Another threat to the United States is a terrorist attack. I think with our focus on China and Russia and Iran, North Korea, we can't lose sight of the fact that Afghanistan is once again a safe haven for many terrorist groups.

The Administration's 2022 National Defense Strategy rightly captures the importance of deterring China.

What about shortening the time period for litigation from years to months?

I would, however, suggest that it is not a sufficient condition and that the President's budget is inadequate to achieve this goal.

Thank you very much, Chairman Tester, for holding this hearing on the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Department of Defense.

Another threat to the United States is a terrorist attack. I think with our focus on China and Russia and Iran, North Korea, we can't lose sight of the fact that Afghanistan is once again a safe haven for many terrorist groups.

Are you concerned about the fact that the weapons that the Americans gave to the Security Forces could now be turned against us and our Western allies in a terrorist attack?

I am having trouble squaring the Administration's national security strategy with a budget request that proposes to increase non-defense spending by 8.5 percent, while defense spending would increase at a rate of 3.3 percent.

I think FPISC having authority to drive that process forward makes a lot of sense.

The Administration's 2022 National Defense Strategy rightly captures the importance of deterring China.

What about shortening the time period for litigation from years to months?

I think one of the things that is important to realize here is that we are all talking about projects that get delayed or take a long time, and it's a lengthy and cumbersome process.

Whenever my staff tells me it's going to take a couple of years to do something--I always remind them that Eisenhower retook Europe in 11 months.

You cannot love EVs and hate lithium mines. This is a national security issue as well as an environmental issue.

Are you concerned about the fact that the weapons that the Americans gave to the Security Forces could now be turned against us and our Western allies in a terrorist attack?

I think FPISC having authority to drive that process forward makes a lot of sense.

I know Senator Manchin's legislation has even stricter--so I can't give you a month, but 72 is probably too many.

I am having trouble squaring the Administration's national security strategy with a budget request that proposes to increase non-defense spending by 8.5 percent, while defense spending would increase at a rate of 3.3 percent.