Hearing on DOD Budget Request for FY 2027 and Future Years Defense Program

Gas prices have reached a new high since the start of the Middle East conflict. Triple A's has gas prices have jumped thirty cents in the past week, now averaging four dollars and thirty cents a gallon. That's the highest pump prices since July of twenty twenty two. We're now paying a dollar thirty more per gallon than before the war started. And the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, along with the US continuing its blockade of uranium ports. The stalemate is leading to a longer disruption of fuel supplies from the Middle East. As CBS correspondent Nancy Cordes reports, President Trump had plenty to say yesterday about the Iran conflict.

President Trump said yesterday that he had actually rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz get oil tankers flowing again because he said it would have put off an agreement about Iran's nuclear program until later. Trump insisted the US blockade is gonna remain in place for now and that he has the upper hand. He discussed all of this with the crew of Artemis two, arrayed behind him.

It takes people like this to make our country great. It was an overall this event meant to celebrate Artemis two's successful mission around the moon. But the conversation quickly veered to pressing issues back here on Earth, including the impasse in Iran. They have to cry uncle. That's all they have to do, just say We give up. We give up. But their economy is really in trouble. The U. S. economy is suffering too, with gas prices jumping seven cents in just one day to an average of four dollars thirty cents a gallon. Global oil prices climbed above a hundred twenty dollars per barrel Wednesday, the highest since twenty twenty two, as investors came to terms with the possibility of a months-long disruption to It hasn't even peaked yet. The Federal Reserve declined to lower interest rates Wednesday, with Chairman Jerome Powell citing the rising cost of gas. Remember, when gas prices go up, um, that's disposable income coming out of people's pockets, so they're gonna spend less on other things. With the US and Iran both claiming to control the Strait of Hormuz, shipping traffic has fallen to five percent of its normal levels. In a social media poll, The blockade has been a hundred percent full. Broke it shows how good our Navy is. I can tell you that. Nobody's gonna play games.

Germany's chancellor has a very different view. He said a few days ago that the Americans obviously have no strategy for exiting this nine-week war. Well, on Wednesday in a what appeared to be a tit-for-tat, Trump announced he's now considering pulling some U. S. troops out of Germany.

That's CBS correspondent Nancy Cordes. Happening at this hour, the first direct commercial flight between the U. S. and Venezuela is scheduled to depart and will land in Venezuela's capital of Caracas in a matter of hours. Today's flight from Miami is coming seven years after the U. S. suspended flights there citing safety concerns. The resumption follows the reopening of the U. S. embassy in Caracas and the restoration of full diplomatic relations. It is the next step after the U. S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in a stunning nighttime raid back in January. For the past seven years, U. S. passengers had to rely on international airlines and indirect routes through neighboring Latin American countries To reach Venezuela. It's ten eighteen. Traffic and weather on WTOP. Back to the traffic center and Rob Stallworth.

Interloop in Virginia. The main lanes in Annandale at two thirty six, Little River Turnpike, still with a left side block for the broken down tractor trailer. Now attached to a heavy data wrecker, but delays are back to I ninety five in Springfield. The four ninety five express lanes are running with no problems, so you might wanna pay the extra cash if you're running late or impatient. Eastbound three ninety five before the fourteen street bridge. That crash is clear to the right shoulder. All your travel lanes are open, just minor delays as you approach boundary channel drive. I ninety five southbound on the brakes, leaving Lorton headed toward one twenty three as your lanes go from four to three along the right side. No problems really. If you're traveling on sixty six eastbound, leaving Gainesville headed in toward the Beltway. Inside the Beltway though, eastbound near one ten. Excuse me, this is Glebe Road in uh Arlington. That's where the right side is blocked for the work zone. No problems on the Beltway in Maryland through Prince George's or Montgomery County. Two problems southbound on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. The first one is near one ninety eight. That's the report of a crash. Then further southbound near the Beltway after one ninety three is a report of a wreck as well, so watch out for that. If you're in the district, keep in mind southbound DC two ninety five slows, approaching usual spot near Burroughs Avenue headed toward East Capitol Street, but your travel lanes are indeed open and available. The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation has been at the forefront of inflammatory bound disease research and care for over fifty years. Learn more about research, education and support at Crohn'sColitisFoundation.org. I'm Rob Stallworth. Your next traffic report in about ten minutes.

