When you're doing R&D, you want to put your forces--I mean your resources in areas where there is promise, though, don't you?

But are you concerned about the capability gap in missile defense for Europe as a result of this?

So it's not an abstract concept, is it?

Congress appropriated in 2018 $11.5 billion for the Missile Defense Agency, which is greater than 5--greater than $3 billion above the initial request by the President.

As much as you can in this setting here, could you explain how the threat from North Korea is advancing and describe the importance, General, of improving and expanding our homeland missile defenses?

I worry as well about providing more funds than you can responsibly allocate and spend.

Moving over to Iran now because down the road a lot of us believe they pose a missile threat and probably a nuclear threat.

But we've seen a lot of hope and promise in that area, have we not?

Well, given choices, and that's what you have to make in your role here, between $4 billion on better sensors versus building an East Coast ground-based missile defense, what's your choice?

I think we are keenly aware in Alaska, with our geography, that with regards to recent events in North Korea, the rising tension with Russia, to make sure that we are amply prepared is a national security priority.

That's almost a 40 percent increase. That's a dramatic increase for any agency.

I, too, would like to start by thanking my good friend, Senator Thad Cochran, for the tireless dedication and public service he has brought forth here throughout some 40-something years--45 years. As has been said, he was elected to the…