1 00:00:00,140 --> 00:00:02,180 today , the committee will receive 2 00:00:02,180 --> 00:00:04,660 testimony from General Glenn Van Herck , 3 00:00:05,140 --> 00:00:06,973 Commander United States Northern 4 00:00:06,973 --> 00:00:09,410 Command and North American Aerospace 5 00:00:09,410 --> 00:00:12,140 Defense Command , or NORAD , and from 6 00:00:12,140 --> 00:00:15,000 Admiral Craig Fowler , Commander U . S . 7 00:00:15,010 --> 00:00:17,370 Southern Command General Van Herck is 8 00:00:17,370 --> 00:00:19,592 appearing for his first posture hearing 9 00:00:19,592 --> 00:00:21,759 in his current command . And admiral . 10 00:00:21,759 --> 00:00:23,703 Follower is returning to testify a 11 00:00:23,703 --> 00:00:25,814 Centcom commander . And this could be 12 00:00:25,814 --> 00:00:27,981 your last hearing before the committee 13 00:00:27,981 --> 00:00:30,037 addle . Thank you for your dedicated 14 00:00:30,037 --> 00:00:33,080 service to the Nation of the Navy . We 15 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:35,810 appreciate it very much . I want to 16 00:00:35,810 --> 00:00:37,770 thank both of you indeed for your 17 00:00:37,770 --> 00:00:40,390 decades of service and also obviously 18 00:00:40,390 --> 00:00:42,557 thank your families for the sacrifices 19 00:00:42,557 --> 00:00:45,860 that they've made to support you . 20 00:00:46,440 --> 00:00:48,384 And on behalf of the committee , I 21 00:00:48,384 --> 00:00:50,470 would also want you to thank the men 22 00:00:50,470 --> 00:00:52,414 and women of your commands for the 23 00:00:52,414 --> 00:00:54,581 selfless dedication and service to the 24 00:00:54,581 --> 00:00:56,700 nation . The security environment we 25 00:00:56,700 --> 00:00:58,811 face today is fundamentally different 26 00:00:58,811 --> 00:01:01,250 than even a decade ago near peer 27 00:01:01,250 --> 00:01:03,420 competitors . China and Russia have 28 00:01:03,420 --> 00:01:04,920 significantly narrowed the 29 00:01:04,920 --> 00:01:07,142 technological advantages that the U . S 30 00:01:07,142 --> 00:01:09,830 military previously enjoyed , and they 31 00:01:09,830 --> 00:01:11,774 threatened to contest our military 32 00:01:11,774 --> 00:01:13,552 operations across all domains , 33 00:01:13,552 --> 00:01:16,990 including land , sea , air , cyberspace 34 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:20,350 and space . The 2018 national Defense 35 00:01:20,350 --> 00:01:22,572 strategy shifted our defence priorities 36 00:01:22,572 --> 00:01:25,590 to focus foremost strategic competition 37 00:01:25,590 --> 00:01:28,050 with China and Russia . But we need a 38 00:01:28,060 --> 00:01:30,240 better define what our objectives are 39 00:01:30,250 --> 00:01:32,330 for out competing our adversaries in 40 00:01:32,330 --> 00:01:35,140 this geopolitical rivalry . General 41 00:01:35,140 --> 00:01:37,140 Burn Herc , You are responsible for 42 00:01:37,140 --> 00:01:39,307 protecting the homeland . And over the 43 00:01:39,307 --> 00:01:41,418 last year , that mission has centered 44 00:01:41,418 --> 00:01:43,196 on the response to the covid 19 45 00:01:43,196 --> 00:01:45,360 pandemic . At the request of FEMA , 46 00:01:45,370 --> 00:01:48,200 North Com has deployed more than 2200 47 00:01:48,200 --> 00:01:51,140 personnel as part of 25 vaccination 48 00:01:51,140 --> 00:01:54,570 support teams at 17 sites in nine 49 00:01:54,570 --> 00:01:58,370 states in ministering more than 50,000 50 00:01:58,370 --> 00:02:01,260 doses daily . I understand that FEMA 51 00:02:01,260 --> 00:02:03,480 has discussed with you ramping up to 52 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:06,710 100 vaccination support teams with the 53 00:02:06,710 --> 00:02:09,460 capacity to vaccinate over 400,000 54 00:02:09,460 --> 00:02:12,390 people per day . This is in addition to 55 00:02:12,390 --> 00:02:14,420 the more than 30,000 National Guard 56 00:02:14,420 --> 00:02:16,476 members supporting civil authorities 57 00:02:16,550 --> 00:02:19,350 across 46 states and three territories . 58 00:02:19,940 --> 00:02:22,162 General Van Herck I hope you will share 59 00:02:22,162 --> 00:02:23,996 your views on the challenges and 60 00:02:23,996 --> 00:02:26,200 scaling up this effort and any lessons 61 00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:29,950 learned regarding what we need . Mhm 62 00:02:30,440 --> 00:02:32,240 long term for addressing future 63 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:34,462 pandemic threats to our nation's health 64 00:02:34,462 --> 00:02:37,150 security . North Korea is also tasked 65 00:02:37,150 --> 00:02:39,261 with operating our homeland ballistic 66 00:02:39,261 --> 00:02:41,317 missile defense the ground based mid 67 00:02:41,317 --> 00:02:43,570 course defense system to protect the 68 00:02:43,570 --> 00:02:44,959 United States against an 69 00:02:44,959 --> 00:02:46,903 intercontinental ballistic missile 70 00:02:46,903 --> 00:02:49,450 attack from rogue states . The threat 71 00:02:49,450 --> 00:02:51,610 from North Korea has only grown in 72 00:02:51,610 --> 00:02:53,277 recent years , and I would be 73 00:02:53,277 --> 00:02:55,388 interested in hearing your assessment 74 00:02:55,388 --> 00:02:57,499 of what additional steps can be taken 75 00:02:57,499 --> 00:02:59,221 to better integrate our domain 76 00:02:59,221 --> 00:03:01,221 awareness and modernize our missile 77 00:03:01,221 --> 00:03:03,332 defense systems , including plans for 78 00:03:03,332 --> 00:03:05,554 the next generation interceptor and the 79 00:03:05,554 --> 00:03:07,666 so called under layer missile defense 80 00:03:07,666 --> 00:03:10,330 protection for the homeland . North Com 81 00:03:10,330 --> 00:03:12,360 is designated as the advocate for 82 00:03:12,370 --> 00:03:14,870 capabilities in the Arctic and plays a 83 00:03:14,870 --> 00:03:16,981 leading role in bringing together the 84 00:03:16,981 --> 00:03:18,648 combatant commands that share 85 00:03:18,648 --> 00:03:20,814 responsibilities for this increasingly 86 00:03:20,814 --> 00:03:22,926 critical region . As Russia and China 87 00:03:22,926 --> 00:03:25,092 become more assertive in the Arctic is 88 00:03:25,092 --> 00:03:27,203 essential that we developed a unified 89 00:03:27,203 --> 00:03:29,670 response across combatant commands and 90 00:03:29,670 --> 00:03:32,050 across the inter agency , as well as in 91 00:03:32,050 --> 00:03:33,883 coordination with our allies and 92 00:03:33,883 --> 00:03:35,994 partners General , I would appreciate 93 00:03:35,994 --> 00:03:38,106 any updates you could provide on this 94 00:03:38,106 --> 00:03:40,450 critical region . The situation along 95 00:03:40,450 --> 00:03:42,506 our southern border has implications 96 00:03:42,506 --> 00:03:44,672 for both North Korea and South Korea , 97 00:03:44,740 --> 00:03:46,851 despite President spire determination 98 00:03:46,851 --> 00:03:48,684 to the declaration of a national 99 00:03:48,684 --> 00:03:50,810 emergency along the border and ending 100 00:03:50,810 --> 00:03:52,699 of the diversion of funds for the 101 00:03:52,699 --> 00:03:55,250 border wall roughly 3600 military 102 00:03:55,250 --> 00:03:58,030 personnel remain deployed in the region 103 00:03:58,030 --> 00:04:00,086 in support of the customs and Border 104 00:04:00,086 --> 00:04:02,390 Patrol . This raises questions about 105 00:04:02,400 --> 00:04:04,344 what the Defense Department's role 106 00:04:04,344 --> 00:04:06,289 should be in a whole of government 107 00:04:06,289 --> 00:04:08,122 response to the situation at the 108 00:04:08,122 --> 00:04:10,530 southern border . In addition , recent 109 00:04:10,530 --> 00:04:12,697 weeks have seen an increase the number 110 00:04:12,697 --> 00:04:14,808 of unaccompanied Children arriving at 111 00:04:14,808 --> 00:04:16,919 the southern border seeking to escape 112 00:04:16,919 --> 00:04:19,086 instability and violence in their home 113 00:04:19,086 --> 00:04:21,197 countries . While these Children need 114 00:04:21,197 --> 00:04:23,141 to be cared for in humane and safe 115 00:04:23,141 --> 00:04:25,363 manner on a case by case basis , I also 116 00:04:25,363 --> 00:04:27,086 believe we need to address the 117 00:04:27,086 --> 00:04:28,974 migration problem at its source , 118 00:04:28,974 --> 00:04:31,200 including the conditions causing adults 119 00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:33,220 and Children to seek asylum at our 120 00:04:33,220 --> 00:04:35,200 border annual salary would be 121 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:37,367 interested in your thoughts on how the 122 00:04:37,367 --> 00:04:39,589 department can use security cooperation 123 00:04:39,589 --> 00:04:41,430 strategically to build partner 124 00:04:41,430 --> 00:04:43,320 capabilities and institutional 125 00:04:43,320 --> 00:04:45,750 capacities to counter the drivers of 126 00:04:45,750 --> 00:04:49,290 instability in Central America . South 127 00:04:49,290 --> 00:04:51,530 Korea's traditional mission has focused 128 00:04:51,530 --> 00:04:53,697 on countering the scourge of narcotics 129 00:04:53,697 --> 00:04:55,340 and the threat from national 130 00:04:55,350 --> 00:04:58,140 transnational criminal organizations . 131 00:04:58,150 --> 00:05:00,094 The growing influence of China and 132 00:05:00,094 --> 00:05:02,150 Russia , Oliver threatens to further 133 00:05:02,150 --> 00:05:04,460 destabilize the region as these geo 134 00:05:04,460 --> 00:05:06,680 political rivals take advantage of 135 00:05:06,680 --> 00:05:08,680 corrupt governance in the region to 136 00:05:08,680 --> 00:05:10,902 advance their own strategic interests . 137 00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:14,070 China's malign financial influence and 138 00:05:14,070 --> 00:05:15,903 Russia's different information , 139 00:05:15,903 --> 00:05:18,600 amplified on Russian controlled Spanish 140 00:05:18,600 --> 00:05:20,670 language media outlets threatened to 141 00:05:20,670 --> 00:05:23,050 undermine democratic governments . And 142 00:05:23,050 --> 00:05:25,330 in Venezuela , the Maduro regime , 143 00:05:25,330 --> 00:05:27,630 propped up with external support from 144 00:05:27,630 --> 00:05:30,570 Russia , China and others , has caused 145 00:05:30,570 --> 00:05:32,680 millions of Venezuelans to flee into 146 00:05:32,680 --> 00:05:34,910 neighboring countries . With Colombia 147 00:05:34,910 --> 00:05:37,520 bearing the brunt of this exodus and 148 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:39,353 muffler , I'm interested in your 149 00:05:39,353 --> 00:05:41,576 assessment of the threat from near peer 150 00:05:41,576 --> 00:05:43,687 competitors in the South com area and 151 00:05:43,687 --> 00:05:45,798 how we might work strategically their 152 00:05:45,798 --> 00:05:47,576 partners in the region to build 153 00:05:47,576 --> 00:05:49,798 resilience to China and Russians malign 154 00:05:49,798 --> 00:05:52,110 activities . I want to thank you again 155 00:05:52,120 --> 00:05:54,120 for being here this morning , and I 156 00:05:54,120 --> 00:05:56,287 look forward to your testimony . And I 157 00:05:56,287 --> 00:05:58,009 also just want to note from my 158 00:05:58,009 --> 00:05:59,842 colleagues that there will be an 159 00:05:59,842 --> 00:06:02,064 informal classified briefing by Admiral 160 00:06:02,064 --> 00:06:05,500 Feller in SPC to 17 immediately 161 00:06:05,500 --> 00:06:08,820 following the session until 12 3 , when 162 00:06:08,820 --> 00:06:11,200 we must cease and the subject will be 163 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:13,422 the increasing Chinese influence in the 164 00:06:13,422 --> 00:06:15,920 South Calm area . Um , with that , let 165 00:06:15,920 --> 00:06:18,660 me recognize sentimental Thank you , Mr 166 00:06:18,660 --> 00:06:21,100 Chairman . Thank you for calling this 167 00:06:21,110 --> 00:06:24,740 important hearing . Also thank our two 168 00:06:24,740 --> 00:06:27,970 witnesses North Common South . Come as 169 00:06:27,970 --> 00:06:29,914 you know , my top priority remains 170 00:06:29,914 --> 00:06:31,414 ensuring the effectiveness 171 00:06:31,414 --> 00:06:33,710 implementation of the national defense 172 00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:36,720 strategy . We've all agreed this is 173 00:06:36,730 --> 00:06:38,952 this is our roadmap . We're supposed to 174 00:06:38,952 --> 00:06:41,410 be doing as true today as it was two 175 00:06:41,410 --> 00:06:43,770 years ago , which identifies 176 00:06:43,770 --> 00:06:46,890 competition with China and Russia as 177 00:06:46,900 --> 00:06:49,370 the central challenge to the United 178 00:06:49,370 --> 00:06:51,203 States Prosperity and security . 179 00:06:51,940 --> 00:06:53,884 However , the growing influence of 180 00:06:53,884 --> 00:06:55,773 China and Russia isn't limited to 181 00:06:55,773 --> 00:06:57,773 Europe . In the Indo Pacific , most 182 00:06:57,773 --> 00:06:59,773 people think about that . They talk 183 00:06:59,773 --> 00:07:01,829 about the South China seas and other 184 00:07:01,829 --> 00:07:03,996 places where there are problems . Both 185 00:07:03,996 --> 00:07:05,996 countries have shown their way that 186 00:07:05,996 --> 00:07:07,996 they view the Western Hemisphere as 187 00:07:07,996 --> 00:07:10,107 critical terrain for fulfilling their 188 00:07:10,107 --> 00:07:12,162 global ambitions and challenging the 189 00:07:12,162 --> 00:07:14,273 United States more feller . China and 190 00:07:14,273 --> 00:07:16,384 Russia are expanding their access and 191 00:07:16,384 --> 00:07:18,960 influence in your they are through 192 00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:21,540 increasing arms deals , military 193 00:07:21,540 --> 00:07:24,610 deployments and economic and diplomatic 194 00:07:24,620 --> 00:07:26,920 coercion . At the same time , much of 195 00:07:26,920 --> 00:07:29,160 the drugs poisoning American cities are 196 00:07:29,160 --> 00:07:31,271 coming from Latin America through the 197 00:07:31,271 --> 00:07:34,170 vast illicit networks operating by 198 00:07:34,180 --> 00:07:35,920 multibillion dollar criminal 199 00:07:35,920 --> 00:07:39,280 organizations . General Van Herck , you 200 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:41,280 have operational responsibility for 201 00:07:41,280 --> 00:07:43,502 defense of the United States homeland . 202 00:07:43,502 --> 00:07:45,613 We're facing a lot of challenges from 203 00:07:45,613 --> 00:07:47,836 the growing Chinese and Russian missile 204 00:07:47,836 --> 00:07:49,830 capabilities , including advanced 205 00:07:49,840 --> 00:07:51,850 cruise missiles and pepper sonic 206 00:07:51,850 --> 00:07:54,150 missiles . I hope you will discuss any 207 00:07:54,330 --> 00:07:57,300 emerging gaps you foresee in our 208 00:07:57,300 --> 00:07:59,830 homeland defense in the offer your 209 00:07:59,840 --> 00:08:03,140 recommendations for addressing these 210 00:08:03,150 --> 00:08:05,380 challenges . Specifically , I'm 211 00:08:05,380 --> 00:08:07,380 interested in your views on whether 212 00:08:07,380 --> 00:08:09,602 waiting another decade for a new ground 213 00:08:09,602 --> 00:08:11,824 based interceptor makes any sense if we 214 00:08:11,824 --> 00:08:13,991 need to act sooner , given the growing 215 00:08:13,991 --> 00:08:16,760 threat from adversaries . Meanwhile , 216 00:08:16,760 --> 00:08:19,310 we're seeing a new crisis brewing in 217 00:08:19,310 --> 00:08:21,550 the Southwest border . According to The 218 00:08:21,550 --> 00:08:24,720 New York Times , approximately 70 8000 219 00:08:24,720 --> 00:08:27,170 immigrants tried to cross the border in 220 00:08:27,170 --> 00:08:29,770 January . That's double the number that 221 00:08:29,780 --> 00:08:33,070 were there from the year before , so we 222 00:08:33,070 --> 00:08:35,237 know that's happening . We know that's 223 00:08:35,237 --> 00:08:37,348 increase . You don't have the numbers 224 00:08:37,348 --> 00:08:39,292 yet of the I tried to get him this 225 00:08:39,292 --> 00:08:41,292 morning of February . We don't have 226 00:08:41,292 --> 00:08:43,292 those numbers yet , but we will get 227 00:08:43,292 --> 00:08:45,514 them and we see that this this thing is 228 00:08:45,514 --> 00:08:47,737 getting worse . I've always said border 229 00:08:47,737 --> 00:08:49,959 security is the national security , and 230 00:08:49,959 --> 00:08:53,040 my visit to the border in August of 19 231 00:08:53,040 --> 00:08:55,500 confirmed disbelief . These new 232 00:08:55,500 --> 00:08:57,610 statistics are alarming , so I hope 233 00:08:57,610 --> 00:08:59,800 that you address whether North 234 00:08:59,800 --> 00:09:02,170 Vietnam's border support mission is 235 00:09:02,180 --> 00:09:04,660 sufficient and what we can do to better 236 00:09:04,660 --> 00:09:08,170 ensure they are laws are enforced and , 237 00:09:08,170 --> 00:09:10,337 you know , we talk around this thing , 238 00:09:10,337 --> 00:09:12,503 nobody wants to talk about it , and no 239 00:09:12,503 --> 00:09:14,448 one wants to bit . We've got a new 240 00:09:14,448 --> 00:09:16,670 president now . The new president has a 241 00:09:16,670 --> 00:09:18,837 different mission , You know , he's he 242 00:09:18,837 --> 00:09:18,700 wants to everyone to love him , and I 243 00:09:18,700 --> 00:09:21,410 understand that . But you you know , 244 00:09:21,410 --> 00:09:23,577 I've got a picture here . I want to be 245 00:09:23,577 --> 00:09:25,688 made part of the record . This is all 246 00:09:25,688 --> 00:09:27,743 these people coming across illegally 247 00:09:27,743 --> 00:09:29,910 wearing their Biden T shirts . This is 248 00:09:29,910 --> 00:09:32,030 going on . You guys act like it's not 249 00:09:32,030 --> 00:09:34,150 So , anyway , we need to face this 250 00:09:34,150 --> 00:09:36,150 problem . Thank you , Mr Chairman . 251 00:09:36,540 --> 00:09:38,596 Well , thank you very much , Senator 252 00:09:38,596 --> 00:09:41,230 Inhofe . And now let me recognize 253 00:09:41,230 --> 00:09:43,174 Admiral Fowler for his testimony . 254 00:09:47,440 --> 00:09:49,607 Good morning , Chairman . Read ranking 255 00:09:49,607 --> 00:09:51,718 member Inhofe's distinguished members 256 00:09:51,718 --> 00:09:53,773 of the committee . And thank you for 257 00:09:53,773 --> 00:09:55,884 the opportunity to testify before you 258 00:09:55,884 --> 00:09:58,051 today . I'm honored to be here with my 259 00:09:58,051 --> 00:09:57,870 friend and shipmate , General Glenn Van 260 00:09:57,870 --> 00:09:59,870 Herck of the United States Northern 261 00:09:59,870 --> 00:10:02,092 Command . Now , more than ever , I feel 262 00:10:02,092 --> 00:10:04,092 a sense of urgency about the global 263 00:10:04,092 --> 00:10:05,648 threats we face here in our 264 00:10:05,648 --> 00:10:07,926 neighborhood . This region of our home . 