All right, let's move to meteorologist Steve Rudin. He joins us live with the seven news, first alert forecast. Nice to have the sun back today.

Nice to have the sun. All the wet weather is completely gone, so good news there. The winds are beginning to kick up and we'll see wind gusts today, twenty five to thirty miles per hour, so even though highs will be in the mid sixties to lower seventies, it's going to feel a little bit colder than that. Our skies are going to be clear overnight, upper thirties to middle forties by early tomorrow morning. Should note our sun set tonight, eight o'clock on the dot. Partly sunny, with a chance for a few evening showers tomorrow, sixty five to seventy. We're mainly cloudy on Saturday, a few morning showers, temperatures mid fifties to around sixty. And sunshine is back on Sunday with highs around sixty-five degrees. We'll be in the seventies Monday of next week and perhaps lower eighties by Tuesday. Sixty-two, dollar sixty-four, Capitol Hill and sixty in Silver Spring.

Steve's Forecast brought to you by Sonesta awnings by Lednor Home. Your backyard, your comfort. Sonesta retractable awnings by Lednor. Call eight eight eight five hellment or Lednor home dot com. Still to come.

Some are raising alarms as DC moves to cut a program that helps boost child care worker pay in the city. I'm Mike Morillo.

It's ten twenty one.

All right everyone, do what you gotta do. Then we're back on the road in ten.

When you make a pit stop, every second counts.

Two scratchers, please.

So enjoy your break while you can. Because before you know it, it's back to

Ever heard of a turn signal?

When you stop for gas, fill up on fun. With Virginia Lottery scratchers. Must be eighteen or older to play. Please play responsibly. Eight eight eight, five three two, thirty five hundred. The Virginia Lottery. This message is sponsored by Window Nation. Whatever your real reasons are, getting new windows is a big decision. At Window Nation, when you buy a lifetime warranty, it really is lifetime. You're not just buying the window and you're not just buying it from the people. You're buying the promise behind the product, and that's what Window Nation strives to serve each and every day. Window Nation Regional Sales Director Damian C. Roy told me from their first consults all the way to install day, Window Nation windows are custom, a one of one measurement for your home. Each of our windows are engineered, designed and measured specifically for the opening that we're putting them in. So not only is it the perfect window, it's always the perfect fit. Because they buy in bulk and from a variety of manufacturers, they save you money with discounts right off the bat. And that's not even factoring in the hundreds, even Thousands you could save in energy costs with their lifetime guarantee. Over forty percent of our business now is actually replacing replacement windows that somebody else had done and didn't fulfill the promises. We use the right product every time, not the cheapest.

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What does one Philly hotel stay get you in twenty twenty six, America's two hundred fiftyth birthday year? Free parking for starters, plus admission to five must-see attractions across the region. See the world premiere Universal Theme Parks, the exhibition at the Franklin Institute. Stroll through the beauty that is. This is WTOP News Happens Here. Ten twenty-three. All right, let's get back to all of the excitement that's going on today in Front Royal, Virginia. The British royals are visiting. King Charles and Queen Camilla will be taking part in a parade a bit later down Main Street. WTOP's Neil Augenstein has been there all morning talking with locals.

Here at the security screening area, this mom is first in line. She got up early to hold the place for her two young sons.

As I am a teacher, so this is huge for me as well to be able to tell my middle school students that, oh yeah, I just saw the King and Queen on Thursday. Um, but for them as they learn about history now to make that connection, they've seen royalty, um, when they're learning about it, that's huge.

It'll be crowded on Main Street and the town is saying that not everyone will necessarily get to see the King and Queen.

But we might. And like that's just kind of worth standing in line for like a long time, cuz I probably never get to like see them again if they're not. It will be my only chance to ever see a living monarch.

In front Royal Neil Augenstein, WTOP News.

DC's mayor is proposing to eliminate funding for a program that boosts

In her budget presented to the DC Council, Mayor Muriel Bowser proposes cutting the early childhood educator pay equity fund, which boosts pay for child care workers. Advocates warn if it goes away.

Children lose access to the most competent educators. Um, educators, the most competent educators, um, find employment in other places.

Marika Cox Mitchell with the Bainham Family Foundation says the impact goes beyond child care centers.

Families then have to figure out how they can pay for and access um, quality early childhood experiences for their young children.

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education in a statement says the program hasn't led to more child care centers opening and says the district is focusing on subsidies and pre-K to expand access. But Mitchell says the effects could go even further, as other states watch what DC does next.

