward of taxpayer dollars5447and delivering the best capabilities to deter and defeat our5448adversaries.5449Requirements5450    Question. The Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act5451required the Joint Staff to take a clean-sheet approach to the5452requirements process and the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense5453Authorization Act required the Secretary of Defense to establish an5454advisory panel on reforming the requirements process.5455    What recommendations would you make to the requirements process to5456make it more adaptive to changes in threats and technologies?5457    Answer. Too often, DOD creates inflexible and gold-plated5458requirements. Our warfighting requirements are and should be at the5459center of how the Department drives and shapes capability development.5460If confirmed, I will work to fully implement the direction from the5461FY2025 NDAA and establish an advisory panel on reforming the5462requirements process in coordination with the Under Secretary of5463Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and the Vice Chairman of the5464Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Department's entire acquisition process,5465including requirements, resourcing, and procurement, needs to focus on5466solving warfighting problems and delivering the capabilities they need5467to be the most lethal and effective force. The Department needs a5468process that embraces strategic thinking, focuses on warfighting needs,5469and unleashes our warfighting potential.5470    Question. What role do you see for the Joint Staff versus the5471military services in the requirements process?5472    Answer. The Joint Staff has provided leadership and collaboration5473in partnership with the military services and the combatant commands in5474the development and validation of military requirements within the5475current system. The Joint Staff also has analytical capacity utilizing5476data and support from the military services that will need to be relied5477upon to improve our processes and shape the future of the Joint Force.5478It is my expectation that this partnership will continue with5479appropriate civilian input.5480Defense Industrial Base5481    Question.In recent years, Congress, industry, and DOD have5482increasingly expressed concerns about the health of the defense5483industrial base and its ability to reliably meet defense needs. The5484FY2021 NDAA sought to address these issues, in part, by establishing an5485Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy. In 2022, the5486Department of Defense released the National Defense Industrial Strategy5487(NDIS), and in 2024 the NDIS Implementation Plan was published. In your5488view, does the published NDIS and NDIS-Implementation Plan address the5489most significant challenges facing the defense industrial base? How5490would you address these challenges any differently, if confirmed?5491    Answer. I understand that the National Defense Industrial Strategy5492and its implementation plan have been designed to address the top5493industrial base challenges collectively identified across DOD,5494Congress, and Industry. If confirmed, I will be committed to addressing5495these challenges to our Defense Industrial Base and adapting as we5496manage new threats, Presidential orders, and updated industry inputs. I5497will work across the Department to ensure that we resource these5498priorities, with a focus on delivering expanded capability and capacity5499to accelerate deliveries to the warfighter.5500    Question. What steps should the Department take to increase the5501overall production capacity of the defense industrial base?5502    Answer. Increasing the overall production capacity of the defense5503and organic industrial base is paramount as we reduce our reliance on5504adversarial nations and increase our domestic supply chain resilience.5505I understand that the NDIS lays out mechanisms to increase production5506capacity, including incentivizing industry by investing in extra5507capacity, and broadening the supplier base by investing in new5508production methods. If confirmed, I will prioritize efforts to5509strengthen our industrial base and support the warfighter.5510    Question. What steps should the Department take--on its own or as5511part of a whole-of-government approach--to increase domestic and allied5512industrial capacity and reduce reliance on suppliers in China?5513    Answer. Reducing reliance on adversarial nations, particularly PRC5514sources, is a critical effort to achieving peace through strength.5515Proactively developing, growing, and sustaining multiple and redundant5516production lines across U.S. and allied sources is imperative for the5517United States to ensure necessary production capability and capacity5518while mitigating exposure to supply disruptions. If confirmed, I will5519work closely with the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and5520Sustainment to prioritize efforts to reduce our reliance on suppliers5521from China, or any other adversaries.5522    Question. Given the need to ensure fair competition within the5523defense industrial base, how would you ensure your dealings with the5524defense industrial base are free from potential conflicts of interest?5525    Answer. I am committed to the highest ethical standards and, if5526confirmed, I will retain no investments which may lead to a potential5527conflict of interest.5528                          test and evaluation5529    Question. A natural tension exists between the goals of major5530defense acquisition programs to reduce cost and accelerate schedule and5531the need to ensure performance meets requirements and specifications--5532the objective of the test and evaluation function.5533    If confirmed, how would you approach your relationship with the5534Director, Operational Test and Evaluation, particularly in light of the5535independence and direct reporting relationships and responsibilities5536accorded the Director in law?5537    Answer. If confirmed, I would promote early and frequent5538communication and coordination between DOT&E and other DOD entities to5539mitigate and eliminate natural tensions. I would enforce resolution of5540disagreements through evidence-based analysis and prioritization of our5541warfighters and their ability to achieve desired effects.5542    DOT&E's mission, as directed by law, is to report on weapon system5543performance (effectiveness, suitability, survivability, and when5544necessary, lethality) based on independent analysis of collected data5545in operationally representative test. If confirmed, I pledge to5546rigorously maintain DOT&E's independence and ability to execute their5547mission because DOD decisions and warfighter optimization of their5548systems depend on DOT&E reports on weapon system performance.5549    Question. The Major Range and Test Facilities Base (MRTFB) and5550DOD's associated test and evaluation infrastructure are critical5551national assets. In recent years it has become clear that digital5552engineering and digital modeling and simulation tools and5553infrastructure will be critical to achieving the Department's5554objectives for optimizing existing legacy weapons systems and5555facilitating the delivery of modern software-defined capabilities.5556    Are you satisfied with DOD's test and evaluation capabilities,5557including the test and evaluation workforces and infrastructure of the5558Military Services? Please explain your answer. If not, how would you5559address shortfalls in the test and evaluation enterprise, if confirmed?5560    Answer. The MRTFB, including its associated test and evaluation5561(T&E) infrastructure and workforce, is critical for our Nation to5562deliver weapons systems that give our warfighters a decisive advantage5563in any confrontation. Since I am not yet confirmed, I cannot fully5564evaluate the effectiveness of the test and evaluation infrastructure.5565If confirmed, I will review the gaps in the Department's T&E5566capabilities, including the T&E workforces and infrastructure, to5567ensure DOD has the digital and software expertise needed to optimize5568existing legacy weapon systems and deliver modern software-defined5569capabilities.5570    Question. Based on your experience, how do you see artificial5571intelligence (AI), digital twin technology and model based systems5572engineering (MBSE) approaches improving both test and evaluations5573approaches, and supporting improved acquisition outcomes?5574    Answer. It's my understanding that AI, digital twin technology, and5575MBSE significantly enhance the Department's T&E approaches and5576decisionmaking. Advancements in these technologies lead to faster5577product development and reduced costs, ultimately supporting improved5578acquisition decisions and outcomes, even into sustainment.5579    Question. In your view, how can industry provided data be better5580leveraged with government furnished test data? Do you believe current5581data standards are sufficient for current needs, as well as the needs5582for emerging technologies like AI, digital twin and MBSE?5583    Answer. It is important for the Government to partner with industry5584to better serve the warfighters and I understand that the Department is5585focusing on efforts to standardize data across government and industry,5586establish data sharing agreements, and fielding interoperable systems5587that can easily integrate data from different sources. The Department's5588efforts in this area must continue to evolve to harness developments in5589private industry and, if confirmed, I will support all efforts which5590will make our Department more capable of supporting the warfighter.5591                      defense security cooperation5592    Question. What should be the primary objectives of Department of5593Defense security sector assistance activities, in your view?5594    Answer. DOD security cooperation programs can provide Allies and5595partners with military equipment, services, and training to support the5596U.S. national security objectives and meet partner capability5597requirements identified by the Combatant Commanders. If security5598cooperation programs do not support or meet the requirements of the5599U.S. national security strategy, these programs should not be funded.5600    Question. Is the Department of Defense appropriately organized and5601resourced to execute security sector assistance effectively? If not,5602what changes would you make or direct, if confirmed?5603    Answer. I understand that many stakeholders, including many in5604Congress, believe that the current timelines to deliver critical5605capabilities to our Allies and partners are far too lengthy. If5606confirmed, I will work with partners, including this Congress to make5607the process as timely and effective as possible at advancing the5608interests of the United States and our Allies.5609                  base realignment and closure (brac)5610    Question. It has been noted repeatedly that the 2005 BRAC round5611resulted in major and unanticipated implementation costs and saved far5612less money than originally estimated.5613    Do you believe that another BRAC round is needed? If so, what5614changes to law and implementation policy would you recommend to improve5615on the outcomes of the 2005 BRAC process?5616    Answer. If confirmed, I will explore all options to enhance the5617Department's ability to restore lethality, including whether a request5618for BRAC authority may be warranted to optimize the Department's5619installations footprint. If the Secretary of Defense and President were5620to determine a BRAC is appropriate, we will work with Congress to5621identify and implement process improvements.5622    Question. If you are confirmed, and were Congress to authorize5623another BRAC round, how would you set priorities for infrastructure5624reduction and consolidation across DOD?5625    Answer. The Department needs to ensure that its infrastructure5626portfolio is appropriately sized and utilized. If confirmed, I would5627commit to reducing the amount of excess infrastructure and ensure the5628Department's infrastructure aligns with mission requirements. If5629Congress were to authorize a future BRAC, I would ensure the priorities5630for infrastructure reduction and consolidation would align with5631Secretary of Defense's priorities of rebuilding the military by5632matching threats to capabilities and reestablishing deterrence by5633defending our Homeland.5634                operational energy and energy resilience5635    Question. The Department defines operational energy as the energy5636required for training, moving, and sustaining military forces and5637weapons platforms for military operations, including the energy used by5638tactical power systems, generators, and weapons platforms. As early as56392004, then-General Mattis testified before Congress that DOD must5640``unleash us from the tether of fuel'' if U.S. Forces are to sustain5641momentum and retain freedom of maneuver. He cautioned that ``units5642would be faced with unacceptable limitations because of their5643dependence on fuel'' and resupply efforts ``made us vulnerable in ways5644that would be exploited by the enemy.'' Today, DOD energy requirements5645are projected to increase significantly due to technological advances5646in weapons systems and distributed operations over longer operating5647distances.5648    If confirmed, what would you do to harness innovations in5649operational energy and link them with emerging joint operational5650concepts?5651    Answer. If confirmed, I will ensure that sustaining the energy5652needs of our forces in contested environments is prioritized across5653operations, planning, and capability development. I will ensure that5654the incorporation of operational energy innovations is done in a manner5655that enhances operational effectiveness and extends our operational5656reach. We will also consider changes in our tactics, techniques, and5657procedures, assess and mitigate risks to the energy supportability of5658our operational plans, and include appropriate operational risks and5659logistics constraints in the development of new capabilities.5660    Question. How can DOD acquisition systems better address5661requirements related to the use of energy in military platforms? In5662your view, should energy supportability be a key performance parameter5663in the requirements process?5664    Answer. The energy key performance parameter, which is required by5665statute, is critical to ensure that energy supportability is5666appropriately considered during the requirements development process.5667Reducing the energy demand of our operational capabilities and5668improving their posture in terms of energy supportability reduces risks5669created by fuel logistics and ensures maximum lethality. If confirmed,5670I will ensure that the development of capability requirements is based5671on a robust analysis of energy supportability risks and that5672acquisition decisionmaking accounts for energy supportability and5673emerging technologies throughout program lifecycles.5674                  science, technology, and innovation5675    Question. United States superiority in key areas of innovation is5676decreasing or has disappeared. Our competitors are engaging in5677aggressive military modernization and advanced weaponry development.5678DOD has identified 14 key areas in which investment to develop next5679generation operational capabilities is imperative: hypersonics;5680integrated network system of systems; directed energy; advanced5681computing and software; human-machine interfaces; integrated sensing5682and cyber; space; quantum science; microelectronics; trusted AI and5683autonomy; renewable energy generation and storage; future generation5684wireless technology; advanced materials; and biotechnology. Much of the5685innovation in these technologies that could prove suitable for national5686defense purposes is occurring outside of the traditional defense5687industry.5688    If confirmed, would you make any changes or adjustments in current5689DOD modernization priorities?5690    Answer. DOD should always be surveying the technology landscape and5691updating investments and priorities. If confirmed, I will ensure the5692DOD research and engineering ecosystem is responsive and that it5693addresses critical threats, capabilities, and opportunities.5694    Question. What do you see as the most significant challenges (e.g.,5695technical, organizational, or cultural) to DOD's development of these5696key technologies?5697    Answer. There are unique challenges associated with different types5698of technology development. Some may be organizational and cultural.5699Some technologies face more basic scientific or physics challenges. It5700is my understanding that limited access to test assets or aging test5701infrastructure, as well as failures to prioritize certain technology5702areas are all challenges DOD faces in technology development. If5703confirmed, I will ensure the Department evaluates each of these5704challenges within their unique context and attempts to resolve them in5705the most appropriate manner.5706    Question. What is your understanding of the mechanisms in DOD that5707the science and technology community uses to coordinate, integration,5708and reduce unwarranted duplication across the S&T enterprise?5709    I understand that the USD(R&E) is required by statute to5710``designate Senior Officials for Critical Technology Areas supportive5711of the National Defense Strategy.'' These individuals execute statutory5712mandates to coordinate research and engineering investments, integrate5713technologies, and align budgets to promote technology transition and5714delivery. These Senior Officials are also explicitly directed by5715statute to advise the USD(R&E) of unwanted or inefficient technology5716duplication, areas of misalignment, or lack of coordination.5717    Moreover, I understand that the S&T community and the executives5718responsible for management and oversight of the Department's S&T5719resources have established an S&T Executive Committee and Communities5720of Interest in the interest of ensuring increased coordination and5721integration of efforts amongst the S&T community and consequently5722reducing unwanted duplication across the S&T enterprise.5723    If confirmed, I am committed to reviewing and evaluating the DOD's5724processes to identify any opportunities for improvement and reform.5725    Question. In your view are the Department's investments in these5726technologies appropriately focused, integrated, and synchronized across5727all Military Departments and Agencies?5728    Answer. Since I have not been confirmed, I do not have access to5729the detail necessary to reach a firm conclusion about these5730investments. However, if confirmed, I will prioritize the review of the5731Department's investments in future technologies to ensure that the5732Department's investments are aligned with national security needs.5733    Question. Based on your experience, are there enduring technology5734areas that might not be considered emerging, such as energetic5735materials or corrosion control, that DOD should remain focused on as5736categories outside of the modernization priorities?5737    Answer. The DOD should constantly review and update its5738modernization priorities to ensure it is responsive to the needs of the5739warfighter and is addressing critical threats, capabilities, and5740opportunities. For example, outside of the 14 Critical Technology5741Areas, the OUSD(R&E) also focuses on research in munitions; energetics;5742alternative positioning, navigation, and timing capabilities; counter-5743unmanned systems; nuclear modernization; autonomous systems; and5744advanced materials. If confirmed, I will ensure the Department5745allocates its resources in an appropriate manner to address the threats5746from our adversaries.5747    Question. What steps would you take, if confirmed, to strengthen5748National Security Industrial Base and National Security Innovation Base5749systems and processes to ensure that critical information is protected5750from foreign economic and industrial espionage?5751    Answer. I understand that the Department has multiple authorities5752to preemptively protect our economic and national security interests,5753especially in an era of intense competition with China.5754    If confirmed, I will work with DOD, and Interagency partners, to5755ensure DOD undertakes whatever steps necessary to safeguard the5756technologies, capabilities, and critical information necessary to5757defend the Homeland, and equip our warfighters with the most lethal,5758advanced, and exquisite capabilities--free of foreign influence and5759industrial espionage.5760    Question. In your view, how can DOD balance the openness of the S&T5761enterprise, while still protecting the most sensitive research from5762nefarious exploitation by our adversaries?5763    Answer. I believe that DOD can balance openness and protection5764through a risk-based approach that integrates security without stifling5765innovation. I understand that the current approach includes targeted5766protection, strengthening the due diligence of DOD partnerships, proper5767consideration of control or classification of information, and5768counterintelligence to detect and mitigate threats in real time. If5769confirmed, I will work to promote research security by providing tight5770protections around DOD's most sensitive work and ensuring adequate5771protections for less sensitive fundamental research.5772Deputy's Innovation Steering Group5773    Question. The current Deputy Secretary of Defense established the5774Deputy's Innovation Steering Group (DISG) to help improve coordination5775of innovation efforts across the Department and to break down process5776barriers. It has been the main forum for coordination and selection of5777projects to be funded under Replicator, as well as prototyping5778activities under Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER).5779    What do you see as the role of the Deputy in fostering innovation5780in the Department? In your view, how should that role be deconflicted5781with the responsibilities of the Under Secretary for Defense for5782Research and Engineering?5783    Answer. If confirmed, I will advance a focused and agile culture of5784innovation within the Department. It is imperative that we make sure5785that we have the right innovation that we can scale and get to the5786warfighter. My role will be to ensure the Department has the tools and5787resources needed to advance this vision and that these efforts are5788integrated and focused on the right Warfighting challenges.5789    Question. What is your understanding of the duties and5790responsibilities of the DISG? Are there elements that you might want to5791save, adapt or discard if you are confirmed?5792    Answer. My understanding is that the Deputy's Innovation Steering5793Group (DISG), co-chaired by the Deputy Secretary of Defense and the5794Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, is designed to rapidly evaluate,5795identify, and execute innovative solutions for key operational problems5796facing the Joint Force. The DISG focuses on critical joint operational5797gaps that need fielded capabilities more quickly than the Department's5798current acquisitions process is able to provide. If confirmed as the5799Deputy Secretary, I will carefully evaluate the DISG, and all other5800processes, to make sure that we can remove barriers to innovation and5801fielding critical capabilities at scale.5802    Question. The Defense Innovation Unit was elevated to a principal5803staff assistant (PSA) for the Secretary and the Deputy. If confirmed,5804how might you leverage that role to better support the Department's5805innovation activities?5806    Answer. The Department needs to source and field capabilities from5807the commercial industry more quickly and at greater scale. In key5808technology areas like software, commercial industry has rapidly5809adjusted their development timelines to meet a fast-changing market,5810while DOD is still struggling to reframe its acquisition process from a5811hardware-centric to a software-centric approach. Since I am not yet5812confirmed, I cannot specifically identify the best ways to leverage5813DIU's capabilities but, if confirmed, I commit to prioritizing DOD's5814efforts to harness our industry against threats, revitalize our defense5815industrial base, and scale and rapidly field emerging technologies.5816Replicator5817    Question. Under Deputy Secretary Hicks, DOD established the5818Replicator effort to focus the Department's energy and resources on the5819highest priority needs.5820    What is your view on the Replicator program?5821    Answer. The Department must do more to deliver capabilities for5822warfighters, at scale, on the most critical operational problems. My5823understanding is that the Replicator initiative has focused on two5824critical areas: Replicator-1 is focused on delivering thousands of all-5825domain attritable autonomous systems to INDOPACOM to counter the pacing5826threat posed by the People's Republic of China, and Replicator-2 is5827focusing on countering the threat posed by small unmanned aerial5828systems to our most critical installations and force concentrations.5829Both of these operational problems remain pressing challenges and, if5830confirmed, I will continue to ensure the Department focuses on5831delivering innovative capabilities to warfighters in line with the5832Secretary's priorities of rebuilding our military and reestablishing5833deterrence.5834    Question. In your view, is a separate process like Replicator5835needed within DOD to address the most pressing investment areas or5836should the existing acquisition and management process be sufficient to5837address urgent needs?5838    Answer. It is my understanding the Replicator program tailors the5839rapid acquisition pathway to ensure rapid acquisition and deployment5840for items urgently needed to react to an enemy threat or respond to5841significant and urgent safety situations. I believe the Department must5842utilize all of the authorities available to acquire capabilities to5843meet the most pressing and urgent needs, to include the capabilities5844being accelerated through Replicator. If confirmed, I will work with5845the appropriate stakeholders to review the value of initiatives like5846Replicator.5847      7rivate Equity and Venture Capital5848    Question. In 2023, the Department established the Office of5849Strategic Capital to give DOD the capability to issue loans and loan5850guarantees to complement and supplement traditional grants and funding5851for innovative technologies. This has opened up new avenues for other5852means to support small and nontraditional defense companies in more5853cost-effective ways.5854    In your view, how do financial instruments, like loans, private5855equity and venture capital, fit into the DOD tool box to support5856innovation and technology development for national security purposes?5857    Answer. Capital markets are a major source of strength for the5858United States in the global competition for technological advantage.5859DOD can leverage that advantage through financial instruments like5860loans and loan guarantees, which have been used as part of proven5861strategies to attract and scale private capital in support of national5862security priorities, including the development of critical5863technologies, their components, and the ability to grow and scale5864production.5865    Question. If confirmed, how would you improve understanding of5866these tools, and in turn, improve their use alongside traditional5867funding mechanisms?5868    Answer. If confirmed, I would work through DOD and with other5869United States Government agencies, Congress, the private sector, and5870other key stakeholders to highlight the efficacy and impact of these5871tools and support their use to address U.S. national security5872priorities. To that end, I would support entities like the Office of5873Strategic Capital and leverage fora such as the Strategic Capital5874Advisory Council, the forthcoming National Security Capital