265 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:10,207 This neighborhood is our home . It's a 266 00:10:10,207 --> 00:10:12,429 shared neighborhood . It's a hemisphere 267 00:10:12,429 --> 00:10:14,670 which is a vital national interest to 268 00:10:14,670 --> 00:10:16,970 the United States . Two of the most 269 00:10:16,970 --> 00:10:19,220 significant threats we face are China 270 00:10:19,230 --> 00:10:20,730 and transnational criminal 271 00:10:20,730 --> 00:10:23,480 organizations . The Chinese Communist 272 00:10:23,480 --> 00:10:25,770 Party , with its insidious and corrupt 273 00:10:25,770 --> 00:10:28,210 influence , seeks regional and regional 274 00:10:28,210 --> 00:10:31,010 and global economic dominance and its 275 00:10:31,020 --> 00:10:32,880 own version of a rules based 276 00:10:32,880 --> 00:10:36,110 international order . Our strategic 277 00:10:36,120 --> 00:10:38,560 competition with China is global , not 278 00:10:38,560 --> 00:10:40,850 just in the Taiwan Strait . With the 279 00:10:40,850 --> 00:10:43,670 South China Sea , China is quickly 280 00:10:43,680 --> 00:10:45,569 growing its influence here in our 281 00:10:45,569 --> 00:10:48,070 hemisphere , working on over 40 port 282 00:10:48,070 --> 00:10:51,660 deals , dishing out significant loans 283 00:10:52,140 --> 00:10:54,660 for political and economic influence , 284 00:10:55,540 --> 00:10:58,740 pushing for its structure and engaging 285 00:10:58,740 --> 00:11:00,851 in predatory practices like illegal , 286 00:11:00,851 --> 00:11:04,660 unregulated and unreported fishing . We 287 00:11:04,660 --> 00:11:06,882 have seen many of these tactics in Asia 288 00:11:06,882 --> 00:11:09,100 and Africa , and we can't let them 289 00:11:09,100 --> 00:11:11,044 prevail here in our neighborhood , 290 00:11:11,440 --> 00:11:13,496 transnational criminal organizations 291 00:11:13,496 --> 00:11:15,551 pose a direct threat to our national 292 00:11:15,551 --> 00:11:17,440 security . They traffic in arms , 293 00:11:17,440 --> 00:11:19,990 humans , drugs . They claim tens of 294 00:11:19,990 --> 00:11:23,100 thousands of lives in America every 295 00:11:23,100 --> 00:11:25,360 year . These murderous tactics have 296 00:11:25,360 --> 00:11:27,760 resolved in 43 of the 50 most violent 297 00:11:27,760 --> 00:11:29,927 cities in the world being here in this 298 00:11:29,927 --> 00:11:32,260 hemisphere , and they drive illegal 299 00:11:32,260 --> 00:11:35,390 migration , and they allow bad actors 300 00:11:35,390 --> 00:11:38,560 like China to gain influence . Covid , 301 00:11:38,560 --> 00:11:40,560 19 , has hit this hemisphere hard . 302 00:11:41,740 --> 00:11:43,962 According to the IMF , the economies of 303 00:11:43,962 --> 00:11:45,962 Latin American the Caribbean shrunk 304 00:11:45,962 --> 00:11:49,780 7.4% in 2020 . The impacts of the 305 00:11:49,780 --> 00:11:52,500 pandemic like a perfect storm will 306 00:11:52,500 --> 00:11:54,778 alter the hemisphere for years to come . 307 00:11:55,840 --> 00:11:57,840 In the midst of all this to back to 308 00:11:57,840 --> 00:11:59,784 back hurricanes devastated Central 309 00:11:59,784 --> 00:12:01,507 America , causing even greater 310 00:12:01,507 --> 00:12:03,700 instability . The pandemic in these 311 00:12:03,710 --> 00:12:06,010 unprecedented storms struck on top of 312 00:12:06,010 --> 00:12:08,288 this already vicious circle of threats , 313 00:12:08,840 --> 00:12:11,630 creating strong push factors for people 314 00:12:11,630 --> 00:12:14,450 in the region seeking a better life , 315 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:17,530 seeking security to come with their 316 00:12:17,530 --> 00:12:20,660 families to the United States . Despite 317 00:12:20,660 --> 00:12:22,716 an economy in a tailspin , more than 318 00:12:22,716 --> 00:12:24,660 five million refugees have fled 319 00:12:24,660 --> 00:12:26,771 Venezuela and the illegitimate Maduro 320 00:12:26,771 --> 00:12:29,410 regime . Maduro continues to cling to 321 00:12:29,410 --> 00:12:33,110 power with the support of Cuba , 322 00:12:33,120 --> 00:12:37,070 Russia , Iran and China . We can't 323 00:12:37,070 --> 00:12:39,360 face such daunting challenges alone . 324 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:41,507 The only way to counter these 325 00:12:41,507 --> 00:12:43,229 influences these threats is to 326 00:12:43,229 --> 00:12:45,460 strengthen partnerships . That's how 327 00:12:45,460 --> 00:12:47,460 we'll win the strategic competition 328 00:12:48,240 --> 00:12:50,462 I've been impressed with . Nations have 329 00:12:50,462 --> 00:12:52,462 worked shoulder to shoulder with us 330 00:12:52,462 --> 00:12:54,796 despite the pandemic to counter threats , 331 00:12:54,796 --> 00:12:56,462 nations like Colombia , whose 332 00:12:56,462 --> 00:12:58,629 professional forces have stepped up in 333 00:12:58,629 --> 00:13:00,462 the midst of pandemic to conduct 334 00:13:00,462 --> 00:13:00,430 counter transnational criminal 335 00:13:00,430 --> 00:13:02,374 organizations with dozens of other 336 00:13:02,374 --> 00:13:04,680 nations and nations like Brazil , who 337 00:13:04,680 --> 00:13:07,770 sent their airborne company to our high 338 00:13:07,770 --> 00:13:09,770 end training with the United States 339 00:13:09,770 --> 00:13:12,540 Army in Fort Polk , Louisiana . Good 340 00:13:12,540 --> 00:13:14,920 neighbors are here when they when you 341 00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:17,087 need help . And that's what the United 342 00:13:17,087 --> 00:13:19,364 States did in South Common . Covid hit . 343 00:13:19,364 --> 00:13:21,364 We stepped up with our humanitarian 344 00:13:21,364 --> 00:13:23,560 assistance program contribute over 450 345 00:13:23,560 --> 00:13:27,150 projects in 28 countries . 346 00:13:27,160 --> 00:13:29,104 Overall , the United States is the 347 00:13:29,104 --> 00:13:31,160 leader in humanitarian assistance in 348 00:13:31,160 --> 00:13:32,882 Covid in Latin America and the 349 00:13:32,882 --> 00:13:36,180 Caribbean . South Com works every day 350 00:13:36,180 --> 00:13:38,180 to build readiness with our trusted 351 00:13:38,180 --> 00:13:40,347 military and security partners . We do 352 00:13:40,347 --> 00:13:42,347 this through security cooperation . 353 00:13:42,347 --> 00:13:44,402 This includes institutional capacity 354 00:13:44,402 --> 00:13:46,860 building , legal training , education , 355 00:13:47,340 --> 00:13:50,310 I met and exercises . We focus on 356 00:13:50,310 --> 00:13:52,860 developing professional military forces 357 00:13:53,640 --> 00:13:56,290 that know how to fight and use the 358 00:13:56,290 --> 00:13:58,720 lawful use of military force . We focus 359 00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:00,664 on human rights training , women , 360 00:14:00,664 --> 00:14:02,776 peace and security programs and N c O 361 00:14:02,776 --> 00:14:05,500 development . Modest investments in 362 00:14:05,500 --> 00:14:07,820 these programs and intelligence , 363 00:14:07,830 --> 00:14:10,290 surveillance and reconnaissance and our 364 00:14:10,290 --> 00:14:12,512 presence . Our posture go a long way in 365 00:14:12,512 --> 00:14:14,734 this hemisphere and will help our fight 366 00:14:14,734 --> 00:14:16,623 our partners counter these global 367 00:14:16,623 --> 00:14:18,734 threats . Finally , our success would 368 00:14:18,734 --> 00:14:20,734 not be possible without the men and 369 00:14:20,734 --> 00:14:23,540 women of our CNN team . We're taking 370 00:14:23,540 --> 00:14:25,920 proactive steps to protect them from 371 00:14:25,920 --> 00:14:28,290 unacceptable behaviors like sexual 372 00:14:28,290 --> 00:14:30,480 assault and harassment , racism and 373 00:14:30,480 --> 00:14:32,740 extremism . We take these threats 374 00:14:32,740 --> 00:14:34,629 seriously . There a cancer to our 375 00:14:34,629 --> 00:14:36,851 readiness , and it's the right thing to 376 00:14:36,851 --> 00:14:39,150 do . Yeah , Mr Chairman and ranking 377 00:14:39,150 --> 00:14:41,317 member in Off on behalf of the South , 378 00:14:41,317 --> 00:14:43,539 Um , team , thank you for the trust you 379 00:14:43,539 --> 00:14:45,761 place in us . And I look forward to our 380 00:14:45,761 --> 00:14:48,039 discussion questions today . Thank you , 381 00:14:48,039 --> 00:14:50,206 Admiral . General Van Herck , please . 382 00:14:53,240 --> 00:14:55,573 Chairman Read Ranking member in Hoffman , 383 00:14:55,573 --> 00:14:57,407 The distinguished members of the 384 00:14:57,407 --> 00:14:59,629 committee . It's a privilege to testify 385 00:14:59,629 --> 00:15:01,684 with you here today . I'm honored to 386 00:15:01,684 --> 00:15:03,907 serve as the commander of United States 387 00:15:03,907 --> 00:15:05,907 Northern Command and North American 388 00:15:05,907 --> 00:15:07,907 Aerospace Defense Command . And I'm 389 00:15:07,907 --> 00:15:09,851 grateful to appear alongside Obama 390 00:15:09,851 --> 00:15:11,740 Faller as South , um is a crucial 391 00:15:11,740 --> 00:15:13,790 partner in homeland defense . US . 392 00:15:13,790 --> 00:15:15,679 North calm and NORAD are separate 393 00:15:15,679 --> 00:15:17,623 commands , charged with a critical 394 00:15:17,623 --> 00:15:19,790 mission of defending the United States 395 00:15:19,790 --> 00:15:22,012 and North America , respectively . Us . 396 00:15:22,012 --> 00:15:25,160 North Com is the U . S . Geographic 397 00:15:25,170 --> 00:15:27,281 Combatant Command responsible for the 398 00:15:27,281 --> 00:15:29,281 defense of the excuse me , Homeland 399 00:15:29,281 --> 00:15:31,503 defensive , civil authorities , defense 400 00:15:31,503 --> 00:15:33,337 support of civil authorities and 401 00:15:33,337 --> 00:15:35,670 theater security cooperation for Canada , 402 00:15:35,670 --> 00:15:37,781 the Bahamas and Mexico . NORAD is the 403 00:15:37,781 --> 00:15:39,614 binational command that provides 404 00:15:39,614 --> 00:15:42,040 aerospace warning , airspace control 405 00:15:42,050 --> 00:15:44,050 and maritime warning for the United 406 00:15:44,050 --> 00:15:46,600 States and Canada . US North common 407 00:15:46,600 --> 00:15:48,822 NORAD service members and civilians are 408 00:15:48,822 --> 00:15:50,933 executing The secretary of defense is 409 00:15:50,933 --> 00:15:52,822 top priority by standing watch to 410 00:15:52,822 --> 00:15:55,044 defend our nation against all threats , 411 00:15:55,044 --> 00:15:57,211 whether posed by competitors , natural 412 00:15:57,211 --> 00:15:59,890 disasters or a pandemic . Over the last 413 00:15:59,890 --> 00:16:02,230 year , NORAD fighters , tankers and 414 00:16:02,230 --> 00:16:04,008 airborne early warning aircraft 415 00:16:04,008 --> 00:16:06,119 responded to multiple incursions into 416 00:16:06,119 --> 00:16:08,950 our air defense identification zones . 417 00:16:09,440 --> 00:16:12,190 Multiple ships sorted under US North 418 00:16:12,190 --> 00:16:14,570 com Operational Control to defend our 419 00:16:14,570 --> 00:16:16,930 maritime approaches and US North um , 420 00:16:16,930 --> 00:16:18,763 synchronized . The Department of 421 00:16:18,763 --> 00:16:20,708 Defense is support to lead federal 422 00:16:20,708 --> 00:16:22,541 agencies as thousands of service 423 00:16:22,541 --> 00:16:24,541 members deployed within the U . S . 424 00:16:24,541 --> 00:16:26,763 North com area of responsibility to aid 425 00:16:26,763 --> 00:16:28,763 states and local communities in the 426 00:16:28,763 --> 00:16:30,763 fight against coronavirus . Today , 427 00:16:30,763 --> 00:16:32,597 thousands of service members are 428 00:16:32,597 --> 00:16:34,708 providing life saving vaccinations to 429 00:16:34,708 --> 00:16:36,819 our citizens . No matter the threat , 430 00:16:36,819 --> 00:16:39,041 we are always ready to defend the lives 431 00:16:39,041 --> 00:16:41,041 of our citizens and our homelands . 432 00:16:41,440 --> 00:16:43,218 Right now , as we confront this 433 00:16:43,218 --> 00:16:45,440 carriage of this pandemic , the threats 434 00:16:45,440 --> 00:16:47,551 we face and the pace of change in the 435 00:16:47,551 --> 00:16:49,662 geo strategic environment continue to 436 00:16:49,662 --> 00:16:51,662 advance . We have entered an era of 437 00:16:51,662 --> 00:16:53,773 renewed global competition , and this 438 00:16:53,773 --> 00:16:55,996 time we're facing to peer competitors , 439 00:16:55,996 --> 00:16:58,410 both nuclear armed . We must adapt to 440 00:16:58,410 --> 00:17:00,466 the challenges posed by this reality 441 00:17:00,840 --> 00:17:03,020 Since the first Gulf War , the United 442 00:17:03,020 --> 00:17:04,687 States military is focused on 443 00:17:04,687 --> 00:17:06,742 projecting power forward to confront 444 00:17:06,742 --> 00:17:08,631 rogue regimes , violent extremist 445 00:17:08,631 --> 00:17:10,520 organizations and other potential 446 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:12,520 adversaries who threatened American 447 00:17:12,520 --> 00:17:14,576 interest . We trusted in our nuclear 448 00:17:14,576 --> 00:17:16,340 deterrent and an assured power 449 00:17:16,340 --> 00:17:18,450 projection capability as well as the 450 00:17:18,450 --> 00:17:20,540 blessings of geography to prevent an 451 00:17:20,540 --> 00:17:23,080 attack on our soil . In parallel , our 452 00:17:23,080 --> 00:17:25,247 competitors expanded the definition of 453 00:17:25,247 --> 00:17:27,250 competition into economic and 454 00:17:27,250 --> 00:17:28,880 informational areas and have 455 00:17:28,880 --> 00:17:30,658 aggressively advanced their own 456 00:17:30,658 --> 00:17:32,547 military capabilities to hold our 457 00:17:32,547 --> 00:17:34,602 homelands at risk . Both kinetically 458 00:17:34,602 --> 00:17:37,260 and non kinetically , those efforts 459 00:17:37,260 --> 00:17:39,204 were predominantly focused on long 460 00:17:39,204 --> 00:17:41,038 range strike , improved delivery 461 00:17:41,038 --> 00:17:43,260 platforms , cyber capabilities intended 462 00:17:43,260 --> 00:17:45,310 to circumvent our defenses from all 463 00:17:45,310 --> 00:17:48,160 directions and in all domains , and 464 00:17:48,160 --> 00:17:50,327 exploiting a perceived gap between our 465 00:17:50,327 --> 00:17:52,730 foundational nuclear deterrent and our 466 00:17:52,730 --> 00:17:54,952 conventional homeland defense deterrent 467 00:17:54,952 --> 00:17:57,300 capabilities . Concurrently , the rise 468 00:17:57,300 --> 00:17:59,522 of transnational criminal organizations 469 00:17:59,522 --> 00:18:01,189 and the subsequent strains on 470 00:18:01,189 --> 00:18:03,189 governance and the instability they 471 00:18:03,189 --> 00:18:04,950 create has created additional 472 00:18:04,950 --> 00:18:07,172 opportunities for competitors that they 473 00:18:07,172 --> 00:18:09,770 are working to exploit . Today we must 474 00:18:09,770 --> 00:18:12,180 outpace our competitors by accelerating 475 00:18:12,180 --> 00:18:14,013 our own efforts to transform our 476 00:18:14,013 --> 00:18:16,069 culture , investing in our people to 477 00:18:16,069 --> 00:18:18,180 grow both talent within the ranks and 478 00:18:18,180 --> 00:18:20,124 counter extremists and destructive 479 00:18:20,124 --> 00:18:23,370 behaviors anti ethical to our values We 480 00:18:23,370 --> 00:18:25,480 must invest early and often in 481 00:18:25,480 --> 00:18:27,647 relationships with allies and partners 482 00:18:27,647 --> 00:18:29,869 to develop a global team of like minded 483 00:18:29,869 --> 00:18:31,980 nations . And we must factor homeland 484 00:18:31,980 --> 00:18:34,520 defense into every strategy plan , 485 00:18:34,670 --> 00:18:37,240 force management force design as well 486 00:18:37,240 --> 00:18:39,351 as all of the aspects of acquisitions 487 00:18:39,351 --> 00:18:41,018 and budget so we can deter in 488 00:18:41,018 --> 00:18:44,560 competition de escalating crisis and 489 00:18:44,560 --> 00:18:46,730 defeat in conflict . To do this , both 490 00:18:46,740 --> 00:18:48,950 US North common NORAD are concentrated 491 00:18:48,950 --> 00:18:51,340 efforts on building our capability to 492 00:18:51,340 --> 00:18:53,900 deter and , if needed , defense against 493 00:18:53,910 --> 00:18:55,743 increasingly advanced all domain 494 00:18:55,743 --> 00:18:57,940 threats , together with the Canadian 495 00:18:57,940 --> 00:19:00,162 armed forces , were in the early stages 496 00:19:00,162 --> 00:19:02,310 of NORAD modernization and building 497 00:19:02,310 --> 00:19:04,550 additional military capabilities in the 498 00:19:04,550 --> 00:19:07,140 Arctic in coordination with the Missile 499 00:19:07,140 --> 00:19:09,260 Defense Agency , United States 500 00:19:09,260 --> 00:19:11,371 Strategic Command , the United States 501 00:19:11,371 --> 00:19:13,250 Space Com we're maintaining and 502 00:19:13,250 --> 00:19:15,472 improving our ballistic missile defense 503 00:19:15,472 --> 00:19:17,417 capability in order to balance our 504 00:19:17,417 --> 00:19:19,780 readiness for crisis and conflict while 505 00:19:19,780 --> 00:19:21,836 also staying in global competition , 506 00:19:21,836 --> 00:19:24,050 we're placing significant emphasis on 507 00:19:24,050 --> 00:19:25,828 left of launch framework . This 508 00:19:25,828 --> 00:19:28,106 framework will increase decision space , 509 00:19:28,106 --> 00:19:29,994 uncovering more deterrence and de 510 00:19:29,994 --> 00:19:31,883 escalation options . Vice in game 511 00:19:31,883 --> 00:19:34,320 defeat we're advocating for investment 512 00:19:34,330 --> 00:19:36,441 in all domain awareness to generate a 513 00:19:36,441 --> 00:19:38,386 layered since Ingrid and a layered 514 00:19:38,386 --> 00:19:40,441 defense approach that emphasises the 515 00:19:40,441 --> 00:19:42,780 use of an open sensor data architecture 516 00:19:42,780 --> 00:19:44,750 and machine enhanced processing in 517 00:19:44,750 --> 00:19:46,472 order to achieve information , 518 00:19:46,472 --> 00:19:48,472 dominance and decisions superiority 519 00:19:48,540 --> 00:19:50,762 through information dominance , we will 520 00:19:50,762 --> 00:19:52,540 grant decision makers increased 521 00:19:52,540 --> 00:19:54,429 decision space and build flexible 522 00:19:54,429 --> 00:19:56,660 response options to deter , deny and 523 00:19:56,660 --> 00:19:58,549 defeat every threat to the United 524 00:19:58,549 --> 00:20:00,604 States and Canada . I'm grateful for 525 00:20:00,604 --> 00:20:02,549 the trust that you place in United 526 00:20:02,549 --> 00:20:04,716 States , Northern Command and nor Ed , 527 00:20:04,716 --> 00:20:06,882 and both commands take solemn pride in 528 00:20:06,882 --> 00:20:08,716 our responsibility to defend our 529 00:20:08,716 --> 00:20:10,716 homeland . We will forever have the 530 00:20:10,716 --> 00:20:12,882 watch . Thank you for your support and 531 00:20:12,882 --> 00:20:12,500 time , and I look forward to answering 532 00:20:12,500 --> 00:20:14,850 your questions . Well , thank you very 533 00:20:14,850 --> 00:20:17,017 much , general . And before we begin , 534 00:20:17,017 --> 00:20:19,128 I want to remind my colleagues of the 535 00:20:19,128 --> 00:20:21,294 procedures . Since it is impossible to 536 00:20:21,294 --> 00:20:23,406 know exactly when our colleagues will 537 00:20:23,406 --> 00:20:25,517 be joining via the computer arrived , 538 00:20:25,517 --> 00:20:27,517 we will not be following a standard 539 00:20:27,517 --> 00:20:29,628 early bird timing rule . Instead , we 540 00:20:29,628 --> 00:20:31,739 will handle the order of questions by 541 00:20:31,739 --> 00:20:33,961 seniority alternating sides until we've 542 00:20:33,961 --> 00:20:36,072 gone through everyone . Once we reach 543 00:20:36,072 --> 00:20:38,350 the end , if there is anyone we missed , 544 00:20:38,350 --> 00:20:40,406 we will start back at the top of the 545 00:20:40,406 --> 00:20:42,461 list and continue until everyone has 546 00:20:42,461 --> 00:20:44,239 had their turn . We will do the 547 00:20:44,239 --> 00:20:46,239 standard five minute rounds , and I 548 00:20:46,239 --> 00:20:46,110 asked my colleagues on the computers 549 00:20:46,110 --> 00:20:48,332 and at their desk to keep . Please keep 550 00:20:48,332 --> 00:20:50,499 an eye on the clock , which you should 551 00:20:50,499 --> 00:20:52,721 see on your screens or right before you 552 00:20:52,721 --> 00:20:54,832 finally , to allow for everyone to be 553 00:20:54,832 --> 00:20:56,943 heard . Whether in the room or on the 554 00:20:56,943 --> 00:20:58,888 computer , I ask all colleagues to 555 00:20:58,888 --> 00:21:01,110 please mute your microphone . We're not 556 00:21:01,110 --> 00:21:03,332 speaking . Thank you , Admiral . Follow 557 00:21:03,332 --> 00:21:04,832 again . Thank you for your 558 00:21:04,832 --> 00:21:06,943 distinguished service over many years 559 00:21:06,943 --> 00:21:09,166 and the Northern Triangle , Guatemala , 560 00:21:09,166 --> 00:21:10,832 Honduras and El Salvador is a 561 00:21:10,832 --> 00:21:14,390 particular unstable region . And many 562 00:21:14,390 --> 00:21:17,560 of those who are seeking relief and 563 00:21:17,570 --> 00:21:19,626 moving towards our border are coming 564 00:21:19,626 --> 00:21:22,890 from this area . Uh , security and 565 00:21:22,900 --> 00:21:24,970 human rights that deteriorated . 