Jeff Sessions

However, I question whether everyone is in agreement with your proposal given U.S. Pacific Command's (PACOM) recent request that SBX be deployed to observe the recent failed North Korean launch.

I just would say how much I've enjoyed working with you on this.

I think that's good news, and I think some of the things that we were prepared to pay a lot of money for because they were so difficult and unproven, once the technology has become available, it's like computers and cell phones to some…

We have severe financial challenges in this country, and I'm not sure how tough it's going to be.

Balancing the amount of money that you had.

One of the things that I learned a number of years ago--when the issue was hot and I asked people at town meetings, what would happen if a country launched a missile at us, and they said: We'd shoot it down.

I'll just say this about the SM-3 Block IIB. It's not developed, it's not on the assembly line, it's not ready to be deployed, it's not a mature technology.

Unfortunately, MDA's reductions reflect a concerning imbalance and underfund the procurement, sustainment, and modernization of proven capabilities.

We've gone from a bird in the hand to two in the bush. You're not going to be here probably, Mr. Roberts, and President Obama is not going to be here, in 2022, 2023, 2024, whenever this thing, if it ever gets funded to conclusion.

In today's fiscal environment, no budget is immune to cuts and the $7.75 billion request for MDA was certainly no exception.

Of course we know that DOD has been asked to take a very substantial reduction and it had to make tough choices.

Do you believe the industrial base today is appropriately sized?

I believe that all of us in Congress need to examine carefully the financial restraints that are falling on this part of our strategic forces.

You had a requirement. Has the requirement for 50 to 80 pits per year changed?

If we have to have buildings, I guess we have to have buildings. If we have to have them, they should be as cost-effective as we possibly can get them and as much of the money as possible directed to the product that you need, the American…

If we were to let the temporary lapse in the SRM base take place, how much do you anticipate it would cost to restart that industrial base in the future?

The debt is a great threat to our national security.

I have to say I believe we need to do whatever it takes to modernize our nuclear weapons.

The greatest threat to our national security is our deficit

The sustainment and modernization of the triad will not be cheap and will require long-term sustained commitments spanning future Congresses and administrations.

The impact of these cuts would be 'devastating' and 'catastrophic', leading to a hollow force.

But you had a requirement to have the 50 to 80 pits within a time period that's no longer going to be met, is that right?

I think pressure should be put on nations to behave in responsible ways.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I think that is a good challenge. I think we do need a good plan.