It is also very clear that because of the budget box that we have put the Army in, that we are not modernizing at a level necessary to stay ahead of our adversaries the way that we have in the past.

Wildlife trafficking is a real scourge.

I appreciate that answer.

Congress authorized the 'Third Offset' initiative last year to accelerate the fielding of systems that would help counter the technological gains of our adversaries.

data security is an absolute necessity for [the military], and that, I'm not a believer in back doors or a single technical approach to what is a complex problem.

The nominations we are considering today provide an excellent opportunity for the United States to continue to work closely with the international community.

I am concerned about how the Air Force is going to respond and plan for future threats.

I want to start by thanking our panelists for being here and for the continued excellent work that their respective agencies do every day in providing world-class strategic analysis and in keeping our country safe.

I continue to be a champion of efforts to improve technology transfer from the NNSA labs as an engine for local economic development.

With new M&O contracts coming up soon for both Sandia and Los Alamos, what are your thoughts on incorporating technology transfer as an explicit mission of the labs?

I continue to hear concerns over the lack of progress of cleanup at Los Alamos.

I think it is going to be more and more important that we look at long-term solutions that are actual game-changers like directed energy to solve some of those issues.

How do you suggest NNSA and the labs address the difficulties small business have in engaging with the labs to commercialize innovative technologies?

we have made significant investments to protect our ally Israel from ballistic missile threats in the region.

The local community is also concerned that the budget request for fiscal year 2017 for LANL is inadequate.

Our missile defense strategy was, quote/unquote, unsustainable and that ballistic missile threats, quote, continue to outpace our Active defense systems, unquote.

I continue to have concerns about the upcoming transition in program management to a new contractor(s) and the potential impacts on the community and local small businesses.

Mr. Chairman, thanks for exposing these issues.