566 00:21:24,980 --> 00:21:27,190 They're significantly increased 567 00:21:27,190 --> 00:21:29,680 violence by criminal organizations and 568 00:21:29,690 --> 00:21:33,610 narcotics distributors . Uh , and we 569 00:21:33,610 --> 00:21:35,570 can continue to provide security 570 00:21:35,570 --> 00:21:37,681 clearance to these countries security 571 00:21:37,681 --> 00:21:39,990 systems . Rather . Yet corruption 572 00:21:39,990 --> 00:21:41,879 remains rampant and international 573 00:21:41,879 --> 00:21:45,030 efforts to build capabilities are not 574 00:21:45,040 --> 00:21:48,870 effective . In Honduras . In particular , 575 00:21:48,870 --> 00:21:50,870 the corruption appears to reach the 576 00:21:50,870 --> 00:21:52,981 highest level of the government . The 577 00:21:52,981 --> 00:21:55,203 criminal trial in the Southern District 578 00:21:55,203 --> 00:21:56,814 of New York are the Honduras 579 00:21:56,814 --> 00:21:59,037 president's brother unearth evidence of 580 00:21:59,037 --> 00:22:01,259 the Honduran president and other senior 581 00:22:01,259 --> 00:22:03,481 officials taking millions of dollars in 582 00:22:03,481 --> 00:22:05,703 bribes from drug traffickers . Honduran 583 00:22:05,703 --> 00:22:08,210 security forces are also documented as 584 00:22:08,210 --> 00:22:10,650 having engaged in gross human rights 585 00:22:10,650 --> 00:22:13,660 violations for years . Given all this , 586 00:22:13,660 --> 00:22:16,050 Admiral , do do we need to reconsider 587 00:22:16,050 --> 00:22:17,883 whether our approach to security 588 00:22:17,883 --> 00:22:19,883 assistance in the Northern Triangle 589 00:22:19,883 --> 00:22:21,883 countries is achieving our national 590 00:22:21,883 --> 00:22:25,680 objectives . The perfect storm 591 00:22:25,680 --> 00:22:27,950 of conditions that you outlined , 592 00:22:27,960 --> 00:22:30,690 senator the violence , the impact of 593 00:22:30,690 --> 00:22:33,310 the pandemic , the impact of the 594 00:22:33,310 --> 00:22:35,400 hurricanes has created untenable 595 00:22:35,410 --> 00:22:37,870 security for the citizens . And that's 596 00:22:37,870 --> 00:22:40,510 why we're seeing this flood of migrants 597 00:22:40,520 --> 00:22:44,190 to our borders . Our focus at 598 00:22:44,200 --> 00:22:47,720 South com shouldn't remains in 599 00:22:47,720 --> 00:22:49,850 support of US government efforts are 600 00:22:49,850 --> 00:22:52,060 diplomats in our embassies and that 601 00:22:52,060 --> 00:22:54,520 security cooperation is a long term 602 00:22:54,520 --> 00:22:56,242 investment on the professional 603 00:22:56,242 --> 00:22:58,530 militaries . So institution capacity 604 00:22:58,530 --> 00:23:00,810 building we have a longstanding human 605 00:23:00,810 --> 00:23:02,921 rights training program that has been 606 00:23:02,921 --> 00:23:05,240 effective in developing forces that 607 00:23:05,240 --> 00:23:08,060 know how to use force is in a force in 608 00:23:08,060 --> 00:23:10,210 a professional manner . Our women's 609 00:23:10,210 --> 00:23:12,450 peace and security program has proven 610 00:23:12,450 --> 00:23:14,820 to be a game changer . There's those 611 00:23:14,820 --> 00:23:16,940 nations want to model and emulate our 612 00:23:16,940 --> 00:23:20,280 success , R N c O development or I met . 613 00:23:20,290 --> 00:23:22,970 There is an appropriate place moving 614 00:23:22,970 --> 00:23:25,081 forward , senator , for our long term 615 00:23:25,081 --> 00:23:27,710 engagement with our partners . They 616 00:23:27,720 --> 00:23:29,780 model their professionalism after us 617 00:23:29,780 --> 00:23:32,840 and I can trust elements of the 618 00:23:32,840 --> 00:23:35,062 Honduran and Guatemalan forces . We vet 619 00:23:35,062 --> 00:23:37,173 them . We work with our interagency . 620 00:23:37,740 --> 00:23:41,350 It seems that in those areas and other 621 00:23:41,350 --> 00:23:43,830 areas around the world , we've invested 622 00:23:43,830 --> 00:23:46,340 a great deal in the military . We have 623 00:23:46,340 --> 00:23:48,720 developed effective military forces . 624 00:23:48,720 --> 00:23:50,590 But so much of this is a law 625 00:23:50,590 --> 00:23:53,670 enforcement issue and a judicial issue , 626 00:23:54,040 --> 00:23:56,140 and we don't seem and again this is 627 00:23:56,150 --> 00:23:58,094 outside your lane . But a whole of 628 00:23:58,094 --> 00:24:00,039 government approach , which seemed 629 00:24:00,039 --> 00:24:02,630 defeated to me more of an investment in 630 00:24:02,640 --> 00:24:06,490 training police in providing judicial 631 00:24:06,490 --> 00:24:09,070 remedies that are actual , not 632 00:24:09,080 --> 00:24:12,180 fictitious . Is that your view ? Also , 633 00:24:12,180 --> 00:24:15,650 we need more help to our other 634 00:24:15,650 --> 00:24:17,810 agencies . One of the successes I've 635 00:24:17,810 --> 00:24:20,310 seen is watching our other agencies 636 00:24:20,310 --> 00:24:22,330 that actually engage in judicial 637 00:24:22,340 --> 00:24:24,900 training programs and and moving that 638 00:24:24,900 --> 00:24:26,956 forward . One of our own programs is 639 00:24:26,956 --> 00:24:30,290 the is the Defense Legal Security 640 00:24:30,290 --> 00:24:32,457 Cooperation program that deals program 641 00:24:32,457 --> 00:24:34,568 out of Newport , Rhode Island , where 642 00:24:34,568 --> 00:24:36,860 we work with partners on how they can 643 00:24:37,340 --> 00:24:39,600 an effective judicial system . I think 644 00:24:39,600 --> 00:24:41,878 these programs are effective , Senator . 645 00:24:41,878 --> 00:24:43,878 It takes time to see the results of 646 00:24:43,878 --> 00:24:45,933 those of that effectiveness . But in 647 00:24:45,933 --> 00:24:48,156 the past year , when there was a lot of 648 00:24:48,156 --> 00:24:50,433 opportunity for our partner militaries , 649 00:24:50,433 --> 00:24:53,270 two commit human rights violations 650 00:24:53,270 --> 00:24:55,326 because they were deeply involved in 651 00:24:55,326 --> 00:24:57,437 helping with internal security . They 652 00:24:57,437 --> 00:24:59,548 stayed on the field in a professional 653 00:24:59,548 --> 00:25:02,300 manner , and they did model their 654 00:25:02,300 --> 00:25:04,411 professional behavior after the train 655 00:25:04,411 --> 00:25:06,633 that we've been able to provide . Thank 656 00:25:06,633 --> 00:25:08,856 you . Uh , General Burn hurricane . I'm 657 00:25:08,856 --> 00:25:10,800 sorry , I have a few minutes , but 658 00:25:10,800 --> 00:25:14,300 could you give us quickly sort of your 659 00:25:14,310 --> 00:25:17,300 takeaways from the covid virus ? Uh , 660 00:25:17,310 --> 00:25:19,940 situation , what fundamental changes we 661 00:25:19,940 --> 00:25:23,580 might have to make Chairman . 662 00:25:23,590 --> 00:25:26,900 Absolutely . Covid has given us a great 663 00:25:26,900 --> 00:25:29,500 opportunity to reflect and learn on our 664 00:25:29,510 --> 00:25:32,250 planning as we were ready . What we've 665 00:25:32,260 --> 00:25:34,560 done is continue to adapt . What we 666 00:25:34,560 --> 00:25:38,110 have found is that , uh , the 667 00:25:38,120 --> 00:25:40,009 support functions . The emergency 668 00:25:40,009 --> 00:25:42,064 support function process through the 669 00:25:42,064 --> 00:25:44,231 inter agency is crucial , working with 670 00:25:44,231 --> 00:25:46,342 local and state authorities to ensure 671 00:25:46,342 --> 00:25:48,453 that we're sinking up to provide that 672 00:25:48,453 --> 00:25:50,564 response . We work closely with DHS . 673 00:25:50,564 --> 00:25:53,580 We work closely with HHS public health 674 00:25:53,580 --> 00:25:56,070 services to to ensure we're ready . In 675 00:25:56,070 --> 00:25:58,292 addition to that , we're going back and 676 00:25:58,292 --> 00:26:00,126 changing and updating our global 677 00:26:00,126 --> 00:26:02,348 pandemic and infectious disease plan to 678 00:26:02,348 --> 00:26:04,380 ensure that we're ready and have 679 00:26:04,380 --> 00:26:06,658 adapted the lessons learned . Chairman . 680 00:26:07,040 --> 00:26:09,207 Well , thank you very much , General . 681 00:26:09,207 --> 00:26:11,373 Thank you both for your service centre 682 00:26:11,373 --> 00:26:13,207 in off , please . Thank you , Mr 683 00:26:13,207 --> 00:26:16,830 Chairman . You know , the there's a 684 00:26:16,830 --> 00:26:18,941 crisis on the border . I think we all 685 00:26:18,941 --> 00:26:21,340 know that it's a The number of migrants 686 00:26:21,340 --> 00:26:23,540 trying to cross more than doubled in 687 00:26:23,540 --> 00:26:27,310 January 2021 from a year 688 00:26:27,320 --> 00:26:30,000 prior to that , and the number of 689 00:26:30,050 --> 00:26:32,490 migrant Children has in custody has 690 00:26:32,500 --> 00:26:35,080 tripled . Now we've come a full circle . 691 00:26:35,090 --> 00:26:37,370 You don't like to talk about it ? We 692 00:26:37,370 --> 00:26:39,760 had weak enforcement of our immigration 693 00:26:39,760 --> 00:26:42,150 laws under the President . Obama too 694 00:26:42,150 --> 00:26:44,260 strong enforcement under President 695 00:26:44,260 --> 00:26:46,860 Trump . And now the expectation of a 696 00:26:46,860 --> 00:26:49,027 weak enforcement under President Biden 697 00:26:49,027 --> 00:26:51,850 is driving a surge of illegal migrants . 698 00:26:52,840 --> 00:26:54,896 And that's where I have this picture 699 00:26:54,896 --> 00:26:56,840 here . This is they're they're all 700 00:26:56,840 --> 00:26:58,951 coming across the border , you know , 701 00:26:58,951 --> 00:27:01,120 they're coming fast and they're all 702 00:27:01,120 --> 00:27:04,800 worrying Biden T shirts . So we got a 703 00:27:04,800 --> 00:27:07,270 problem down there and I just have to 704 00:27:07,270 --> 00:27:09,810 ask the question . Have followed . You 705 00:27:09,810 --> 00:27:11,977 agree that a strong enforcement of the 706 00:27:11,977 --> 00:27:14,143 immigration laws serves as a deterrent 707 00:27:14,143 --> 00:27:17,610 against illegal migration . Senator , 708 00:27:17,610 --> 00:27:19,940 all nations deserve secure borders , 709 00:27:19,940 --> 00:27:23,130 and our focus has been on that heinous 710 00:27:23,140 --> 00:27:27,090 insecurity in Central America caused by 711 00:27:27,090 --> 00:27:29,146 transnational criminal organizations 712 00:27:29,146 --> 00:27:31,201 that have no respect for the rule of 713 00:27:31,201 --> 00:27:33,960 law rain , violence on their population . 714 00:27:34,340 --> 00:27:38,200 They market in drugs and people and 715 00:27:38,200 --> 00:27:40,460 guns and illegal mining . And , uh , 716 00:27:40,470 --> 00:27:42,430 one of the primary sources of its 717 00:27:42,430 --> 00:27:44,486 underwrites their efforts as Chinese 718 00:27:44,486 --> 00:27:46,486 money laundering . So our focus has 719 00:27:46,486 --> 00:27:48,740 been on the source I'm working with are 720 00:27:48,750 --> 00:27:52,050 okay , but just a specific question . 721 00:27:52,540 --> 00:27:55,000 Do you agree that strong enforcement of 722 00:27:55,010 --> 00:27:58,370 immigration laws serves as a deterrent 723 00:27:58,380 --> 00:28:02,180 against illegal migration ? Mhm number 724 00:28:02,180 --> 00:28:05,660 one deterrent that I hear of when I to 725 00:28:05,670 --> 00:28:07,790 all our partner nations is the United 726 00:28:07,790 --> 00:28:10,250 States judicial system . I agree . 727 00:28:10,250 --> 00:28:12,590 Center . Okay . And do you agree with 728 00:28:12,590 --> 00:28:13,812 that ? Also , general 729 00:28:16,240 --> 00:28:19,410 Simple Quick , Chairman . Um , as 730 00:28:19,410 --> 00:28:21,590 previously stated , border security is 731 00:28:21,590 --> 00:28:23,920 national security , and I agree that we 732 00:28:23,920 --> 00:28:26,940 must consider our laws that are in 733 00:28:26,940 --> 00:28:29,210 place . What we're doing right now is 734 00:28:29,220 --> 00:28:31,109 we're supporting the lead federal 735 00:28:31,109 --> 00:28:33,120 agency from North com , which is 736 00:28:33,130 --> 00:28:35,610 homeland security that allows them to 737 00:28:35,620 --> 00:28:37,787 enforce the laws that are in book were 738 00:28:37,787 --> 00:28:40,480 providing support in the form of 739 00:28:40,490 --> 00:28:42,380 aviation support , ground support 740 00:28:42,380 --> 00:28:44,380 through detection and monitoring as 741 00:28:44,380 --> 00:28:47,670 well . Okay , But you do agree , then a 742 00:28:47,670 --> 00:28:49,726 strong enforcement of those laws You 743 00:28:49,726 --> 00:28:51,892 can have all the laws on the books you 744 00:28:51,892 --> 00:28:54,059 want , but don't enforce the laws it's 745 00:28:54,059 --> 00:28:56,226 not gonna work . You agree with that ? 746 00:28:56,226 --> 00:28:58,392 I do agree with that . Very good . And 747 00:28:58,392 --> 00:29:00,990 admin followed you . I'm a little 748 00:29:00,990 --> 00:29:02,990 concerned about something that , in 749 00:29:02,990 --> 00:29:05,101 terms of resources down there in your 750 00:29:05,101 --> 00:29:07,323 opening statement , I think it was in a 751 00:29:07,323 --> 00:29:09,490 written statement . I guess it was you 752 00:29:09,490 --> 00:29:12,860 said that you only receive less than 1% 753 00:29:12,870 --> 00:29:16,650 of all d o d I S r only 1% of 754 00:29:16,650 --> 00:29:19,460 all D o d s r is that right ? 755 00:29:20,840 --> 00:29:22,951 Senate intelligence drives everything 756 00:29:22,951 --> 00:29:24,840 that allows us to have the domain 757 00:29:24,840 --> 00:29:27,040 awareness that General Van Herck spoke 758 00:29:27,040 --> 00:29:29,262 about . So we can then inform our other 759 00:29:29,262 --> 00:29:31,151 inter agency partners of what the 760 00:29:31,151 --> 00:29:33,373 threats are up to . And we do . We have 761 00:29:33,373 --> 00:29:35,770 less than 1% of the S r . You know , 762 00:29:35,780 --> 00:29:38,100 since you read that some time ago we 763 00:29:38,100 --> 00:29:40,211 had a visit , I I tried to figure out 764 00:29:40,211 --> 00:29:42,322 how that could be . Maybe I'm missing 765 00:29:42,322 --> 00:29:45,750 something here . Less than 1% of I s r 766 00:29:45,760 --> 00:29:47,730 comes into that area , and I don't 767 00:29:47,730 --> 00:29:49,730 understand . So it's not adequate , 768 00:29:49,730 --> 00:29:52,540 right ? Senator , We're short in , um s 769 00:29:52,540 --> 00:29:55,120 r and intelligent assets . Um , and , 770 00:29:55,130 --> 00:29:58,060 uh , security cooperation and we have 771 00:29:58,060 --> 00:30:00,490 in general , are posture is thin . 772 00:30:00,500 --> 00:30:02,722 We've got to be on the field to compete 773 00:30:02,722 --> 00:30:05,560 center . Mhm . Yeah , I agree with that . 774 00:30:06,940 --> 00:30:09,230 Uh , you know , I know the border . I 775 00:30:09,230 --> 00:30:11,320 was back back in the days I was 776 00:30:11,320 --> 00:30:14,140 enjoying life . I can remember I was a 777 00:30:14,140 --> 00:30:16,084 builder and developer down there . 778 00:30:16,084 --> 00:30:17,807 People in the East Coast don't 779 00:30:17,807 --> 00:30:20,029 understand this , but there's an island 780 00:30:20,029 --> 00:30:22,196 down there called South Padre Island . 