Forum, and5875the interagency process to engage and coordinate with stakeholders on5876opportunities to use attract and scale capital to further DOD's5877mission.5878    Question. Based on your experience in the private sector, do you5879have any recommendations or suggestions in leveraging private equity5880and venture capital, if confirmed?5881    Answer. Based on my experience in the private sector, I believe5882that private equity and venture capital can bring significant resources5883to bear in support of U.S. national security priorities and can offer5884insight into market dynamics, opportunities, and risks that affect5885DOD's mission. If confirmed, I would engage representatives from5886venture capital and private equity alongside other stakeholders.5887    Question. How would you characterize the threat from adversarial5888capital from hostile actors like China to our national security5889industrial base?5890    Answer. Adversarial capital, particularly from China, poses a5891significant threat to the National Security Industrial Base by enabling5892intellectual property theft, supply chain infiltration, and strategic5893influence over critical technologies vital to our military advantage.5894    If confirmed, I will review Department and Interagency efforts to5895address adversarial capital and I will work with the appropriate5896authorities, including this body, to protect against adversarial5897capital and cyber intrusions.5898    Question. Do you have any recommendations on how DOD should be5899structured to address these issues of economic competition, especially5900when it comes to adversarial attempts to gain strategic facilities or5901technologies that might be used against us?5902    Answer. It is imperative that the Department is postured to address5903strategic competition with China in all aspects which could undermine5904American warfighting advantages. If confirmed, I will work with5905stakeholders across DOD to review our structure and resourcing to5906determine whether changes are necessary.5907                       military talent management5908    Question. In your judgment, how effective is the military at5909identifying, promoting, and rewarding top performers?5910    Answer. My experience in the private sector has highlighted the5911critical need to identify and reward top talent within an organization5912and, in my career, I have worked with multiple highly talented serving5913and former Service Members. If confirmed, I look forward to examining5914how the Department identifies, promotes and rewards individuals based5915on their merits and, if I identify changes which will improve5916performance, then I commit to working with the necessary authorities,5917including this body, to make our Service Members more lethal and5918effective.5919    Question. Similarly, how effective is the military at identifying5920and removing underperforming or counterproductive servicemembers?5921    Answer. Managing an effective organization does, at times, require5922removing underperforming team members. If confirmed, I look forward to5923working with the Services at the direction of the Secretary to ensure5924the Department has the right people in the right positions, and that5925personnel decisions are based solely on merit.5926    Question. What should be done to improve military talent5927management?5928    Answer. Talent management is a key component to any successful5929organization, and the Department of Defense is no different. If5930confirmed, I look forward to working with the Services at the direction5931of the Secretary to ensure the Department effectively attracts,5932recruits, develops and retains the talent necessary to build and5933sustain a lethal fighting force.5934              assignment policies for women in the service5935    Question. Since 2015, all military occupations and units have been5936open to the assignment of any servicemember who can meet the5937occupational standards, including women.5938    Do you believe in the fundamental principle that any person,5939regardless of gender, who meets occupational standards for a particular5940job should be afforded the opportunity to compete for and perform the5941job?5942    Answer. My view is that every servicemember, regardless of sex, who5943can meet objective occupational and readiness standards for a career5944field should have the opportunity to compete for jobs in that field.5945            service of openly gay and lesbian servicemembers5946    Question. Since the repeal of ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' (DADT) in59472010, gay and lesbian members of the Armed Forces have served in the5948United States military without having to conceal or lie about their5949sexual orientation. According to RAND, approximately 6 percent of the5950force identify as gay or lesbian. Successive chiefs of service in5951administrations of both political parties have noted that repeal of5952DADT did not create any significant challenges opponents foresaw.5953    Do you believe repeal of DADT has created challenges for the5954military? If yes, please provide a detailed explanation.5955    Answer. Our servicemembers are focused first and foremost on being5956the most ready, lethal force in the world. The repeal of DADT has5957allowed all Americans--who can meet the military's high standards to5958maintain readiness--to serve our country. That's the way it should be.5959                 sexual assault prevention and response5960    Question. Despite significant efforts by the Military Services to5961enhance their response to sexual assaults, including measures to care5962for victims and hold assailants accountable, the prevalence of sexual5963assault and unwanted sexual conduct, primarily for female5964servicemembers aged 17 to 24, remains too high.5965    Do you believe the policies, programs, and resources, including the5966DOD Restricted (Confidential) Reporting Policy, that DOD and the5967Military Services have put in place to prevent and respond to sexual5968assault, and to protect servicemembers who report sexual assault from5969retaliation, are working? If not, what else must be done?5970    Answer. Sexual assault harms our warfighters and our military5971readiness. It has no place in the military. I know the Department has5972committed significant resources and undertaken numerous efforts to5973address sexual assault. If I am confirmed, I intend to learn more about5974the specifics of these efforts as we continue to rid the force of this5975criminal behavior.5976    Question. If confirmed as the Deputy Secretary of Defense, you5977would recommend additional authority from Congress to improve the5978Department's programs to prevent sexual harassment and sexual assaults?5979    Answer. Given both the Department's and Congress' ongoing efforts,5980it is my impression that significant authority already exists to5981further these initiatives. If confirmed, I commit to learning more5982about the authorities that exist and, if necessary, I will work with5983this body to make any necessary changes.5984    Question. If confirmed, what specific role and tasks would you5985establish for yourself in DOD's program of preventing and responding to5986both sexual harassment and sexual assault?5987    Answer. If confirmed, I will work to ensure that our policies,5988programs, and resources are as strong as possible to eliminate sexual5989assault and other behaviors that distract our servicemembers from the5990mission and undercut cohesion and trust. We must have ready, lethal5991warfighters who can deploy and fight as a cohesive unit.5992               active and reserve component end strength5993    Question. The Active military is smaller today than at any other5994point since the start of World War II. Since 2020, the Active Force has5995shrunk by over 60,000 personnel.5996    Do you believe military end strength should increase? If yes, where5997do you believe that growth should occur?5998    Answer. Military end strength should be based on what is necessary5999to support the National Defense Strategy. If confirmed, I look forward6000to working with the Secretary to determine what that number is and to6001ensure the Department meets that target.6002    Question. What aggregate active end strength do you believe is6003necessary to meet the demands placed on the Military Services by the60042022 NDS and associated operational plans?6005    Answer. The aggregate Active end strength should be based on the6006requirements in the National Defense Strategy and associated6007operational plans. If confirmed, I look forward to working with the6008Secretary as he builds the next National Defense Strategy, and I will6009work to ensure that we build a force which can achieve to determine6010what that number is and to ensure the Department meets that target.6011                     role of the reserve component6012    Question. Historically, the Reserve components have been positioned6013as a strategic reserve to be used in the event of significant armed6014conflict involving the United States. In the post-9/11 era, reserve6015forces have been used more extensively to support both contingency6016operations and ongoing military requirements in a garrison environment.6017Today, in addition to being an operational reserve, members of the6018Reserve component are used continuously as a part-time workforce for6019the Department of Defense to perform its ongoing training and to meet6020readiness requirements.6021    In your view, should the Reserve components serve as a part-time6022workforce, an operational reserve, a strategic reserve, or some6023combination of those? In light of your answer, do the Reserve6024components require increased levels of full-time support and oversight6025by the Active component, including improved equipment, increased6026training, adequate compensation and reimbursement, effective career6027management, balanced Professional Military Education requirements, and6028higher levels of overall resourcing for readiness going forward?6029    Answer. This Secretary is committed to restoring lethality in our6030fighting force and supporting President Trump's agenda to build peace6031through strength. If confirmed, I will work with the Secretary to6032assess Reserve Component roles, resources, training, and levels to6033ensure the Total Force is organized, manned, trained and equipped to6034best meet our national security objectives.6035    Question. In your view, what legislative reforms should be made in6036order to facilitate easier transitions for members of all components6037between active and reserve status?6038    Answer. If confirmed, I will work with the Secretary to determine6039what reforms are necessary to ensure the Total Force can attract and6040retain the talent necessary to meet our national security objectives.6041                      operational tempo (optempo)6042    Question. Since the end of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the6043military services continue to operate at a historically high OPTEMPO,6044which senior civilian and military leaders in the Department of Defense6045have deemed ``unsustainable.''6046    What is your plan to adjust OPTEMPO in the Armed Forces to ensure6047that servicemembers and their families are healthy, fit, adequately6048rested, and have a sustainable lifestyle so that they are prepared for6049a potential future major conflict?6050    Answer. Despite the end of large-scale United States troop6051deployments to Iraq and the United States military presence in6052Afghanistan, I understand that the military's operational tempo remains6053high. If confirmed, I will work with the Under Secretary of Defense for6054Personnel and Readiness, the Secretaries of the Military Departments,6055the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Military Service Chiefs6056to ensure that we are sending the right forces to accomplish our6057Nation's objectives and to refine our deployments, rotations, and6058domestic training to ensure that our OPTEMPO is sustainable. We must6059continue to maximize readiness for any future conflict while6060simultaneously avoiding exhausting our Force.6061                        recruiting and retention6062    Question. The 2024 National Defense Strategy Commission stated that6063``The DOD workforce and the all-volunteer force provide an unmatched6064advantage. However, recruiting failures have shrunk the force and raise6065serious questions about the all-volunteer force in peacetime, let alone6066in major combat.'' In addition, DOD studies indicate that only about 236067percent of today's youth population is eligible for military service,6068and only a fraction of those who meet military accession standards are6069interested in serving.6070    Do you agree with the premise that the shortage in the number of6071American youth eligible, qualified for, and interested in serving in6072the Armed Forces poses an existential threat to national security?6073    Answer. Yes, I do. If confirmed, I look forward to working with the6074Secretary to help the Department address this significant challenge.6075    Question. In your opinion, why are so few individuals in the 17-246076age range eligible for service, and what can be done to increase the6077pool of individuals qualified for, and interested in military service?6078    Answer. I understand that many individuals in this age group are6079disqualified from military service due to medical conditions, including6080mental health concerns, obesity, and diabetes. The recent executive6081order establishing the ``President's Make America Healthy Again6082Commission'' will improve this situation over time by aggressively6083combating the critical health challenges facing our citizens. If6084confirmed, I will support the Secretary in ensuring that the Department6085has the right standards and incentivizes young people to serve.6086    Question. What programs, policies, or tools does the Department6087need to increase the propensity to serve of today's youth?6088    Answer. I understand that the propensity of young Americans to6089serve has long been in decline. I expect the President's actions in his6090first weeks in office and the Secretary's commitment to a reinvigorated6091warrior culture to increase the interest of young people in serving in6092our Nation's military. If confirmed, I look forward to supporting the6093Secretary in finding ways to continue to increase the propensity to6094serve of today's youth.6095    Question. If required to choose between maintaining high6096recruitment and retention standards and achieving authorized end6097strength levels, which would be more important, in your view?6098    Answer. President Trump and Secretary Hegseth have made it clear6099that the Department must recruit the most capable individuals and6100ensure every servicemember meets the high standards to serve and defend6101this Nation. The Department should not lower its standards, but rather6102should inspire young Americans to strive to meet those standards.6103    Question. Do you believe the total military compensation system,6104including deferred and non-cash benefits, is adequate to recruit and6105retain the number of highly qualified individuals needed for military6106service?6107    Answer. The Department must ensure that it provides a compensation6108package sufficient to attract young Americans. It also needs to6109effectively communicate the benefits, including non-monetary benefits,6110of service to those young people.6111    Question. Do you believe the Armed Forces recruits and retains a6112diverse workforce, representative of the nation?6113    Answer. Servicemembers come from all across America to be part of a6114unified team, and the Department should welcome all who meet its high6115standards. The Secretary has made it clear that those high standards6116will be the same for all, regardless of race, gender or ethnicity.6117    Question. Do you believe it is important that servicemembers6118possess the ability, including that acquired through training, to work6119effectively with fellow servicemembers from different geographic areas,6120backgrounds, education, and experience to maximize the effectiveness of6121the Armed Forces?6122    Answer. Yes. Throughout America's history, the military has been a6123leading force in building strong teams out of young Americans from6124across our country. As Secretary Hegseth has made clear, the unity of6125our military is its strength.6126             military quality of life and family readiness6127    Question. Military quality of life and military family readiness6128are critical factors in the recruitment and retention of6129servicemembers. Military families want access to high quality education6130for their children, and to high quality health care and childcare6131services on military installations and in local communities. Military6132spouses seek education and employment opportunities, and military6133families benefit from modern morale, welfare and recreation (MWR)6134services.6135    If confirmed, what quality of life and MWR programs would you make6136a priority?6137    Answer. I fully support quality of life and MWR programs that6138reinforce a resilient and ready force, both at home stations and in6139deployed environments. These essential programs include commissaries,6140spouse education and employment support, high quality childcare, mental6141health counseling services, and fitness opportunities, build and6142sustain warfighter and family readiness.6143    If confirmed, I will support the efficient use of resources to6144ensure our warfighters and military families have access to the quality6145of life they deserve. Quality of life programs are vital to retaining6146our talented servicemembers and their families, restoring the warrior6147ethos, and rebuilding the strongest, most lethal military in the world.6148    Question. The Committee often hears that Active component military6149families have difficulty obtaining child care both on base and off6150base. Acknowledging that there is a nation-wide shortage of qualified6151child care providers, the unique circumstances around military life6152require stable and reliable childcare options in any economic or labor6153environment.6154    What are your innovative ideas for increasing the availability of6155accessible, high-quality childcare, at an appropriate cost, for6156military families?6157    Answer. Access to proximate and quality childcare is critical for6158our servicemembers and their families. If confirmed, I will fully6159support the Department's efforts to partner with Congress, States, and6160local leaders to attract and retain the best available childcare6161professionals and expand childcare availability in our Child6162Development Centers.6163                     non-deployable servicemembers6164    Question. The Department has published DODI 1332.45, Retention6165Determinations for Non-Deployable Servicemembers.6166    Do you agree that servicemembers who are non-deployable for more6167than 12 consecutive months should be subject either to separation from6168service or referral into the Disability Evaluation System?6169    Answer. I agree with the Secretary that servicemembers who are non-6170deployable for 12 consecutive months or more should be reviewed for6171separation or a medical disability evaluation as appropriate.6172                         military health system6173    Question. The Military Health System (MHS) is one of the Nation's6174largest medical systems. Its threefold mission includes: 1) Ensuring6175military personnel are healthy enough to perform their assigned tasks;61762) Ensuring military medical personnel are trained and ready to provide6177medical care to support operating forces around world; and 3) Provide a6178medical benefit to over 9.5 billion beneficiaries.6179    In your judgment, how should the Department of Defense balance the6180sometimes-competing demands of the MHS mission?6181    Answer. I don't think that these missions are in competition with6182each other, and are in fact, complementary. As I understand it, the6183principal mission of the Military Health System is to ensure the force6184is ready, and our medical teams are ready--wherever in the world we may6185need to go.6186    The decision that the Department leadership must make to carry out6187this mission in the most efficient manner is this: what care should be6188delivered in military medical treatment facilities and what care should6189it purchase from the private sector? It's a complex framework for6190decisionmaking--and requires consideration for where military forces6191are training and operating from, regardless of the medical capabilities6192in the local communities. DOD must resource the Military Health System,6193including where we place our military and civilian manpower, to most6194effectively provide health care and generate medical forces.6195    And make no mistake--I will ensure our servicemembers and their6196families have the finest care available, wherever it is provided.6197    Question. The MHS was recently reorganized to increase focus on6198combat casualty care while maintain robust health care for authorized6199beneficiaries. The Department of Defense requested over $60 billion for6200MHS in fiscal year 2025, which is $10 billion more than the enacted MHS6201budget from fiscal year 2021. Despite this increase, the MHS remains6202underfunded in certain key areas.6203    If confirmed, what actions will you take to ensure that the MHS is6204capable of caring for our combat wounded personnel as well as providing6205quality medical care to authorized beneficiaries?6206    Answer. Military medicine is one part of a no fail mission. We owe6207it to the men and women who serve this country to provide the highest6208quality, lifesaving health care both on the battlefield and at home. We6209will not cut any corners when it comes to this mission.6210    If confirmed, I will carefully look at our military medical budget,6211and ensure we are requesting appropriations and using those funds in an6212efficient way that best supports this mission, to include unfunded6213requirements that demand attention, as Secretary Hegseth has pledged. I6214will establish clear and precise resourcing priorities and strict6215controls to show good faith and transparency when requesting an6216increase in appropriations, as well as emphasizing efficiency in6217operations. Finally, I will also look to compare Military Health System6218performance and costs against other leading health systems in the6219United States.6220    I also recognize that health care is expensive--and DOD is not6221insulated from health care cost growth, whether that's due to the cost6222of prescription drugs, new technology, or the need to operate in6223medically remote locations. I will ask our medical leaders to seek6224opportunities to be better purchasers of health care services and to6225find economies of scale and other efficiencies.6226    Question. What should be done to increase the effectiveness and6227efficiency of the Military Health System?6228    Answer. As an investor with a great deal of experience in the6229private sector, I will bring a strong focus on mission and efficiency6230to the Department. Since I have not been confirmed, I do not know the6231details, but I can assure that you I will work with our Under Secretary6232of Defense for Personnel and Readiness to determine the best ways to6233raise effectiveness and efficiency within the Military Health System.6234             department of defense (dod) civilian workforce6235    Question. DOD is the Federal Government's largest employer of6236civilian personnel. The vast majority of DOD civilian personnel6237policies comport with requirements set forth in title 5 of the U.S.6238Code, concerning the Federal civilian workforce generally, and6239corresponding regulations under the purview of the Office of Personnel6240Management. This has over the years, it has provided numerous6241extraordinary hiring and management authorities tailored to specific6242segments of the DOD civilian workforce to meet unique DOD workforce6243requirements.6244    In your judgment, what is the biggest challenge facing the6245Department in effectively and efficiently managing its civilian6246workforce?6247    Answer. The Department has great people working for it and I am6248committed to making sure that the Department continues to have the best6249people. Throughout my career, I have focused on getting the right6250people into the right jobs and in structuring organizations to use6251their people effectively. If I am confirmed, I will review the6252effectiveness of the numerous personnel management authorities and6253systems and explore greater efficiencies. The Department must make6254every effort to do this well in order to recruit and retain highly6255skilled professionals that contribute to the Department's mission and6256goals.6257    Question. Do you advocate the creation of a new ``title 10'' DOD6258civilian workforce and a concomitant body of title 10 personnel6259authorities applicable only to the DOD civilian workforce? If so, how6260should these new authorities improve on title 5, in your view?6261    Answer. If confirmed, I will focus on making sure that the6262Department has the best people and I am aware this proposal could6263provide a unique opportunity to design a personnel system specifically6264tailored to the Department's mission, potentially surpassing the6265prescriptive limitations of Title 5. If confirmed, I will work with the6266Congress to carefully evaluate this and any other reform which can6267better equip the Department to address evolving national security6268challenges.6269    Question. What recommendations do you have to improve DOD's6270management of its civilian workforce?6271    Answer. I have extensive business experience in finding great6272people and restricting organizations to use their people well. If6273confirmed, I will work with Congress to identify ways to strengthen our6274civilian talent management efforts and implement modernized hiring6275practices that enhance workforce efficiency. The civilian workforce is6276a key part of the DOD team, and the Department must efficiently recruit6277and retain highly skilled civilian team members who contribute to the6278Department's core missions.6279    Question. Do you believe DOD's civilian workforce is part of the6280``total force'' and operates as an indispensable force multiplier for6281the armed forces?6282    Answer. DOD civilian employees are integral to the lethality and6283readiness of the Force. For example, the tens of thousands of civilian6284employees working in depots and arsenals ensure equipment readiness,6285support mobilization and contingency operations, and enhance6286operational capability by maintaining/upgrading military equipment to6287ensure the fighting force has the tools necessary to accomplish the6288mission.6289    defense department and the intelligence community collaboration6290    Question. Since September 11, 2001, collaboration--both analytical6291and operational--between the Defense Department and the Intelligence6292Community has grown increasingly close. On one hand, seamless6293collaboration is vital to effective and rapid responses to non-6294traditional threats, and bringing together the strengths of the full6295spectrum of defense and intelligence capabilities can generate more6296effective solutions to complex problems. On the other hand, without6297effective management and oversight, such collaboration risks blurring6298distinct agency missions, authorities, and funding, as well as creating6299redundant lines of effort.6300    In your view, are there aspects of the current relationship between6301the Department and the Intelligence Community that should be re-6302examined or modified?6303    Answer. DOD-Intelligence collaboration is vital to national6304security and so believe that it is vital to be always improving6305collaboration. From my time and experience chairing the President's6306Intelligence Advisory Board, I believe intelligence priorities,6307resource management, and information sharing are some of the most6308critical areas for collaboration. From what I can tell from outside