This cutting funding also has national implications.

Mike Murillo, WTOP News.

Sports on WTOP brought to you by Amentum, delivering advanced solutions for space and defense. What's going on, Dave Preston?

Well, the Nationals wrap up their series with the New York Mets this afternoon after getting back on track in last night's win fourteen runs on fifteen hits for manager Blake Butera couldn't have been happier to have bats all night. I think, you know, from the beginning, um, till we got the sizable lead, they just continued definitely good at bats all the way.

night. Um, yeah, a lot a lot of good to talk about. These nights are always fun. They might need some of those runs this afternoon. Myles Michael is ERA so far this season. Eight point four nine Mets counter with Freddy Peralta. Orioles play two with Houston after last night's ran out twelve thirty five and four O five. The Nats game begins at one ten on fifteen hundred AM. Men's college hoops. Maryland guard Darius Adams is transferring to NC State as a freshman. Uh, Adams averaged eleven points per game for the Terps. Uh, Oh, well, let's see. Uh, well. Uh, well. It could be mostly cloudy, Yeah. could also be partly sunny, there's scattered showers, Beautiful. uh, a chance of scattered showers. So I'll bring plenty of sunscreen and an umbrella. Dave Preston, WTOP Sports. Thank you, Dave. We will check the forecast for you along with traffic next. WTOP celebrates two hundred and fifty years of health care in America. Presented by Delta Dental. For two hundred and fifty years, America's well-being has relied on innovation in health care. Delta Dental is proud to sponsor this look at the advancements that keep our communities healthy. Today and tomorrow. Menopause care has undergone change recently. After early two thousands research raised alarms about hormone replacement therapy to treat menopause and drove down its use, new evidence is now changing the conversation. As of late last year, the FDA even removed black box warnings for many menopause hormone therapy products Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. For more than two decades, the American medical establishment turns its back on women. Millions of women were told to fear the very therapy that The move is seen as part of a larger correction happening in medicine. For decades, women's health was understudied with research often built around male bodies. Now that's shifting. From pregnancy to menopause, science is catching up to how hormonal changes impact the entire body. And that includes oral health. And policymakers are even pushing for more inclusive care. Mm. Think of all the breakthroughs we've made in medicine across the board, but women have not been the focus. I'm Acacia James. Check out all of WTOP's America two fifty coverage at WTOP dot com. Search America two fifty. Better oral health in America starts with making quality care available to everyone. For years, Delta Dental has supported oral health providers by investing in research, WTOB's Traffic and Weather with Rob Stolwer.

Top trouble spots we're following for you right now. Interloop main lanes in Virginia, past two thirty six, Little River. River Turn, Park the Broken Down, still blocking the two left lanes. Southbound BW Parkway after the overpass for one ninety-three Greenbelt Road, that crash blocks the right side. Then outbound New York Avenue, near West Virginia and Montana avenues as you head toward Blainsburg Road to work again today, is blocking the right lane. For victims of drunk and drug, driving, your grief is unique, but you are not alone, you always have a place at MADD. Call the twenty-four hour victim help line at eight seven seven MADD help, or visit them online at MADD, MADD dot org.

I'm Rob Stallworth. Your next traffic report in about ten minutes. Jordan Evans with the seventies, first alert forecast.

Tracking your Thursday forecast, partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the upper sixties, a northwest breeze at ten to twenty miles per hour. Then it gets chilly tonight with mostly clear skies. Wake-up temperatures tomorrow at forty to forty-five. Windchill factor in the upper thirties, as we'll still have a breeze out at the northwest. By Friday afternoon, intervals of clouds and sunshine. Temperatures in the upper sixties once again. Then a few showers may appear.

Fifty nine right now at DuPont Circle in DC, sixty one in Germantown, sixty two and sunny right now in Annandale.