781 00:30:22,196 --> 00:30:24,307 It's actually now , don't don't leave 782 00:30:24,307 --> 00:30:26,760 because you need to hear this , Uh , 783 00:30:27,340 --> 00:30:29,630 that it's , uh the island down there is 784 00:30:29,680 --> 00:30:31,680 100 and 40 miles long and one block 785 00:30:31,680 --> 00:30:33,902 wide . I was a voter and developer down 786 00:30:33,902 --> 00:30:36,013 there . I know the border , and I owe 787 00:30:36,013 --> 00:30:38,069 him down there , and they talk about 788 00:30:38,069 --> 00:30:40,180 the tough border security and what is 789 00:30:40,180 --> 00:30:42,347 necessary . So I just want you to know 790 00:30:42,347 --> 00:30:44,569 I'm familiar with that down there , and 791 00:30:44,569 --> 00:30:46,736 I think it's doing a disservice not to 792 00:30:46,736 --> 00:30:48,902 talk about it . We need to enforce the 793 00:30:48,902 --> 00:30:50,902 border . And I do want to have this 794 00:30:50,902 --> 00:30:52,958 picture made a part of the record at 795 00:30:52,958 --> 00:30:55,620 this at this point with that are you 796 00:30:55,620 --> 00:30:56,620 looking for 797 00:31:00,240 --> 00:31:02,510 Senator Shaheen ? Please . Thank you , 798 00:31:02,510 --> 00:31:04,677 Mr Chairman . And thank you to both of 799 00:31:04,677 --> 00:31:06,899 you for your service and for being here 800 00:31:06,899 --> 00:31:09,066 this morning . Admiral Fowler , I want 801 00:31:09,066 --> 00:31:11,121 to start with you because I find the 802 00:31:11,121 --> 00:31:13,010 maps that you've given us and the 803 00:31:13,240 --> 00:31:17,030 statistics on these alarming , to say 804 00:31:17,030 --> 00:31:20,880 the least on the map that shows 805 00:31:20,880 --> 00:31:22,991 Chinese influence . If you were going 806 00:31:22,991 --> 00:31:25,850 to give us a map that said United 807 00:31:25,850 --> 00:31:29,650 States influence how many , for 808 00:31:29,650 --> 00:31:32,620 example , countries could we cite that 809 00:31:32,620 --> 00:31:34,820 are hosting American infrastructure 810 00:31:34,820 --> 00:31:38,280 projects and how many countries are 811 00:31:38,290 --> 00:31:41,200 enjoying training and military support 812 00:31:41,210 --> 00:31:43,890 or other economic support from the 813 00:31:43,890 --> 00:31:46,580 United States ? And how many heads of 814 00:31:46,580 --> 00:31:49,670 state meetings could we site since 2015 815 00:31:52,040 --> 00:31:55,630 Senator are influence is eroding and 816 00:31:55,630 --> 00:31:57,850 that margin is shrinking , and you 817 00:31:57,850 --> 00:31:59,850 would be would be best able to show 818 00:31:59,850 --> 00:32:01,850 that with arrows that have downward 819 00:32:01,850 --> 00:32:03,850 trends , and it's important that we 820 00:32:03,850 --> 00:32:05,850 remain engaged in this hemisphere . 821 00:32:05,850 --> 00:32:07,906 It's our neighborhood that proximity 822 00:32:07,906 --> 00:32:10,072 matters . And as you pointed out , the 823 00:32:10,072 --> 00:32:12,294 Chinese see that we hosted a conference 824 00:32:12,294 --> 00:32:14,517 last week at South Come with our allies 825 00:32:14,517 --> 00:32:16,572 UK , Canada , France , Netherlands , 826 00:32:16,572 --> 00:32:18,406 who have significant interest in 827 00:32:18,406 --> 00:32:20,739 ensuring a stable , secure neighborhood , 828 00:32:20,840 --> 00:32:23,700 and one of the the foreign participants 829 00:32:23,700 --> 00:32:27,070 said that the region is a life is in 830 00:32:27,070 --> 00:32:29,900 their lifeboat and it is sinking in the 831 00:32:29,900 --> 00:32:32,011 violence and it is sinking in Chinese 832 00:32:32,011 --> 00:32:33,800 influence . What I hear from my 833 00:32:33,800 --> 00:32:36,050 partners is , uh , we hear you , 834 00:32:36,060 --> 00:32:37,949 Admiral Faller . We know that the 835 00:32:37,949 --> 00:32:40,060 United States military is the best we 836 00:32:40,060 --> 00:32:42,060 want to partner with you . But when 837 00:32:42,060 --> 00:32:44,338 you're drowning , you need a life ring . 838 00:32:44,338 --> 00:32:46,560 You're going to take the life ring from 839 00:32:46,560 --> 00:32:50,120 whoever throws it . Um , got that is 840 00:32:50,130 --> 00:32:52,600 disappointing . I appreciate what 841 00:32:52,600 --> 00:32:54,767 you're saying , and that was my reason 842 00:32:54,767 --> 00:32:56,711 for the question because it's very 843 00:32:56,711 --> 00:32:58,933 clear that we are not keeping up in the 844 00:32:58,933 --> 00:33:00,656 way that we should in terms of 845 00:33:00,656 --> 00:33:02,933 influence and support in Latin America . 846 00:33:03,340 --> 00:33:05,770 Can I ask when you talk about the 847 00:33:06,840 --> 00:33:09,480 senator ? Inhofe raised the 1% of 848 00:33:09,480 --> 00:33:11,830 resources that you have for South Calm 849 00:33:11,840 --> 00:33:14,310 and one of the operations that you're 850 00:33:14,310 --> 00:33:16,550 responsible for US counternarcotics 851 00:33:16,560 --> 00:33:18,671 operations in New Hampshire . We have 852 00:33:18,671 --> 00:33:21,370 been dramatically impacted by the 853 00:33:21,370 --> 00:33:23,930 opioid epidemic , and obviously drugs 854 00:33:23,930 --> 00:33:25,986 coming in across our southern border 855 00:33:25,986 --> 00:33:28,990 come up Interstate 95 all the way to 856 00:33:29,000 --> 00:33:31,278 New Hampshire and northern New England . 857 00:33:32,140 --> 00:33:34,810 How much ? If you were going to define 858 00:33:34,810 --> 00:33:37,000 what percentage of your operations are 859 00:33:37,000 --> 00:33:39,830 counternarcotics , can you describe 860 00:33:39,830 --> 00:33:43,020 that and can you use if you had more 861 00:33:43,020 --> 00:33:44,910 resources , would you be able to 862 00:33:44,920 --> 00:33:47,740 address more of what's happening with 863 00:33:47,740 --> 00:33:49,240 the transnational criminal 864 00:33:49,240 --> 00:33:52,740 organizations . Senator , I'd like to 865 00:33:52,750 --> 00:33:54,750 start by thanking the New Hampshire 866 00:33:54,750 --> 00:33:56,917 National Guard or state partner for El 867 00:33:56,917 --> 00:33:58,920 Salvador critical partner and the 868 00:33:58,930 --> 00:34:00,940 National Guard across our region . 869 00:34:00,940 --> 00:34:03,107 That's our number one force provider . 870 00:34:03,140 --> 00:34:05,160 They've stayed engaged despite the 871 00:34:05,160 --> 00:34:07,382 pandemic in a way that builds trust and 872 00:34:07,382 --> 00:34:09,700 partners and helps train them . What 873 00:34:09,700 --> 00:34:11,644 our real goal here is to train our 874 00:34:11,644 --> 00:34:13,756 partner nations to take care of their 875 00:34:13,756 --> 00:34:15,589 own security problems . We can't 876 00:34:15,589 --> 00:34:18,970 interdict our way out of the narcotics 877 00:34:18,970 --> 00:34:21,192 problem . We've got to get our partners 878 00:34:21,192 --> 00:34:23,137 in the game . And this past year , 879 00:34:23,137 --> 00:34:25,081 despite a pandemic epidemic , they 880 00:34:25,081 --> 00:34:26,803 actually increased their their 881 00:34:26,803 --> 00:34:28,914 performance , their involvement up to 882 00:34:28,914 --> 00:34:31,630 60% of all our disruptions . But that's 883 00:34:31,630 --> 00:34:33,741 still not enough . We've got to focus 884 00:34:33,741 --> 00:34:37,300 on the source and the destination 885 00:34:37,310 --> 00:34:40,430 and one of the key areas that needs 886 00:34:40,430 --> 00:34:42,652 more emphasis . And we've really worked 887 00:34:42,652 --> 00:34:44,763 hard this past year with our partners 888 00:34:44,763 --> 00:34:48,030 is in countering the money supply . I 889 00:34:48,030 --> 00:34:50,330 talked about the importance of that 890 00:34:50,340 --> 00:34:52,590 really getting to break the back of 891 00:34:52,590 --> 00:34:55,200 these organizations , and I would note 892 00:34:55,200 --> 00:34:57,920 that in that regard , the D . E . A . 893 00:34:57,920 --> 00:35:00,240 Has cited Chinese money laundering is 894 00:35:00,240 --> 00:35:01,907 the number one underwriter of 895 00:35:01,907 --> 00:35:04,018 transnational criminal organization . 896 00:35:04,018 --> 00:35:06,240 So it's got to be a whole of government 897 00:35:06,240 --> 00:35:08,610 effort , and we've got to work to build 898 00:35:08,610 --> 00:35:10,800 our partners capacity . Well , thank 899 00:35:10,800 --> 00:35:12,689 you . And thank you for your nice 900 00:35:12,689 --> 00:35:14,522 comments about the New Hampshire 901 00:35:14,522 --> 00:35:16,744 National Guard . I agree they have done 902 00:35:16,744 --> 00:35:18,800 had an excellent partnership with El 903 00:35:18,800 --> 00:35:21,320 Salvador . General Van Herck . I only 904 00:35:21,320 --> 00:35:23,487 have a little bit of time left , but I 905 00:35:23,487 --> 00:35:25,709 wanted to ask you about the impact that 906 00:35:25,709 --> 00:35:27,764 you're seeing from climate change on 907 00:35:27,764 --> 00:35:29,820 the Arctic , which we know is , um , 908 00:35:29,820 --> 00:35:32,800 melting a lot of the ice there and 909 00:35:32,800 --> 00:35:35,470 opening up routes through the Arctic . 910 00:35:36,040 --> 00:35:38,170 What impact is that having on our 911 00:35:38,640 --> 00:35:40,696 potential impact ? Is that having on 912 00:35:40,696 --> 00:35:42,862 our national security , and what do we 913 00:35:42,862 --> 00:35:44,970 need to do to respond ? Senator ? 914 00:35:44,980 --> 00:35:46,813 Environmental change is having a 915 00:35:46,813 --> 00:35:48,647 significant impact as it creates 916 00:35:48,647 --> 00:35:50,647 opportunities , and it also creates 917 00:35:50,647 --> 00:35:52,869 vulnerabilities . The question is , are 918 00:35:52,869 --> 00:35:54,980 we postured to seize on opportunities 919 00:35:54,980 --> 00:35:56,758 and to defend against potential 920 00:35:56,758 --> 00:35:58,813 competition and vulnerabilities ? It 921 00:35:58,813 --> 00:36:00,869 creates access access to resources . 922 00:36:00,930 --> 00:36:04,440 25% of Russia's GDP is dependent upon 923 00:36:04,440 --> 00:36:06,420 resources in the Arctic , and both 924 00:36:06,420 --> 00:36:08,142 Russia and China are trying to 925 00:36:08,142 --> 00:36:09,976 establish new norms and rules of 926 00:36:09,976 --> 00:36:11,920 behavior for international law . I 927 00:36:11,920 --> 00:36:14,100 understand the time is out here . I 928 00:36:14,110 --> 00:36:16,166 would love to talk more to you about 929 00:36:16,166 --> 00:36:18,166 this subject . Um , I would love to 930 00:36:18,166 --> 00:36:20,332 hear that . And I would bet if we join 931 00:36:20,332 --> 00:36:22,554 the law of the sea Treaty , we might be 932 00:36:22,554 --> 00:36:24,499 able to better address some of the 933 00:36:24,499 --> 00:36:26,554 influences that China and Russia are 934 00:36:26,554 --> 00:36:28,610 doing . You don't need to respond to 935 00:36:28,610 --> 00:36:30,777 that . Thank you , Mr Chairman . Thank 936 00:36:30,777 --> 00:36:33,110 you , Senator . Screen Senator . Worker , 937 00:36:33,110 --> 00:36:35,277 please . Thank you , Mr Chairman . And 938 00:36:35,277 --> 00:36:38,350 will follow . Could you supplement ? Um , 939 00:36:38,930 --> 00:36:42,550 on behalf of Senator Shaheen and me , 940 00:36:42,930 --> 00:36:46,920 The three charts that she mentioned 941 00:36:46,970 --> 00:36:49,710 it . They say Chinese influence Russian 942 00:36:49,710 --> 00:36:53,440 influence . Uh , and Iranian influence . 943 00:36:53,450 --> 00:36:56,190 Uh , can you get back on the record and 944 00:36:56,190 --> 00:36:59,050 just do one that says U s influence 945 00:37:01,030 --> 00:37:03,141 U S . Remains the partner ? No . No . 946 00:37:03,141 --> 00:37:05,141 Will you supplement on the record a 947 00:37:05,141 --> 00:37:07,474 chart ? I'm asking you to do that . Yes , 948 00:37:07,474 --> 00:37:09,697 Senator . Okay , very good . Let me ask 949 00:37:09,697 --> 00:37:13,680 you then , Um , Admiral , about the 950 00:37:13,680 --> 00:37:16,210 involvement of the Coast guard in what 951 00:37:16,210 --> 00:37:19,710 you do . Um um , I'm 952 00:37:19,710 --> 00:37:21,980 also on the commerce Committee where we 953 00:37:21,980 --> 00:37:24,091 have oversight there , and I've grown 954 00:37:24,091 --> 00:37:26,202 concerned that the Coast Guard is not 955 00:37:26,202 --> 00:37:28,313 sufficiently resourced to conduct its 956 00:37:28,313 --> 00:37:30,424 own missions , much less support what 957 00:37:30,424 --> 00:37:32,660 seems to be a growing demand for having 958 00:37:33,030 --> 00:37:35,340 Coast Guard units supporting D O . D 959 00:37:35,830 --> 00:37:39,340 missions to South Com and other A R s . 960 00:37:39,830 --> 00:37:42,400 Uh , do I have correct information 961 00:37:42,400 --> 00:37:44,400 there ? How much do you rely on the 962 00:37:44,400 --> 00:37:47,130 Coast Guard ? Not just to counter drug 963 00:37:47,130 --> 00:37:49,352 and illegal fishing missions , but also 964 00:37:49,352 --> 00:37:52,100 for theater engagement with us and our 965 00:37:52,110 --> 00:37:54,250 allies . The Coast Guard is a 966 00:37:54,260 --> 00:37:57,450 tremendous asset for us , and they are 967 00:37:57,450 --> 00:37:59,820 on the field in a meaningful way . They 968 00:37:59,820 --> 00:38:03,280 are . They are a top priority for all 969 00:38:03,280 --> 00:38:05,560 our partners building capacity and 970 00:38:05,560 --> 00:38:07,616 countering the threats . Despite the 971 00:38:07,616 --> 00:38:09,449 pandemic , the national security 972 00:38:09,449 --> 00:38:11,449 cutters , the fast response cutters 973 00:38:11,449 --> 00:38:13,560 these are These are well , man , well 974 00:38:13,560 --> 00:38:15,671 trained ships making a difference day 975 00:38:15,671 --> 00:38:18,004 in , day out , including their aircraft . 976 00:38:18,004 --> 00:38:20,060 I we couldn't do our mission without 977 00:38:20,060 --> 00:38:19,910 the United States Coast Guard . They 978 00:38:19,910 --> 00:38:22,610 are principal source to counter threats 979 00:38:22,610 --> 00:38:24,666 in this . Do we have enough ships to 980 00:38:24,666 --> 00:38:26,888 meet your theater requirements ? But we 981 00:38:26,888 --> 00:38:29,054 do not . We do not have the sufficient 982 00:38:29,054 --> 00:38:31,277 Coast Guard ships or Navy ships to meet 983 00:38:31,277 --> 00:38:32,943 the requirements . We we need 984 00:38:32,943 --> 00:38:35,277 additional assets , uh , and and planes . 985 00:38:35,277 --> 00:38:38,860 Okay , um , General Van Herck . Uh , 986 00:38:38,870 --> 00:38:42,650 let's transition then to to north calm . 987 00:38:42,660 --> 00:38:45,880 And , uh , once again , I have the same 988 00:38:45,890 --> 00:38:49,300 interest as Senator Shaheen about the 989 00:38:49,310 --> 00:38:51,620 Arctic . I was pleased that the 990 00:38:51,620 --> 00:38:53,620 previous administration released an 991 00:38:53,620 --> 00:38:55,787 updated strategy for the Arctic . Uh , 992 00:38:55,787 --> 00:38:59,590 I'm afraid that we lag behind our peers , 993 00:38:59,590 --> 00:39:02,250 particularly Russia . Is that correct ? 994 00:39:02,260 --> 00:39:04,950 This year , the Coast Guard begins 995 00:39:04,950 --> 00:39:07,490 construction of the first of a new 996 00:39:07,490 --> 00:39:09,323 class of icebreakers , the polar 997 00:39:09,323 --> 00:39:12,730 security clutter a cutter . Six . Um , 998 00:39:12,740 --> 00:39:15,190 total ships have been authorized a vast 999 00:39:15,190 --> 00:39:18,390 improvement over the two aging ships we 1000 00:39:18,390 --> 00:39:21,340 have , but a far cry from Russia's 1001 00:39:21,350 --> 00:39:24,800 fleet of 40 . Can you explain why 1002 00:39:24,800 --> 00:39:27,740 icebreaking capability is so critical ? 1003 00:39:27,740 --> 00:39:29,796 And do you believe it's important to 1004 00:39:29,796 --> 00:39:33,440 advocate for a larger a fleet of , 1005 00:39:33,450 --> 00:39:36,510 uh , Coast Guard cutters and ice 1006 00:39:36,510 --> 00:39:38,950 breakers ? Senator . Yes , thank you . 1007 00:39:38,960 --> 00:39:41,071 And I agree with your assessment . We 1008 00:39:41,071 --> 00:39:42,904 are lagging behind . Why it's so 1009 00:39:42,904 --> 00:39:44,849 important is you have to be on the 1010 00:39:44,849 --> 00:39:47,127 field to play . It's about persistence . 1011 00:39:47,127 --> 00:39:49,349 Uh , not only do we need to have access 1012 00:39:49,349 --> 00:39:51,571 through persistence to break ice , uh , 1013 00:39:51,571 --> 00:39:53,738 to ensure that we can have Coast Guard 1014 00:39:53,738 --> 00:39:55,904 cutters or potentially Navy destroyers 1015 00:39:55,904 --> 00:39:57,960 or cruisers in the area , we have to 1016 00:39:57,960 --> 00:39:59,738 have communications as well for 1017 00:39:59,738 --> 00:40:01,627 persistence . I'm thankful to the 1018 00:40:01,627 --> 00:40:03,738 committee for $46 million that got us 1019 00:40:03,738 --> 00:40:05,960 started with polar communications north 1020 00:40:05,960 --> 00:40:08,071 of 65 latitude . It's really tough to 1021 00:40:08,071 --> 00:40:10,127 communicate that will get us initial 1022 00:40:10,127 --> 00:40:12,238 start . But I also have a require for 1023 00:40:12,238 --> 00:40:14,349 fuel north of Dutch Harbor , Alaska , 1024 00:40:14,349 --> 00:40:16,238 which will also contribute to the 1025 00:40:16,238 --> 00:40:18,516 persistence of competing in the Arctic . 1026 00:40:18,516 --> 00:40:20,571 This is about persistence . We're in 1027 00:40:20,571 --> 00:40:22,682 competition , as I said in my opening 1028 00:40:22,682 --> 00:40:24,682 statement , and to be a competitive 1029 00:40:24,682 --> 00:40:26,793 with Russia and China specifically in 1030 00:40:26,793 --> 00:40:29,016 the Arctic , you have to be part of the 1031 00:40:29,016 --> 00:40:31,016 on the field , if you will , and so 1032 00:40:31,016 --> 00:40:32,849 it's crucial that we do that and 1033 00:40:32,849 --> 00:40:34,904 continue producing capabilities that 1034 00:40:34,904 --> 00:40:37,130 will allow us to be in the Arctic So 1035 00:40:37,130 --> 00:40:39,960 fuel capabilities and communicate , uh , 1036 00:40:39,970 --> 00:40:42,670 communications capabilities are not 1037 00:40:42,670 --> 00:40:45,630 where they ought to be . Uh , last year , 1038 00:40:45,640 --> 00:40:47,751 the Navy was investigating the policy 1039 00:40:47,751 --> 00:40:49,990 the possibility of establishing a new 1040 00:40:49,990 --> 00:40:53,860 base in the Arctic . Have you been 1041 00:40:53,860 --> 00:40:55,916 involved in any discussions with the 1042 00:40:55,916 --> 00:40:58,430 Navy regarding establishing a permanent 1043 00:40:58,430 --> 00:41:01,780 base in the Arctic ? And how could a 1044 00:41:01,780 --> 00:41:05,210 Navy base improve your ability to 1045 00:41:05,210 --> 00:41:08,990 execute US Arctic strategy ? Senator , 1046 00:41:08,990 --> 00:41:11,046 to answer your question directly , I 1047 00:41:11,046 --> 00:41:12,712 have not been involved in any 1048 00:41:12,712 --> 00:41:14,823 discussions with the Navy . I'm aware 1049 00:41:14,823 --> 00:41:16,657 of the study that was done for a 1050 00:41:16,657 --> 00:41:18,710 potential port specifically with 1051 00:41:18,710 --> 00:41:20,821 regards to Nome , Alaska , which will 1052 00:41:20,821 --> 00:41:22,766 get after the requirement for fuel 1053 00:41:22,766 --> 00:41:25,090 north of Dutch Harbor . That report was 1054 00:41:25,090 --> 00:41:26,812 completed by the Army Corps of 1055 00:41:26,812 --> 00:41:28,940 Engineers and submitted for 1056 00:41:29,010 --> 00:41:32,330 congressional awareness . Would this be 1057 00:41:32,330 --> 00:41:35,900 helpful ? Yes . Do you have an 1058 00:41:35,900 --> 00:41:38,560 opinion ? It would be helpful to meet 1059 00:41:38,570 --> 00:41:40,626 my requirement to have fuel for that 1060 00:41:40,626 --> 00:41:43,730 persistence to compete with nations 1061 00:41:43,730 --> 00:41:45,730 that are interested in the Arctic . 