the6309Department, coordination and collaboration with the Office of the6310Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the broader IC has6311improved, but we can do better. If confirmed, I will support the6312Secretary in working closely with the DNI to ensure the IC is fully6313supporting the DOD's priorities and that DOD's intelligence elements6314are also responsive to the ODNI's requirements.6315                        congressional oversight6316    Question. In order to exercise legislative and oversight6317responsibilities, it is important that this committee, its6318subcommittees, and other appropriate committees of Congress receive6319timely testimony, briefings, reports, records--including documents and6320electronic communications, and other information from the executive6321branch.6322    Do you agree, without qualification, if confirmed, and on request,6323to appear and testify before this committee, its subcommittees, and6324other appropriate committees of Congress? Please answer with a simple6325yes or no.6326    Answer. Yes.6327    Question. Do you agree, without qualification, if confirmed, to6328provide this committee, its subcommittees, other appropriate committees6329of Congress, and their respective staffs such witnesses and briefers,6330briefings, reports, records--including documents and electronic6331communications, and other information, as may be requested of you, and6332to do so in a timely manner without delay? Please answer with a simple6333yes or no.6334    Answer. Yes.6335    Question. Do you agree, without qualification, if confirmed, to6336consult with this committee, its subcommittees, other appropriate6337committees of Congress, and their respective staffs, regarding your6338basis for any delay or denial in providing testimony, briefings,6339reports, records--including documents and electronic communications,6340and other information requested of you? Please answer with a simple yes6341or no.6342    Answer. Yes.6343    Question. Do you agree, without qualification, if confirmed, to6344keep this committee, its subcommittees, other appropriate committees of6345Congress, and their respective staffs apprised of new information that6346materially impacts the accuracy of testimony, briefings, reports,6347records--including documents and electronic communications, and other6348information you or your organization previously provided? Please answer6349with a simple yes or no.6350    Answer. Yes.6351    Question. Do you agree, without qualification, if confirmed, and on6352request, to provide this committee and its subcommittees, and their6353respective staffs with records and other information within their6354oversight jurisdiction, even absent a formal Committee request? Please6355answer with a simple yes or no.6356    Answer. Yes.6357    Question. Do you agree, without qualification, if confirmed, to6358respond timely to letters to, and/or inquiries and other requests of6359you or your organization from individual Senators who are members of6360this committee? Please answer with a simple yes or no.6361    Answer. Yes.6362    Question. Do you agree, without qualification, if confirmed, to6363ensure that you and other members of your organization protect from6364retaliation any military member, Federal employee, or contractor6365employee who testifies before, or communicates with this committee, its6366subcommittees, and any other appropriate committee of Congress? Please6367answer with a simple yes or no.6368    Answer. Yes.6369                                ------63706371    [Questions for the record with answers supplied follow:]63726373               Questions Submitted by Senator Tom Cotton6374                          shrinking air force6375    1. Senator Cotton. Mr. Feinberg, our Air Force has shrunk from63764,321 total fighter aircraft in 1989, to 2,024 fighter aircraft today.6377After you apply mission capable rates, only 724 aircraft are mission6378capable for war. How will a continued divestment of airframes impact6379the Air Force's ability to project air power as tasked by the Key West6380Agreement of 1947?6381    Mr. Feinberg. The role of the Air Force in any future fight is6382increasing, yet our Air Force is currently the oldest and smallest it6383has been in its history. My understanding is that the Department of the6384Air Force (DAF) is transitioning to a smaller, but more capable, force6385focused on long-range kill chains. Ultimately, I believe we must be6386able to project power for our deterrence and homeland defense with a6387mixture of stand-off and stand-in, and asymmetric capabilities. We need6388to invest in a family of medium-and long-range penetrating airframes6389coupled with modern munitions, human-machine teaming, and a hardened6390warfighting network.6391    If confirmed, I look forward to working with the DAF and this6392Congress to ensure that short-term readiness investments are tailored6393to maintain a ready deterrent force, but that we do not cannibalize our6394ability to modernize the joint force for the future fight.6395                            recapitalization6396    2. Senator Cotton. Mr. Feinberg, the average age of our fighter6397fleet is 30.3 years old. Our fleet needs new aircraft. How do you plan6398to recapitalize the Air Force fleet and improve our mission capable6399rates both to meet current mission taskings and to build a force6400required for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) fight?6401    Mr. Feinberg. Maintaining legacy force structure while6402simultaneously pursuing modernization has forced reductions in6403procurement and readiness accounts. Divesting legacy weapon systems6404that are no longer reliable, or suitable to address the pacing threat6405can free resources for future capabilities and higher near-term6406readiness priority investments.6407    If confirmed, I will work with the Joint Staff, combatant commands,6408and the Air Force to assess the current capability and underlying6409requirements, and I look forward to working with Congress and the DAF6410to continue modernization efforts to improve readiness and extend the6411life of weapons systems where practical, while procuring modernized6412capabilities that can compete in a high-end conflict.6413                            legacy spending6414    3. Senator Cotton. Mr. Feinberg, you referenced budget cuts to6415legacy spending during your testimony and prioritizing funding for6416primary missions. What investments are required in the Department of6417Defense to meet the National Defense Strategy?6418    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I would prioritize a top to bottom6419review of legacy DOD spending to understand what missions this spending6420supports. I anticipate the next National Defense Strategy will continue6421to prioritize China as a pacing threat and have a renewed focus on6422defending the homeland to align with the President's America First6423policy.6424    I would want to understand the effectiveness of legacy spending6425profiles in achieving those two DOD missions, and any others6426prioritized in the National Defense Strategy, so that I can ensure6427Defense spending focuses on the most cost-effective approaches and6428capabilities.6429                             two front war6430    4. Senator Cotton. Mr. Feinberg, adversaries in U.S. Central6431Command (CENTCOM) could take advantage of a fight in the INDOPACOM6432theater and commence a two-front war against America and its allies. Do6433you believe the Department of Defense (DOD) should invest for a two-6434front war?6435    Mr. Feinberg. I understand that countries like China, Iran, Russia,6436and North Korea are aligning on issues of common interest in a manner6437that suggests a cooperative approach to undermining U.S. influence and6438our alliances. Concerningly, a conflict between any one of these actors6439and the United States may create an opportunity for a second actor in a6440different theater to pursue its own interests.6441    While I have not been briefed on our current classified assessments6442of adversary alignment, if confirmed, I will make it a priority to work6443with the intelligence community, the Joint Staff, the Services, and6444civilian leadership, to understand both the threat posed by adversary6445alignment, as well as the implications of this alignment for the6446Department in general, and on Joint Force sizing and shaping in6447particular.64486449    5. Senator Cotton. Mr. Feinberg, will this require additional6450funding for the Department of Defense?6451    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will work with DOD components,6452Military Services, Joint Staff, and combatant commands to thoroughly6453understand the current capability and underlying requirements. I will6454also prioritize a line-by-line review of DOD spending to understand6455what missions this spending supports.6456    Along with these reviews, I will also leverage intelligence and6457collect views from civilian and military experts to understand the6458potential threats and approaches for managing those threats to assess6459potential funding implications.6460                                 drones6461    6. Senator Cotton. Mr. Feinberg, as evidenced in Ukraine, drones6462alone are not that decisive advantage to break out of a stalemate.6463Given that, what role do you believe drones and artificial intelligence6464(AI) have in our military?6465    Mr. Feinberg. The conflict in Ukraine has demonstrated that the6466integration of emerging technologies such as drones and artificial6467intelligence (AI) will shape the future of warfighting and thus are6468essential tools for preserving the Joint Force's technological6469advantage over adversaries. I understand that rapid fielding of6470emerging technologies to enhance the lethality of our warfighters and6471reestablish deterrence is a key concern for the Secretary of Defense.6472    If confirmed, I will cooperate with stakeholders across the6473Department to ensure that warfighters can employ emerging technologies6474such as drones and AI to complement the full array of the Joint Force's6475capabilities. I also recognize that the Department can utilize AI for a6476range of use cases, from warfighting to business processes. If6477confirmed, I am committed to exploring how drones and AI can be used to6478quickly and responsibly respond to evolving threats and assure6479lethality in the face of changing battlefield conditions.6480                               munitions6481    7. Senator Cotton. Mr. Feinberg, long lead item, critical munitions6482like the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), Joint Air-to-Surface6483Standoff Missile (JASSM), and Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) are6484required in the INDOPACOM fight. What other munitions do you consider6485critical for the INDOPACOM fight?6486    Mr. Feinberg. Having a ready stockpile of munitions to deter and6487defeat in the Indo-Pacific is paramount to our success. The munitions6488that will enhance our lethality span the munitions capability portfolio6489including long-range precision strike packages, maritime strike, air to6490air, and missile defense. These capabilities include innovative, mass-6491produced weapons, hypersonic missiles, and a backbone of proven6492precision guided munitions.6493    If confirmed, I will ensure the Department continues to work across6494the Joint Force, combatant commands, and Services to develop6495requirements on a yearly basis in alignment with strategy and6496prioritize the implementation of these munitions.64976498    8. Senator Cotton. Mr. Feinberg, what additional authorities from6499Congress do you believe you need to cut through bureaucratic red-tape6500and grow our production capabilities for critical munitions?6501    Mr. Feinberg. Critical munitions are vital for deterring and6502defeating our adversaries. The Department must continue to seek6503authorization and appropriations from Congress in support of multi-year6504procurement efforts, including advanced procurement of long-lead items.6505    If confirmed, I look forward to working with Congress on developing6506more flexible authorities to ensure that we can surge weapons6507production and rebuild our military. Additionally, I will review the6508slate of existing authorities to determine whether there are additional6509authorities that the Department could leverage, and I will communicate6510back to the Congress, as appropriate.6511                          america's strengths6512    9. Senator Cotton. Mr. Feinberg, what are America's key advantages6513we should leverage in a contest with China?6514    Mr. Feinberg. The United States has the strongest military in the6515history of the world. We will build on that advantageous position, by6516reviving the warrior ethos inside the Department, expanding and6517enhancing our capabilities, and standing by our Allies in the face of6518aggression by Communist China.6519                               __________6520            Questions Submitted by Senator M. Michael Rounds6521                     diagnostic testing technology6522    10. Senator Rounds. Mr. Feinberg, almost 3 years ago the Department6523of Defense (DOD) estimated that the inability to detect and isolate6524electronic faults resulted in over 383,000 non-mission capable days6525each year and over $5.5 billion in non-value-added sustainment costs.6526In response to this readiness and sustainment challenge, the Office of6527the Secretary of Defense (OSD) proposed funding for the purchase of a6528readily available, effective, and proven technology to address this6529issue. The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) fully supports this6530technology, and the fiscal year 2024 defense appropriation included6531$35.2 million for it. My concern is that under the previous6532administration, the Army has, instead of acquiring this readily6533available, proven, and extremely cost-effective technology despite its6534powerful support from OSD and SASC, decided to continue to only study6535the issue. Meanwhile, the Navy has outright resisted acquisition of the6536technology. If confirmed, would you commit to following up with me on6537this technology?6538    Mr. Feinberg. While I have not been briefed on the specific details6539of the Department's electronic faults efforts, I understand the6540importance of pursuing new technology to solve mission-critical6541sustainment challenges. If confirmed, I look forward to working with6542you and the Services on this issue.6543                               __________6544              Questions Submitted by Senator Joni K. Ernst6545            navy medical research command virology research6546    11. Senator Ernst. Mr. Feinberg, the Navy Medical Research Command6547has funded and conducted research and surveillance in foreign locations6548such as Laos, Singapore, and Malaysia, including funding Laos bat virus6549research. Congress passed a law asking DOD to report on research labs6550in China and other foreign countries (section 252 of Public Law 118-655131). The Office of Inspector General's (OIG) June 18, 2024 report, in6552response to that law, noted:6553    Mr. Feinberg. ``(U) Navy officials from the Office of Naval6554Research and Naval Medical Research Command did not respond with a6555completed questionnaire but provided a statement confirming they were6556unable to identify any research or experiments during the period under6557review that could have reasonably resulted in funds provided to the6558People's Republic of China and associated affiliates for research6559activities, or any foreign countries, for the enhancement of pathogens6560of pandemic potential'' (emphasis added).6561    Some of the OIG questions the Navy did not answer, include the6562funding amount and details surrounding the study of pathogens in China6563or other foreign countries and the purposes for those studies. Those6564questions still warrant answers.6565    We have had difficulty getting responses from the previous6566administration on many issues of concern, including information on the6567DOD's involvement in bat research. Will you commit to ensuring full6568transparency and cooperation with congressional oversight, especially6569regarding the Navy's pandemic pathogen and bat virus research?6570    If confirmed, I will commit to ensuring transparency and6571cooperation with congressional oversight. I will make sure that the6572Department's research and development efforts are addressing the6573highest priorities, as determined by the President and the Secretary of6574Defense. I also commit to examining DOD's involvement in pandemic6575pathogen and bat virus research and related activities.6576                               __________6577              Questions Submitted by Senator Dan Sullivan6578                                 alaska6579    12. Senator Sullivan. Mr. Feinberg, in a 2018 interview, then6580Secretary of the Navy, Richard Spencer, said that the Navy ``need[s] to6581have on-sea presence [in the Arctic] now that we have a blue water6582Arctic more times than not.'' He additionally pushed the Navy to look6583at ``warm[ing] up Adak again,'' not only for additional training but6584also for naval sea and air facilities as well as bulk fuel capability.6585When Chinese and Russian naval vessels and air assets enter the Alaska6586Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Air Defense Identification Zone6587(ADIZ), aircraft and ships must often travel long distances, which6588stretch sustainment and make it more difficult to keep a constant6589presence in the region where our adversaries are located. Will you6590commit to reviewing our Arctic posture and specifically pushing for a6591naval base and bulk fuel facilities at Adak Island to increase presence6592in the Arctic?6593    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I look forward to reviewing the Joint6594Force's posture globally--including in Alaska and the broader Arctic6595region--and the infrastructure necessary to support the Joint Force's6596global mission.65976598    13. Senator Sullivan. Mr. Feinberg, Alaska is the only U.S. State6599in the Arctic region. What advantages do you see in having multiple6600ports in the Aleutians and Western Alaska that can refuel U.S. Navy6601ships?6602    Mr. Feinberg. Maintaining U.S. presence in the Arctic is key to6603restoring deterrence and ensuring defense of the homeland. Military at-6604sea refueling and commercial refueling arrangements enable nimble U.S.6605operations, heightening our maneuverability and operational readiness.6606The capabilities afforded by these refueling arrangements are6607supplemented by commercial ports like the Port of Alaska in Anchorage,6608which DOD has designated as a U.S. Commercial Strategic Seaport. If6609confirmed, I look forward to evaluating capability gaps in Alaska and6610the Arctic more broadly to ensure that the Joint Force has the posture6611and infrastructure it needs to fulfill its mission there.66126613    14. Senator Sullivan. Mr. Feinberg, in Alaska, we have seen joint6614Russian-Chinese air and naval exercises off our shores, incursions into6615our ADIZ and EEZ, and a Chinese spy balloon floating over our6616communities. In your opinion, what capabilities must advance to improve6617multi-domain awareness in Alaska to respond to and be a persistent6618presence in the Arctic, while Russia and China have developed6619capabilities to hold our Homeland at risk?6620    Mr. Feinberg. Alaska plays an indispensable role in defending our6621homeland, and I support efforts to improve our capabilities to monitor6622the Arctic region across all domains. Ongoing efforts--undertaken in6623partnership with Canada--to modernize NORAD and enhance the binational6624command's ability to detect and monitor evolving threats are key to6625this this.6626    If confirmed, I look forward to exploring additional ground-and6627space-based sensors to further improve our sight picture in the region.6628Today, communicating in the Arctic can be a major hindrance to6629operating in the region, so examining enhancements to our6630communications and data architecture in the region, especially space-6631based communications, will be imperative to executing DOD's mission.66326633    15. Senator Sullivan. Mr. Feinberg, Alaska's importance as a6634strategic place is not only due to its location but because it forms6635the ``Three Pillars of Military Might'': 1) it acts as the cornerstone6636of missile defense by housing the majority of the Nation's ground based6637nuclear interceptors and many of the Nation's advanced radars; 2) by6638providing a strategic platform for expeditionary forces including the663911th Airborne Division (Arctic); and 3) being a hub for Air Combat6640Power where the largest concentration of fifth generation fighters in6641the world is located. Will you commit to visiting Alaska to understand6642the unique capabilities our State brings to deterrence?6643    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I look forward to working with you and6644visiting Alaska to understand the unique capabilities Alaska brings to6645deterrence.6646                       defense acquisition reform6647    16. Senator Sullivan. Mr. Feinberg, last year, Congress received6648the report of the Commission on Planning, Programming, Budgeting and6649Execution (PPBE) Reform--a comprehensive report that outlined issues6650with the Department of Defense's defense acquisition system. I plan to6651lead efforts to cut bureaucracy and speed up innovation in the Pentagon6652and defense technology sector and I believe the recommendations in this6653report are a crucial step in doing so. Many of the reforms in that6654report do not need congressional legislation to execute but rather can6655be enacted by the Department of Defense and you as Deputy Secretary of6656Defense, if confirmed. Will you commit to review the findings of that6657report and direct a Pentagon working group to begin implementation of6658the reform measures it outlined?6659    Mr. Feinberg. Yes. I understand that under the previous6660Administration, the Department committed to implementing some of the6661recommendations made by the Commission on PPBE Reform. If confirmed, I6662look forward to further evaluating the Commission's findings and6663recommendations and to better understanding and shaping the6664Department's ongoing efforts in response.6665    I also recognize that many of the PPBE reform efforts may not6666require legislation to implement and acknowledge the importance of open6667communication between the Department and Congress. If confirmed, I look6668forward to working with Congress and keeping you informed on these6669matters.66706671    17. Senator Sullivan. Mr. Feinberg, I am working with the Pentagon6672and through legislation to lead efforts that help innovative defense6673startups avoid the ``Valley of Death'' which results in long-6674procurement timelines and shuttered defense firms. Will you commit to6675work with me to fix this issue and to get feedback from non-traditional6676defense technology leaders and scholars to reform the Pentagon's6677processes?6678    Mr. Feinberg. Yes. The Department needs to source and field6679capabilities from non-traditional vendors, including innovative6680startups and commercial industry, more quickly and at greater scale. In6681key technology areas like software, commercial industry has rapidly6682adjusted their development timelines to meet a fast-changing market,6683while DOD is still struggling to reframe its acquisition process from a6684hardware-centric to a software-centric approach. If confirmed, I will6685seek out feedback from non-traditional defense technology leaders and6686actively pursue new ideas and innovative approaches to deliver6687solutions to our warfighters more quickly.66886689    18. Senator Sullivan. Mr. Feinberg, will you commit to reviewing6690the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) as6691outlined in the PPBE Reform Commission report and provide Congress with6692updates as to the regulations that need to be removed or amended to6693speed up acquisition?6694    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I am committed to streamlining and6695accelerating the acquisition process, recognizing its critical role in6696equipping our warfighters with the capabilities they need to maintain6697our national security. I am committed to thoroughly reviewing the DFARS6698through the lens of speed and efficiency, taking into account the6699Commission's findings. This review will be conducted with a sense of6700urgency, and, if confirmed, I commit to ensuring transparency,6701accountability, and cooperation with congressional oversight.67026703    19. Senator Sullivan. Mr. Feinberg, in my view, one of the most6704important findings of the PPBE commission report involved reviewing6705defense technology portfolios and budget line items to align them with6706capabilities and provide agile budgeting flexibility by consolidating6707budget line items. Do you agree that this idea will give the Pentagon6708more agility to identify and execute important programs at scale that6709are needed by the warfighter?6710    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I am committed to further evaluating6711the findings and recommendations of the Commission on PPBE Reform and6712to working with Congress to improve the flexibility in the defense6713budgeting processes, which will include focusing on the consolidation6714of budget line items.67156716    20. Senator Sullivan. Mr. Feinberg, one of the most successful6717programs in the Pentagon the last several years has been the Space6718Development Agency (SDA), which has significantly reduced the time it6719takes to get satellite sensor systems into orbit cheaply and at scale.6720However, I am growing concerned that this program is going to be pulled6721into the slower Pentagon Joint Capabilities Integration and Development6722System (JCIDS), and potentially lose its technological edge. Will you6723commit to reviewing this program and helping Congress protect its6724current organizational configuration to enable scalable satellite6725launches?6726    Mr. Feinberg. I agree that we must preserve the factors that have6727made the Space Development Agency (SDA) innovative and their6728established record of using a spiral development strategy to deliver6729new capabilities to meet documented Joint warfighter needs at scale, on6730time, and within cost margins. If confirmed, I commit to reviewing how6731the lessons learned from SDA's successes can inform the NDAA-directed6732``clean sheet'' review of the JCIDS process and to developing a way6733ahead that preserves SDA's ability to rapidly deliver necessary,6734integrated capabilities for the Joint Force.67356736    21. Senator Sullivan. Mr. Feinberg, the Replicator Initiative6737started by your predecessor seems to be trending positively overall6738with certain exquisite capabilities already acquired. The goal is to6739scale these capabilities this year. If the Replicator Initiative is6740successful, there will likely be several lessons learned from it about6741the procurement process. How do you plan to incorporate lessons learned6742from Replicator into the rest of the DOD procurement process?6743    Mr. Feinberg. My understanding is that the Replicator Initiative,6744through a whole of Department approach, has been able to accelerate6745processes that normally take the Department years to complete into only6746months. In partnership with the Vice Chairman and DOD components, if6747confirmed, I will work to identify Replicator's best practices. I6748believe it is important to continue pushing for the adoption and6749institutionalization of processes and practices that accelerate the6750delivery of capabilities to our warfighters.6751    critical minerals, national environmental policy act, and energy6752    22. Senator Sullivan. Mr. Feinberg, during his term, President Joe6753Biden passed 70 executive orders that restricted Alaska's ability to6754extract its own natural resources despite an acute need for them on6755both commercial and national security grounds. These executive orders6756have slowed down or completely hindered resource extraction