You're listening to WTOP News Happens Here. The W

All right, the hearing is in order. We completed a productive classified session down in the skiff, and now we will begin the public portion of this hearing. I welcome back Secretary Hegseth, General Kane, and our Acting Comptroller, Mister J. Hurst. Uh, I thank all of them, including their families, for their service. For the dozens of Americans that regularly watch our hearings, my next remarks will be no surprise, but for new viewers, I want to reiterate some context from our remarks. I've said this at almost every hearing. We live in the most dangerous security environment since World War Two. Every uniformed officer who has come before this committee has agreed with that statement. First and foremost, we're locked in a competition with Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party. The competition is high stakes, And it is about whether this will be an American-led century, or a century defined by authoritarian, autocratic regimes that care little for the need, needs of their citizens or those in neighboring countries. The Chinese Communist Party has accelerated its historic military build-up, and its predatory economic practices against Americans and countries the world over. Xi Jinping leads not only China, but also an axis of aggressors. This growing alliance cannot be denied. It includes China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. They're united around this goal, to oppose America's interests and the interest of other like-minded democratic countries across the globe. Vladimir Putin's war of choice in Ukraine has now entered its fifth year. In Putin's objectives, we hear echos of the imperialistic ambitions of World War Two's aggressors, including Adolf Hitler. Um, Vladimir Putin has suffered one point two million casualties and failed miserably in his military objectives, along the way he has transformed Russia's economy into one fueled by war, raising the prospect of an even more aggressive Moscow for the foreseeable future. Most of Iran's leaders are now deceased. But they and those who survived them have consistently sought violence against America, Israel, our Gulf allies, and the Iranian people. We th- we saw this during the October seventh massacre, during their continued support for Hezbollah and Hamas, and in their desire to engage in nuclear blackmail. Iran's ayatollahs have consistently represented a threat to American interest. Kim Jong-un has joined mister Putin's war of aggression. He continues a military and nuclear build-up that threatens South Korea, Japan, and the United States. Ties have never been closer among these four dictators, among these four dictator-ships. They support each other's aggressive endeavors. They prop each other up financially. and they schemed to undermine America's objectives. We should expect them to continue this behavior. This context plays out across every dimension of national power, the economy, technology, diplomacy, and more. But today we're here to talk about the military dimension of this competition. These regimes have regularly tried to take force, take by force what they cannot secure through the political process. For that reason, we must be ready to deter conflicts, and, if necessary, to win them. President Trump has used the US military appropriately and effectively for American interests. He has viewed our adversaries as a united block and has taken action in light of that reality. In Operation Absolute Resolve, an associated state craft the president removed, an aspiring dictator off the board and set up Venezuela for a future aligned with democratic interests. In Operation Midnight Hammer, he sought to eliminate the Ayatollah's nuclear program. When the Ayatollah chose to double down, the president launched Operation Epic Fury. In that mission, he has worked to remove the regime's conventional military capabilities and force it back to the table for a permanent solution. While we all mourn the tragic loss of the fourteen service members who have lost their lives in this conflict, we do so knowing the world is safer without the nuclear Iran. All of these actions are part of a peace through strength strategy. In this approach, we seek first to avoid war, but we take military action when necessary to achieve US interest. And so, Mister Secretary, I'm pleased that you are here testifying today in support of President Trump's historic one point five trillion dollar defense budget request. That sum will go a long way toward rebuilding our military capabilities for a generation. I should say up front that this, um, may be a long hearing. There's much to discuss. This one point five trillion dollar request is chock full of important programs and initiatives that are absolutely necessary to secure American interest in the twenty-first century. I think this funding underpins and accentuates three comparative advantages the United States possesses over the access of aggressors. The first comparative advantage America enjoys over our adversaries is that we have the best innovation and industry in the world. So I hope our witnesses today will cover the progress we've made in just the past year, rebuilding the American arsenal. Last year, Our reconciliation bill, combined with bipartisan appropriation bills, achieved about a trillion dollar defense budget. This year's request would represent a near fifty percent increase. Every penny of it should be money well spent, making down payments on crucial transformational capabilities, such as drone warfare, low-cost munitions, and missile defense. Also last year Congress and the executive branch achieved historic acquisition reforms. Consequently, we are well-positioned to make huge gains on efficiency this year and in the years to come, making it much more flexible and a a more timely process. I look forward to discussing how we might accelerate implementation of these actions. In particular, I'd like to see the Pentagon do more this year to drive competition in the defense industrial base. Competition absolutely drives better outcomes for our service members and taxpayers. Of course, our people are the final comparative advantage we have over our adversaries. We've enjoyed significant improvements in recruitment and retention, but we need to s- solidify a merit-based environment that fully cares for our personnel. I commend you, Mister Secretary. for your efforts over the past year to do just that. That task will never be finished, of course, but we embrace it gladly and we salute the progress. We will always be striving to care for and equip American service members as much as possible. I look forward to more work between this committee and the department this coming year. With that, I turn to my friend and colleague, Ranking Member Jack Reed.