1062 00:41:47,510 --> 00:41:49,566 Thank you , Senator Worker . Now via 1063 00:41:49,566 --> 00:41:52,660 WebEx , Senator Gillibrand . Thank you , 1064 00:41:52,660 --> 00:41:55,380 Mr Chairman . Admiral Fowler . As you 1065 00:41:55,380 --> 00:41:57,269 noted in your written testimony , 1066 00:41:57,269 --> 00:41:59,580 Russia has eagerly flooded online 1067 00:41:59,580 --> 00:42:01,469 communities in Latin America with 1068 00:42:01,469 --> 00:42:04,110 disinformation intended to undermine 1069 00:42:04,500 --> 00:42:06,750 faith in democratic institutions and in 1070 00:42:06,750 --> 00:42:09,400 the United States . Separately , China 1071 00:42:09,410 --> 00:42:11,410 is investing heavily in information 1072 00:42:11,410 --> 00:42:13,540 technology that can be easily 1073 00:42:13,540 --> 00:42:15,762 manipulated by the Chinese government , 1074 00:42:15,762 --> 00:42:17,984 their discretion for espionage or cyber 1075 00:42:17,984 --> 00:42:20,207 intrusions . Do you feel that South com 1076 00:42:20,207 --> 00:42:22,620 is adequately equipped to do its part 1077 00:42:22,620 --> 00:42:24,787 to handle the separate but overlapping 1078 00:42:24,787 --> 00:42:26,509 risks posed by these efforts ? 1079 00:42:28,800 --> 00:42:31,280 Recently , in a visit to one of our 1080 00:42:31,280 --> 00:42:33,800 partner countries , had the leader of 1081 00:42:33,800 --> 00:42:36,022 that country leaned over and said , How 1082 00:42:36,022 --> 00:42:38,244 do I get rid of the Chinese information 1083 00:42:38,244 --> 00:42:42,120 technology that was sold to get after 1084 00:42:42,120 --> 00:42:44,380 the violence in the city , but then , 1085 00:42:44,380 --> 00:42:46,920 oddly , appears outside the US Embassy 1086 00:42:46,930 --> 00:42:49,097 and other places which are in the most 1087 00:42:49,097 --> 00:42:50,930 secure parts of the city . These 1088 00:42:50,930 --> 00:42:53,097 efforts have got to require a whole of 1089 00:42:53,097 --> 00:42:55,152 government , whole of world approach 1090 00:42:55,152 --> 00:42:58,520 where we offer a safe technology and 1091 00:42:58,520 --> 00:43:00,490 safe , affordable solutions moving 1092 00:43:00,490 --> 00:43:03,630 forward . For our part , we've really 1093 00:43:03,630 --> 00:43:06,800 participated with US Special Operations 1094 00:43:06,800 --> 00:43:09,850 Command and standing up appropriate 1095 00:43:09,850 --> 00:43:12,780 information capabilities to counter in 1096 00:43:12,780 --> 00:43:14,780 the information space . And I think 1097 00:43:14,780 --> 00:43:17,030 that effort isn't it's having some 1098 00:43:17,030 --> 00:43:19,170 effect , but it's very small scale , 1099 00:43:19,180 --> 00:43:22,610 given the volume just in Russia alone , 1100 00:43:23,000 --> 00:43:25,120 they had over 17 million 1101 00:43:25,800 --> 00:43:29,620 disinformation hits last year in social 1102 00:43:29,620 --> 00:43:31,787 media outside Russian language . Their 1103 00:43:31,787 --> 00:43:34,040 Spanish language social media is their 1104 00:43:34,040 --> 00:43:36,040 biggest effort , and they increased 1105 00:43:36,040 --> 00:43:38,000 threefold last year , particularly 1106 00:43:38,010 --> 00:43:39,990 trying to discredit everything the 1107 00:43:39,990 --> 00:43:42,340 United States did to help our partners 1108 00:43:42,350 --> 00:43:44,010 recover from pandemic . 1109 00:43:46,200 --> 00:43:48,350 Mhm Um , Admiral , as you pointed out 1110 00:43:48,350 --> 00:43:50,890 earlier . While China's economic 1111 00:43:50,890 --> 00:43:53,112 coercion practices are only one element 1112 00:43:53,112 --> 00:43:55,223 of its strategy to exert influence in 1113 00:43:55,223 --> 00:43:57,001 the region , it is certainly an 1114 00:43:57,001 --> 00:43:58,946 important one . Is there a way for 1115 00:43:58,946 --> 00:44:01,057 South Com and other U . S entities to 1116 00:44:01,057 --> 00:44:03,168 facilitate opportunities for economic 1117 00:44:03,168 --> 00:44:05,279 engagement where we can highlight the 1118 00:44:05,279 --> 00:44:07,501 benefits of working with the U . S . As 1119 00:44:07,501 --> 00:44:09,668 opposed to China as opposed to China . 1120 00:44:10,490 --> 00:44:13,430 The There's some great efforts that 1121 00:44:13,430 --> 00:44:15,652 Congress has championed the development 1122 00:44:15,652 --> 00:44:18,290 of finance core and others , uh , in 1123 00:44:18,290 --> 00:44:20,012 support of that . I think it's 1124 00:44:20,012 --> 00:44:22,012 incumbent on all professionals like 1125 00:44:22,012 --> 00:44:23,901 myself to learn as much about the 1126 00:44:23,901 --> 00:44:26,179 economic elements as power as possible . 1127 00:44:26,179 --> 00:44:28,346 But then to focus on what we do best , 1128 00:44:28,346 --> 00:44:30,234 which is working with our partner 1129 00:44:30,234 --> 00:44:31,790 militaries , supplying them 1130 00:44:31,790 --> 00:44:33,846 professional training , professional 1131 00:44:33,846 --> 00:44:36,300 education and exercise program . They 1132 00:44:36,300 --> 00:44:38,467 want to partner with us . That's their 1133 00:44:38,467 --> 00:44:40,633 North Star . And we've got to have the 1134 00:44:40,633 --> 00:44:42,689 right security conditions so that we 1135 00:44:42,689 --> 00:44:44,800 can have sustainable economics . Uh , 1136 00:44:44,800 --> 00:44:46,911 businesses that are fearful when they 1137 00:44:46,911 --> 00:44:48,856 can't invest in a safe environment 1138 00:44:49,590 --> 00:44:52,210 understood . General Van Herck . Um , 1139 00:44:52,220 --> 00:44:54,387 as the admiral noted , it's clear that 1140 00:44:54,387 --> 00:44:56,442 one of our biggest challenges in the 1141 00:44:56,442 --> 00:44:58,387 Western Hemisphere will be China's 1142 00:44:58,387 --> 00:45:00,609 technological engagement that threatens 1143 00:45:00,609 --> 00:45:02,776 our security . Are we beginning to see 1144 00:45:02,776 --> 00:45:04,498 any signs that China's growing 1145 00:45:04,498 --> 00:45:06,164 technological presence in the 1146 00:45:06,164 --> 00:45:08,220 southeastern region is forcing north 1147 00:45:08,220 --> 00:45:10,331 com to rethink its strategy of how it 1148 00:45:10,331 --> 00:45:12,550 defends its domain ? Given the close 1149 00:45:12,550 --> 00:45:14,500 proximity between two regions ? 1150 00:45:17,290 --> 00:45:20,350 Senator , we look closely at China's 1151 00:45:20,350 --> 00:45:22,720 influence there are absolutely in the 1152 00:45:22,720 --> 00:45:25,690 north comma or attempting to influence 1153 00:45:25,700 --> 00:45:28,550 in the Bahamas . Uh , working through 1154 00:45:28,560 --> 00:45:31,260 five g , for example . The same thing 1155 00:45:31,270 --> 00:45:34,340 in Mexico . We continue to defend all 1156 00:45:34,340 --> 00:45:36,920 domains . Uh , north , um , defends our 1157 00:45:36,920 --> 00:45:38,940 critical cyber infrastructure with 1158 00:45:38,950 --> 00:45:41,880 allocated cyber protection teams . And 1159 00:45:41,880 --> 00:45:44,840 we work closely with cyber common en 1160 00:45:44,840 --> 00:45:47,580 esa as well . Where the discuss , uh , 1161 00:45:47,590 --> 00:45:50,760 synchronizer for cyber . If there is a 1162 00:45:50,760 --> 00:45:52,704 need to provide defense support of 1163 00:45:52,704 --> 00:45:54,927 civil authorities , we continually work 1164 00:45:54,927 --> 00:45:56,816 with civil authorities as well to 1165 00:45:56,816 --> 00:45:58,982 assess the needs for homeland security 1166 00:45:58,982 --> 00:46:01,038 as well as other agencies across the 1167 00:46:01,038 --> 00:46:04,720 government . Thank you . In your 1168 00:46:04,720 --> 00:46:06,609 written statement , you indicated 1169 00:46:06,609 --> 00:46:08,331 Russia and China had developed 1170 00:46:08,331 --> 00:46:10,442 hypersonic and nuclear warhead tipped 1171 00:46:10,442 --> 00:46:12,553 cruise missiles . North Korea is also 1172 00:46:12,553 --> 00:46:14,276 advancing its intercontinental 1173 00:46:14,276 --> 00:46:16,164 ballistic missile program . These 1174 00:46:16,164 --> 00:46:18,109 weapons put our allies and our own 1175 00:46:18,109 --> 00:46:20,109 national security at risk . Current 1176 00:46:20,109 --> 00:46:22,276 missile defense is based at the ground 1177 00:46:22,276 --> 00:46:24,600 based interceptor where G . B . I , 1178 00:46:24,600 --> 00:46:27,810 which was fielded 16 years ago . Since 1179 00:46:27,810 --> 00:46:29,921 that time , we've improved the system 1180 00:46:29,921 --> 00:46:31,921 and grown the size of the available 1181 00:46:31,921 --> 00:46:33,921 arsenal . Last year we appropriated 1182 00:46:33,921 --> 00:46:35,588 money for the next generation 1183 00:46:35,588 --> 00:46:37,670 interceptor , the N G . I system to 1184 00:46:37,670 --> 00:46:39,810 improve our defenses while I'm clear 1185 00:46:39,810 --> 00:46:41,866 eyed about the threat posed by enemy 1186 00:46:41,866 --> 00:46:43,866 states missiles . It is currently a 1187 00:46:43,866 --> 00:46:45,588 time of competing priorities , 1188 00:46:45,588 --> 00:46:47,699 particularly light of covid . In your 1189 00:46:47,699 --> 00:46:49,866 opinion , can we still rely on the G B 1190 00:46:49,866 --> 00:46:51,866 for the foreseeable future ? And to 1191 00:46:51,866 --> 00:46:54,420 assuming we need to push back on the N 1192 00:46:54,420 --> 00:46:56,680 G system ? How long can we rely on the 1193 00:46:56,680 --> 00:47:00,070 current arsenal ? Senator , I'm 1194 00:47:00,070 --> 00:47:02,181 comfortable with my ability to defend 1195 00:47:02,181 --> 00:47:04,070 the homeland , including Hawaii , 1196 00:47:04,070 --> 00:47:06,360 against the limited , uh , state actors 1197 00:47:06,360 --> 00:47:08,360 such as DPRK , which the system is 1198 00:47:08,360 --> 00:47:10,640 designed for , uh , for the foreseeable 1199 00:47:10,640 --> 00:47:13,080 future . The key thing is to maintain 1200 00:47:13,320 --> 00:47:16,820 the timeline of no later than 2028 1201 00:47:16,830 --> 00:47:19,300 for N G . I , uh , to ensure that we 1202 00:47:19,300 --> 00:47:21,320 maintain capacity and capability to 1203 00:47:21,320 --> 00:47:23,376 defend against the ballistic missile 1204 00:47:23,376 --> 00:47:26,630 threat . Thank you . Thank you , 1205 00:47:26,630 --> 00:47:29,220 Senator Gillibrand . Now via WebEx . 1206 00:47:29,230 --> 00:47:32,170 Senator Fisher , please . Thank you , 1207 00:47:32,170 --> 00:47:35,100 Mr Chairman . General Van Herck . I 1208 00:47:35,100 --> 00:47:37,340 appreciated our discussion last week , 1209 00:47:37,340 --> 00:47:38,896 and I'd like to revisit our 1210 00:47:38,896 --> 00:47:42,200 conversation on the N G . Senator 1211 00:47:42,200 --> 00:47:44,570 Gillibrand was just touching on some 1212 00:47:44,570 --> 00:47:47,970 points of that as well . When you talk 1213 00:47:47,970 --> 00:47:51,880 about the threat that we are facing 1214 00:47:51,880 --> 00:47:53,940 and the advancing threat that we're 1215 00:47:53,940 --> 00:47:56,250 seeing , you believe that the 1216 00:47:56,250 --> 00:47:59,120 additional capabilities that n g . I 1217 00:47:59,120 --> 00:48:01,540 will provide the warfighter over our 1218 00:48:01,540 --> 00:48:03,810 current interceptor fleet are 1219 00:48:03,810 --> 00:48:05,200 absolutely necessary , 1220 00:48:07,770 --> 00:48:10,390 Senator . I do . It gives us extra 1221 00:48:10,400 --> 00:48:13,790 capacity to go against threats that are 1222 00:48:13,790 --> 00:48:16,012 developed that could exceed our current 1223 00:48:16,012 --> 00:48:18,234 G B I inventory . In addition to that , 1224 00:48:18,234 --> 00:48:20,401 it will give us capability because the 1225 00:48:20,401 --> 00:48:22,290 threat continues to advance their 1226 00:48:22,290 --> 00:48:24,179 capabilities such as decoys and a 1227 00:48:24,179 --> 00:48:26,401 version with a capability . So the G is 1228 00:48:26,401 --> 00:48:28,623 crucial to give us that capability . It 1229 00:48:28,623 --> 00:48:30,840 also provides us a foundation for our 1230 00:48:30,840 --> 00:48:33,030 deterrence . It provides deterrence by 1231 00:48:33,030 --> 00:48:35,750 denial . The nuclear deterrent is the 1232 00:48:35,750 --> 00:48:38,970 foundation , but the n g I and the G B 1233 00:48:38,970 --> 00:48:41,750 I give us deterrence , uh , by denial , 1234 00:48:41,750 --> 00:48:44,700 Senator . Thank you , sir . 1235 00:48:45,470 --> 00:48:47,580 Also , you and I discussed the 1236 00:48:47,580 --> 00:48:50,160 increasingly capable cruise missile 1237 00:48:50,160 --> 00:48:52,770 arsenals that adversaries possessed and 1238 00:48:52,770 --> 00:48:54,770 the very real threat they posed the 1239 00:48:54,770 --> 00:48:57,460 homeland . In your opening statement , 1240 00:48:57,470 --> 00:48:59,730 you talk a lot about the concept of 1241 00:48:59,730 --> 00:49:02,300 that domain awareness . Can you talk 1242 00:49:02,300 --> 00:49:04,467 about what that means for you ? How it 1243 00:49:04,467 --> 00:49:07,560 relates to to the threat that are 1244 00:49:07,560 --> 00:49:10,290 opposed , say , by cruise missiles . 1245 00:49:12,670 --> 00:49:14,559 Senator ? Yes . Thank you for the 1246 00:49:14,559 --> 00:49:16,503 opportunity . Uh , cruise missiles 1247 00:49:16,503 --> 00:49:18,670 challenge our legacy . Warning systems 1248 00:49:18,670 --> 00:49:20,837 significantly . They've generated very 1249 00:49:20,837 --> 00:49:22,781 long range capabilities . They can 1250 00:49:22,781 --> 00:49:24,892 actually shoot cruise missiles . They 1251 00:49:24,892 --> 00:49:26,837 be in Russia today from over their 1252 00:49:26,837 --> 00:49:28,837 homeland , which will challenge our 1253 00:49:28,837 --> 00:49:31,003 legacy systems . Uh , we don't want to 1254 00:49:31,003 --> 00:49:33,410 be in a situation . We my personal 1255 00:49:33,410 --> 00:49:35,590 opinion , where in game defeat is our 1256 00:49:35,590 --> 00:49:37,646 only option , we need to get further 1257 00:49:37,646 --> 00:49:39,590 left . And that starts with domain 1258 00:49:39,590 --> 00:49:41,920 awareness left of the archer , if you 1259 00:49:41,920 --> 00:49:43,920 will , before they take off whether 1260 00:49:43,920 --> 00:49:46,031 that be in a submarine , whether that 1261 00:49:46,031 --> 00:49:47,976 be in a sea vessel or whether that 1262 00:49:47,976 --> 00:49:50,710 being a bomber to have decision space 1263 00:49:50,710 --> 00:49:52,830 for our senior leaders , a decision 1264 00:49:52,830 --> 00:49:55,163 space starts with that domain awareness . 1265 00:49:55,163 --> 00:49:57,274 Once you take that domain awareness , 1266 00:49:57,274 --> 00:49:59,330 whether that be undersea to space to 1267 00:49:59,330 --> 00:50:02,030 cyberspace and everything in between . 1268 00:50:02,040 --> 00:50:04,030 And you use machine learning and 1269 00:50:04,030 --> 00:50:06,086 artificial intelligence capabilities 1270 00:50:06,086 --> 00:50:08,197 what I call information dominance Now 1271 00:50:08,197 --> 00:50:10,419 we're able to get further left and give 1272 00:50:10,419 --> 00:50:12,141 our decision makers deterrence 1273 00:50:12,141 --> 00:50:14,510 capabilities beyond the foundation of 1274 00:50:14,510 --> 00:50:16,454 our nuclear , which is our nuclear 1275 00:50:16,454 --> 00:50:18,343 deterrence and an in game kinetic 1276 00:50:18,343 --> 00:50:20,454 attack , which would require response 1277 00:50:20,454 --> 00:50:22,788 very escalatory in either one . Senator , 1278 00:50:23,860 --> 00:50:26,040 you know , you're you're using all 1279 00:50:26,040 --> 00:50:28,151 sorts of technologies now that you're 1280 00:50:28,151 --> 00:50:31,320 applying on your demonstrations , Uh , 1281 00:50:31,330 --> 00:50:33,560 that north , um , is conducted in this 1282 00:50:33,560 --> 00:50:35,671 area . Do you have other examples you 1283 00:50:35,671 --> 00:50:38,320 can share with us ? absolutely , 1284 00:50:38,320 --> 00:50:40,431 Senator . So we have a program called 1285 00:50:40,431 --> 00:50:42,653 Pathfinder that we've moved out on over 1286 00:50:42,653 --> 00:50:44,820 the last year that takes information 1287 00:50:44,820 --> 00:50:47,100 data . I'm a believer that the future 1288 00:50:47,110 --> 00:50:50,000 of competition , crisis and conflict he 1289 00:50:50,000 --> 00:50:51,680 or she with the data and the 1290 00:50:51,680 --> 00:50:54,060 information will win . What we've taken 1291 00:50:54,060 --> 00:50:56,270 is an example . So , for you'll 1292 00:50:56,270 --> 00:50:58,770 remember in 2000 and 15 , when the 1293 00:50:58,770 --> 00:51:00,714 gyrocopter actually flew down from 1294 00:51:00,714 --> 00:51:02,659 north here in the National Capital 1295 00:51:02,659 --> 00:51:04,881 Region and landed on the Capitol lawn , 1296 00:51:04,881 --> 00:51:07,330 that that situation none of the sensors 1297 00:51:07,330 --> 00:51:09,552 in the area , whether they be the NORAD 1298 00:51:09,552 --> 00:51:11,719 sensors that we have our other sensors 1299 00:51:11,719 --> 00:51:13,830 alone detected that target . But when 1300 00:51:13,830 --> 00:51:16,150 we took the Pathfinder capability and 1301 00:51:16,150 --> 00:51:18,261 we analyzed the information , we took 1302 00:51:18,261 --> 00:51:20,094 information that was left on the 1303 00:51:20,094 --> 00:51:21,872 cutting room floor that was not 1304 00:51:21,872 --> 00:51:23,706 previously analyzed there . That 1305 00:51:23,706 --> 00:51:25,539 gyrocopter was . That's what I'm 1306 00:51:25,539 --> 00:51:27,594 talking about information today that 1307 00:51:27,594 --> 00:51:29,594 existence stovepipes and government 1308 00:51:29,594 --> 00:51:31,706 agencies , even within the Department 1309 00:51:31,706 --> 00:51:33,706 of Defense , that's not shared more 1310 00:51:33,706 --> 00:51:35,872 broadly . We have to take advantage of 1311 00:51:35,872 --> 00:51:37,928 data and information going forward . 1312 00:51:37,928 --> 00:51:40,039 Senator , Thank you , General Admiral 1313 00:51:40,039 --> 00:51:42,450 Fowler . Nebraska's R . C 1 30 fives 1314 00:51:42,450 --> 00:51:44,710 are frequent guests in your part of the 1315 00:51:44,720 --> 00:51:46,887 world , and we know that the Air Force 1316 00:51:46,887 --> 00:51:48,942 is doing what it can , but there are 1317 00:51:48,942 --> 00:51:51,290 shortfalls . Last year you told the 1318 00:51:51,290 --> 00:51:53,890 committee you only have 20% of the I s 1319 00:51:53,890 --> 00:51:56,770 are that you need , And the bulk of 1320 00:51:56,770 --> 00:51:58,714 that amount comes from Customs and 1321 00:51:58,714 --> 00:52:01,170 Border Protection assets . As a 1322 00:52:01,170 --> 00:52:04,400 commander , um , you said that only 1323 00:52:04,410 --> 00:52:08,220 8% of CNN's overall I s r need is met 1324 00:52:08,220 --> 00:52:11,310 by military assets . Is that still the 1325 00:52:11,310 --> 00:52:15,270 case , Senator ? Compounding that 1326 00:52:15,280 --> 00:52:18,960 8% figure , we received a 46% cut to 1327 00:52:18,960 --> 00:52:22,800 our r S R related budget last 1328 00:52:22,800 --> 00:52:25,110 year this year in year , so that will 1329 00:52:25,110 --> 00:52:27,277 significantly challenge our ability to 1330 00:52:27,277 --> 00:52:29,520 understand the threats of all types in 1331 00:52:29,520 --> 00:52:31,576 the hemisphere . Intelligence drives 1332 00:52:31,576 --> 00:52:34,300 everything . So what gets left on the 1333 00:52:34,300 --> 00:52:36,467 table as a result of your inability to 1334 00:52:36,467 --> 00:52:39,950 get that s our coverage . A 1335 00:52:39,960 --> 00:52:42,470 significant amount of movement of 1336 00:52:42,480 --> 00:52:44,647 transnational criminal organizations . 