and6757critical infrastructure projects important not just to the State but to6758the Nation as a whole. On the first day of his presidency, January 20,67592025, President Trump signed an executive order entitled Unleashing6760Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential. The order in part reads as6761follows:6762    ``Section 3 Specific Agency Actions6763    a. The heads of all executive departments and agencies, including6764but not limited to the Secretary of the Interior; the Secretary of6765Commerce, acting through the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and6766Atmosphere; and the Secretary of the Army acting through the Assistant6767Secretary of the Army for Public Works, shall exercise all lawful6768authority and discretion available to them and take all necessary steps6769to:67706771      (i)  rescind, revoke, revise, amend, defer, or grant exemptions6772from any and all regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies, and6773any other similar agency actions that are inconsistent with the policy6774set forth in section 2 of this order, including but not limited to6775agency actions promulgated, issued, or adopted between January 20,67762021, and January 20, 2025; and67776778     (ii)  prioritize the development of Alaska's LNG potential,6779including the permitting of all necessary pipeline and export6780infrastructure related to the Alaska LNG Project, giving due6781consideration to the economic and national security benefits associated6782with such development . . .67836784    Section 3(d) in addition to the actions outlined in subsection (a)6785of this section, the Secretary of the Army, acting through the6786Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, shall render all6787assistance requested by the Governor of Alaska to facilitate the6788clearing and maintenance of transportation infrastructure, consistent6789with applicable law. All such requests for assistance shall be6790transmitted to the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Interior, and6791Assistant to the President for Economic Policy for approval prior to6792initiation.6793    Section 3(e) the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works,6794under the direction of the Secretary of the Army, shall immediately6795review, revise, or rescind any agency action that may in any way6796hinder, slow or otherwise delay any critical project in the State of6797Alaska.''6798    Will you commit fully to the intent of the President's executive6799order referenced above where the Department of the Army and the U.S6800Army Corps of Engineers will play a vital role?6801    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will ensure I get a briefing from the6802Department of the Army on the scope and details of this initiate and6803ensure that the Department appropriately implements the President's6804Executive Order.68056806    23. Senator Sullivan. Mr. Feinberg, a number of important military6807construction (MILCON) projects are held up by overly burdensome6808environmental regulations. My home State of Alaska is particularly hard6809hit by these regulations as the building season is very short and the6810costs to build there extremely high. Will you commit to reviewing6811environmental regulations put in place by DOD to accelerate the pace of6812environmental reviews for critical MILCON projects and to let Congress6813know how it can help?6814    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will evaluate DOD and Military6815Department National Environmental Policy Act regulations to streamline6816and accelerate the pace of environmental reviews for critical MILCON6817projects. I also commit to working with Congress to support the6818Department's ability to rebuild our military expeditiously.68196820    24. Senator Sullivan. Mr. Feinberg, one of the results of President6821Biden's energy policies and the ``lock up'' of my State through his6822executive orders is an energy emergency affecting our national security6823that is unfolding on some Alaska bases. I spoke to Secretary Hegseth6824recently about this issue and explained to him that there has been a6825number of instances where commanders of bases like Joint Base6826Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Anchorage had to tell servicemembers and6827their families to turn-down their heat, unplug personal property, and6828turn-off certain critical systems that sustain the base. This was done6829to preserve electricity and avoid brown-outs in the region. Would U.S.6830national security be enhanced if there was a reliable source of clean-6831burning Alaskan natural gas available to supply the energy needs of6832these bases?6833    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will ensure a thorough evaluation of6834energy resilience at our installations in Alaska and prioritize actions6835to mitigate shortfalls. While I cannot speak to the specifics of6836natural gas within the context of the national security paradigm yet, I6837understand the Department is evaluating actions that support the6838President's Executive Orders and, if confirmed, I would ensure the6839inclusion of natural gas is also evaluated as part of energy resilience6840of DOD installations.68416842    25. Senator Sullivan. Mr. Feinberg, will you commit to working with6843the State of Alaska and me to secure a reliable source of energy for6844Alaska military bases?6845    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I look forward to working with the6846State of Alaska, and you, to enhance the energy resilience of DOD6847installations.6848                        golden dome for america6849    26. Senator Sullivan. Mr. Feinberg, Billy Mitchell, the Father of6850the U.S. Air Force once said, ``I believe . . . whoever controls Alaska6851controls the world. I think it is the most strategic place in the6852world.'' No other State but Alaska is strategically located to provide6853such a high level of Homeland Defense. At Fort Greely, the 49th Missile6854Defense Battalion provides our Nation's first line of defense, tasked6855to defend against the threat of an intercontinental ballistic missile6856attack, command of 40 of the Nation's 44 ballistic missile6857interceptors, and reception of data from the nearby Long Range6858Discrimination Radar (LRDR). Fort Greely will soon house the new Next6859Generation Interceptor (NGI) missiles, but the program for this system6860has stalled due to high cost overruns and manufacturing delays. The NGI6861will be an essential part of our national ballistic missile system.6862Will you commit to reviewing the NGI program, if confirmed, and keep6863Congress informed of what resources are required to field the missile6864on time?6865    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will work with the Missile Defense6866Agency, other DOD components, and the Military Services to advance our6867Nation's homeland missile defense capabilities--to include the Next6868Generation Interceptor (NGI) program--in order to deliver on the6869President's vision and Executive Order for homeland defense. The NGI6870program is a top priority and I commit to working with the Congress to6871ensure it is resourced for success.68726873    27. Senator Sullivan. Mr. Feinberg, Alaska is strategic not only6874for its geographic location but also because of its concentration of6875over 100 fifth generation fighters (the highest concentration in the6876world) as well as it being home to the 11th Airborne Division, the6877Nation's preeminent Arctic combat unit. If a war occurred in the6878INDOPACOM area of responsibility (AOR), forces in Alaska would almost6879certainly be part of that fight and therefore would also be potentially6880targeted in their home bases. Do you believe that President Trump's6881``Golden Dome for America'' should include Alaska as a critical site to6882be defended from missile attack given the facts stated above?6883    Mr. Feinberg. I fully support President Trump's Executive Order to6884create a Golden Dome for America. The need for a next-generation6885missile defense shield to protect Americans could not be more urgent,6886and it aligns with one of the top priorities the Secretary has set for6887the Defense Department: the need to reestablish deterrence capabilities6888to protect our U.S. homeland borders and skies against foreign coercion6889and aggression. All Americans deserve a similar degree of protection6890against the catastrophic missile threats of our potential adversaries.6891In its development of defensive architectures, the Department will6892consider all key and potentially key locations, including Alaska, to6893ensure we meet the intent of the executive order and secure the Nation.6894                                 budget6895    28. Senator Sullivan. Mr. Feinberg, since World War II, U.S.6896defense spending has only dropped below 3 percent of gross domestic6897product (GDP) four times. Right now we are barely spending over that6898threshold and the services are paying the heavy price for it in6899readiness. Senator Wicker's ``Peace Through Strength'' Act seeks to6900increase defense spending from 3 percent to 5 percent over time. Do you6901commit to protect and help raise defense spending for high priority6902projects like shipbuilding, industrial base improvement, Golden Dome,6903etc.?6904    Mr. Feinberg. I commit to protect defense spending for high6905priority projects, including shipbuilding, industrial base6906improvements, and Golden Dome for America, if confirmed. I will also6907focus on ending wasteful spending and ensuring that all the funds6908Congress provides to the Department of Defense are wisely spent to6909address the President's priorities and provide our warfighters with the6910tools they need to keep our country safe.6911                               __________6912            Questions Submitted by Senator Tommy Tuberville6913                       the replicator initiative6914    29. Senator Tuberville. Mr. Feinberg, the Secretary of Defense6915recently outlined 17 critical investment areas, including unmanned6916systems, which should be exempt from budget cuts within the Department6917of Defense. The Replicator Initiative represents a significant6918investment in this domain. If confirmed, can you commit to working to6919ensure the continuity of the Replicator Initiative and working to6920exempt it from any budget cuts?6921    Mr. Feinberg. The Department must do more to deliver capabilities6922for warfighters, at scale, on the most critical operational problems.6923My understanding is that the Replicator initiative has focused on two6924critical areas: Replicator-1 is focused on delivering thousands of all-6925domain attritable autonomous systems to INDOPACOM to counter the pacing6926threat posed by China; and Replicator-2 is focusing on countering the6927threat posed by small unmanned aerial systems to our most critical6928installations and force concentrations. Both of these operational6929problems remain pressing challenges and, if confirmed, I will continue6930to ensure the Department focuses on and prioritizes the budget for6931delivering innovative capabilities to warfighters in line with the6932President's policies and the Secretary's priorities of rebuilding our6933military and reestablishing deterrence.6934                               __________6935                Questions Submitted by Senator Ted Budd6936                        unmanned aerial vehicles6937    30. Senator Budd. Mr. Feinberg, your predecessor focused on the6938Replicator initiative, led by the Defense Innovation Unit, to rapidly6939field thousands of unmanned and autonomous systems. Do you believe this6940initiative to be a success?6941    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will work with DOD components,6942Military Services, Joint Staff, and combatant commands to thoroughly6943understand the current capability and underlying requirements6944associated with the Replicator initiative. I will also prioritize a6945line-by-line review of DOD spending to understand what missions this6946spending supports. If confirmed, I will ensure the Department focuses6947on delivering innovative capabilities to warfighters in line with the6948President's policies and the Secretary's priorities of rebuilding our6949military and reestablishing deterrence.6950                        artificial intelligence6951    31. Senator Budd. Mr. Feinberg, if confirmed, how would you plan to6952ensure that leading edge AI capabilities continue to be prioritized6953across the military services' intelligence programs, such as Project6954Maven?6955    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will work closely with the Under6956Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, the Chief Digital6957and Artificial Intelligence Officer, the combatant commands, and6958Military Departments as well as the Deputy Director of National6959Intelligence, to appropriately prioritize leading-edge AI capabilities6960that can bring increased lethality or efficiency in operations. We will6961continue to mature and expand the operationalization of key efforts,6962such as Project Maven, to improve the accuracy, speed, and precision of6963intelligence support across the full range of DOD missions.69646965    32. Senator Budd. Mr. Feinberg, if confirmed, can you commit to6966ensuring that we are not only acquiring but scaling effective leading6967edge AI capabilities across the Department of Defense when feasible?6968    Mr. Feinberg. I will prioritize the Department's efforts to rapidly6969deliver leading edge AI capabilities at scale, if confirmed. When6970solutions demonstrate high return on investment in pilots and6971experiments, it is important to quickly integrate them into both user6972workflows and the broader architecture. Scalability has historically6973been a challenge in DOD, but I will focus on creating the right6974collaborations between industry, users, and program offices to develop6975and implement transition plans that allow the entire force to6976effectively scale and sustain the gains leading edge AI can bring to6977the Department.6978                               __________6979              Questions Submitted by Senator Eric Schmitt6980                           critical minerals6981    33. Senator Schmitt. Mr. Feinberg, China has gained an outsized6982control of the mining and refinement of rare earth minerals that are6983crucial to almost all aspects of American manufacturing and defense6984technologies. What steps do you and the administration of President6985Donald Trump feel can and should be taken by the Defense Department,6986directly and through procurement, to better develop domestic sources of6987critical materials for national and economic security and reduce our6988dependency on foreign supplies?6989    Mr. Feinberg. The U.S. Defense Industrial Base (DIB) faces6990challenges from China's presence in, or control over, crucial aspects6991of our strategic and critical materials supply chains that are not just6992limited to rare earths but also includes a significant number of6993critical minerals such as graphite, arsenic, tantalum, and others6994required by the defense industrial base. Additionally, there are6995challenges primarily in processing the raw material through each stage6996of the mineral value chain--from exploratory drilling through6997manufacturing. It is my understanding that the Department has worked6998with industry to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities throughout our6999critical mineral supply chains, and the Department has invested heavily7000to strategically revitalize critical capabilities in domestic mining,7001recycling, and processing industries in order to establish both short-7002and long-term solutions.7003    If confirmed, I will work to ensure the Department expands these7004efforts and utilizes all available authorities, such as purchase7005commitments, to secure and stabilize domestic supply chains and7006eliminate our reliance on China. I also understand the importance of7007stockpiling as a buffer in case of a national emergency, and, if7008confirmed, I will work to ensure that the Department has the necessary7009robust National Defense Stockpile, not only as an effective insurance7010policy against disruption, but also as a deterrent against adversarial7011activity.7012                               __________7013             Questions Submitted by Senator Jeanne Shaheen7014                       women, peace, and security7015    34. Senator Shaheen. Mr. Feinberg, during our office call we7016discussed the Women Peace and Security (WPS) law and its implementation7017at DOD. It mandates that women be included in all aspects of our7018national security, including conflict resolution and peace7019negotiations. How does security cooperation under WPS provide an7020operational and a strategic advantage to the United States and our7021allies?7022    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I look forward to reviewing DOD's7023implementation of the WPS law to fully understand how it provides an7024operational and strategic advantage to the United States and our7025Allies. I am committed to working with you on this important7026initiative.70277028    35. Senator Shaheen. Mr. Feinberg, how do these programs contribute7029to deterring the People's Republic of China, preventing trafficking of7030women and girls at the border and countering violent extremism?7031    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I look forward to reviewing DOD's7032implementation of the WPS law to fully understand how it contributes to7033deterring the People's Republic of China. I am committed to working7034with you on this important initiative.70357036    36. Senator Shaheen. Mr. Feinberg, can you commit to protecting7037these programs at DOD, and keeping in touch with me about its7038implementation?7039    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will support the ongoing review of7040all assistance programs and assess DOD's ongoing implementation of the70412017 WPS Act. If confirmed, I commit to transparency and look forward7042to working with Congress on these efforts.7043                               __________7044             Questions Submitted by Senator Mazie K. Hirono7045    department of government efficiency at the department of defense7046    37. Senator Hirono. Mr. Feinberg, according to Associated Press7047reporting, two senior United States Agency for International7048Development (USAID) security officials were dismissed for trying to7049prevent Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from unlawfully7050accessing classified information in restricted areas. This alarming7051development shows a dangerous disregard for security protocols. With7052DOGE teams now at the Department of Defense, I am very concerned this7053pattern could threaten national security. As the DOD's chief operating7054and management officer, will you ensure that DOD civilians and security7055personnel are not punished for protecting classified and sensitive7056information from unauthorized access?7057    Mr. Feinberg. I am unaware of the reporting that is referenced in7058your question. I am committed to protecting Department of Defense (DoD)7059sensitive and classified information. I understand that the President7060maintains ultimate authority over controlled and classified information7061access within and across the executive branch and this authority as7062been exercised for the last sixty years through a series of Executive7063Orders.7064    If confirmed, I will support the Secretary of Defense in7065implementing Presidential directives and ensuring appropriate access to7066DOD information aligns with the Administration's priorities. I will7067also ensure that all DOD personnel are empowered and equipped to7068fulfill the essential missions of enabling access to and safeguarding7069sensitive and classified information in accordance with all applicable7070Presidential direction, information security laws, regulations, and DOD7071policies.7072                         replicator initiative7073    38. Senator Hirono. Mr. Feinberg, the Replicator Initiative has7074accelerated the rapid acquisition and fielding of low-cost, autonomous7075drones at scale to address warfighter needs in the Indo-Pacific and7076bolster deterrence. If confirmed, will you continue to support the7077Replicator initiative?7078    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will work with DOD components,7079Military Services, Joint Staff, and combatant commands to thoroughly7080understand the current capability and underlying requirements7081associated with the Replicator initiative. I will also prioritize a7082line-by-line review of DOD spending to understand what missions this7083spending supports. If confirmed, I will ensure the Department focuses7084on delivering innovative capabilities to warfighters in line with the7085President's policies and the Secretary's priorities of rebuilding our7086military and reestablishing deterrence.70877088    39. Senator Hirono. Mr. Feinberg, what is your plan to build on the7089progress of programs like Replicator that focus on scaling the7090capabilities our military needs to deter Chinese aggression in the7091Indo-Pacific?7092    Mr. Feinberg. My understanding is that the Replicator Initiative,7093through a whole of Department approach, has been able to accelerate7094processes that normally take the Department years to complete into only7095months. In partnership with the Vice Chairman and DOD components, if7096confirmed, I will work to identify Replicator's best practices. I7097believe it is important to continue pushing for the adoption and7098institutionalization of processes and practices that accelerate the7099delivery of capabilities to our warfighters.7100      united states indo-pacific command unfunded priorities list7101    40. Senator Hirono. Mr. Feinberg, successive administrations have7102identified China as the pacing threat and the Indo-Pacific as the7103priority theater. However, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM)7104provided Congress with $11 billion dollars in unfunded priorities in7105fiscal year 2025. The list included missile defense systems, electronic7106warfare and autonomous capabilities, and critical innovation programs.7107This was the largest unfunded list of any combatant command. If7108confirmed, how will you ensure INDOPACOM's requirements are being met7109to address the pacing threat in the Indo-Pacific?7110    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will carry out Secretary Hegseth's7111crystal-clear direction that we are going to stand strong with our7112Allies and partners to deter aggression by Communist China in the Indo-7113Pacific. As he stated to Ukraine Defense Contact Group on February 12,71142025, ``The U.S. is prioritizing deterring war with China in the7115Pacific, recognizing the reality of scarcity, and making the resourcing7116tradeoffs to ensure deterrence does not fail.''71177118    41. Senator Hirono. Mr. Feinberg, are you open to reforms that7119would give INDOPACOM more of a say in the budgeting process?7120    Mr. Feinberg. While it is my understanding that the Combatant7121Commands have full representation in each of the Department's planning,7122programming, and budgeting forums including the Deputy's Management7123Action Group (DMAG), I commit, if confirmed, to maintaining open lines7124of communications with the INDOPACOM Commander to ensure I always7125receive his best military advice--including on the budget.7126                 whole-of-department acquisition reform7127    42. Senator Hirono. Mr. Feinberg, your predecessor leveraged the7128position of Deputy Secretary of Defense to accelerate acquisition7129reform and consolidate innovation initiatives across the Department.7130What whole-of-department reforms would you implement to streamline7131acquisition processes and deliver critical capabilities faster?7132    Mr. Feinberg. It is my understanding the Department has undertaken7133a series of acquisition reform initiatives to deliver capabilities to7134the warfighter faster, to include adoption of the Adaptive Acquisition7135Framework and greater utilization of newer methodologies such as other7136transaction authorities and commercial solutions openings.7137Additionally, acquisition reform must include reviewing the current7138processes surrounding requirements, PPBE reform recommendations, and7139industry weaknesses. If confirmed, I will review the effectiveness of7140current initiatives and consider options to further refine and improve7141the Department's acquisition efforts.71427143    43. Senator Hirono. Mr. Feinberg, as China seeks to undermine U.S.7144security in the Indo-Pacific, how will you tailor reforms to impact7145capabilities needed in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility?7146    Mr. Feinberg. China's pursuit of military modernization and its7147increasingly assertive actions in the Indo-Pacific pose a direct7148challenge to U.S. security and the regional balance of power. To7149effectively counter this threat, I am committed to pursuing acquisition7150reforms to deliver the capabilities needed in the Indo-Pacific Area of7151Responsibility (AOR) with unprecedented speed and agility. I will7152prioritize the development and acquisition of capabilities specifically7153designed to address the operational challenges posed by China in the7154Indo-Pacific, such as resilient networking, and advanced intelligence,7155surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems. If confirmed, I will7156ensure acquisition decisions consider the need to support a distributed7157force posture in the Indo-Pacific, in turn enabling us to operate7158effectively across vast distances and challenging environments.7159               bolstering deterrence in the indo-pacific7160    44. Senator Hirono. Mr. Feinberg, in your opening statement, you7161acknowledge the immense challenge China poses as they expand their7162military and become ``more emboldened and aggressive each day.'' What7163specific policies or actions are you planning to bolster deterrence in7164the Indo-Pacific?7165    Mr. Feinberg. As the President has directed, the United States will7166ensure Peace through Strength. To meet the challenges posed by China7167will require significant and persistent investments in how we resource7168the joint force. That will require improvements in our defense7169industrial base and the Department's acquisition process, as well as7170intangibles such as how rapidly we are able to field new technologies.7171In addition, the Department's non-military activities must serve its7172laser focus on readiness, lethality, and warfighting.7173                          allies and partners7174    45. Senator Hirono. Mr. Feinberg, our strong network of allies and7175partners in the Indo-Pacific is one of our greatest advantages and a7176key part of our National Defense Strategy. Maintaining these important7177relationships requires adequate budgeting for joint and multilateral7178exercises and training, which bolsters military readiness and7179deterrence. Given the constrained fiscal environment, how do you plan7180to prioritize service campaign funding for multilateral exercises and7181training in the Indo-Pacific?7182    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will carry out Secretary Hegseth's7183direction that we are going to stand strong with our Allies and7184partners to deter aggression by Communist China in the Indo-Pacific.7185Multilateral exercises and training with our partners in the Indo-7186Pacific are a high priority as they are among the most visible and7187effective ways to demonstrate our resolve.7188                         probationary employees7189    46. Senator Hirono. Mr. Feinberg, the Department of Defense has7190stated it is ``re-evaluating the probationary workforce'' and plans to7191terminate approximately 5,400 probationary employees. Given that7192probationary workers are often younger professionals or those filling7193mission-critical technical roles, these cuts could have long-term7194implications for DOD's talent pipeline and operational readiness. Given7195that many probationary employees often