Well, thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and secretary hexeth uh general kane mister hearst welcome and please convey my appreciation all of our appreciation to our military service members and defense civilians uh we owe them our deepest sense of gratitude mr. secretary this is your first public appearance before this committee in nearly a year since your last public testimony you and president trump have unwisely taken the united states to war with iran you ordered attack on venezuela and have directed ongoing illegal boat strike campaign in the caribbean and pacific at your direction our forces have bombed yemen somalia iraq syria nigeria and ecuador in united states you have deployed thousands of troops to cities like washington los angeles chicago and portland to police american citizens and you have personally intervened to end the careers of dozens of military leaders without explanation. These actions will have significant and long-term consequences. Now you uh now you appear before us to ask for a one point five trillion dollar budget, a forty five percent increase above last year. Uh, I must say I'm skeptical, and such a request demands intense scrutiny. sixty one days ago president trump unilaterally began the war in iran he had no coherent strategy he refused to make a case to the american people or consult congress he failed to present any evidence of an immediate uh threat and he ignored the advice of military and intelligence experts who warned him of the consequences today our nation is in a worse strategic position the straight of removes was open now it is closed thirteen service members have tragically lost their lives and more than four hundred have been wounded we have lost dozens of aircraft sustained significant damage to our bases in the area and expended an alarming amount of our missile inventory morale and readiness across the force especially among over deployed units and vessels like the uss jerry r ford aircraft carrier have suffered gasoline and fertilizer prices throughout the world have surged american families are bearing the cost of a war they wanted nothing to do with and have gained nothing from and yet secretary of health says you declared victory a month ago on april eighth you said in your words operation epic fury was a historic and overwhelming victory by any measure epic fury decimated iran's military and rendered its combat force is ineffective for years to come uh let me be clear tactically the united states military performance against iran has been remarkable and i salute the service members who have executed this mission with skill and bravery the problem with your statements mister secretary is they are dangerously exaggerated iran's hardline regime remains in place it still retains stockpiles of enriched uranium and its nuclear program remains viable. Iran's military retains enough combat effectiveness to keep the conflict at an impasse. Its missiles and drones remain a far greater threat than you'll acknowledge, and the regime has demonstrated it can effectively control the straight-able moves when it chooses. Mister Secretary, I am considering that you have been telling the President what he wants to hear, instead of what he needs to hear. Bold assurances of success are a disservice to both the commander-in-chief and the troops who risk their lives based on them. Our military has performed heroically, but military force without a sound strategy is a path to long-term defeat. I'd like to know what options you are considering now, given the cost from this war and the stalemate President Trump has put us in. More broadly, Mister Secretary, too often you have made dangerous statements that are counter-productive to the mission you boasted about quote no stupid rules of engagement just days after hundreds of iranian school girls were tragically killed in a missile strike you have made troubling statements about showing no mercy and no quarter to the iranians orders that would constitute war crimes as importantly fighting and dying overseas you have focused unduly on your own personal agenda in the past two months alone you have taken upon yourself to overhaul the chaplain corps cancel flu vaccine requirements repeal firearm restrictions on military posts and bar service members from attending certain universities just this week you brought performer kid rock to an army base to go for a joyride in an apache helicopter after dismissing an earlier investigation into the pilots who recklessly chose to hover above his home that runs directly counter to the chain of command and maintaining good order and discipline most disturbingly during your tenure you have fired dozens of our most senior military leaders and personally intervened to block the promotions of many others that is a betrayal of the merit-based system that forms the foundation of our military you are hollering out the military's bench of experience and high highest performing senior officers while making young officers wonder if they should continue to serve my colleagues and i have heard from countless service members throughout the ranks many of whom we'll be watching right now who are confused and disturbed by your actions uh hopefully you can explain them today additionally this committee expects a fulsome update on operation southern sphere this ongoing campaign against suspected drug trafficking boats has resulted in nearly two hundred fatalities the administration has failed to explain the long-term objectives of this mission or provide any evidence of reduced drug flows into the united states i would ask for a credible answer to this most fundamental question what is the operation actually meant to accomplish mrs. exery you are here to promote the president's one point five trillion dollar defense budget while this budget provides funding for necessary programs including shipbuilding and drone manufacturing many other critical programs like barracks repair and aircraft procurement would rely on the passage of a party-line reconciliation bill further this budget slashes research and development provides no funding for ukraine and includes no funding for losses incurred from the iran war yesterday mister hearst testified that operation epic fury has cost twenty five billion dollars if nothing else that help clarifies that we certainly do not need a supplemental anywhere near one hundred billion dollars much less two hundred billion dollars and in this record breaking budget there is no pay adjustments for the civilian workforce and with inflation that is a pay cut after a year of doge layoffs and a hiring freeze across the department this is an insult to the eight hundred thousand men and women who support our war fighters everyday i cannot imagine a faster way to erode readiness and distract from our abilities to deter our adversaries ultimately mr. secretary i believe you are causing lasting harm to the military like many members of this committee i had the and the privilege of serving in the military and every officer knows they are duty bound to give their best professional advice even if it is not what their superiors want to hear because when leaders fear to speak honestly people die missions fail wars are lost the american people's trust in our military took two hundred and fifty years to build you are dismantling it in a fraction of that time and trust once long can take generations to rebuild. Mr. Secretary, today I hope you'll take a step forward toward rebuilding the trust that has been lost. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Secretary, you are now recognized for your opening statement, sir.