1337 00:52:44,647 --> 00:52:47,370 Our understanding of what are our 1338 00:52:47,370 --> 00:52:49,680 competitors are up to Russia , China , 1339 00:52:50,750 --> 00:52:53,990 Iran . A lot gets left on the table 1340 00:52:53,990 --> 00:52:56,200 that is contributing to this violence 1341 00:52:56,200 --> 00:52:58,367 that's driving instability here in the 1342 00:52:58,367 --> 00:53:00,200 United States and in our partner 1343 00:53:00,200 --> 00:53:02,510 nations . And we see their presence 1344 00:53:02,520 --> 00:53:05,080 growing in your in your combatant 1345 00:53:05,080 --> 00:53:07,790 command area . So I understand the need 1346 00:53:07,790 --> 00:53:09,957 for that . Thank you , Admiral . Thank 1347 00:53:09,957 --> 00:53:12,350 you , Mr Chairman . Thank you . Senator 1348 00:53:12,360 --> 00:53:14,570 Fisher . Senator Blumenthal , please . 1349 00:53:16,150 --> 00:53:18,370 Thanks , Mr Chairman . Thank you both 1350 00:53:18,370 --> 00:53:20,370 for your service and for being here 1351 00:53:20,950 --> 00:53:24,870 today . Uh , as 1352 00:53:24,870 --> 00:53:28,750 you know , the Covid 19 pandemic has 1353 00:53:28,760 --> 00:53:31,870 hit the Caribbean and South 1354 00:53:31,870 --> 00:53:34,870 America very hard . 1355 00:53:35,950 --> 00:53:39,350 I am concerned that we need to continue 1356 00:53:39,350 --> 00:53:42,710 to say vigilant against attempts by 1357 00:53:42,780 --> 00:53:46,490 Russia and most especially China , to 1358 00:53:46,490 --> 00:53:48,770 exploit the suffering of our neighbors 1359 00:53:49,350 --> 00:53:51,072 to the south to increase their 1360 00:53:51,072 --> 00:53:53,530 influence in the region . Admiral 1361 00:53:53,530 --> 00:53:55,752 Fowler and your posture statement . You 1362 00:53:55,752 --> 00:53:57,919 say to that China and Russia are using 1363 00:53:57,919 --> 00:54:00,040 the covid 19 pandemic to gain greater 1364 00:54:00,040 --> 00:54:03,230 influence in South America . And you 1365 00:54:03,230 --> 00:54:06,690 explain how that is occurring . And 1366 00:54:06,700 --> 00:54:08,700 what would you recommend the United 1367 00:54:08,700 --> 00:54:11,010 States do to maintain American 1368 00:54:11,010 --> 00:54:14,530 influence in the region in the face of 1369 00:54:14,530 --> 00:54:17,660 that public health threat during that 1370 00:54:18,240 --> 00:54:22,210 time , the conditions that 1371 00:54:22,210 --> 00:54:24,690 the pandemic has caused in Latin 1372 00:54:24,690 --> 00:54:26,801 America and the Caribbean rival those 1373 00:54:26,801 --> 00:54:28,801 of the Great Depression here in the 1374 00:54:28,801 --> 00:54:30,968 United States . It will take years for 1375 00:54:30,968 --> 00:54:33,079 the region to cover . The IMF says it 1376 00:54:33,079 --> 00:54:35,079 will take . It has estimated as the 1377 00:54:35,079 --> 00:54:37,350 region with the longest recovery time 1378 00:54:37,940 --> 00:54:40,162 we have seen . And there was a new York 1379 00:54:40,162 --> 00:54:42,850 Times article today on this China 1380 00:54:43,640 --> 00:54:45,600 particularly move in with a heavy 1381 00:54:45,600 --> 00:54:48,750 handed mask and vaccine diplomacy 1382 00:54:49,440 --> 00:54:51,760 that they are using the vaccines to 1383 00:54:51,770 --> 00:54:55,560 leverage deals for their it 1384 00:54:55,880 --> 00:54:58,890 their five G and they're using it to 1385 00:54:58,900 --> 00:55:01,750 try to drive a wedge between some 1386 00:55:02,240 --> 00:55:04,530 nations like Taiwan and others in the 1387 00:55:04,530 --> 00:55:07,910 region . This is indicative of Chinese 1388 00:55:07,910 --> 00:55:11,610 global course of insidious behavior . 1389 00:55:11,810 --> 00:55:13,921 We're seeing it play out . We need to 1390 00:55:13,921 --> 00:55:15,921 stay on the field with the whole of 1391 00:55:15,921 --> 00:55:17,866 government effort . And once we've 1392 00:55:17,866 --> 00:55:20,490 taken care of the United States , be 1393 00:55:20,490 --> 00:55:23,610 first with a a concerted plan to take 1394 00:55:23,610 --> 00:55:25,777 care of our neighborhood with vaccines 1395 00:55:25,777 --> 00:55:28,970 Here , I hear you saying that 1396 00:55:29,640 --> 00:55:32,550 we need a much more aggressive and 1397 00:55:33,740 --> 00:55:36,820 frankly humanitarian effort in this 1398 00:55:36,820 --> 00:55:38,820 part of the world . Are neighboring 1399 00:55:39,740 --> 00:55:43,670 region in fact part of the 1400 00:55:44,440 --> 00:55:47,290 Western Hemisphere family to take care 1401 00:55:47,290 --> 00:55:49,401 of people in our own enlightened self 1402 00:55:49,401 --> 00:55:52,220 interest ? Senator To date , I've been 1403 00:55:52,220 --> 00:55:54,276 very proud of the U . S . Government 1404 00:55:54,276 --> 00:55:58,190 effort in PPE and other covid related 1405 00:55:58,190 --> 00:56:00,360 supplies . We don't we're not taking 1406 00:56:00,360 --> 00:56:03,310 much credit for it , but by far and 1407 00:56:03,310 --> 00:56:05,830 away the single largest donator in this 1408 00:56:05,830 --> 00:56:07,740 hemisphere and and in department 1409 00:56:07,740 --> 00:56:09,462 offense using our humanitarian 1410 00:56:09,462 --> 00:56:12,150 assistant authorities we moved out with 1411 00:56:12,150 --> 00:56:15,960 small projects at speed over 400 1412 00:56:15,960 --> 00:56:18,690 projects , $54 million that have made a 1413 00:56:18,690 --> 00:56:21,780 real impact . But the next phase is 1414 00:56:21,780 --> 00:56:24,100 going to be in vaccines and long term 1415 00:56:24,100 --> 00:56:25,989 recovery , and we've got to be as 1416 00:56:25,989 --> 00:56:28,156 aggressive and forward leaning in that 1417 00:56:28,156 --> 00:56:30,267 phase , I would say , particularly in 1418 00:56:30,267 --> 00:56:32,489 this hemisphere , because the proximity 1419 00:56:32,489 --> 00:56:34,489 here matters to the security United 1420 00:56:34,489 --> 00:56:37,610 States . And it's not only a public 1421 00:56:37,610 --> 00:56:40,620 health crisis , it's really a very deep 1422 00:56:40,620 --> 00:56:44,390 seated economic crisis linked to the 1423 00:56:44,390 --> 00:56:46,890 pandemic . I hear you think , Senator , 1424 00:56:46,890 --> 00:56:50,270 in October we did . I traveled with my 1425 00:56:50,280 --> 00:56:52,447 civilian deputy commander , Ambassador 1426 00:56:52,447 --> 00:56:54,669 Jean Mains . Wonderful diplomat , great 1427 00:56:54,669 --> 00:56:56,600 civil relationship . In our 1428 00:56:56,600 --> 00:56:58,600 headquarters , we went on our first 1429 00:56:58,600 --> 00:57:00,544 multiple day trip . We traveled to 1430 00:57:00,544 --> 00:57:02,322 Central America , Honduras , El 1431 00:57:02,322 --> 00:57:05,280 Salvador , Guatemala , Costa Rica and 1432 00:57:05,290 --> 00:57:08,340 the Hollow Look in the eyes of our our 1433 00:57:08,350 --> 00:57:10,830 partners . Uh , they're struggling to 1434 00:57:10,830 --> 00:57:12,997 fill their gas tanks and find food for 1435 00:57:12,997 --> 00:57:16,130 their their security forces because of 1436 00:57:16,130 --> 00:57:18,670 the stress , the pandemic and the 1437 00:57:18,680 --> 00:57:21,930 violence has placed . And this creates 1438 00:57:21,930 --> 00:57:24,097 real opportunities for our competitors 1439 00:57:24,097 --> 00:57:26,550 are more than willing to step into that 1440 00:57:27,030 --> 00:57:30,950 that violent the sauce 1441 00:57:30,950 --> 00:57:33,117 and and take advantage of it for their 1442 00:57:33,117 --> 00:57:34,617 own interests . And it has 1443 00:57:34,617 --> 00:57:38,540 ramifications in terms of generating 1444 00:57:39,130 --> 00:57:41,950 flows of migrants , the drug trade , 1445 00:57:42,530 --> 00:57:45,380 all kinds of other gratifications that 1446 00:57:45,380 --> 00:57:47,102 are destructive to our country 1447 00:57:47,230 --> 00:57:50,680 Eventually . Yes , Senator . Thank you , 1448 00:57:50,680 --> 00:57:52,630 Mr Chairman . Thank you . Senator 1449 00:57:52,630 --> 00:57:54,797 Blumenthal . Senator Cotton , please . 1450 00:57:55,130 --> 00:57:57,650 Admiral Fowler . I want to speak about 1451 00:57:57,650 --> 00:57:59,850 the legal conditions on the ground . 1452 00:57:59,850 --> 00:58:01,850 The Northern Triangle , Guatemala , 1453 00:58:01,850 --> 00:58:03,739 Honduras and El Salvador . Do the 1454 00:58:03,739 --> 00:58:05,794 governments of those three countries 1455 00:58:05,794 --> 00:58:07,739 systematically persecute their own 1456 00:58:07,739 --> 00:58:09,517 citizens on the basis of race , 1457 00:58:09,517 --> 00:58:12,080 ethnicity , , political views , 1458 00:58:12,080 --> 00:58:13,920 religious belief for other such 1459 00:58:13,930 --> 00:58:17,920 categories ? Senator , when when 1460 00:58:17,920 --> 00:58:21,200 I go in lockstep with our embassies and 1461 00:58:21,200 --> 00:58:24,860 we've got great diplomats and , uh , we 1462 00:58:24,860 --> 00:58:27,430 don't see a systematic exploitation . I 1463 00:58:27,430 --> 00:58:29,486 I work with the military's , and the 1464 00:58:29,486 --> 00:58:31,590 elements we work with are vetted and 1465 00:58:31,590 --> 00:58:34,030 trusted . And I find they're doing the 1466 00:58:34,030 --> 00:58:36,141 right thing . Whether it's Honduras , 1467 00:58:36,141 --> 00:58:38,363 Guatemala , El Salvador . Thank you . I 1468 00:58:38,363 --> 00:58:40,474 think that's a very important point . 1469 00:58:40,474 --> 00:58:42,363 The government of Honduras and El 1470 00:58:42,363 --> 00:58:46,270 Salvador and Guatemala do not persecute 1471 00:58:46,270 --> 00:58:48,360 their own citizens systematically on 1472 00:58:48,360 --> 00:58:51,540 the basis of race , , ethnicity , 1473 00:58:51,550 --> 00:58:53,800 religion or political views , which is 1474 00:58:53,800 --> 00:58:56,330 the basis for asylum and refugee status . 1475 00:58:56,330 --> 00:59:00,280 Under our laws , an economic migrant is 1476 00:59:00,280 --> 00:59:03,140 not eligible for asylum . They are not 1477 00:59:03,140 --> 00:59:06,110 eligible for refugee status . Asylum is 1478 00:59:06,110 --> 00:59:08,640 designed for people like , say , Hong 1479 00:59:08,640 --> 00:59:10,970 Konger , whose student visa expires and 1480 00:59:10,970 --> 00:59:13,192 doesn't want to return to Hong Kong now 1481 00:59:13,192 --> 00:59:15,248 that the Chinese Communist Party has 1482 00:59:15,248 --> 00:59:17,290 cracked down on that country . The 1483 00:59:17,290 --> 00:59:19,750 reason we have a crisis at our border 1484 00:59:20,120 --> 00:59:22,110 is because President Biden , his 1485 00:59:22,110 --> 00:59:24,900 administration , open the border and 1486 00:59:24,910 --> 00:59:26,780 ended the policies of the Trump 1487 00:59:26,780 --> 00:59:29,002 administration . That made it clear you 1488 00:59:29,002 --> 00:59:30,891 could not make the very dangerous 1489 00:59:30,891 --> 00:59:33,002 journey across Mexico . You could not 1490 00:59:33,002 --> 00:59:35,224 pay smugglers and traffickers thousands 1491 00:59:35,224 --> 00:59:37,113 of dollars to get to our southern 1492 00:59:37,113 --> 00:59:39,224 border and then expect to be let in . 1493 00:59:40,420 --> 00:59:43,140 If you let them in , more will come . 1494 00:59:44,220 --> 00:59:46,164 That's why we have a crisis at the 1495 00:59:46,164 --> 00:59:49,320 border . General Denmark . We've been 1496 00:59:49,320 --> 00:59:51,530 supporting the department Homeland 1497 00:59:51,530 --> 00:59:53,586 Security at the border for some time 1498 00:59:53,586 --> 00:59:57,030 now with D o D personnel . And the most 1499 00:59:57,030 --> 00:59:59,197 recent major adjustment numbers was in 1500 00:59:59,197 --> 01:00:03,160 2018 . Is that right ? That's 1501 01:00:03,160 --> 01:00:06,070 correct . In 2018 , then , this year 1502 01:00:06,070 --> 01:00:08,460 we're up to nearly 4000 total number , 1503 01:00:08,460 --> 01:00:10,460 and it has the status of the border 1504 01:00:10,460 --> 01:00:14,440 changed from 2018 to March of 2021 . 1505 01:00:15,210 --> 01:00:17,432 When you say status of the border , can 1506 01:00:17,432 --> 01:00:20,190 you clarify the conditions there ? Um 1507 01:00:20,190 --> 01:00:22,134 and whether or not we're closer to 1508 01:00:22,134 --> 01:00:24,134 having a secure border or we have a 1509 01:00:24,134 --> 01:00:26,357 less secure border now than we did when 1510 01:00:26,357 --> 01:00:28,301 this , uh , major personnel change 1511 01:00:28,301 --> 01:00:30,134 first started , I would defer to 1512 01:00:30,134 --> 01:00:32,190 homeland security for the security . 1513 01:00:32,190 --> 01:00:34,246 The border were in direct support of 1514 01:00:34,246 --> 01:00:36,412 homeland security for that mission , I 1515 01:00:36,412 --> 01:00:38,579 can tell you , the numbers of migrants 1516 01:00:38,579 --> 01:00:40,246 coming across as dramatically 1517 01:00:40,246 --> 01:00:42,357 dramatically increased here in recent 1518 01:00:42,357 --> 01:00:44,523 months . And what kind of strange that 1519 01:00:44,523 --> 01:00:46,579 put on our personnel at the border ? 1520 01:00:46,579 --> 01:00:48,801 Our personnel being D o d o D personnel 1521 01:00:49,110 --> 01:00:51,277 D . O D . Continues to provide support 1522 01:00:51,277 --> 01:00:53,332 to Homeland Security and Customs and 1523 01:00:53,332 --> 01:00:55,499 border protection . Uh , mainly in the 1524 01:00:55,499 --> 01:00:57,554 detection and monitoring . The total 1525 01:00:57,554 --> 01:00:59,388 number of 4000 does not place an 1526 01:00:59,388 --> 01:01:01,554 incredible strain on the force and has 1527 01:01:01,554 --> 01:01:03,630 not shown significant strategic 1528 01:01:03,640 --> 01:01:05,807 readiness of our ability to accomplish 1529 01:01:05,807 --> 01:01:07,930 our missions . I've seen some media 1530 01:01:07,930 --> 01:01:10,710 reports the suggests in addition to 1531 01:01:10,720 --> 01:01:12,887 economic migrants who are not eligible 1532 01:01:12,887 --> 01:01:14,998 for asylum , showing up at our border 1533 01:01:14,998 --> 01:01:16,942 from Latin America that we are now 1534 01:01:16,942 --> 01:01:19,560 beginning to see um , foreign nationals 1535 01:01:19,560 --> 01:01:21,893 from other countries in Africa and Asia . 1536 01:01:22,100 --> 01:01:24,211 To your knowledge , is that correct ? 1537 01:01:24,710 --> 01:01:26,710 Senator , I'm aware of intelligence 1538 01:01:26,710 --> 01:01:28,950 reports that corroborate exactly what 1539 01:01:28,950 --> 01:01:31,350 you just said , What kind of threat 1540 01:01:31,350 --> 01:01:34,030 does it opposed to our country ? That 1541 01:01:34,040 --> 01:01:36,262 persons might be traveling from the Old 1542 01:01:36,262 --> 01:01:38,318 World to the new World to join these 1543 01:01:38,318 --> 01:01:42,000 migrant flows ? Ah , I believe that we 1544 01:01:42,000 --> 01:01:44,310 must continue to monitor anybody who 1545 01:01:44,310 --> 01:01:47,930 has nefarious desires for our country . 1546 01:01:48,310 --> 01:01:50,620 Homeland defense . Border security is 1547 01:01:50,620 --> 01:01:52,453 national security , which equals 1548 01:01:52,453 --> 01:01:54,564 homeland defense . Uh , there will be 1549 01:01:54,564 --> 01:01:56,176 people take advantage of the 1550 01:01:56,176 --> 01:01:58,453 opportunity to come across that border . 1551 01:01:58,453 --> 01:02:00,509 Yeah , I couldn't agree more general 1552 01:02:00,509 --> 01:02:02,509 than Herc . I mean , if our borders 1553 01:02:02,509 --> 01:02:04,731 open , anyone from around the world can 1554 01:02:04,731 --> 01:02:04,450 get to Mexico and try to cross our 1555 01:02:04,450 --> 01:02:06,672 border , not just to seek a better life 1556 01:02:06,672 --> 01:02:08,894 here , but to harm or ultimately try to 1557 01:02:08,894 --> 01:02:11,061 kill our own people . And I go back to 1558 01:02:11,061 --> 01:02:13,283 the simple point . If you let them in , 1559 01:02:13,283 --> 01:02:17,130 more will come . All the controversy in 1560 01:02:17,130 --> 01:02:19,352 the media are misplaced . Talking about 1561 01:02:19,352 --> 01:02:21,297 how fast we're processing migrants 1562 01:02:21,297 --> 01:02:23,408 through these detention facilities or 1563 01:02:23,408 --> 01:02:23,400 whether they have enough showers or 1564 01:02:23,400 --> 01:02:26,990 beds or cots . If you don't let them in 1565 01:02:26,990 --> 01:02:29,212 the first place , you don't worry about 1566 01:02:29,212 --> 01:02:31,546 the conditions in the detention centers . 1567 01:02:31,546 --> 01:02:34,120 The Biden administration has to reverse 1568 01:02:34,120 --> 01:02:35,898 course . There are three simple 1569 01:02:35,898 --> 01:02:38,009 solutions . First , it should reapply 1570 01:02:38,009 --> 01:02:40,009 the public health declaration under 1571 01:02:40,009 --> 01:02:43,620 title 42 to all foreign nationals to 1572 01:02:43,620 --> 01:02:45,676 including minors to include minors , 1573 01:02:45,676 --> 01:02:47,953 just like the Trump administration did , 1574 01:02:47,953 --> 01:02:50,120 as the Biden administration still does 1575 01:02:50,120 --> 01:02:51,898 for adults . Second , it should 1576 01:02:51,898 --> 01:02:53,953 renegotiate a new migrant protection 1577 01:02:53,953 --> 01:02:56,176 protocol with Mexico , which it tore up 1578 01:02:56,176 --> 01:02:58,120 for no reason on its first days in 1579 01:02:58,120 --> 01:03:00,342 office . And third , it should re enter 1580 01:03:00,342 --> 01:03:02,342 a safe third country agreement with 1581 01:03:02,342 --> 01:03:04,564 Guatemala . If you're seeking asylum at 1582 01:03:04,564 --> 01:03:06,509 our border , there's no reason you 1583 01:03:06,509 --> 01:03:06,380 cannot seek asylum in Guatemala . That 1584 01:03:06,380 --> 01:03:07,880 was the lesson of the last 1585 01:03:07,880 --> 01:03:09,880 administration . Those three things 1586 01:03:09,880 --> 01:03:12,580 alone solve our crisis at the border , 1587 01:03:12,590 --> 01:03:14,590 and they can all be done tomorrow . 