represent the next generation of7196DOD leadership, how will you ensure these cuts do not7197disproportionately undermine the Department's ability to retain and7198develop young talent?7199    Mr. Feinberg. Every person is important, and reorganizing is always7200hard. It is important that the Department gets this right. If7201confirmed, I will assess the potential impact of workforce reductions7202on DOD's talent pipeline to ensure that decisions align with mission7203readiness and long-term talent development, while also meeting the7204President's goals for reshaping the Government's workforce.72057206    47. Senator Hirono. Mr. Feinberg, many probationary employees serve7207in highly technical or hard-to-fill positions critical to mission7208success. What specific measures will you implement to prevent the loss7209of expertise in these areas?7210    Mr. Feinberg. Civilian employees play a vital role in supporting7211DOD, many serving in highly technical roles. If confirmed, I will7212evaluate the Department's approach to workforce reductions to ensure it7213retains critical technical expertise central to accomplishing the7214Department's objectives.72157216    48. Senator Hirono. Mr. Feinberg, given the national security7217importance of building a strong civilian talent pipeline, will you7218commit to preserving pathway programs and hiring authorities to ensure7219young professionals continue to enter and advance within the DOD7220workforce?7221    Mr. Feinberg. It is critical that the Department continue to7222attract talented young professionals in the future. If confirmed, I7223will review DOD's workforce development strategies and authorities and7224its efforts to maintain a strong pipeline of young professionals in7225mission-critical areas.7226        other transaction authorities and sole source contracts7227    49. Senator Hirono. Mr. Feinberg, in your hearing, you stated that7228you plan to enhance the Department's use of Other Transaction7229Authorities (OTAs) and sole-source contracts to better support7230opportunities for small businesses to scale within DOD. What specific7231next steps will you take to implement this strategy, and how will you7232ensure these efforts translate into tangible opportunities for small7233businesses?7234    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will engage with DOD Components to7235enhance the effective use of OTAs, and where applicable using the7236statutory authority for follow-on production contracts to attract small7237businesses and non-traditional defense contractors to support expansion7238of the defense industrial base. We will promote these strategies by7239ensuring the acquisition workforce is aware and informed through7240policy, guidance, and training to incentivize appropriate use of this7241strategy to help achieve DOD small business goals.7242            department of defense program review initiative7243    50. Senator Hirono. Mr. Feinberg, during your hearing, you stated7244that if confirmed, you and your team would be conducting ``line-by-7245line'' reviews of DOD programs. Can you provide specific details on the7246scope, criteria, and timeline for these reviews?7247    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, one of my first priorities will be a7248line-by-line review of DOD budget programs, with a focus on identifying7249efficiencies and to address potential fraud, waste, and abuse that7250arises when executing the largest discretionary budget in Federal7251Government. I will also leverage my position as the Co-chair of the7252Deputy's Management Action Group to make sure programs are aligned with7253the President's policies and the Secretary's priorities.72547255    51. Senator Hirono. Mr. Feinberg, additionally, what mechanisms7256will you put in place to ensure regular updates to Congress on your7257findings and any resulting policy or budgetary changes?7258    Mr. Feinberg. It important that Congress and DOD have reliable,7259useful, and timely financial information--and this can't happen without7260a trusting and transparent relationship. If confirmed, I promise to7261work closely with the Comptroller and Congress to make sure everyone is7262informed about DOD's financial needs, priorities, and potential issues.7263Defense programs often involve long development timelines and7264significant financial commitments, and regular communication enables7265Congress to understand these long-term plans and provide stable7266funding.7267                 defense innovation unit restructuring7268    52. Senator Hirono. Mr. Feinberg, recent reports suggest that the7269Pentagon is considering restructuring and potentially consolidating the7270Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), the Chief Digital and Artificial7271Intelligence Office (CDAO), the Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO),7272and other technology-focused entities. If this initiative moves7273forward, will you commit to regularly engaging with Congress and7274providing timely updates on the restructuring process, including its7275impact on ongoing programs, workforce, and mission effectiveness?7276    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will examine the current structure to7277best determine how to align efforts to achieve maximum effect and7278efficiency. My focus will be on ensuring the Department can accelerate7279the delivery of the most lethal, advanced technologies and capabilities7280to the warfighters. I also recognize the importance of a transparent7281relationship between the Department and Congress, and, if confirmed, I7282look forward to working with Congress on the matter.7283                               __________7284            Questions Submitted by Senator Elizabeth Warren7285                               agreements7286    53. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, have you, in any professional or7287personal capacity, signed or agreed to sign a non-disclosure agreement,7288confidentiality agreement, confidential disclosure agreement,7289proprietary information agreement, non-disparagement agreement, and/or7290secrecy agreement and for what reasons did you do so?7291    Mr. Feinberg. Over the course of my more than 30-year career in7292investing, I may have signed agreements relating to non-disclosure,7293proprietary information or confidentiality/secrecy matters from time to7294time for the purposes of obtaining information necessary to evaluate a7295potential investment. I do not recall signing agreements relating to7296non-disparagement although such clauses may have been contained within7297larger agreements that I may have signed in connection with an7298investment or in connection with ordinary course Cerberus personnel7299matters.73007301    54. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, have you, in any professional or7302personal capacity, agreed to pay, paid, or receive payment or services7303in conjunction with any of the aforementioned instances?7304    Mr. Feinberg. I do not recall any such payments although it is7305possible that in connection with signing such an agreement in7306connection with due diligence on a potential investment Cerberus (but7307not me personally) may have received a payment for expense7308reimbursement relating to the conduct of such due diligence.73097310    55. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if you have in any professional7311or personal capacity, agreed to pay, paid, or receive payment or7312services in conjunction with any of the aforementioned instances,7313please provide a breakdown of the amount(s) agreed to pay, paid, or7314received and an explanation of services rendered and include a timeline7315of when any of these agreements, payments, or services rendered7316occurred.7317    Mr. Feinberg. Given my role as CEO, the lengthy time span of my7318career, and my extremely limited personal involvement in this level of7319business matters, I cannot provide such a list. I can confirm that to7320the best of my knowledge neither I nor Cerberus have ever made or7321received any such payments in connection with any matter relating to a7322crime, an alleged crime, a securities law violation, a regulatory or7323similar matter.7324               retaliation and protecting whistleblowers7325    56. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, do you believe that7326servicemembers, civilians, grantees, and contractors should be7327protected from any form of retaliation for coming forward about an7328illegal order, sexual assault or harassment, negligence, misconduct, or7329any other concern that they wish to raise?7330    Mr. Feinberg. Yes. I believe persons who report allegations of7331wrongdoing, such as sexual assault, should be protected from7332retaliation.73337334    57. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, have you ever retaliated against7335any individual for coming forward about an illegal order, sexual7336assault or harassment, negligence, misconduct, or any other concern7337that they wish to raise?7338    Mr. Feinberg. No, I have not.73397340    58. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if you are confirmed as Deputy7341Secretary of Defense, will you commit to protecting whistleblowers?7342    Mr. Feinberg. Yes. If confirmed, I commit to the protection of7343whistleblowers.73447345    59. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, how will you protect7346whistleblowers?7347    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will ensure that the Department7348provides all the protections to which whistleblowers are entitled under7349law.7350                             civilian harm7351    60. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, do you agree that one difference7352between the United States and its potential adversaries is the greater7353value that the U.S. Government puts on protecting human life and7354liberty at home and abroad?7355    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, I do.73567357    61. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, what is your understanding of7358title 10 U.S.C. section 184, which established the Civilian Protection7359Center of Excellence?7360    Mr. Feinberg. I understand the Section 184 requires DOD to7361establish the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence (CP CoE).73627363    62. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, the U.S. military has spent many7364years working to improve its ability to prevent and mitigate civilian7365harm without sacrificing lethality--including through the development7366of the DOD Instruction on Civilian Harm under the first Trump7367administration, which I commend. These efforts received bipartisan7368support from Congress and grew out of a recognition from the U.S.7369military itself that, after over 2 decades of U.S. wars, warfighters7370needed better tools and trustworthy systems to prevent civilian harm,7371uphold U.S. values, and prevent the moral injury and psychological7372trauma that too often comes with deadly mistakes. The Army has played a7373critical role in these efforts by serving as the joint proponent for7374civilian harm mitigation and response (CHMR) and housing the Civilian7375Protection Center of Excellence (CPCOE), which provides direct support7376to operational combatant commands on civilian harm issues. The CPCOE7377has also been enshrined in U.S. law via the James M. Inhofe National7378Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023. If confirmed as7379Deputy Secretary of Defense, will you commit to continued Army7380leadership on civilian harm issues, including housing and resourcing7381the CPCOE?7382    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I look forward to working with the7383Secretary of the Army to ensure that the Department does its part to7384prevent and mitigate civilian harm, including with respect to the CPOE.73857386    63. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, what do you understand to be your7387roles and responsibilities regarding civilian harm mitigation and7388response?7389    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I look forward to working with other7390Department leaders to prevent and mitigate civilian harm in a manner7391that advances American interests, consistent with relevant statutory7392obligations.73937394    64. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, what do you understand to be the7395importance of mitigating civilian harm in military operations?7396    Mr. Feinberg. High rates of civilian harm in previous conflicts7397have led to limitations on U.S. freedom of action and allowed7398adversaries to recruit insurgents, putting our troops at risk.73997400    65. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, will you commit to supporting and7401protecting the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence?7402    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I look forward to working with other7403Department leaders to prevent and mitigate civilian harm in a manner7404that advances American interests, consistent with relevant statutory7405obligations.74067407    66. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, how will you prevent and mitigate7408civilian harm?7409    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I look forward to working with other7410Department leaders to prevent and mitigate civilian harm in a manner7411that advances American interests, consistent with relevant statutory7412obligations.74137414    67. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, will you commit to supporting and7415implementing the Civilian Harm Mitigation Response and Action plan7416(CHMR-AP)?7417    Mr. Feinberg. I understand that the CHMR-AP is in its final year of7418implementation. If confirmed, I will continue evaluate DOD policies7419that prevent and mitigate civilian harm.74207421    68. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, do you believe that our troops7422are at higher risk for retribution as the number of civilian deaths7423from U.S. military operations or U.S.-led military operations7424increases?7425    Mr. Feinberg. High rates of civilian harm in previous conflicts7426have led to limitations on U.S. freedom of action and allowed7427adversaries to recruit insurgents, putting our troops at risk.7428                           blast overpressure7429    69. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, will you commit to protecting7430servicemembers from blast overpressure and increase their options for7431seeking care after being exposed?7432    Mr. Feinberg. Protecting our servicemembers, maintaining their7433health and readiness, and ensuring they have access to the health care7434they need will always be a priority, if confirmed.74357436    70. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, what steps will you take to7437protect servicemembers from blast overpressure and increase their7438options for seeking care after being exposed?7439    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I look forward to learning about the7440Department's efforts to establish world-class traumatic brain injury7441(TBI) specialty clinics and comprehensive interdisciplinary centers of7442excellence for TBI and brain health, available to all servicemembers7443diagnosed with brain injury or related illness. My understanding is7444that these centers are already providing innovative, interdisciplinary7445care.74467447    71. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, how do you plan to work with the7448Department of Veterans Affairs to make sure that servicemembers,7449veterans, and their families are aware of the risks of blast7450overpressure and traumatic brain injury?7451    Mr. Feinberg. It is vital that the entire military community7452recognizes the seriousness of brain injuries and has the knowledge7453needed to prevent exposure, identify symptoms, and access the required7454treatment for traumatic brain injury. If confirmed, I commit to7455strengthening the collaboration between DOD and Department of Veterans7456Affairs and will continue to support the Military Health System's7457awareness efforts that have helped servicemembers, retirees, and their7458families recognize symptoms and seek appropriate care.74597460    72. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, do you support establishing logs7461for soldiers on blast overpressure exposure and traumatic brain injury?7462    Mr. Feinberg. I support tracking individual exposure to ensure that7463the servicemembers' health and well-being remains a top priority for7464the Department.74657466    73. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, do you support requiring7467neurocognitive assessments of soldiers annually, before they begin7468training to establish a baseline, and before they leave the military to7469determine when their change in cognitive health over time?7470    Mr. Feinberg. I recognize the importance of tracking cognitive7471health over the course of servicemembers' careers. My understanding is7472the Department has taken steps to establish baseline testing for all7473accessing servicemembers, and, if confirmed, I will meet with experts7474in the Department to understand the Department's efforts to establish a7475DOD-wide cognitive monitoring program.74767477    74. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, how will you address the links7478between blast overpressure exposure and increased risks of suicide?7479    Mr. Feinberg. The Department should continue to study the7480connection between blast exposure and mental health to best treat our7481servicemembers. If confirmed, I will meet with experts at the7482Department to understand the Department's efforts to establish a DOD-7483wide cognitive monitoring program so that cognitive health can be7484assessed and enhanced throughout the lifecycle of the Warfighter and7485mitigate the effects of Blast Overpressure.74867487    75. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, do you support addressing the7488risks of blast overpressure to servicemembers through the swift7489implementation of sections 721 through section 725 of the Fiscal Year74902025 NDAA?7491    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will work to understand how the7492Department is complying with congressional requirements, particularly7493on such vital issues. It is my understanding that DOD has already7494initiated efforts to implement the provisions, and, if confirmed, I7495will closely monitor implementation of all requirements.7496                            right-to-repair7497    76. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, do you believe giving the7498Department of Defense access to the technical data rights needed to7499repair its own equipment could advance the Department of Defense's7500readiness?7501    Mr. Feinberg. The Department of Defense should procure the7502necessary data and associated license rights to enable repair of its7503own equipment. If confirmed, I will direct a review of the Department's7504internal policies regarding the acquisition of technical data rights7505and the impact on readiness.75067507    77. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, do you believe giving the7508Department of Defense access to the technical data rights needed to7509repair its own equipment could help reduce the Department of Defense's7510repair and sustainment costs?7511    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will direct a review of the7512Department's internal policies regarding the acquisition of technical7513data rights and the impact on repair and sustainment costs.75147515    78. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, how will you ensure7516servicemembers who are stationed abroad can timely and cost-effectively7517repair equipment that is damaged, especially in a contested logistics7518environment?7519    Mr. Feinberg. Secretary Hegseth has called for the Department to7520rebuild our military by matching threats to capabilities. Critical7521elements of this effort are reviving our defense industrial base and7522leveraging ally and partner capabilities around the globe. While I do7523not yet know the specifics, I understand the Department has been7524exploring multiple efforts to leverage the repair infrastructure of7525Allies and partners in critical theaters in addition to fostering the7526U.S. industrial base to optimize and sustain U.S. capabilities more7527quickly. If confirmed, I look forward to learning more about specific7528efforts to ensure that our capabilities can be sustained at the speed7529of relevance to strengthen deterrence and ensure lethality.75307531    79. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if you are confirmed as Deputy7532Secretary of Defense, will you commit to including right-to-repair/7533technical data rights clauses in acquisition contracts that the7534Department of Defense enters into?7535    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I am committed to carefully reviewing7536the Department's current policies and practices regarding right-to-7537repair and the acquisition of the necessary data and data technical7538data rights under acquisition contracts. The Department must explore7539how best to leverage right-to-repair and technical data rights to7540enhance control costs and competition. My goal, if confirmed, is to7541ensure our acquisition strategies effectively support the warfighter7542while promoting a healthy and robust industrial base.75437544    80. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if you are confirmed as Deputy7545Secretary of Defense, will you commit to ensuring contractors deliver7546technical data rights to the Department of Defense when their contract7547requires or allows it?7548    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will commit to ensuring that the7549Department's acquisition officials track assiduously the delivery of7550the data that our contractors are contractually required to deliver and7551ensure that our officials take appropriate enforcement actions if the7552data is not provided.75537554    81. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if you are confirmed as Deputy7555Secretary of Defense, will you commit to understanding the cost of not7556having the right-to-repair/technical data rights for the Department of7557Defense's equipment through an assessment, the results of which you7558would make public for review by Congress and the Department of7559Government Efficiency?7560    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will direct a review on the cost and7561readiness impacts of not having rights-to-repair and technical data7562rights.7563                            ligado networks7564    82. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, how much did Cerberus invest in7565Ligado Networks?7566    Mr. Feinberg. Cerberus invested a total of over $1.2 billion in7567various Ligado debt and equity during its ownership, including debt and7568equity securities that were sold in the market from time to time over7569the full duration of Cerberus' investment.75707571    83. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, when did Cerberus begin investing7572in Ligado Networks?7573    Mr. Feinberg. January 2015.75747575    84. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, is Cerberus Ligado's largest7576creditor?7577    Mr. Feinberg. No.75787579    85. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, does Cerberus have a path to own7580Ligado in future years?7581    Mr. Feinberg. It is my understanding that based upon preliminary7582agreements with stakeholders in Ligado's pending chapter 11 case, it is7583contemplated that all of Ligado's pre-petition funded debt (except7584certain amounts repaid or ``rolled up'' through Ligado's debtor-in--7585possession facility approved by the Bankruptcy Court) will be converted7586to equity and existing equity interests will be retained, all in their7587relative order of priority. Consequently, if a plan of reorganization7588is approved on this basis, funds and accounts managed by Cerberus would7589own non-controlling equity interests in Ligado post-bankruptcy capital7590structure. If a plan is not approved and consummated, and Ligado's7591assets are liquidated, then Cerberus would simply receive its pro rata7592share of proceeds and no longer own any interests in Ligado.75937594    86. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, Ligado is currently engaged in a7595lawsuit with the Department of Defense over claims that the company7596received for payments related to Ligado's rights to spectrum space.7597Will Cerberus benefit or be made whole on its investment if the7598Department of Defense settles the lawsuit and pays Ligado $4 billion or7599more?7600    Mr. Feinberg. As a creditor of Ligado, Cerberus would most likely7601receive some portion of the settlement proceeds. Neither Cerberus nor7602other creditors would be made whole on their investments with a7603settlement of $4 billion.76047605    87. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, do you believe DOD has engaged in7606regulatory obstruction regarding L-band spectrum access?7607    Mr. Feinberg. I do not have sufficient information or facts to form7608an opinion, and I do not understand what is meant by ``regulatory7609obstruction.'' As I understand it, the current lawsuit is in its early7610phases and no discovery has been conducted as to DOD's actions relating7611to Ligado.76127613    88. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, do you believe DOD's actions7614regarding spectrum access have financially harmed Ligado or Cerberus?7615    Mr. Feinberg. I do not have sufficient information or facts to form7616an opinion, and I do not understand what is meant by ``regulatory7617obstruction.'' As I understand it, the current lawsuit is in its early7618phases and no discovery has been conducted as to DOD's actions relating7619to Ligado.76207621    89. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, my colleague, Senator Deb7622Fischer, recently said ``DOD losing access to its spectrum bans7623entirely, which is what vacating or clearing spectrum means, comes with7624huge risks and will end up costing us more. Replacing national security7625systems, if that is even possible, would cost hundreds of billions of7626dollars, and we all know it would take decades to be able to finish.''7627Do you agree or disagree with this statement?7628    Mr. Feinberg. I understand the importance of spectrum to our7629military and to achieving the objectives of the President and the7630Secretary of Defense. I agree that loss of military access to an entire7631band will carry significant risk, including cost. The details depend on7632which bands and which missions are at issue. This requires assessments7633of operational impact and identification of comparable spectrum to7634which systems will relocate, as required by law. I strongly believe we7635need spectrum to defend our country.7636    I also acknowledge commercial use of spectrum is needed to develop7637the technologies that will defend our country. To me, sharing is the7638best solution; however, we have to make sure that sharing can be7639achieved without risk to national security and homeland defense7640capabilities.76417642    90. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, my colleague Senator Mike Rounds7643has said that he will oppose any spectrum action that includes the 3.1-76443.45 GHz segment, currently used by the Defense Department. Where do7645you stand on this issue?7646    Mr. Feinberg. I understand the importance of spectrum to our7647military and to achieving the objectives of the President and the7648Secretary of Defense. If confirmed, I look forward to receiving further7649briefings on this topic and will work to ensure the Department has the7650spectrum access necessary to achieve national security and homeland7651defense objectives.76527653    91. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, will you commit to recusing7654yourself from any involvement in the lawsuit Ligado has brought against7655the Department of Defense?7656    Mr. Feinberg. My Ethics Agreement and existing laws and policies7657set forth my recusal requirements. I will ensure that I have a robust7658screening process in place to help implement these recusals. I can7659pledge to you that I will be mindful of not only the legal requirements7660that govern my conduct, but also of the need to ensure that the public7661has no reason to question my impartiality, and I will consult with the7662Department's ethics officials should such issues arise.76637664    92. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, how did you divest from your7665interest in Ligado?7666    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, consistent with my Ethics Agreement, I7667will divest all of my interests in Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.,7668which will include any interest in Ligado.76697670    93. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, will you recuse yourself from any7671matters impacting Ligado?7672    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, consistent with my Ethics Agreement, I7673will divest all of my interests in Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.,7674which will include any interest in Ligado.76757676    94. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, will you recuse yourself from7677spectrum decisions?7678    Mr. Feinberg. My Ethics Agreement and existing laws and policies7679set forth my recusal requirements. I will ensure that I have a robust7680screening process in place to help implement these recusals. I can7681pledge to you that I will be mindful of not only the legal requirements7682that govern my conduct, but also of the need to ensure that the public7683has no reason to question my impartiality, and I will consult with the7684Department's ethics officials should such issues arise.7685                     managing the federal workforce7686    95. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, the Trump administration has7687removed a number of probationary employees across the Federal7688Government. Many of these probationary employees were recently promoted7689or hired to fulfill urgently needed gaps in U.S. capabilities. Why7690should Congress provide the Department of Defense expedited or7691additional hiring authorities if they will be disregarded without any7692public justification or consultation with Congress?7693    Mr. Feinberg. The Department benefits from flexibility in7694accomplishing its mission. If confirmed, I will work with DOD7695components and the Military Services to assess the gaps in U.S.7696capabilities and review DOD's legal authorities for workforce7697management to ensure decisions align with mission readiness and mission7698success, while also meeting the President's goals for reshaping the7699Government's workforce.77007701    96. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, press reports indicate DOD has7702paused four trainings, including harassment prevention and No Fear Act7703training. Do you support harassment prevention training?7704    Mr. Feinberg. Yes, I support harassment prevention training.7705Harassing behaviors have no place in our military and undercut the7706cohesion and unity we need in our Total Force to achieve our critical7707defense missions.77087709    97. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, what is your understanding of the7710purpose of Federal whistleblower protection laws?7711    Mr. Feinberg. Whistleblowers perform an important service by7712reporting what they reasonably believe to be evidence of waste, fraud,7713and abuse. Whistleblower protection laws exist to ensure that7714whistleblowers may report freely concerning issues of fraud, waste, and7715abuse without fear of retaliation and/or reprisal.77167717    98. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, have you ever been accused of7718retaliating against a whistleblower?7719    Mr. Feinberg. No.77207721    99. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, the Office of Management and7722Budget (OMB) issued a memorandum called ``Guidance on Agency RIF7723[reduction in force] and Reorganization Plans Requested by Implementing7724The President's `Department of Government Efficiency' Workforce7725Optimization Initiative'' on February 26, 2025. The memo outlines7726phases for which agencies will submit agency reductions in force and7727reorganization plans. Is the Department of Defense required to comply7728with this OMB memo?7729    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will ensure I get a briefing on the7730scope of the OMB memo and ensure that the Department appropriately7731implements the underlying Executive Order.77327733    100. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if the Department of Defense is7734not required to comply with the OMB memo, has the Department been given7735a similar directive by anyone in the Administration or within the7736Department's leadership?7737    Mr. Feinberg. I am not aware of similar directives the Department7738may have received. If confirmed, I will ensure I get a briefing on7739Department efforts concerning workforce reductions.77407741    101. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, how will the Department of7742Defense ensure that any reductions in force preserve military7743preparedness and national security?7744    Mr. Feinberg. Civilian employees have a vital role in support of7745warfighter readiness. If confirmed, I will ensure that the Department7746takes a deliberate approach to any workforce shaping decisions to7747strengthen the Department's ability to support the National Defense7748Strategy.77497750    102. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, will the Department of Defense7751conduct a review pursuant to title 10 USC section 129a?7752    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will fully support conducting an7753appropriate analysis prior to any reductions of DOD's civilian7754workforce.77557756    103. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, how will the Department of7757Defense ensure transparency and inform Congress about the findings of7758the review conducted pursuant to title 10 USC section 129a?7759    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will work with the Department's7760Legislative Affairs team to determine the best method to communicate7761information and facilitate transparency.7762                              rule of law7763    104. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, Secretary of Defense Peter7764Hegseth said he removed the Judge Advocate Generals (JAG) for the Army,7765Navy, and Air Force so they would not ``be roadblocks to anything that7766happens.'' What do you understand to be the role of Judge Advocate7767Generals for commanders and the military?7768    Mr. Feinberg. I understand that the Judge Advocates General provide7769independent legal advice to the leadership of their respective Military7770Departments and that Judge Advocates in the field, in support of their7771Services or at joint commands, also have a responsibility to provide7772independent legal advice to military commanders.77737774    105. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, what will you do if you receive7775legal advice that an action you would like to take or are being asked7776to take is illegal?7777    Mr. Feinberg. I will follow the law and the Constitution of the7778United States.77797780    106. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if you refuse to take an action7781that you have been advised is illegal and learn that someone else in7782the Department took action, will you inform the Committee?7783    Mr. Feinberg. While I do not anticipate such a situation, if it7784were to arise, I would follow the law and the Constitution of the7785United States, supported by the advice provided to me by DOD General7786Counsel and the Department of Justice. I would address such7787circumstances with my legal counsel and leadership chain so that the7788Department may take all appropriate actions.77897790    107. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, in your hearing you said you7791would commit to respecting the independence of the Judge Advocate7792Generals. What measures will you put in place to ensure JAG officers7793can provide independent advice without influence or fear of reprisal?7794    Mr. Feinberg. The Judge Advocates General report to and primarily7795advise the leadership of their respective Military Departments and7796Services. I understand that the Judge Advocates General provide7797independent legal advice, and that under the law no officer or employee7798of DOD may interfere with that. I expect the leadership of our Military7799Departments and Services will fully comply with the law in this regard7800as well in all things. If confirmed, I will be clear with my7801expectation that we fully comply with the law in executing the7802important mission of the Department of Defense.7803                             defense reform7804    108. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, in your advance policy questions7805you said ``we need to understand what issues and impediments the7806general counsels will bring and how we can solve them.'' What issues7807and impediments do you anticipate general counsels raising?7808    Mr. Feinberg. Differing lexicons between the Department of Defense7809and the private sector can lead to miscommunication, which in turn7810complicates collaboration, private sector business practices, and the7811Department's mission. Over the past three decades working in the7812private sector, I have experience working with general counsels and the7813Department on such things as compliance with Federal regulations,7814cybersecurity requirements, intellectual property protection, and7815adherence to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). If confirmed, I7816will work to improve communication and overall collaboration between7817the Department and the private sector, while ensuring all actions7818remain in compliance with necessary policies and law.7819                              hypersonics7820    109. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, in your hearing you said7821``[your] job would be to execute development--faster development with7822reasonable cost, and quickly, of hypersonic capability.'' What7823mission(s) would you assign hypersonic weapons to take on?7824    Mr. Feinberg. I am not briefed on internal DOD analysis on this7825issue, but expect that hypersonic weapons are a critical element of the7826future mix of offensive U.S. capabilities and that they should be able7827to credibly threaten and, if necessary, defeat heavily defended and7828time-critical targets. If confirmed, I will work with the appropriate7829Department of Defense Components to assess the appropriate missions for7830hypersonic weapons.78317832    110. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, would hypersonics replace any7833current U.S. military capabilities?7834    Mr. Feinberg. I am not briefed on internal DOD analysis on this7835issue, but I expect that hypersonics are a critical part of the mix of7836capabilities necessary for the Joint Force to deter, and if necessary,7837prevail in future conflicts. If confirmed, I will work with the7838appropriate DOD Components to assess how hypersonics fit within the mix7839of U.S. offensive capabilities.78407841    111. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, what do you expect the cost of7842developing U.S. military hypersonic capability will be?7843    Mr. Feinberg. I have not been briefed on classified information,7844but my understanding is that the Department of Defense has already7845invested significant resources in the development and near-term7846deployment of various hypersonic systems. If confirmed, I will7847determine the most cost-effective hypersonic capabilities to pursue and7848ensure that what we pursue is developed in an efficient manner.78497850    112. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, do you commit to conducting a7851study and releasing a report on the cost-benefit analysis of developing7852hypersonic capabilities to ensure any U.S. military hypersonic7853development is ``reasonable''?7854    Mr. Feinberg. Yes. If confirmed, I will work with the Director of7855Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE) on a cost-benefit7856analysis of developing hypersonic capabilities, and subsequently, I7857look forward to working with Congress on this matter, to include7858releasing associated report(s).78597860    113. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, how will fielding hypersonic7861weapons affect the posture of the United States, its allies, and near-7862peer competitors?7863    Mr. Feinberg. Fielding U.S. hypersonic weapons may allow the United7864States greater flexibility in the posture of its forces. If confirmed,7865I look forward to supporting review of our global force posture, to7866include assessing how future hypersonic weapons may impact how we align7867forces to achieve our goals given the competitive geostrategic7868environment.78697870    114. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, what measures will you take to7871ensure transparency and multilateral arms control agreements are in7872place to mitigate risks associated with hypersonic capabilities?7873    Mr. Feinberg. The United States should pursue transparency and arms7874control agreements when it is in U.S. interests to do so and when such7875agreements enhance U.S. security. However, progress in arms control is7876not an end in itself and depends on the participation of partners7877willing to abide by their commitments. I do not believe we should limit7878U.S. options in any future negotiation by prematurely imposing or7879presuming limitations to U.S. capabilities. Instead, we should remain7880open to negotiable conditions that maximize our ability to protect U.S.7881interests and defend the Nation, deter our adversaries, and assure our7882Allies and partners.7883                             mismanagement7884    115. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, please list all the Cerberus-7885owned companies that have declared bankruptcy.7886    Mr. Feinberg. Over more than thirty years Cerberus has invested in7887thousands of companies across its various funds and investment7888platforms. It is extremely difficult to list every company or entity in7889which Cerberus has ever made an investment that has been the subject of7890a bankruptcy case over the last thirty years. My best estimate would be7891less than 1 percent (1 percent) of all Cerberus-owned companies went7892bankrupt over the last 10 years.78937894    116. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, Cerberus touts its7895``operationally oriented'' approach to investing, which includes heavy7896involvement in the operations of the companies it owns. What percentage7897of Cerberus-owned companies went bankrupt over the last 10 years?7898    Mr. Feinberg. Over more than thirty years Cerberus has invested in7899thousands of companies across its various funds and investment7900platforms. It is extremely difficult to list every company or entity in7901which Cerberus has ever made an investment that has been the subject of7902a bankruptcy case over the last thirty years. My best estimate would be7903less than 1 percent (1 percent) of all Cerberus-owned companies went7904bankrupt over the last 10 years.79057906    117. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if Cerberus has ``functional7907experts'' to ``create stronger and more competitive businesses,'' why7908have so many Cerberus-owned companies failed?7909    Mr. Feinberg. Cerberus' investment model typically seeks to help7910companies experiencing financial and/or operational distress or7911significant headwinds through financial and operational improvements.7912Cerberus' investments have served as a lifeline to many companies7913facing difficult circumstances. Filing for bankruptcy is a rare outcome7914but given the nature of the business of investing in distressed7915companies for over three decades, there have been a small number of7916instances where filing for bankruptcy protection was necessary due to7917market, industry, and/or company-specific issues.7918    While no track record spanning more than three decades will produce7919a 100 percent success rate, Cerberus is proud of its success in7920stabilizing, improving, and creating value for hundreds of American7921businesses, hundreds of thousands of workers, and the communities and7922other stakeholders served by these businesses.79237924    118. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, why did Chrysler have to file7925for bankruptcy?7926    Mr. Feinberg. During Cerberus' investment in Chrysler, the world's7927economies and markets were rocked by the Global Financial Crisis. This7928steep recession hit the automotive industry especially hard and7929introduced insurmountable headwinds and disruptions to the sector,7930necessitating Chrysler's bankruptcy proceedings.7931    When Cerberus acquired Chrysler from Daimler in May 2007, the7932company was in shambles having been starved for capital and technology7933by Daimler in favor of Mercedes for years. Cerberus put together a7934world-class operating team led by Robert Nardelli (formerly a deputy of7935Jack Welch at General Electric) and an exceptional team of automotive7936industry veterans. The new operating team was very successful in7937turning Chrysler from loss-making to profitable in a short period of7938time, saving billions in costs and initiating best-in-class operating7939and manufacturing protocols. Unfortunately, the Global Financial7940Crisis, which began around the time of the acquisition, accelerated at7941a pace unseen in decades, hitting the automotive industry particularly7942hard. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis own data, from79432007 to 2009 new vehicle sales fell nearly 40 percent in the United7944States alone. Auto manufacturing is a high fixed-cost business with7945heavy reliance on union labor. No business with such embedded fixed7946costs can survive, or restructure around, a sudden 40 percent+7947reduction in its revenue, and Chrysler was no exception. Despite the7948best efforts of the management team, operating costs simply could not7949realistically adjust fast enough and deep enough to allow Chrysler to7950weather the multi-year collapse of auto sales. Cerberus, together with7951the Chrysler management team, worked rigorously with the U.S.7952Government, the lenders, and the unions to implement a comprehensive7953rescue plan for the automaker during this unprecedented and7954catastrophic collapse of sales for all automakers.7955    Ultimately, Cerberus partnered with the U.S. Government to help7956save the company and made material concessions to ensure the continuity7957of Chrysler, with the preservation of as many jobs as possible (both at7958Chrysler and the myriad suppliers and vendors who relied on Chrysler),7959to secure its ability to once again become a leading U.S. auto maker.79607961    119. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, what management decisions did7962Cerberus recommend to Chrysler leadership as a part of Cerberus'7963``operationally oriented'' approach to investing?7964    Mr. Feinberg. During Cerberus' investment in Chrysler, the world's7965economies and markets were rocked by the Global Financial Crisis. This7966steep recession hit the automotive industry especially hard and7967introduced insurmountable headwinds and disruptions to the sector,7968necessitating Chrysler's bankruptcy proceedings.7969    When Cerberus acquired Chrysler from Daimler in May 2007, the7970company was in shambles having been starved for capital and technology7971by Daimler in favor of Mercedes for years. Cerberus put together a7972world-class operating team led by Robert Nardelli (formerly a deputy of7973Jack Welch at General Electric) and an exceptional team of automotive7974industry veterans. The new operating team was very successful in7975turning Chrysler from loss-making to profitable in a short period of7976time, saving billions in costs and initiating best-in-class operating7977and manufacturing protocols. Unfortunately, the Global Financial7978Crisis, which began around the time of the acquisition, accelerated at7979a pace unseen in decades, hitting the automotive industry particularly7980hard. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis own data, from79812007 to 2009 new vehicle sales fell nearly 40 percent in the United7982States alone. Auto manufacturing is a high fixed-cost business with7983heavy reliance on union labor. No business with such embedded fixed7984costs can survive, or restructure around, a sudden 40 percent+7985reduction in its revenue, and Chrysler was no exception. Despite the7986best efforts of the management team, operating costs simply could not7987realistically adjust fast enough and deep enough to allow Chrysler to7988weather the multi-year collapse of auto sales. Cerberus, together with7989the Chrysler management team, worked rigorously with the U.S.7990Government, the lenders, and the unions to implement a comprehensive7991rescue plan for the automaker during this unprecedented and7992catastrophic collapse of sales for all automakers.7993    Ultimately, Cerberus partnered with the U.S. Government to help7994save the company and made material concessions to ensure the continuity7995of Chrysler, with the preservation of as many jobs as possible (both at7996Chrysler and the myriad suppliers and vendors who relied on Chrysler),7997to secure its ability to once again become a leading U.S. auto maker.79987999    120. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, why did Steward have to file for8000bankruptcy?8001    Mr. Feinberg. The investment by Cerberus in Steward Healthcare in80022010 rescued and restored critical community hospitals in8003Massachusetts. The efforts of Cerberus and the Steward management team8004ensured continued access to healthcare for communities, protected more8005than 10,000 jobs, and secured the pensions of 13,000 current and former8006employees. Over the next decade, Cerberus supported Steward's8007investment of approximately $900 million into facilities, technology,8008and personnel, as well as quantifiable improvements in the quality of8009care.8010    At the time Cerberus' ownership concluded in 2020, Steward had8011transformed into a nationally recognized Accountable Care Organization8012with substantial liquidity and, to the best of our knowledge, in8013compliance with all of its financial covenants. Steward ended 20208014(more than 6 months after Cerberus' ownership concluded) with access to8015more than $650 million of total liquidity, including more than $4008016million of cash on its balance sheet. Cerberus did not have any input8017or control of Steward's management or operations, or any direct8018knowledge of Steward's performance and management decisions, following8019the conclusion of its controlling ownership in 2020.8020    I respectfully refer also to what Steward noted in its first-day8021filings with the United States Bankruptcy Court regarding how it was8022negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in patient and8023insurance revenue declining by 25 percent. Further details about the8024company's reasons for its bankruptcy filing in 2024 are outlined in its8025public bankruptcy case filings.8026    Cerberus has been fully cooperative and transparent with elected8027officials, Government regulators, and the public in providing8028information relating to its investment in the Steward hospital system.8029The full context of Cerberus' investment in Steward was provided to8030Senator Warren in our February 2024 letter, detailing the rescue,8031revitalization, financial health, improvement of patient care, and8032financial results of Steward during Cerberus' 10-year ownership.8033Additional material information was also provided to the U.S. Senate8034Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions in a letter dated8035September 2024.80368037    121. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, what management decisions did8038Cerberus recommend to Steward leadership as a part of Cerberus'8039``operationally oriented'' approach to investing?8040    Mr. Feinberg. The investment by Cerberus in Steward Healthcare in80412010 rescued and restored critical community hospitals in8042Massachusetts. The efforts of Cerberus and the Steward management team8043ensured continued access to healthcare for communities, protected more8044than 10,000 jobs, and secured the pensions of 13,000 current and former8045employees. Over the next decade, Cerberus supported Steward's8046investment of approximately $900 million into facilities, technology,8047and personnel, as well as quantifiable improvements in the quality of8048care.8049    At the time Cerberus' ownership concluded in 2020, Steward had8050transformed into a nationally recognized Accountable Care Organization8051with substantial liquidity and, to the best of our knowledge, in8052compliance with all of its financial covenants. Steward ended 20208053(more than 6 months after Cerberus' ownership concluded) with access to8054more than $650 million of total liquidity, including more than $4008055million of cash on its balance sheet. Cerberus did not have any input8056or control of Steward's management or operations, or any direct8057knowledge of Steward's performance and management decisions, following8058the conclusion of its controlling ownership in 2020.8059    I respectfully refer also to what Steward noted in its first-day8060filings with the United States Bankruptcy Court regarding how it was8061negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in patient and8062insurance revenue declining by 25 percent. Further details about the8063company's reasons for its bankruptcy filing in 2024 are outlined in its8064public bankruptcy case filings.8065    Cerberus has been fully cooperative and transparent with elected8066officials, Government regulators, and the public in providing8067information relating to its investment in the Steward hospital system.8068The full context of Cerberus' investment in Steward was provided to8069Senator Warren in our February 2024 letter, detailing the rescue,8070revitalization, financial health, improvement of patient care, and8071financial results of Steward during Cerberus' 10-year ownership.8072Additional material information was also provided to the U.S. Senate8073Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions in a letter dated8074September 2024.80758076    122. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, how much in total profits,8077including dividends and all other compensation or payouts, did Cerberus8078earn from its investments in Steward/Caritas Christi?8079    Mr. Feinberg. Please refer to the letter Cerberus sent to the8080Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions in September80812024, which transparently discloses the capital Cerberus prudently8082invested in Steward. The proceeds of such invested capital belonged8083overwhelmingly to, and inured to the benefits of, Cerberus' investors,8084which include, among others, millions of teachers, firefighters,8085police, municipal workers, universities, and endowments.80868087    123. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, how much in total income,8088including dividends and all other compensation, did you earn as a8089result of Cerberus's investments in Steward/Caritas Christi?8090    Mr. Feinberg. Pooled investment platforms such as the Cerberus8091funds and accounts earn incentive fees on a pooled/aggregate basis and8092are paid to the investment manager only after all capital and a8093preferred return are paid to investors. Consequently, the earning and8094allocation of incentive fees depends upon the timing in the lifecycle8095of a particular fund in which the investment is realized and cannot be8096attributed directly to any single investment.80978098    124. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, why did Remington Outdoor8099Company have to file for bankruptcy?8100    Mr. Feinberg. In 2006, funds and accounts managed by Cerberus8101acquired Bushmaster Firearms Co. and made subsequent add-on8102acquisitions that were later consolidated under the Remington Outdoor8103Company (``Remington'') umbrella. For generations, gun manufacturers8104have focused on hunting and sport shooting enthusiasts within the8105broader outdoor sporting industry, which also includes fishing,8106camping, etc. Cerberus' investment thesis was to create a leading8107outdoor enthusiast business consisting of historic brands that could8108benefit from operational and financial expertise. Remington8109successfully pursued this strategy for many years through acquisitions,8110vertical integration, product development and operational improvements.8111    Many of the companies acquired were poorly managed and experiencing8112significant difficulties due to outdated manufacturing facilities and8113other operating inefficiencies. Cerberus supported a multitude of8114strategic investments, operational improvements and product development8115that led to significant efficiencies and profits growing more than8116five-fold.8117    The company operated at all times during Cerberus' ownership with a8118prudent and reasonable amount of debt, which was, as a multiple of8119earnings before income taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA),8120far below industry averages for private equity-owned businesses.8121    In 2012, following the tragedy at Sandy Hook, Cerberus immediately8122condemned the senseless, criminal act of horrific violence and8123announced that it would use best efforts to divest Remington from its8124portfolio. A premier financial advisor was retained to conduct a broad8125sale process, but no bidders were able to offer an executable8126transaction. In 2015, after concluding this exhaustive sale process,8127Cerberus placed Remington into a special purpose vehicle and offered8128investors the ability to sell their stakes in the company or remain8129invested. A significant percentage of investors chose to remain8130invested in the company.8131    During the Obama administration, industry-wide demand was pulled8132forward due to concerns regarding the safety and protection of Second8133Amendment rights. In response, Remington and other manufacturers8134produced additional inventory on an accelerated basis. As the Trump8135Administration took over, concerns about the industry and Second8136Amendment erosion abated, leading to an industry-wide precipitous8137decline in sales and the liquidation of inventory at below-cost prices.8138In 2018, a chapter 11 filing was deemed necessary to secure the8139company's financial position and allow the continuation of its8140business. In May 2018, Remington emerged from chapter 11 after8141successfully implementing its plan of reorganization. As a result of8142the bankruptcy, Cerberus ceded its ownership to the company's lenders8143and concluded its ownership of Remington. Subsequently, under the8144ownership of its lenders, Remington filed a second bankruptcy case and8145was eventually sold.81468147    125. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, what management decisions did8148Cerberus recommend to Remington leadership as a part of Cerberus'8149``operationally oriented'' approach to investing?8150    Mr. Feinberg. In 2006, funds and accounts managed by Cerberus8151acquired Bushmaster Firearms Co. and made subsequent add-on8152acquisitions that were later consolidated under the Remington Outdoor8153Company (``Remington'') umbrella. For generations, gun manufacturers8154have focused on hunting and sport shooting enthusiasts within the8155broader outdoor sporting industry, which also includes fishing,8156camping, etc. Cerberus' investment thesis was to create a leading8157outdoor enthusiast business consisting of historic brands that could8158benefit from operational and financial expertise. Remington8159successfully pursued this strategy for many years through acquisitions,8160vertical integration, product development and operational improvements.8161    Many of the companies acquired were poorly managed and experiencing8162significant difficulties due to outdated manufacturing facilities and8163other operating inefficiencies. Cerberus supported a multitude of8164strategic investments, operational improvements and product development8165that led to significant efficiencies and profits growing more than8166five-fold.8167    The company operated at all times during Cerberus' ownership with a8168prudent and reasonable amount of debt, which was, as a multiple of8169earnings before income taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA),8170far below industry averages for private equity-owned businesses.8171    In 2012, following the tragedy at Sandy Hook, Cerberus immediately8172condemned the senseless, criminal act of horrific violence and8173announced that it would use best efforts to divest Remington from its8174portfolio. A premier financial advisor was retained to conduct a broad8175sale process, but no bidders were able to offer an executable8176transaction. In 2015, after concluding this exhaustive sale process,8177Cerberus placed Remington into a special purpose vehicle and offered8178investors the ability to sell their stakes in the company or remain8179invested. A significant percentage of investors chose to remain8180invested in the company.8181    During the Obama administration, industry-wide demand was pulled8182forward due to concerns regarding the safety and protection of Second8183Amendment rights. In response, Remington and other manufacturers8184produced additional inventory on an accelerated basis. As the Trump8185Administration took over, concerns about the industry and Second8186Amendment erosion abated, leading to an industry-wide precipitous8187decline in sales and the liquidation of inventory at below-cost prices.8188In 2018, a chapter 11 filing was deemed necessary to secure the8189company's financial position and allow the continuation of its8190business. In May 2018, Remington emerged from chapter 11 after8191successfully implementing its plan of reorganization. As a result of8192the bankruptcy, Cerberus ceded its ownership to the company's lenders8193and concluded its ownership of Remington. Subsequently, under the8194ownership of its lenders, Remington filed a second bankruptcy case and8195was eventually sold.8196           revolving door and cerberus conflicts of interest8197    126. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, please provide a list of all8198companies in which Cerberus has held investments at any point from 20158199to present that contract or have contracted with DOD or serve as a8200subcontractor for DOD contractors. For each of these companies, please8201provide the following information:8202    Mr. Feinberg.8203      for each DOD contractor or subcontractor that Cerberus8204has owned or invested in, please provide the time periods in which8205Cerberus owned or invested in the company.8206      for each DOD contractor or subcontractor that Cerberus8207has owned or invested in, please provide the value of the DOD contracts8208or subcontracts with DOD contractors with the company, for each8209calendar year that Cerberus owned or invested in the company.8210    Please refer to the Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form8211278e) dated February 8, 2025, that I filed in connection with my8212nomination as Deputy Defense Secretary. As a consequence of the scope8213and volume of Cerberus' investment platforms, I made the determination8214to fully divest to comply with OGE guidelines, avoid any potential8215conflicts of interest, and ensure compliance with applicable law and8216policy.82178218    0127. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, will you fully divest from your8219direct and indirect ownership of Cerberus, any independent Cerberus8220funds, or any companies Cerberus is invested in while you are in8221office?8222    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, consistent with my Ethics Agreement, I8223will divest all of my interests in Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.8224and related Cerberus entities, which are disclosed in detail in the8225agreement, including, but not limited to, my equity interest, carried8226interest, incentive fees/allocations, and capital commitments.82278228    128. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, who or what organization will8229buy and/or manage your ownership stake in Cerberus while you are in8230office?8231    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, consistent with my Ethics Agreement, I8232will divest all of my interests in Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.8233and related Cerberus entities. Such divestiture may include a gift to8234one or more irrevocable trusts established for the benefit of my adult8235children, in which neither my wife nor I have any financial interest,8236and/or for the benefit of one or more public charities. I will not be8237the trustee for any of these trusts. The trustees of these trusts will8238be solely responsible for their administration, including any8239distributions either to my children or to charity.82408241    129. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, will your ownership of Cerberus8242be transferred into a trust?8243    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, consistent with my Ethics Agreement, I8244will divest all of my interests in Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.8245and related Cerberus entities. Such divestiture may include a gift to8246one or more irrevocable trusts established for the benefit of my adult8247children, in which neither my wife nor I have any financial interest,8248and/or for the benefit of one or more public charities. I will not be8249the trustee for any of these trusts. The trustees of these trusts will8250be solely responsible for their administration, including any8251distributions either to my children or to charity.82528253    130. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, will your children have any type8254of ownership, access, or benefit from that trust?8255    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, consistent with my Ethics Agreement, I8256will divest all of my interests in Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.8257and related Cerberus entities. Such divestiture may include a gift to8258one or more irrevocable trusts established for the benefit of my adult8259children, in which neither my wife nor I have any financial interest,8260and/or for the benefit of one or more public charities. I will not be8261the trustee for any of these trusts. The trustees of these trusts will8262be solely responsible for their administration, including any8263distributions either to my children or to charity.82648265    131. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if confirmed, will you commit to8266not receiving any benefit from Cerberus, any independent Cerberus8267funds, or any companies Cerberus is invested in for 4 years after8268leaving DOD?8269    Mr. Feinberg. I will abide by the extensive post-Government8270employment ethics rules required by Federal law as well as the terms of8271my Ethics Agreement. These provisions set forth comprehensive8272restrictions relating to acceptance of compensation from defense8273contractors, as well as communicating back to the Federal Government on8274behalf of any future employers and clients. I believe that these8275existing rules are appropriate and sufficient to protect the public8276interest. If confirmed, I will carry out the responsibilities of my8277office honorably, and I will seek any post-Government employment in8278full compliance with the applicable ethics rules.82798280    132. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if confirmed, will you recuse8281yourself while at DOD from matters that involve former companies you or8282Cerberus have owned or invested in?8283    Mr. Feinberg. My Ethics Agreement and existing laws and policies8284will require me, if confirmed and appointed, to recuse myself for a8285period of 2 years from participating personally and substantially in8286any particular matter involving specific parties in which I know that a8287former employer is a party or represents a party, unless I am first8288authorized to participate by the appropriate ethics official. I will8289ensure that I have a robust screening process in place to help8290implement these recusals. I can pledge to you that I will be mindful of8291not only the legal requirements that govern my conduct, but also of the8292need to ensure that the public has no reason to question my8293impartiality, and I will consult with the Department's ethics officials8294should such issues arise.82958296    133. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if confirmed, will you commit to8297not working for defense contractors or entities that invest in defense8298contractors for 4 years after leaving DOD?8299    Mr. Feinberg. I will abide by the extensive post-Government8300employment ethics rules required by Federal law as well as the terms of8301my Ethics Agreement. These provisions set forth comprehensive8302restrictions relating to acceptance of compensation from defense8303contractors, as well as communicating back to the Federal Government on8304behalf of any future employers and clients. I believe that these8305existing rules are appropriate and sufficient to protect the public8306interest. If confirmed, I will carry out the responsibilities of my8307office honorably, and I will seek any post-Government employment in8308full compliance with the applicable ethics rules.83098310    134. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if confirmed, will you commit to8311not working for a defense contractor or any entity that invests in a8312defense contractor for 10 years after leaving DOD?8313    Mr. Feinberg. I will abide by the extensive post-Government8314employment ethics rules required by Federal law as well as the terms of8315my Ethics Agreement. These provisions set forth comprehensive8316restrictions relating to acceptance of compensation from defense8317contractors, as well as communicating back to the Federal Government on8318behalf of any future employers and clients. I believe that these8319existing rules are appropriate and sufficient to protect the public8320interest. If confirmed, I will carry out the responsibilities of my8321office honorably, and I will seek any post-Government employment in8322full compliance with the applicable ethics rules.83238324    135. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, did you use any of the8325information you gained as a member of the President's Intelligence8326Advisory Board to inform Cerberus's investments?8327    Mr. Feinberg. No.83288329    136. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if so, which investments?8330    Mr. Feinberg. I did not use any information I gained as a member of8331the President's Intelligence Advisory Board to inform Cerberus's8332investments.83338334    137. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, were the moves by Cerberus to8335acquire the Subic Bay shipyard informed in any way by information you8336obtained as a member of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board8337during President Trump's first term?8338    Mr. Feinberg. No.83398340    138. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, did you have any conversation8341with President Trump about a cabinet position before you donated to his8342Presidential campaign?8343    Mr. Feinberg. No.83448345    139. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, did you ask to be considered for8346a position in President Trump's administration in return for your8347donations to Trump's campaign?8348    Mr. Feinberg. No.83498350    140. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, did you ever give payments to8351any person or entity in exchange for using their influence to promote8352your candidacy for a Presidential nomination from President Trump?8353    Mr. Feinberg. No.83548355    141. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, in November 2024, the New York8356Times and other news outlets reported that Boris Epshteyn, a top8357adviser to President-elect Trump, allegedly requested payment from8358prospective political appointees to promote their candidacies for top8359positions within the Administration. Did you discuss the possibility of8360joining the Administration with Mr. Epshteyn at any time?8361    Mr. Feinberg. No.83628363    142. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if so, did Mr. Epshteyn seek8364payment from you for promoting your candidacy for a position within the8365Administration?8366    Mr. Feinberg. No.83678368    143. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, at any time, did lawyers for8369President Trump approach you regarding Mr. Epshteyn and the allegations8370cited above?8371    Mr. Feinberg. No.83728373    144. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if so, please explain.8374    Mr. Feinberg. At no time did lawyers for President Trump approach8375me regarding Mr. Epshteyn and the allegations cited above.83768377    145. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, please provide a summary of any8378payments made by any presumptive or potential nominee for a8379Presidential appointment to you or your agents or associates, or any8380entity owned or controlled by Boris Epshteyn or his agents or8381associates.8382    Mr. Feinberg. There were none.8383        engagement with the department of government efficiency8384    146. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, how will you work with the8385Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to combat price gouging by8386DOD contractors?8387    Mr. Feinberg. I do not have specific knowledge of DOGE's role8388relating to the Department of Defense, so I cannot say how I would work8389with them as a hypothetical.83908391    147. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, will you direct or advise that8392DOGE investigate how to improve transparency in contracting with DOD?8393    Mr. Feinberg. I do not have specific knowledge of DOGE's role8394relating to the Department of Defense, so I cannot tell say how I would8395work with them as a hypothetical.83968397    148. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, will you direct or advise that8398DOGE investigate how to improve DOD's ability to get contractors to8399provide cost and pricing data to ensure DOD is not paying excessive8400amounts for a good or service?8401    Mr. Feinberg. I do not have specific knowledge of DOGE's role8402relating to the Department of Defense, so I cannot tell say how I would8403work with them as a hypothetical.84048405    149. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, will you commit to ensuring DOGE8406does not gain access to DOD or contractor data that could create a8407conflict of interest for the head of DOGE, Elon Musk, who has an8408interest in DOD contracts?8409    Mr. Feinberg. I understand the serious responsibility to safeguard8410sensitive information and prevent conflicts of interest. Access to DOD8411and contractor data is granted on a need-to-know basis, determined by8412strict security protocols, statute, and regulations. If confirmed, I8413will ensure the Department remains committed to maintaining the highest8414standards of data security and ethical conduct.84158416    150. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, how will you ensure DOGE does8417not gain access to DOD or contractor data that could create a conflict8418of interest for Elon Musk, who has an interest in DOD Contracts?8419    Mr. Feinberg. I understand the serious responsibility to safeguard8420sensitive information and prevent conflicts of interest. Access to DOD8421and contractor data is granted on a need-to-know basis, determined by8422strict security protocols, statute, and regulations. If confirmed, I8423will ensure the Department remains committed to maintaining the highest8424standards of data security and ethical conduct.8425                              outsourcing8426    151. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, do you agree that private8427security contractors can undermine the mission of U.S. servicemembers?8428    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will review the Department's policies8429on private security contractors and ascertain whether they undermine8430DOD missions. Based on my current understanding, I believe that private8431contractors have an important role in supporting the mission of U.S.8432servicemembers, as has been the case for many years. It is well8433established and documented by people in the highest levels of the8434United States military that contractors can, and do, support missions8435in a variety of critical ways and are used extensively across military8436branches and operations because of their proven effectiveness.84378438    152. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, do you agree that private8439security contractors have undermined the mission of U.S. servicemembers8440in places like Iraq and Afghanistan?8441    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will review whether the Department's8442policies on private security contractors undermined the mission in Iraq8443and Afghanistan.84448445    153. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, when would you consider using a8446private security contractor over U.S. servicemembers?8447    Mr. Feinberg. As a private citizen, I would be speculating.8448However, if confirmed, I will have a better understanding on how the8449Department makes decisions on contracting private security contractors.84508451    154. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, did you reassure the Trump8452administration that there would be accountability and transparency when8453you offered to have DynCorp take a bigger role in Afghanistan?8454    Mr. Feinberg. No such discussions ever occurred.84558456    155. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if you are confirmed to be8457Deputy Secretary, will you commit to bolstering the transparency and8458accountability of private security contractors?8459    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will ensure all DOD expenditures are8460transparent and accountable to the American taxpayer.84618462    156. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, since being given an E grade8463from Transparency International, what have you changed at DynCorp to8464limit your company's susceptibility to corruption?8465    Mr. Feinberg. An important clarification is that Cerberus does not8466currently own DynCorp and has not had any involvement with the company8467since it concluded its ownership in 2020. It is also important to note8468that military contracting is a very competitive space. Companies8469operate with very thin profit margins in places where their employees,8470many of whom are military veterans, risk their lives to support the men8471and women of the U.S. military. This was the case at DynCorp. During8472Cerberus' ownership, the company supported the U.S. military in many8473intense conflict areas. During Cerberus' ownership of DynCorp, 84 brave8474employees who worked side-by-side with American servicemembers lost8475their lives, and that is something that should always be remembered.8476    I am not familiar with the report you reference from ``Transparency8477International'', so I cannot comment. However, accountability and8478transparency were always paramount during Cerberus' investment in8479DynCorp. During Cerberus' ownership, the company developed and8480implemented a robust global compliance framework consisting of new and8481updated policies, procedures, training, monitoring, and reporting. A8482culture of compliance was instituted globally and enforced through a8483variety of mandatory policies. DynCorp maintained a commitment to8484compliance worldwide (visas, business licenses, tax, labor laws, anti-8485corruption, CTIPS, procurement integrity, etc.) and operated8486transparently throughout Cerberus' ownership.8487                       violations of human rights8488    157. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, four Saudis killed journalist8489Jamal Khashoggi on October 2, 2018. Reports have indicated that these8490murderers were trained by Cerberus's Tier 1 Group. Did you receive any8491warning or notice that these individuals were a risk or of concern in8492any way before Khashoggi's killing?8493    Mr. Feinberg. Tier 1 Group (``T1G'') is a company owned by funds8494and accounts managed by affiliates of Cerberus. It was originally8495formed in 2006 to provide training to U.S. Department of Defense forces8496as they prepared for overseas deployment and contingency operations.8497T1G has worked transparently with the U.S. Department of State across8498three Administrations to provide professional services to the United8499States and allied nations. The U.S. Department of State, in8500collaboration with other U.S. Departments and Agencies, is the vetting8501authority for both the programs offered by T1G and all foreign8502personnel trained by T1G under export licenses issued by the8503Department.8504    It is factual that certain individuals from the Saudi Royal Guard8505who were alleged to have participated in the tragic killing of8506journalist Jamaal Khashoggi did attend a training at T1G's facilities.8507    Each of the individuals had been cleared by, and received visas8508from, the U.S. Department of State to enter the United States for8509training at T1G's facilities, in a program also approved by the8510Department of State. Media reports accurately confirmed that the8511training was conducted under a State Department license. The training8512in question was for defensive-only skills relating to protecting a VIP/8513senior official and was completely unrelated to, and long prior to this8514heinous event.8515    T1G confirmed that it was in full compliance with all laws and8516regulations regarding the training provided to the Saudi Royal Guard.8517T1G and Cerberus stood firmly with the U.S. Government, the American8518people, and the international community in condemning the horrific8519murder of Mr. Khashoggi. Following that terrible event, T1G ceased all8520contracts with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.85218522    158. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if so, when did you receive8523notice?8524    Mr. Feinberg. Please see response to question 157 above.85258526    159. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if so, who gave you notice?8527    Mr. Feinberg. Please see response to question 157 above.85288529    160. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, did Tier 1 Group flag the four8530Saudis who killed Khashoggi for the company's leadership while they8531were training at Tier 1 Group facilities?8532    Mr. Feinberg. Please see response to question 157 above.85338534    161. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if so, when did Tier 1 Group8535flag the four members?8536    Mr. Feinberg. Please see response to question 157 above.85378538    162. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if so, did you notify a8539Government agency?8540    Mr. Feinberg. Please see response to question 157 above.85418542    163. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if so, when did you notify the8543agency?8544    Mr. Feinberg. Please see response to question 157 above.85458546    164. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if so, which agency did you8547notify?8548    Mr. Feinberg. Please see response to question 157 above.85498550    165. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, how did you receive notice that8551four members of the group that murdered Khashoggi were trained by Tier85521 Group?8553    Mr. Feinberg. Please see response to question 157 above. As I8554recall, I learned about this from reports in the media.85558556    166. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, when did you receive notice that8557four members of the group that murdered Khashoggi were trained by Tier85581 Group?8559    Mr. Feinberg. Please see response to question 157 above.85608561    167. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, who provided you notice that8562four members of the group that murdered Khashoggi were trained by Tier85631 Group?8564    Mr. Feinberg. Please see response to question 157 above.85658566    168. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, did you change any policies at8567Tier 1 Group to address the fact that Khashoggi's killers were trained8568by your company?8569    Mr. Feinberg. Please see response to question 157 above. After a8570review by the T1G board of directors, it was determined that the8571company had followed all relevant rules and regulations, and no policy8572changes were required. A decision was made by T1G, however, to refrain8573from any further engagements with the KDA or its personnel.85748575    169. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, did the State Department ask8576Tier 1 Group to change any policies to address the fact that8577Khashoggi's killers were trained by your company?8578    Mr. Feinberg. Please see response to question 157 above.85798580    170. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if you are confirmed as Deputy8581Secretary, how will you ensure the Department upholds the rule of law?8582    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will work tirelessly to ensure that8583the Department upholds the rule of law. I would favor the promulgation8584of policies reinforcing the central importance of legal compliance,8585appropriate consultation with legal counsel in decisionmaking, training8586the workforce on legal standards, and demanding transparency and8587accountability whenever violations occur.8588                   defrauding the federal government8589    171. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, what policies did you have in8590place to ensure DynCorp did not participate in overcharging the U.S.8591Government while you owned the company?8592    Mr. Feinberg. During Cerberus' ownership of DynCorp, the company8593developed and implemented a robust global compliance framework8594consisting of new and updated policies, procedures, training,8595monitoring, and reporting. A culture of compliance was instituted8596globally and enforced through a variety of mandatory policies. During8597Cerberus' ownership period, DynCorp was not exposed to any criminal8598charges and won or favorably resolved most of the civil cases against8599the company, the majority of which were initiated before Cerberus'8600acquisition. In addition, all False Claims Act matters, with the8601exception of one, were brought by relators and not by the Government or8602regulators. The Department of Justice generally refrained from8603intervening in such cases and then, following defense by DynCorp, most8604cases were dropped without any payment or settlement by DynCorp. During8605the time that Cerberus owned DynCorp, it did not pay any money to8606settle any False Claim Act cases and obtained many outright dismissals,8607emphasizing that the cases lacked merit.86088609    172. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, how will you ensure defense8610contractors are not overcharging the Department when contracting with8611it?8612    Mr. Feinberg. It is vital that contractors--particularly those that8613are operating in a sole-source environment providing defense-specific8614products--are transparent with DOD. Defense acquisition professionals8615are often deprived of access to the contractor cost data that would8616indicate price gouging. Consequently, my understanding is that systems8617are hamstrung in comparing unit prices over time at the prime and8618subcontract level, which makes it challenging to identify where bad8619behaviors may be present.86208621    173. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, will you strengthen acquisition8622law to ensure the Department receives cost or pricing data when a8623contract is awarded through a bidding process with only one bidder?8624    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will work with Congress as necessary8625to strengthen laws. The ability to collect cost and pricing data is, in8626large part, a function of statutory authorities and requirement, not8627DOD regulation. Competition is only effective at controlling price when8628it actually exists. If competition or a competitive commercial8629marketplace do not exist, the Department needs cost and pricing data to8630ensure it is getting fair prices.86318632    174. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, will you strengthen acquisition8633law to ensure the Department receives cost or pricing data when a8634contractor does not provide any commercial sales basis to establish the8635reasonableness of an item's commercial status, cost, or price?8636    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will work with Congress as necessary8637to strengthen laws and support reform to assure that DOD receives cost8638and pricing data when there is no competitive market. Absent the8639competition that shapes price commercially and absent direct8640competition, cost and pricing data are necessary.86418642    175. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, will you ensure the Department8643receives technical data rights without having to pay more when8644contracts already allow or require the contractor to provide the data8645to the Department?8646    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will commit to ensuring that the8647Department's acquisition officials receive the data and associated8648rights that our contractors are contractually required to deliver and8649ensure that our officials take appropriate actions if the data and8650rights are not provided.86518652    176. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, will you ensure that any8653contracts with the Department in the future will require contractors to8654provide technical data rights that allow servicemembers to repair8655equipment when in austere or contested logistics environments?8656    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will direct a review of our existing8657data and associated rights contractual requirements, to understand the8658impact on both cost and readiness.86598660    177. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, what is your broader strategy to8661prevent contractor corruption?8662    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will work collaboratively with the8663Department of Justice to assure that lessons learned are disseminated8664accordingly and to aggressively deter and, if necessary, address8665corruption in the form of procurement fraud.86668667    178. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, will you implement acquisition8668reforms to keep DOD's budget under control and prevent taxpayer8669gouging?8670    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed I will support the acquisition workforce8671and the Defense Contract Audit Agency to complete the due diligence8672that is required to prevent taxpayer gouging on the Department's8673contracts.86748675    179. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if so, what acquisition reforms8676would you want to advance?8677    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will work with the Under Secretary8678for Acquisition and Sustainment to understand the effectiveness of the8679reforms that have recently been put into place, such as the Adaptive8680Acquisition Framework. In my view, effective reforms are those that8681enable the acquisition workforce to timely deliver the lethal8682capability our warfighters demand.8683                           federal workforce8684    180. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, how will you use your position8685as Deputy Secretary to strengthen the civilian workforce at DOD?8686    Mr. Feinberg. I believe DOD cannot operate effectively without a8687dedicated and skilled civilian workforce, and it needs to have the8688right people with the right skills in the right positions. If8689confirmed, I will work to ensure that DOD maintains a capable, agile8690civilian workforce that supports the Department's mission and strategic8691objectives.86928693    181. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, the Office of Personnel8694Management (OPM) email offering employees a so-called buyout exempts8695``those in positions related to immigration enforcement and national8696security, and those in any other positions specifically excluded by8697your employing agency.'' Will you commit to ensuring all DOD employees8698are exempt from this offer?8699    Mr. Feinberg. I do not have any non-public information about the8700Department's current approach to the Deferred Resignation Program8701(DRP). If confirmed, I would support exemptions to the DRP as needed to8702avoid negative impacts to the Department's critical missions and8703national security priorities.87048705    182. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if DOD employees are not exempt,8706will the decision on whether or not to accept employees' resignations8707include an assessment of how the loss of the employee in that role8708would impact DOD capabilities?8709    Mr. Feinberg. I do not have any non-public information about the8710Department's current approach to the Deferred Resignation Program8711(DRP), but I believe that the Department should seek exemptions to the8712DRP as needed to avoid negative impacts to the Department's critical8713missions and national security priorities.87148715    183. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if so, how will you make the8716assessment? Please detail all the factors you would consider.8717    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will work with DOD leadership to8718determine the best method to assess which civilian personnel should be8719exempt from the DRP program based on impact to DOD capabilities.87208721    184. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if resignations are accepted,8722will those positions be backfilled with private sector contractors to8723fulfill the employees' duties?8724    Mr. Feinberg. I do not have any non-public information about the8725Department's current approach to the DRP. If confirmed, I will ensure8726that workforce decisions align with DOD fiscal responsibilities, legal8727requirements, and workforce management principles to maximize mission8728effectiveness.87298730    185. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if so, what is the estimated8731cost for having to backfill those roles?8732    Mr. Feinberg. I do not have any non-public information about the8733Department's current approach to the DRP. If confirmed, I will ensure8734the Department's workforce and resources are best aligned against8735mission critical warfighting and readiness functions, while also8736ensuring the Department takes the necessary steps to reshape the8737workforce in order to meet the President's priorities.87388739    186. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, how will DOD continue to vet and8740award contracts if a significant portion of DOD's contracting officials8741accept the offer?8742    Mr. Feinberg. I do not have any non-public information about the8743Department's current approach to the DRP. If confirmed, I will ensure8744that workforce decisions align with DOD fiscal responsibilities, legal8745requirements, and workforce management principles to maximize mission8746effectiveness.87478748    187. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, what impact will these types of8749resignations have on DOD contracting?8750    Mr. Feinberg. I do not have any non-public information about the8751Department's current approach to the DRP. If confirmed, I will ensure8752that workforce decisions align with DOD fiscal responsibilities, legal8753requirements, and workforce management principles to maximize mission8754effectiveness.87558756    188. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, what impact will these types of8757resignations have on oversight of DOD contracting?8758    Mr. Feinberg. I do not have any non-public information about the8759Department's current approach to the DRP. If confirmed, I will ensure8760that workforce decisions align with DOD fiscal responsibilities, legal8761requirements, and workforce management principles to maximize mission8762effectiveness.87638764    189. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, what will be the cost of8765retraining contract officials?8766    Mr. Feinberg. I do not have any non-public information about the8767Department's current approach to the DRP. If confirmed, I will ensure8768that workforce decisions align with DOD fiscal responsibilities, legal8769requirements, and workforce management principles to maximize mission8770effectiveness.87718772    190. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, what will be the timeline for8773refilling the contracting workforce after these types of resignations?8774    Mr. Feinberg. I do not have any non-public information about the8775Department's current approach to the DRP. If confirmed, I will ensure8776that workforce decisions align with DOD fiscal responsibilities, legal8777requirements, and workforce management principles to maximize mission8778effectiveness.87798780    191. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if DOD accepts these buyout8781resignations, when will DOD provide Congress a comprehensive report on8782employees who have accepted the buyout offer, which should include at8783least how many employees, which type of employees, and a strategy to8784fill the critical positions moving forward?8785    Mr. Feinberg. I do not have any non-public information about the8786Department's current approach to the DRP. If confirmed, I will8787determine the status of that program and ensure that the Department8788provides timely and accurate information to Congress on workforce8789reductions and strategies for maintaining critical capabilities.87908791    192. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, did DOD apply the national8792security exemption mentioned in the resignation offer to DOD civilian8793employees?8794    Mr. Feinberg. I do not have any non-public information about the8795Department's current approach to the DRP.87968797    193. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if not, why are DOD civilian8798employees not receiving this exemption?8799    Mr. Feinberg. I do not have any non-public information about the8800Department's current approach to the DRP and am not aware of how the8801Department manages exemptions from the DRP.88028803    194. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, does DOD currently have the8804appropriate funding to pay for the resignation agreements?8805    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will review resignation agreements8806and ensure the Department appropriately funds such arrangements.88078808    195. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, please provide details on what8809funding DOD is using to fulfill these resignation agreements.8810    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will work with the Comptroller to8811ensure resignation agreements are funded out of the proper account.88128813    196. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, what protections are in place to8814ensure employees will receive their benefits?8815    Mr. Feinberg. The Department must ensure that it provides employees8816benefits to which they are entitled in accordance with applicable laws8817and regulations. If confirmed, I will fully support doing so.88188819    197. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, does DOD plan to hire new8820civilian employees between now and September 2025?8821    Mr. Feinberg. I am not aware of the Department's current civilian8822workforce management plans. If confirmed, I will review DOD's hiring8823plans to ensure they align with workforce optimization objectives.88248825    198. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if so, please provide details on8826what funding DOD is using to pay for those hires.8827    Mr. Feinberg. I am not aware of the Department's current civilian8828workforce management plans. If confirmed, I will work with the8829Comptroller and assess DOD's funding sources to ensure compliance with8830appropriations and budgetary guidance, as appropriate.88318832    199. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, has DOD ensured it has followed8833and continues to follow OPM's Reduction of Force policies?8834    Mr. Feinberg. I do not have non-public information concerning the8835Department's workforce shaping plans. If confirmed, I will ensure that8836DOD adheres to all applicable laws and regulations.88378838    200. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, will DOD ensure it provides the8839benefits to employees required by OPM's Reduction of Force policies?8840    Mr. Feinberg. I do not have any non-public information concerning8841the Department's actions with respect to Reduction of Force policies.8842If confirmed, I will ensure that DOD adheres to all applicable8843workforce reduction policies.88448845    201. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, does DOD's assessment of its8846return-to-office policies find there is enough space to accommodate the8847workforce required to return to the office?8848    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will review DOD's return-to-office8849policies and the space available for its workforce.88508851    202. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, did DOD have to acquire, or will8852it need to acquire, any new space to fulfill its return-to-office8853policy?8854    Mr. Feinberg. I have not been involved in Department discussions8855regarding space requirements. If confirmed, I will review DOD's8856facility needs to support its workforce.88578858    203. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, if so, how much did or will8859adding new space cost?8860    Mr. Feinberg. I do not have non-public information concerning8861whether the Department requires additional space. If confirmed, I will8862assess the issue and ensure that the Department executes its mission in8863an efficient and fiscally responsible way.88648865    204. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, will you commit to ensuring that8866any Federal civilian employee at DOD will be given notice and reason8867for having their employment terminated?8868    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will ensure that any Department8869personnel actions, including any terminations and associated8870notifications, comply with applicable laws and regulations.88718872    205. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, will you commit to ensuring8873probationary employees at DOD will be given notice and reason if their8874employment will be terminated?8875    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will ensure that any Department8876personnel actions, including any terminations and associated8877notifications, comply with applicable laws and regulations.88788879    206. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, how do you plan to grow a modern8880workforce with skills in science, technology, engineering, and math8881(STEM) and AI at DOD?8882    Mr. Feinberg. Providing Americans with the defense and security8883they deserve is contingent upon having the highest-skilled workforce in8884the world--both uniformed and civilian. If confirmed, I will pursue a8885data driven and technology enabled strategy to ensure we recruit,8886develop, and retain the talent we need, with a particular emphasis on8887mission-critical areas like STEM and A.I.88888889    207. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, how do you plan to improve8890morale after the Administration's tactics to push the civilian8891workforce to resign?8892    Mr. Feinberg. Civilian employees are a vital component of DOD's8893force structure. If confirmed, I will assess and monitor workforce8894morale, and as necessary, implement strategies to enhance engagement8895and retention.88968897    208. Senator Warren. Mr. Feinberg, will you commit to ensuring the8898Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) does not gain access to8899sensitive or personal information about Department of Defense civilian8900employees or military personnel?8901    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I will work with the appropriate8902officials in the Department to ensure that sensitive or personal8903information about DOD civilian employees and military personnel is8904appropriately safeguarded and accessed in accordance with law, policy8905and regulations.8906                               __________8907               Questions Submitted by Senator Jacky Rosen8908                    childcare for military families8909    209. Senator Rosen. Mr. Feinberg, to build a resilient military8910force, it's crucial to meet the needs of servicemembers' families. An8911acute challenge for military families in Nevada and across the country8912is accessing affordable, high-quality childcare. DOD's ``In-Home Child8913Care Fee Assistance Pilot Program'' was launched to help provide in-8914home child care solutions for servicemembers in regions with8915exceptionally high demand. The pilot program was expanded to include8916Las Vegas. However, I have been told by airmen in my State that the8917program has so much red tape and cumbersome requirements that it is8918essentially unavailable to many Nevada military families who8919desperately need this service. If confirmed, how will you approach8920fixing this problem in order to provide more accessible childcare8921options for military families, particularly for those who work outside8922of normal business hours supporting 24-hour operations?8923    Mr. Feinberg. I understand that our servicemembers rely on8924essential programs like childcare to help them meet the needs of their8925families. Family readiness is a key component to mission readiness,8926allowing our servicemembers to focus on their jobs with the knowledge8927that their families have the support they need. The In-Home Child Care8928Fee Assistance Pilot Program (Child Care in Your Home) and other fee8929assistance programs are important to meeting the needs of military8930families, as many servicemembers have nonstandard hours and frequently8931travel for training or deployment. If confirmed, I will prioritize8932streamlining processes and procedures for servicemembers to access8933quality, affordable childcare.8934                             mental health8935    210. Senator Rosen. Mr. Feinberg, mental health challenges in the8936military--including post-traumatic stress (PTS) and suicide--remain a8937critical concern for servicemembers, veterans, and their families.8938Despite ongoing efforts, the military continues to face barriers in8939providing timely and effective mental health support to those in need.8940If confirmed, what specific initiatives will you implement to improve8941access to mental health care, address PTS, and reduce the rates of8942suicide among servicemembers, both during and after their service?8943    Mr. Feinberg. The health and readiness of our servicemembers, to8944include their mental health, will be a top priority for me. The8945Military Health System should continue to expand access to mental8946health care through new modalities like tele-behavioral health and by8947bolstering the mental health workforce.8948    If confirmed, I will look to strengthen partnerships with the8949Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure continuity of care for8950mental health needs like Post Traumatic Stress or suicide risk factors.8951I believe the inTransition program, which helps bridge clinical care8952between DOD and VA, must also be improved, and I will seek to continue8953implementation of actions directed in response to the 2023 Suicide8954Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee report.89558956    211. Senator Rosen. Mr. Feinberg, what proactive measures do you8957plan to take to ensure servicemembers' mental health issues are8958identified and addressed early, before they escalate to crises like8959suicide?8960    Mr. Feinberg. I am supportive of DOD's proactive approach to8961suicide prevention and mental health, which includes primary8962prevention, identification of suicide risk and protective factors, and8963treatment of mental health conditions. My understanding is DOD policy8964requires that all servicemembers are annually screened with a mental8965health assessment designed to identify psychological health concerns8966including suicide risk that may require referral for additional care8967and treatment.8968    If confirmed, I will ensure compliance with this policy and8969continue implementation of the actions directed in response to the 20238970Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee report.8971                            rebuilding trust8972    212. Senator Rosen. Mr. Feinberg, the first Trump administration8973disregarded Congress' direction and diverted billions of dollars of8974military construction funds--readiness investments in our force--to put8975toward unrelated, non-military projects that Congress had not8976authorized or funded. This has resulted in lost trust and is why8977Congress does not grant the Department more funding flexibility as it8978used to. Do you ascribe to that same disregard of Congress' Article One8979authority to determine priorities for investing in our troops and our8980national security?8981    Mr. Feinberg. I fully commit to uphold the U.S. Constitution in8982executing the duties and responsibilities of my position.89838984    213. Senator Rosen. Mr. Feinberg, what is your plan to restore8985trust between Congress and the Department?8986    Mr. Feinberg. I recognize the importance of trust and open8987communication between the Department of Defense and Congress. If8988confirmed, I am committed to enhancing transparency, improving8989communication, and actively engaging with Members and congressional8990committees.89918992    214. Senator Rosen. Mr. Feinberg, will you commit to protecting8993congressionally appropriated funds from being misused again if directed8994to do so by President Trump, particularly when doing so can undermine8995our force readiness?8996    Mr. Feinberg. If confirmed, I commit to ensuring that all funds the8997Congress provides to the Department of Defense are spent wisely and in8998accordance with the law.8999                                 ______90009001    [The nomination reference of Mr. Stephen A. Feinberg9002follows:]90039004    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]90059006                                 ______90079008    [The biographical sketch of Mr. Stephen A. Feinberg, which9009was transmitted to the Committee at the time the nomination was9010referred, follows:]90119012    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]90139014                                 ______90159016    [The Committee on Armed Services requires all individuals9017nominated from civilian life by the President to positions9018requiring the advice and consent of the Senate to complete a9019form that details the biographical, financial, and other9020information of the nominee. The form executed by Mr. Stephen A.9021Feinberg in connection with his nomination follows:]90229023    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]90249025                                ------90269027    [The nominee responded to Parts B-F of the committee9028questionnaire. The text of the questionnaire is set forth in9029the Appendix to this volume. The nominee's answers to Parts B-F9030are contained in the committee's executive files.]90319032                                ------90339034    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]90359036                                ------90379038    [The nomination of Mr. Stephen A. Feinberg was reported to9039the Senate by Chairman Wicker on March 11, 2025, with the9040recommendation that the nomination be confirmed. The nomination9041was confirmed by the Senate on March 14, 2025.]90429043                                 [all]