Well, Mr. Chairman, uh, Ranking Member Reid, Senators, thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of President Trump's historic, as you said, Mr. Chairman, one point five trillion dollar fiscal year twenty twenty seven budget for the Department of War. The President's budget request reflects the urgency of the moment, addressing both the deferment of long-standing problems as well as positioning our forces for the current and future fights. I'm honored to appear alongside General Dan Kane, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Jay Hurst, our Chief Financial Officer and Comptroller. I'd like to start by thanking this committee and Congress, for your partnership in securing the investments needed for a stronger, prouder, and more secure military. Your focus on acquisitions, your focus on efficiency are the reflection in our department as well and in this, as well and in this budget. A nation's ability to build, to innovate, and to support the critical needs of its warfighters at speed and at scale, is the foundation upon which its deterrence and survival rests. However, upon taking office on January twentieth, twenty twenty five, President Trump inherited a defense industrial base that had been hollowed out by years of America last policies, resulting in a diminished capacity to project strength. Under the previous administration, we were offshoring outsourcing, beset by cost overruns and degraded capabilities. But under the leadership of President Trump, our Builder-in-Chief, we are reversing this systemic decay and putting our defense industrial base back on a wartime footing. Urgency informs everything we do. We're rebuilding a military that the American people can be proud of, one that instills nothing less than unrelenting fear in our adversaries, and inspires historic morale and recruiting in its ranks. We fight to win in every scenario. The one point five trillion dollar budget put forward by the president will build upon a previous one trillion dollar FY twenty-six top line. and will continue to reverse the four years of underinvestment and mismanagement of the Biden administration. The one point five trillion dollar budget will ensure that the United States continues to maintain the world's most powerful and capable military as we grapple with a complex threat environment across multiple theaters. Not to mention, the budget also includes a historic troop pay increase, seven percent for junior enlisted, And the budget eliminates all poor or failing barracks. Quality of life for our troops is front and center in this budget. By supercharging our defense industrial capacity and transforming how the department does business, we are restoring American commercial dominance at a pace unseen in generations transforming the defense industrial base from the broken, slow-moving systems of the past. We have flipped the Pentagon acquisition process from a bureaucratic model to a business model, decisively moving from a acquisitions environment paralyzed by bureaucratic red tape into an outcomes-driven organization, focused on delivering the most for taxpayer dollars. Over the past year, through historic multi-year procurement agreements that this committee supported, we've cut smart business deals that have sent unambiguous demand signals to industry to build more and build faster. The result has been a surge, a revitalization of our great American factories and a massive reinvestment in the skilled American workers who serve as the industrial muscle behind our warriors.

Like, that you're a warrior, Emmanuel. You should be arrested. Like, what you're doing is despicable. The American people do not want to go to the war. We don't wanna fight a war for any people. I mean, this is not, this is not, I mean, yeah. Is um, I don't know, maybe like further um interruptions of our hearing will will be treated in like manner. We appreciate the First Amendment rights of Americans to express uh themselves, but um disruption of this hearing will not be tolerated. So, Mister Secretary, you may continue.