1588 01:03:16,400 --> 01:03:18,580 Thank you , Senator Cotton . Senator 1589 01:03:18,580 --> 01:03:22,340 Kaine , please . Thank you , Mr . Chair 1590 01:03:22,340 --> 01:03:24,451 and Admiral follow . I want to follow 1591 01:03:24,451 --> 01:03:26,340 up on the comments made about the 1592 01:03:26,340 --> 01:03:28,970 border crisis . The It is a crisis , 1593 01:03:28,970 --> 01:03:31,137 and there are important things that we 1594 01:03:31,137 --> 01:03:34,070 must do . I want to puncture the 1595 01:03:34,080 --> 01:03:36,500 partisan finger pointing that's been 1596 01:03:36,500 --> 01:03:38,556 done because it's a crisis . I think 1597 01:03:38,556 --> 01:03:40,910 that we all have to to solve the notion 1598 01:03:40,910 --> 01:03:43,330 that this was a bad under the Obama 1599 01:03:43,330 --> 01:03:45,441 administration , fine under the Trump 1600 01:03:45,441 --> 01:03:47,441 administration and how bad again is 1601 01:03:47,441 --> 01:03:50,260 just not realistic . During the Obama 1602 01:03:50,260 --> 01:03:52,316 administration , we work together in 1603 01:03:52,316 --> 01:03:54,538 Congress on a comprehensive immigration 1604 01:03:54,538 --> 01:03:56,482 reform bill that would have poured 1605 01:03:56,482 --> 01:03:58,538 billions tens of billions of dollars 1606 01:03:58,538 --> 01:04:00,204 into border security . It was 1607 01:04:00,204 --> 01:04:02,371 bipartisan in the Senate . It could go 1608 01:04:02,371 --> 01:04:04,704 nowhere in a Republican dominated house . 1609 01:04:04,704 --> 01:04:06,816 Wouldn't even get a committee hearing 1610 01:04:06,816 --> 01:04:08,871 during the Trump administration . We 1611 01:04:08,871 --> 01:04:11,093 came up with a plan that was bipartisan 1612 01:04:11,093 --> 01:04:13,093 in February of 2018 that would have 1613 01:04:13,093 --> 01:04:15,260 protected dreamers and put $25 billion 1614 01:04:15,260 --> 01:04:17,371 into border security every penny that 1615 01:04:17,371 --> 01:04:19,538 the president had asked for . And when 1616 01:04:19,538 --> 01:04:21,482 the bill was introduced with 16 co 1617 01:04:21,482 --> 01:04:23,816 sponsors eight Democrats at Republicans , 1618 01:04:23,816 --> 01:04:25,871 the Trump administration having said 1619 01:04:25,871 --> 01:04:28,093 that they would sign the bill , You put 1620 01:04:28,093 --> 01:04:30,149 it on my desk , I'll sign It is what 1621 01:04:30,149 --> 01:04:32,204 the president told many of us . They 1622 01:04:32,204 --> 01:04:34,093 decided within a day that they so 1623 01:04:34,093 --> 01:04:36,093 didn't like dreamers that they were 1624 01:04:36,093 --> 01:04:38,093 willing to turn away $25 billion in 1625 01:04:38,093 --> 01:04:39,840 border security . We missed an 1626 01:04:39,840 --> 01:04:42,790 opportunity in 2013 to put about $40 1627 01:04:42,790 --> 01:04:45,012 billion into border security because of 1628 01:04:45,012 --> 01:04:46,901 a Republican House . We missed an 1629 01:04:46,901 --> 01:04:50,240 opportunity in 2018 to put $25 billion 1630 01:04:50,240 --> 01:04:51,962 in border security because the 1631 01:04:51,962 --> 01:04:54,910 president didn't like dreamers now I 1632 01:04:54,910 --> 01:04:56,870 don't say that to suggest that the 1633 01:04:56,870 --> 01:04:58,981 problem at the border is the fault of 1634 01:04:58,981 --> 01:05:00,703 one party or another . It is a 1635 01:05:00,703 --> 01:05:02,926 challenge . We all have to deal with it 1636 01:05:02,926 --> 01:05:05,037 and we have to find solutions , and I 1637 01:05:05,037 --> 01:05:07,148 share my colleagues views that one of 1638 01:05:07,148 --> 01:05:09,148 the solutions is putting some tough 1639 01:05:09,148 --> 01:05:11,410 laws in place and enforcing them . I 1640 01:05:11,410 --> 01:05:14,620 think the asylum rules or maybe , um , 1641 01:05:14,630 --> 01:05:16,630 need to be tightened up . I want to 1642 01:05:16,630 --> 01:05:18,741 correct my colleague . He asked you a 1643 01:05:18,741 --> 01:05:20,852 question about asylum rules and asked 1644 01:05:20,852 --> 01:05:22,908 if there was persecution for another 1645 01:05:22,908 --> 01:05:24,963 reason . But he left out persecution 1646 01:05:24,963 --> 01:05:26,852 based on political status , I can 1647 01:05:26,852 --> 01:05:28,963 assure you in the Northern Triangle , 1648 01:05:28,963 --> 01:05:28,600 having lived there , there is 1649 01:05:28,600 --> 01:05:31,700 significant execution in the nations in 1650 01:05:31,700 --> 01:05:33,922 the Northern Triangle against political 1651 01:05:33,922 --> 01:05:35,756 dissidents , against journalists 1652 01:05:35,756 --> 01:05:37,867 against environmental activists . And 1653 01:05:37,867 --> 01:05:40,089 there has been a history of persecution 1654 01:05:40,089 --> 01:05:42,089 against indigenous people . There's 1655 01:05:42,089 --> 01:05:44,256 some other groups that my colleague is 1656 01:05:44,256 --> 01:05:46,089 right there not being persecuted 1657 01:05:46,089 --> 01:05:48,256 directly now . But political opponents 1658 01:05:48,256 --> 01:05:50,770 are in Honduras , where I lived . The 1659 01:05:50,770 --> 01:05:52,950 OS said after the last presidential 1660 01:05:52,950 --> 01:05:55,006 election that the election should be 1661 01:05:55,006 --> 01:05:57,061 rerun because they were so corrupt . 1662 01:05:57,061 --> 01:05:59,283 Instead , the US recognized the corrupt 1663 01:05:59,283 --> 01:06:01,940 government and then cut off aid to the 1664 01:06:01,940 --> 01:06:04,280 corrupt government and then what we see 1665 01:06:04,280 --> 01:06:06,447 today , as you said , Admiral Faller , 1666 01:06:06,447 --> 01:06:08,391 is sort of a perfect storm . If we 1667 01:06:08,391 --> 01:06:10,669 don't invest in security and economics , 1668 01:06:10,669 --> 01:06:12,836 there will be economic refugees and my 1669 01:06:12,836 --> 01:06:15,058 colleague is right and economic Refugee 1670 01:06:15,058 --> 01:06:17,224 is not entitled to asylum status . But 1671 01:06:17,224 --> 01:06:19,447 nevertheless , if we are not working to 1672 01:06:19,447 --> 01:06:21,113 promote security and economic 1673 01:06:21,113 --> 01:06:22,947 improvement , there is a natural 1674 01:06:22,947 --> 01:06:24,780 consequence to that . So we need 1675 01:06:24,780 --> 01:06:27,040 tougher border security . We need to 1676 01:06:27,090 --> 01:06:29,340 increase investments in security 1677 01:06:29,340 --> 01:06:31,451 assistance in the region . We need to 1678 01:06:31,451 --> 01:06:34,590 hold authoritarians accountable rather 1679 01:06:34,590 --> 01:06:37,800 than turn a blind eye to their misdeeds . 1680 01:06:39,000 --> 01:06:41,167 These are things that we can do and we 1681 01:06:41,167 --> 01:06:43,630 can do together . General Clark , I 1682 01:06:43,630 --> 01:06:47,540 want to ask you a question . Canada is 1683 01:06:47,540 --> 01:06:49,762 a pretty good ally of the United States 1684 01:06:49,762 --> 01:06:52,720 militarily , aren't they absolutely , 1685 01:06:52,720 --> 01:06:56,200 Senator ? In my conversations with the 1686 01:06:56,200 --> 01:06:58,089 Canadian foreign minister and the 1687 01:06:58,089 --> 01:07:00,200 Canadian minister of Defense , it has 1688 01:07:00,200 --> 01:07:02,478 been a sore point with them that the U . 1689 01:07:02,478 --> 01:07:04,780 S . Uses national security waivers 1690 01:07:04,780 --> 01:07:07,590 against them to impose tariffs . 1691 01:07:08,880 --> 01:07:11,102 We have trade disputes with Canada over 1692 01:07:11,102 --> 01:07:13,047 milk over lumber products over all 1693 01:07:13,047 --> 01:07:15,102 kinds of things . That's not unusual 1694 01:07:15,102 --> 01:07:17,436 given the sizeable border that we share . 1695 01:07:17,436 --> 01:07:19,547 But they expressed to me a particular 1696 01:07:19,547 --> 01:07:21,102 concern . When the previous 1697 01:07:21,102 --> 01:07:23,213 administration labels them a national 1698 01:07:23,213 --> 01:07:25,491 security threat , they point out , Hey , 1699 01:07:25,491 --> 01:07:27,602 we fight with you in every war , were 1700 01:07:27,602 --> 01:07:29,491 side by side with you in military 1701 01:07:29,491 --> 01:07:31,769 hospitals , at Landstuhl and elsewhere . 1702 01:07:31,769 --> 01:07:33,713 Have you heard a similar concern ? 1703 01:07:33,713 --> 01:07:35,658 Expressed dissatisfaction from the 1704 01:07:35,658 --> 01:07:37,769 Canadian side about us using national 1705 01:07:37,769 --> 01:07:39,769 security label that labeling them a 1706 01:07:39,769 --> 01:07:41,824 national security threat in order to 1707 01:07:41,824 --> 01:07:43,491 impose tariffs . Senator , my 1708 01:07:43,491 --> 01:07:45,324 discussions with the Minister of 1709 01:07:45,324 --> 01:07:47,491 National Defence , the deputy and also 1710 01:07:47,491 --> 01:07:49,713 the chief of the defence staff . I have 1711 01:07:49,713 --> 01:07:49,660 not been engaged or have that 1712 01:07:49,660 --> 01:07:51,549 discussion . Okay . Thank you for 1713 01:07:51,549 --> 01:07:53,660 sharing that . Thank you , Mr Chair . 1714 01:07:53,660 --> 01:07:55,660 Thank you . Senator Kaine . Now via 1715 01:07:55,660 --> 01:07:59,620 WebEx centered around . Thank 1716 01:07:59,620 --> 01:08:01,676 you , Mr Chairman . Gentlemen , good 1717 01:08:01,676 --> 01:08:04,080 morning . I thank you for both of your 1718 01:08:04,080 --> 01:08:07,890 continued dedication to our country and 1719 01:08:07,890 --> 01:08:10,320 for your previous service . Let me 1720 01:08:10,320 --> 01:08:12,670 begin . Um , I'd like to start with 1721 01:08:12,670 --> 01:08:15,870 Admiral . Follower . Um , understanding 1722 01:08:15,870 --> 01:08:17,759 and combating Russian and Chinese 1723 01:08:17,759 --> 01:08:20,190 influence operations truly is critical 1724 01:08:20,770 --> 01:08:23,260 to our national security . Senator 1725 01:08:23,260 --> 01:08:25,371 Gillibrand began this discussion with 1726 01:08:25,371 --> 01:08:27,660 you a little while ago talking about 1727 01:08:27,660 --> 01:08:30,390 what was happening in in our southern 1728 01:08:30,390 --> 01:08:33,780 regions . Admiral far I'd like to talk 1729 01:08:33,780 --> 01:08:36,410 a bit about what our options are what 1730 01:08:36,410 --> 01:08:38,632 the tools are that are available to you 1731 01:08:38,632 --> 01:08:41,600 to counteract that misinformation and 1732 01:08:41,610 --> 01:08:44,060 how what tools you may need right now 1733 01:08:44,060 --> 01:08:46,227 or what additional assistance you need 1734 01:08:46,270 --> 01:08:48,437 in order to be able to counteract some 1735 01:08:48,437 --> 01:08:50,659 of the misinformation that currently is 1736 01:08:50,659 --> 01:08:54,090 occurring . I can't stress enough the 1737 01:08:54,100 --> 01:08:57,620 full court press that China has on to 1738 01:08:57,620 --> 01:08:59,787 gain their economic dominance in their 1739 01:08:59,787 --> 01:09:02,090 version of a world order globally . And 1740 01:09:02,090 --> 01:09:04,146 in this hemisphere , which I look at 1741 01:09:04,146 --> 01:09:06,201 this hemisphere as the front line of 1742 01:09:06,201 --> 01:09:08,860 competition and we have to approach 1743 01:09:08,860 --> 01:09:11,620 that as such as the U . S government , 1744 01:09:11,620 --> 01:09:13,842 across all elements of power , with the 1745 01:09:13,842 --> 01:09:16,290 diplomats and in the lead . Clearly , 1746 01:09:16,670 --> 01:09:19,820 our military plays a role with our 1747 01:09:19,830 --> 01:09:22,790 principal method to block 1748 01:09:23,170 --> 01:09:27,020 Chinese military interests . The L . A 1749 01:09:27,020 --> 01:09:29,242 is by staying engaged with our partners 1750 01:09:29,242 --> 01:09:31,076 in our exercise program or I met 1751 01:09:31,076 --> 01:09:33,298 program . These are world class China's 1752 01:09:33,298 --> 01:09:35,990 tried to copy them . They've tried to 1753 01:09:36,000 --> 01:09:39,250 replicate Leavenworth in Spanish and 1754 01:09:39,250 --> 01:09:41,472 Portuguese . Uh , we need to remain the 1755 01:09:41,472 --> 01:09:43,820 best at what we do and ensure we we 1756 01:09:43,830 --> 01:09:46,540 provide the volume that is needed to 1757 01:09:46,540 --> 01:09:49,170 allow our hemisphere partners to be 1758 01:09:49,170 --> 01:09:52,320 professional and partner with us in the 1759 01:09:52,330 --> 01:09:55,530 space . We have to stay 1760 01:09:55,530 --> 01:09:58,220 engaged to understand what they're up 1761 01:09:58,220 --> 01:10:00,200 to that goes back to intelligence 1762 01:10:00,200 --> 01:10:02,770 resources . So I would some of this up 1763 01:10:02,780 --> 01:10:04,720 by saying additional intelligence 1764 01:10:04,720 --> 01:10:08,170 assets , continued security cooperation 1765 01:10:08,180 --> 01:10:10,069 and increased volume of I met and 1766 01:10:10,069 --> 01:10:13,260 exercises and then enough assets in the 1767 01:10:13,260 --> 01:10:15,660 field . That includes our small Special 1768 01:10:15,660 --> 01:10:17,882 Operations Force teams , which are very 1769 01:10:17,882 --> 01:10:20,580 effective . And last year we received 1770 01:10:20,580 --> 01:10:22,636 great support from the United States 1771 01:10:22,636 --> 01:10:24,810 Army to put some small security force 1772 01:10:24,810 --> 01:10:26,600 assistance teams in places like 1773 01:10:26,600 --> 01:10:28,690 Colombia and Honduras . We're having 1774 01:10:28,690 --> 01:10:30,801 great effect to train . And it's only 1775 01:10:30,801 --> 01:10:33,930 training , not a company are our 1776 01:10:33,940 --> 01:10:36,970 partners . Thank you , General . 1777 01:10:37,660 --> 01:10:41,080 General . General , Uh , right now 1778 01:10:41,560 --> 01:10:43,727 you've got on a day to day basis . You 1779 01:10:43,727 --> 01:10:45,949 clearly have more individuals trying to 1780 01:10:45,949 --> 01:10:48,282 cross the border into the United States . 1781 01:10:48,282 --> 01:10:50,338 There's no question about that . And 1782 01:10:50,338 --> 01:10:52,449 clearly that's something which , most 1783 01:10:52,449 --> 01:10:54,790 certainly in your supporting role , 1784 01:10:55,260 --> 01:10:57,480 will take up a fair part of your day . 1785 01:10:57,860 --> 01:11:00,027 At the same time , you have one of the 1786 01:11:00,027 --> 01:11:02,650 most critical responsibilities out 1787 01:11:02,650 --> 01:11:05,020 there defending the homeland against 1788 01:11:05,020 --> 01:11:08,120 those possibilities . Have a strategic 1789 01:11:08,120 --> 01:11:10,810 attack . Today we have this discussion 1790 01:11:10,810 --> 01:11:13,032 going on about the need for the triad , 1791 01:11:13,032 --> 01:11:15,143 the continuation of our try , and and 1792 01:11:15,143 --> 01:11:17,890 also for the need to provide specific 1793 01:11:17,900 --> 01:11:20,810 defense protection against incoming 1794 01:11:20,820 --> 01:11:23,410 weapons systems . Can you talk about 1795 01:11:23,420 --> 01:11:25,364 the connectivity or the connection 1796 01:11:25,364 --> 01:11:28,180 between having all three legs of the 1797 01:11:28,180 --> 01:11:31,900 triad available and also needing to 1798 01:11:31,900 --> 01:11:33,956 still have the ability to defend the 1799 01:11:33,956 --> 01:11:36,122 homeland ? And if we were to take away 1800 01:11:36,122 --> 01:11:38,840 any one of the legs of the triad , what 1801 01:11:38,840 --> 01:11:40,896 that would do in terms of increasing 1802 01:11:41,360 --> 01:11:43,527 the challenge for you of defending the 1803 01:11:43,527 --> 01:11:47,040 homeland with missile systems set up to 1804 01:11:47,050 --> 01:11:49,490 protect against incoming weapons 1805 01:11:49,490 --> 01:11:53,370 systems ? Sure , Senator . First , 1806 01:11:53,860 --> 01:11:56,490 the nuclear deterrent and the Triad 1807 01:11:56,590 --> 01:11:59,090 remains the foundation of homeland 1808 01:11:59,090 --> 01:12:01,660 defense . I would defer to Admiral 1809 01:12:01,660 --> 01:12:04,380 Richard on specifics about the Triad . 1810 01:12:04,750 --> 01:12:07,060 I know that the Triad today was 1811 01:12:07,060 --> 01:12:10,670 designed for specific capabilities to 1812 01:12:11,250 --> 01:12:14,760 basically but take the 1813 01:12:15,250 --> 01:12:18,440 calculus of any threat and create 1814 01:12:18,440 --> 01:12:20,440 deterrence options . Because of the 1815 01:12:20,440 --> 01:12:22,590 flexibility that the triad creates , 1816 01:12:22,820 --> 01:12:25,660 the most reactive forces are I . C B . 1817 01:12:25,660 --> 01:12:28,080 M s . The most flexible force is the 1818 01:12:28,090 --> 01:12:29,812 bombers and certainly the most 1819 01:12:29,812 --> 01:12:31,868 survivable forces . The submarines . 1820 01:12:31,868 --> 01:12:34,090 Each of those contributes significantly 1821 01:12:34,090 --> 01:12:36,201 to homeland defense . Uh , we haven't 1822 01:12:36,201 --> 01:12:38,368 had a great power conflict since World 1823 01:12:38,368 --> 01:12:40,590 War two , and the Triad and the nuclear 1824 01:12:40,590 --> 01:12:42,780 deterrent has been part of that . With 1825 01:12:42,780 --> 01:12:45,620 that , said our competitors today are 1826 01:12:45,620 --> 01:12:48,100 trying to circumvent the nuclear triad 1827 01:12:48,100 --> 01:12:50,322 and develop , have developed and stated 1828 01:12:50,322 --> 01:12:52,560 intent to attack the homeland because 1829 01:12:52,560 --> 01:12:54,671 they assume they can be successful to 1830 01:12:54,671 --> 01:12:56,616 destroy our will below the nuclear 1831 01:12:56,616 --> 01:12:58,782 threshold . I'm concerned about having 1832 01:12:58,782 --> 01:13:01,004 the ability to give decision makers key 1833 01:13:01,004 --> 01:13:04,230 decision space in that realm . But not 1834 01:13:04,240 --> 01:13:07,150 all in game defeat . And so deterrence 1835 01:13:07,150 --> 01:13:09,410 by denial is what I talk about and that 1836 01:13:09,410 --> 01:13:12,490 is giving options to senior leaders to 1837 01:13:12,490 --> 01:13:14,440 create doubt in a competitor or 1838 01:13:14,440 --> 01:13:16,662 adversaries mind about their ability to 1839 01:13:16,662 --> 01:13:18,829 achieve their objectives with a strike 1840 01:13:18,829 --> 01:13:21,470 on the homeland . Senator . Thank you . 1841 01:13:21,480 --> 01:13:23,480 My time is expired . Thank you , Mr 1842 01:13:23,480 --> 01:13:25,813 Chairman . Thank you , Senator . Rounds . 1843 01:13:25,813 --> 01:13:28,110 And now let me recognize Senator King 1844 01:13:28,110 --> 01:13:30,170 via WebEx . Mhm . 1845 01:13:32,950 --> 01:13:35,190 Mr . Chairman and General , I'd like to 1846 01:13:35,190 --> 01:13:37,610 follow up on a comment made at the end 1847 01:13:37,610 --> 01:13:39,670 by , uh , for questioning by Senator 1848 01:13:39,670 --> 01:13:42,270 Shaheen and asking in your professional 1849 01:13:42,280 --> 01:13:45,150 military opinion . Would it be in the 1850 01:13:45,160 --> 01:13:47,560 interests of the United States to a 1851 01:13:47,560 --> 01:13:49,660 seed to the law of the sea treaty , 1852 01:13:51,850 --> 01:13:54,500 Senator ? Yes , it would be . It gives 1853 01:13:54,500 --> 01:13:56,710 us a better posture , a seat at the 1854 01:13:56,710 --> 01:13:58,932 table , more credibility when we work . 