I'll bre- I'll briefly provide some concrete high-level metrics of what we've accomplished over just the past few months. These are announced new facilities and investments to support American warfighters. The department has helped stimulate more than two hundred and fifty private investment deals in thirty-nine states a hundred and eighty cities in a hundred and fifty companies worth more than fifty billion dollars. It's resulted in two hundred and eighty new or expanded facilities, more than eighteen million new square feet of American manufacturing, and more than seventy thousand new jobs. These fifty billion in investments in new plants, new assembly lines, and new factories are private investments, not taxpayer dollars. By completely transforming our department's business model, American companies are investing in America with their own dollars, a historic demonstration of American manufacturing and defense revitalization, all with their money, not Uncle Sam's. This has never been done before. and is long overdue from a bureaucratic model to a business model. These investments equal great things for America, for American families, and American workers, to ensure that our war fighters have everything they need, all American made. Together with the help of the policy updates and appropriations passed by Congress, President Trump's War Department has begun to turn the lights back on in our manufacturing towns across this country forging a lethal arsenal of Freedom. Every policy we pursue, every budgetary item we request serves to ensure that this department remains laser-focused on increasing lethality and survivability from the front lines to the factory floor. This is a historic budget, as you said, Mister Chairman. This is a fiscally responsible budget. And this is a war-fighting budget. Speaking of war-fighting, the topic of Iran, I'm sure, will come up often today, which I welcome. I look forward to sharing the incredible success of our military effort achieved in a matter of weeks. President Trump has the courage, has had, unlike other presidents, to ensure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon and that their nuclear blackmail never succeeds. We have the best negotiator in the world driving a great deal. Unfortunately, as I said yesterday and I'll say it again today, The biggest advi- adversary we face at this point are the reckless naysayers and defeatist words of congressional Democrats and some Republicans. Defeatists from the cheap seats who two months in seek to undermine the incredible efforts that have been undertaken and the historic nature of taking on a forty-seven year threat with the courage no other president has had to great success and great opportunity for preventing Iran from having a nuclear weapon. Despite this, under President Trump, we are restoring the unbreakable might of American manufacturing. We're providing for our war fighters, and we are putting the people and interests of this country first. May almighty God continue to watch over our troops wherever they are, and may we honor the legacy of those brave Americans that we have lost. This is our sacred mission, and this is what we will continue to execute on. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you for that statement, Mr. Secretary, General Kang, you're recognized.