1855 01:13:58,932 --> 01:14:01,154 Many of the issues that we have to work 1856 01:14:01,154 --> 01:14:03,377 around the globe with allies , partners 1857 01:14:03,377 --> 01:14:05,570 and potential competitors . And that's 1858 01:14:05,570 --> 01:14:07,792 particularly true in the Arctic , isn't 1859 01:14:07,792 --> 01:14:09,737 it ? That's where the Russians are 1860 01:14:09,737 --> 01:14:12,740 staking claims as we speak . Senator , 1861 01:14:12,740 --> 01:14:14,851 I agree with your assessment . And as 1862 01:14:14,851 --> 01:14:17,073 Russia takes over the Arctic Council in 1863 01:14:17,073 --> 01:14:19,240 May , it's never been more crucial for 1864 01:14:19,240 --> 01:14:21,240 us with our like minded nations and 1865 01:14:21,240 --> 01:14:23,240 allies and partners that we come to 1866 01:14:23,240 --> 01:14:25,462 agreement to not allow Russia and China 1867 01:14:25,462 --> 01:14:28,090 to exploit any seams and gaps . Thank 1868 01:14:28,090 --> 01:14:31,280 you . I'd like to turn for a moment to 1869 01:14:31,280 --> 01:14:33,447 the immigration question in the crisis 1870 01:14:33,447 --> 01:14:35,169 at the border , which everyone 1871 01:14:35,169 --> 01:14:37,760 recognizes , Uh , Fowler . I think at 1872 01:14:37,760 --> 01:14:39,871 the beginning of your testimony , you 1873 01:14:39,871 --> 01:14:42,038 pointed out that there were sufficient 1874 01:14:42,038 --> 01:14:44,260 there were significant what I call push 1875 01:14:44,260 --> 01:14:48,260 factors as well as the change 1876 01:14:48,260 --> 01:14:50,260 of administration , which is a pull 1877 01:14:50,260 --> 01:14:52,470 factor . But the combination of the 1878 01:14:52,480 --> 01:14:55,030 impact of covid , the two major 1879 01:14:55,030 --> 01:14:57,490 hurricanes and the transnational gangs 1880 01:14:57,500 --> 01:15:00,610 is making life intolerable for people 1881 01:15:00,610 --> 01:15:02,840 in those Northern triangle countries . 1882 01:15:02,840 --> 01:15:06,250 Is that not also true ? Senator , I've 1883 01:15:06,250 --> 01:15:08,417 met with folks who have walked all the 1884 01:15:08,417 --> 01:15:10,417 way to the border and come back and 1885 01:15:10,417 --> 01:15:12,840 there their drive was the violence , 1886 01:15:12,840 --> 01:15:15,010 the fear for their life their lack of 1887 01:15:15,010 --> 01:15:17,040 food for their families , the 1888 01:15:17,040 --> 01:15:19,620 insecurity . And in this past year , 1889 01:15:19,630 --> 01:15:21,770 we've had that perfect storm of 1890 01:15:21,770 --> 01:15:23,937 additional factors covid and then back 1891 01:15:23,937 --> 01:15:26,810 to back major hurricanes . The region 1892 01:15:26,810 --> 01:15:30,510 is fragile . Uh , the conditions are on 1893 01:15:30,510 --> 01:15:32,840 power with our Great Depression , and 1894 01:15:32,850 --> 01:15:36,840 our engagement is critical to help our 1895 01:15:36,840 --> 01:15:39,850 partner nations overcome this 1896 01:15:39,860 --> 01:15:43,130 challenge . It strikes me that whatever 1897 01:15:43,130 --> 01:15:45,297 we do on border security and I'm fully 1898 01:15:45,297 --> 01:15:47,980 supportive of of a secure border as 1899 01:15:47,980 --> 01:15:50,170 long as we have these three countries 1900 01:15:50,540 --> 01:15:53,400 near our border , uh that are in such 1901 01:15:53,400 --> 01:15:55,456 terrible shape , people are going to 1902 01:15:55,460 --> 01:15:57,770 continue to try to find ways to to 1903 01:15:57,770 --> 01:16:01,680 escape . I've heard the term we 1904 01:16:01,680 --> 01:16:03,902 need a Marshall Plan for that region in 1905 01:16:03,902 --> 01:16:05,680 order to try to stabilize these 1906 01:16:05,680 --> 01:16:07,458 countries in terms of their own 1907 01:16:07,458 --> 01:16:09,791 internal security , their own economies . 1908 01:16:09,791 --> 01:16:11,810 Is that is that Does that ring any 1909 01:16:11,810 --> 01:16:14,340 bells for you , Senator , I think a 1910 01:16:14,340 --> 01:16:17,210 Marshall plan would be a a wonderful 1911 01:16:17,210 --> 01:16:19,250 model as we look at the entire 1912 01:16:19,250 --> 01:16:21,620 hemisphere , really ? And look at the 1913 01:16:21,630 --> 01:16:23,741 the sources of instability across the 1914 01:16:23,741 --> 01:16:25,741 hemisphere . In addition to Central 1915 01:16:25,741 --> 01:16:29,390 America , we see Haiti , Cuba and 1916 01:16:29,390 --> 01:16:32,570 Venezuela all sources of illegal 1917 01:16:32,570 --> 01:16:34,514 migration to the United States and 1918 01:16:34,514 --> 01:16:37,530 Venezuela alone , five million migrants 1919 01:16:37,530 --> 01:16:39,752 now have swelled out of their borders . 1920 01:16:39,830 --> 01:16:42,070 Uh huh . We need the big ideas . We 1921 01:16:42,070 --> 01:16:44,500 need the sustained engagement of the 1922 01:16:44,510 --> 01:16:46,288 all of nations and the whole of 1923 01:16:46,288 --> 01:16:48,454 government . The United States and the 1924 01:16:48,454 --> 01:16:50,343 department Offense plays a role , 1925 01:16:50,343 --> 01:16:52,399 particularly in that professionalism 1926 01:16:52,399 --> 01:16:54,510 and institutional capacity building . 1927 01:16:54,510 --> 01:16:56,621 So their security forces do the right 1928 01:16:56,621 --> 01:16:58,399 thing and contribute to overall 1929 01:16:58,399 --> 01:17:02,090 sustainable security . You 1930 01:17:02,090 --> 01:17:04,312 mentioned in your in your testimony the 1931 01:17:04,312 --> 01:17:06,257 Russian and Chinese disinformation 1932 01:17:06,257 --> 01:17:08,479 campaigns in these countries . Are they 1933 01:17:08,479 --> 01:17:11,180 also encouraging migration as a way to 1934 01:17:11,180 --> 01:17:14,030 undermine the US ? Do they see this as 1935 01:17:14,030 --> 01:17:17,170 a as a weapon , just as they did with 1936 01:17:17,170 --> 01:17:19,590 the Syrian migration into into Europe 1937 01:17:19,600 --> 01:17:23,130 several years ago ? The disinformation 1938 01:17:23,130 --> 01:17:26,420 by Russia seeks to discredit every act 1939 01:17:26,420 --> 01:17:28,531 of goodness . And we do many that the 1940 01:17:28,531 --> 01:17:30,198 United States provides in the 1941 01:17:30,198 --> 01:17:32,198 hemisphere . And to the extent that 1942 01:17:32,198 --> 01:17:34,198 drives migration , there's no doubt 1943 01:17:34,198 --> 01:17:36,920 China seeks their own influence , their 1944 01:17:36,920 --> 01:17:40,000 own economic dominance and , uh , they 1945 01:17:40,000 --> 01:17:42,960 seek clients while we seek friends and 1946 01:17:42,960 --> 01:17:45,230 partners . I think they're they're 1947 01:17:45,230 --> 01:17:47,430 information campaign best exhibited by 1948 01:17:47,430 --> 01:17:50,060 a recent visit to a country where I was 1949 01:17:50,060 --> 01:17:52,950 asked about the illegal and unregulated 1950 01:17:52,950 --> 01:17:55,380 unreported fishing in the region . I 1951 01:17:55,380 --> 01:17:57,460 cited the example of Chinese 1952 01:17:57,830 --> 01:18:00,270 involvement off of Ecuador , where 1953 01:18:00,270 --> 01:18:02,620 their fleets would for great periods of 1954 01:18:02,620 --> 01:18:05,800 time , go silent and sweep into the 1955 01:18:05,810 --> 01:18:08,150 ecological preserve . And then within 1956 01:18:08,150 --> 01:18:10,428 minutes after my facts based statement , 1957 01:18:10,428 --> 01:18:13,410 which is based on the various credible 1958 01:18:13,410 --> 01:18:16,100 sources of Chinese , proceeded to 1959 01:18:16,100 --> 01:18:18,211 attack me and the media , that's just 1960 01:18:18,211 --> 01:18:19,989 typical of their disinformation 1961 01:18:19,989 --> 01:18:22,710 globally . Center Well , I'm out of 1962 01:18:22,710 --> 01:18:24,877 time , but I think your testimony that 1963 01:18:24,877 --> 01:18:26,660 you A don't have adequate I s R 1964 01:18:26,660 --> 01:18:28,882 resources and be there not enough ships 1965 01:18:28,882 --> 01:18:31,049 to interdict the drugs that are coming 1966 01:18:31,049 --> 01:18:33,104 and killing Americans including more 1967 01:18:33,104 --> 01:18:35,327 than one a day in my home state is very 1968 01:18:35,327 --> 01:18:37,438 powerful . And that's a matter that's 1969 01:18:37,438 --> 01:18:39,660 within our control . That's a matter of 1970 01:18:39,660 --> 01:18:41,716 allocation of resources . And I hope 1971 01:18:41,716 --> 01:18:43,882 this committee can bring some pressure 1972 01:18:43,882 --> 01:18:45,660 on the on the administration to 1973 01:18:45,660 --> 01:18:48,420 allocate adequate resources for I S r 1974 01:18:48,430 --> 01:18:50,597 and for interdiction because we're not 1975 01:18:50,597 --> 01:18:52,819 even interdicting the drug shipments we 1976 01:18:52,819 --> 01:18:55,750 know about , uh , let alone finding 1977 01:18:55,750 --> 01:18:57,917 ones that additionally , if they could 1978 01:18:57,917 --> 01:18:59,972 provide . So that's something that I 1979 01:18:59,972 --> 01:19:01,861 hope this committee can work on . 1980 01:19:01,861 --> 01:19:03,861 Gentlemen , thank you both for your 1981 01:19:03,861 --> 01:19:05,917 testimony has been very illuminating 1982 01:19:05,917 --> 01:19:08,280 today . Thank you , Mr Chairman . Thank 1983 01:19:08,280 --> 01:19:10,391 you . Senator King , let me recognize 1984 01:19:10,391 --> 01:19:12,613 Senator Orange . Thank you , Mr Chair . 1985 01:19:12,613 --> 01:19:14,724 And gentlemen , thank you so much for 1986 01:19:14,724 --> 01:19:16,836 being here today and for your service 1987 01:19:16,836 --> 01:19:18,836 to our great nation and the men and 1988 01:19:18,836 --> 01:19:20,947 women within your commands . We truly 1989 01:19:20,947 --> 01:19:23,002 appreciate everything they do for us 1990 01:19:23,002 --> 01:19:25,290 every day . Um , just excuse me , 1991 01:19:25,300 --> 01:19:27,930 Admiral Faller . Um , we had a great 1992 01:19:27,930 --> 01:19:30,720 conversation last week , and you really 1993 01:19:30,720 --> 01:19:33,470 stressed to me the importance of our 1994 01:19:33,480 --> 01:19:36,000 neighborhood . And I want to continue 1995 01:19:36,000 --> 01:19:38,222 visiting about that today because we do 1996 01:19:38,222 --> 01:19:40,222 need to be very aware , and I think 1997 01:19:40,222 --> 01:19:42,890 this committee is , but that we have a 1998 01:19:42,890 --> 01:19:45,930 lot of , uh , nefarious influencers 1999 01:19:45,940 --> 01:19:48,310 within our own neighborhood . And I 2000 01:19:48,310 --> 01:19:50,421 would like to talk a little bit about 2001 01:19:50,421 --> 01:19:52,450 those transnational criminal 2002 01:19:52,460 --> 01:19:54,730 organizations as well as those that may 2003 01:19:54,730 --> 01:19:57,920 be , um , influencing those t c . O s 2004 01:19:57,920 --> 01:20:00,020 and where that's coming from . So 2005 01:20:00,030 --> 01:20:02,140 you've provided the placemats for us 2006 01:20:02,140 --> 01:20:05,820 today ? China , Iran , Russia . They're 2007 01:20:05,820 --> 01:20:08,780 all influencers in our neighborhood , 2008 01:20:09,210 --> 01:20:11,690 and they're all operating . We see the 2009 01:20:11,690 --> 01:20:13,740 T . C . O . S as well . They are 2010 01:20:13,740 --> 01:20:16,100 operating to our south , and they're 2011 01:20:16,100 --> 01:20:18,940 bringing in about $90 billion of 2012 01:20:18,940 --> 01:20:22,310 revenue annually . Uh , that is very 2013 01:20:22,310 --> 01:20:24,510 concerning to me . And then the 2014 01:20:24,510 --> 01:20:26,820 increase of movement across our borders 2015 01:20:27,110 --> 01:20:29,221 is something troubling that we've all 2016 01:20:29,221 --> 01:20:31,388 been talking about today . And we have 2017 01:20:31,388 --> 01:20:33,554 to make sure that we're defending that 2018 01:20:33,554 --> 01:20:35,666 border and pushing back against these 2019 01:20:35,666 --> 01:20:37,721 influencers . So let's talk a little 2020 01:20:37,721 --> 01:20:40,650 bit about the T . C o s , um , and what 2021 01:20:40,650 --> 01:20:43,820 they are doing in the South . Com a . O . 2022 01:20:43,820 --> 01:20:46,830 R . And are they working alongside 2023 01:20:47,310 --> 01:20:49,530 China , Russia and Iran ? 2024 01:20:50,910 --> 01:20:52,670 The transnational criminal 2025 01:20:52,670 --> 01:20:55,030 organizations are just murderous . 2026 01:20:55,030 --> 01:20:57,150 Violent organizations are murdering 2027 01:20:57,150 --> 01:20:59,317 people driving migration , and they're 2028 01:20:59,317 --> 01:21:01,690 fueled on corruption . And so when I 2029 01:21:01,690 --> 01:21:03,800 look at the interconnection of these 2030 01:21:03,810 --> 01:21:07,710 organizations and the China 2031 01:21:07,710 --> 01:21:09,910 Russia players in our hemisphere , I 2032 01:21:09,910 --> 01:21:12,188 look at corruption as a common element . 2033 01:21:12,510 --> 01:21:16,070 It's , uh it feels both . Then we look 2034 01:21:16,070 --> 01:21:18,690 at lack of regard for human rights , 2035 01:21:18,710 --> 01:21:22,150 and there's a commonality there . And 2036 01:21:22,150 --> 01:21:25,610 then we look at lack of regard for 2037 01:21:25,610 --> 01:21:27,660 rules based international order or 2038 01:21:27,660 --> 01:21:29,493 rules in general . And there's a 2039 01:21:29,493 --> 01:21:31,438 commonality there . So there is an 2040 01:21:31,438 --> 01:21:34,230 interconnection . The money laundering 2041 01:21:34,240 --> 01:21:36,296 connection is the most significant . 2042 01:21:36,296 --> 01:21:38,018 Where Chinese money laundering 2043 01:21:38,018 --> 01:21:39,907 underwrites . TCO s a significant 2044 01:21:39,907 --> 01:21:42,450 portion . And that's , uh , something 2045 01:21:42,450 --> 01:21:44,830 that we're tracking as part of all of 2046 01:21:44,840 --> 01:21:46,951 interagency effort here in the United 2047 01:21:46,951 --> 01:21:48,910 States . And so this corrosive 2048 01:21:48,910 --> 01:21:51,320 influence undermines our democracies 2049 01:21:51,710 --> 01:21:53,766 and contributes to the fragility and 2050 01:21:53,766 --> 01:21:55,932 the security concerns . We have raised 2051 01:21:55,932 --> 01:21:58,099 approximately United States location , 2052 01:21:58,099 --> 01:22:00,432 location , location , drives everything . 2053 01:22:00,432 --> 01:22:03,130 And that location is so important in 2054 01:22:03,130 --> 01:22:06,420 this neighborhood . So as 2055 01:22:06,800 --> 01:22:09,630 Senator Shaheen was asking about 2056 01:22:09,640 --> 01:22:12,300 Chinese influence , So there's above 2057 01:22:12,300 --> 01:22:14,550 the board operations going on with 2058 01:22:14,550 --> 01:22:16,930 China , where there may be engaging in 2059 01:22:16,930 --> 01:22:20,090 legal activities . But then you are 2060 01:22:20,100 --> 01:22:23,240 saying they engage in these criminal 2061 01:22:23,250 --> 01:22:26,120 activities as well and under the radar 2062 01:22:26,300 --> 01:22:30,250 type of criminal organizations . So the 2063 01:22:30,250 --> 01:22:32,139 national defense strategy and our 2064 01:22:32,139 --> 01:22:34,540 secretaries guidance sites , China is 2065 01:22:34,540 --> 01:22:38,100 the pacing challenge and and I side 2066 01:22:38,100 --> 01:22:40,267 with what the end up , a com commander 2067 01:22:40,267 --> 01:22:42,489 said . It's the most significant threat 2068 01:22:42,489 --> 01:22:44,544 we face in the 21st century , and we 2069 01:22:44,544 --> 01:22:47,550 look at we want this competition to 2070 01:22:47,550 --> 01:22:49,494 work out peacefully and not ending 2071 01:22:49,494 --> 01:22:52,300 conflict and not be adversarial . But 2072 01:22:52,310 --> 01:22:54,630 Chinese , in addition to the illegal , 2073 01:22:54,640 --> 01:22:56,751 unreported , unregulated fishing , is 2074 01:22:56,751 --> 01:22:58,810 involved in illegal mining illegal 2075 01:22:58,820 --> 01:23:01,040 logging . Uh , they are at least 2076 01:23:01,050 --> 01:23:04,330 tacitly supporting the money laundering . 2077 01:23:04,350 --> 01:23:07,820 They are using covid and vaccines as a 2078 01:23:07,820 --> 01:23:10,420 hammer to further the Chinese Communist 2079 01:23:10,420 --> 01:23:12,580 Party interest , particularly to get 2080 01:23:12,580 --> 01:23:15,480 better deals for Huawei and five G , 2081 01:23:15,490 --> 01:23:18,490 and to try to drive a wedge between the 2082 01:23:18,490 --> 01:23:20,823 remaining countries that support Taiwan . 2083 01:23:20,823 --> 01:23:22,934 And the majority of those are here in 2084 01:23:22,934 --> 01:23:24,990 this hemisphere . So yes , Senator . 2085 01:23:24,990 --> 01:23:27,300 Their corrosive , insidious influences 2086 01:23:27,300 --> 01:23:29,280 being felt right here in our 2087 01:23:29,280 --> 01:23:31,336 neighborhood . Thank you , Admiral . 2088 01:23:31,336 --> 01:23:33,558 And I appreciate our discussion to that 2089 01:23:33,558 --> 01:23:35,502 effect last week . And General Van 2090 01:23:35,502 --> 01:23:37,558 Herck , in the remaining time that I 2091 01:23:37,558 --> 01:23:39,613 have , we've had a number of our own 2092 01:23:39,613 --> 01:23:41,669 troops working the southern border , 2093 01:23:41,669 --> 01:23:43,502 which I think has been extremely 2094 01:23:43,502 --> 01:23:45,502 important . They've been supporting 2095 01:23:45,502 --> 01:23:47,836 United States Customs and Border Patrol . 2096 01:23:47,836 --> 01:23:50,090 Are they still playing a vital role in 2097 01:23:50,090 --> 01:23:51,923 the defense of our nation at our 2098 01:23:51,923 --> 01:23:54,990 southern border , Senator , Probably 2099 01:23:54,990 --> 01:23:58,310 best answered by CBP and DHS my recent 2100 01:23:58,310 --> 01:24:00,690 visit . I would tell you that we are 2101 01:24:00,690 --> 01:24:02,690 playing a role to enable them to do 2102 01:24:02,690 --> 01:24:04,912 their law enforcement role by providing 2103 01:24:04,912 --> 01:24:07,290 support . When I look at the challenges 2104 01:24:07,290 --> 01:24:08,846 that transnational criminal 2105 01:24:08,846 --> 01:24:10,957 organizations create on the border of 2106 01:24:10,957 --> 01:24:13,123 the symptoms that we're seeing are the 2107 01:24:13,123 --> 01:24:15,401 migration , the human trafficking , Uh , 2108 01:24:15,401 --> 01:24:17,346 the counternarcotics , uh , from a 2109 01:24:17,346 --> 01:24:19,457 homeland defense perspective , Mexico 2110 01:24:19,457 --> 01:24:21,623 being in the United States North Com a 2111 01:24:21,623 --> 01:24:23,623 O . R . And two major transnational 2112 01:24:23,623 --> 01:24:26,090 criminal organizations with the Sinaloa 2113 01:24:26,090 --> 01:24:27,950 and new Jalisco . Uh , we have a 2114 01:24:27,950 --> 01:24:29,920 national security imperative with 2115 01:24:29,930 --> 01:24:31,986 regards to the instability that they 2116 01:24:31,986 --> 01:24:34,152 create , the tragedies they create and 2117 01:24:34,152 --> 01:24:36,120 the opportunities they create for 2118 01:24:36,130 --> 01:24:38,019 nefarious actors such as China or 2119 01:24:38,019 --> 01:24:39,963 Russia , right on our own southern 2120 01:24:39,963 --> 01:24:42,410 border , to have access and influence . 2121 01:24:42,470 --> 01:24:44,359 And so it concerns me very much , 2122 01:24:44,359 --> 01:24:46,526 Senator . Thank you , gentlemen , very 2123 01:24:46,526 --> 01:24:48,530 much . And I appreciate you 2124 01:24:48,530 --> 01:24:50,641 safeguarding our neighborhood . Thank 2125 01:24:50,641 --> 01:24:51,220 you , Mr Chair .