Thank you, Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Reed, members of the committee, and your staff, who we never get to say thanks to. Thanks for having me today. I'm honored to be here alongside the Honorable Pete Hegseth and the Honorable Jay Hurst to testify on the President's fiscal twenty twenty seven budget. I'm grateful for the opportunity to testify today and I'm thankful for continued partnership in support of our warfighters, defending the homeland and our interests around the world. It's a privilege to speak with you today about the foundation of America's strength, the two point eight million members of our joint force. And I am continually inspired by the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, guardians, coast guardsmen, and civilians, standing the watch for the nation, supported always by their families. They could have chosen a much easier path, any other path, but they volunteered for a life of purpose and passion and service. And every single day they rise to meet the nation's challenge challenges from combat operations to critical support roles with the courage tenacity and grit, that keeps our nation strong and secure. I would also like to express my deep gratitude for the thirty-nine members of the joint force who've passed in operations, combat, and training during my time as the chairman, and specifically highlight the fourteen who've passed in Operation Epic Fury. The secretary and I are deeply grateful for each of them and their families, and their names will never be forgotten. As the chairman, my duty is to ensure our civilian leadership has a comprehensive range of military options and the associated risks required to make the nation's hardest and most complex decisions. I owe the President, the Secretary, and the Congress the truth at every turn. And my blueprint for this role has always been that of General George C. Marshall. His firm commitment to civilian control and nonpartisan and a nonpartisan military remains my constant standard. And I strive to emulate his candor, delivering the facts leaders need to hear, not always what they wanna hear. And once a decision is made, executing it with the absolute dedication, while keeping the joint force precisely where it should be. That's the demand of our profession. As I sit before you today, representing our incredible joint force, I wanna emphasize my commitment to this committee and to the Congress. I will always follow General Marshall's steadfast example by providing clear and candid, non-partisan military advice, working together to ensure the military remains squarely focused on one thing, being prepared to deter and, if called upon, fight and win our nation's war. And that is our mission. America's joint force is operational at its core, purpose-built for the realities in a complex world. We're organized, trained, and equipped to execute the most demanding missions across the globe with unrivaled precision. And over the past year, our war fighters have consistently demonstrated exactly what it means to be the most capable and most professional force on Earth. Our shared goal is to ensure the joint force remains the strategic - sustains the strategic initiative and advantage an ability to project power to respond to the global challenges on our nation's uh terms. During Operation Rough Rider, Midnight Hammer, Southern Spear, Absolute Resolve, and Epic Fury, the joint force executed globally integrated missions alongside our inter-agency and international partners. And once our leaders made a decision, our forces demonstrated the unmatched ability to seamlessly synchronize actions and activities from the seabed to cislunar space. We're able to accomplish these complex things that we are asked to do because we draw from a deep reservoir of training professionalism and commitment. Our operational tempo is high, but we're designed to sustain it, rebuilding readiness every day, training professionals every day, and sharpening our edge every day. And I am incredibly proud of this joint and the leaders at every echelon who command it. As the Chairman said, we are living in a complex environment. Today I look forward to discussing how we can sustain America's military advantage. And I know this committee recognizes the challenges and the urgency in the environment that we face. We're operating in delicate and dangerous times, where risk is scaling and the complexity of the modern battlefield demands America's constant adaptation, innovation, and partnership with Congress. As a joint force, we're up to the challenge. We're built for this environment. However, our continued success is not guaranteed by our past achievements. We must continue to be forward-looking and innovate together with the Congress. To drive the pace of change and maintain our superiority requires timely, predictable and sustained investment. And the resources we're going to discuss today are critical to modernizing the joint force and ensuring whatever threats might emerge, we are prepared to defeat them, to protect our interests and defend the nation and wind. This president's budget for twenty twenty seven supports the secretary and the department's goal of re-invigorating recharging the defense industrial base and the national industrial base enhancing our readiness and securing our military advantage, to ensure that our war fighters are properly armed, globally integrated, and ready while always taking care of our people. And that is what truly sets America's joint force apart from each other, especially the one point eight million members, enlisted members of our joint force. It is them, the character, the competence of that force that transforms our capabilities into a decisive advantage. And our enlisted force is represented today by the senior enlisted to the, to uh advisor to the chairman, uh United States Navy Fleet Master Chief Dave Isom sitting behind me, a teammate who I greatly appreciate and many of on, many of you on this committee know from his time in the Indo-Pacific. While we face dynamic and dangerous times, I have absolute trust and confidence in the extraordinary men and women within our joint force, who every day execute the missions we ask them to quietly and with precision. And coupled with the American spirit to out-think, out-compete, and relentlessly innovate, we will maintain our decisive edge. But doing so requires your continued partnership. We stand ready today to answer the nation's call. I humbly ask that as we're here today in this hearing, we remember those deployed service members who are out there right now doing our nation's work. And may we always forget our or for remember our fallen and never forget them or their families who continue to show us what courage looks like. Thank you for your enduring support and I look forward to your questions.

Uh, thank you very much, General. We appreciate your service. Uh, let's jump right in. Secretary Hegseth, let's talk about the money from reconciliation one point zero last year there been some complaints about the speed but um not everything we hear is actually accurate how much of the one hundred fifty four billion dollars from reconciliation has the pentagon put on contract

my understanding mr. chairman uh first i'd like to say what an important vehicle reconciliation was for us and how how it gave us a chance coming out of fy twenty five to advance the president's priorities whether it's drone dominance golden dome for america ship building the defense industrial base, it was a critical vehicle for us uh the number you're looking for is about what i'm looking at about twenty six billion right now uh but we've got the floodgates about to open and and apply to those priorities.

ok so um unfortunately you're starting a bit late um through no fault of your own because the money was not sent timely by the office of management and budget to until last month. That's over and done with, but it should be mentioned. Mister Secretary, where are we um on the obligation rates um a- as as far as a uh a normal appropriation bill? Are we a little behind, a little ahead, or what?

I would say probably a l- a little bit behind as it pertains to reconciliation, but part of that is, as you know, uh, this is a new funding vehicle for the department. Uh, and it twofold one you gotta make sure you do it right and do it in a physically responsible way in conjunction with the congress to ensure that we meet congressional intent but also that we we've been using it to energize our ability to exercise new pathways to get at problems in in in different and more dynamic ways that don't get stovepipers stuck in the bureaucracy we've so yes there's been some some uh some delays but ultimately i think it's it's all goodness on the other side given the the the the new nature of this funding vehicle