Richard Blumenthal

I agree strongly that the CH-53E, as you say in your testimony, should be replaced, not extended.

I will do whatever is necessary to make sure that we have both the funding and the capability in terms of training and skill education and so forth in Connecticut, which is where we produce submarines, to make sure that we meet that…

I was very, very gratified to see that the Navy has heeded my calls and others and added a second Virginia-class submarine in fiscal year 2021.

The arms deal with Saudi Arabia was designed to augment the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ability to protect its borders and counter terrorist threats.

I hope that you will support efforts to increase the funding necessary for apprenticeship and training and other such skill-enhancement programs.

Yet, we are cutting the funding necessary for training those workers, the welders, the pipefitters, the engineers, designers, people with real skills that are essential to our national defense.

Would you agree with me that we need a better definition and a policy?

Would you agree that the Russian hacking and cyberattack on our systems during the last election was an act of war?

Would you agree with me and with others that cyber is one of the greatest threats, perhaps the greatest threat, in terms of warfare today?

A number of our military leaders, past and present, have characterized the greatest threat to this Nation as being cyber warfare.

I have written a bipartisan letter along with a number of my colleagues to the appropriators, asking for an additional $327 million to fully fund the 60 helicopters that are necessary to reach the state of readiness for our National Guard…

I want to ask about the F-35s, which are on the unfunded priorities list. I believe there are 24 of them.

The shortage of pilots is not just a problem for the United States, but also our allies.

I am concerned that if we delay procurement, it will negatively impact cost and affordability--for us and our allies invested in the program.

How are we going to get to 60 F-35As per year when you continue delaying production increases?

How many F-35s would you ideally procure to meet our defense needs?

I'm concerned that we are forced to continue funneling funding into the ailing fleet of Hueys while the Air Force is delaying the procurement of new helicopters.

This decrease is a disservice to our men and women in uniform.

The word 'disconnect' is one of the all-time euphemisms that I have heard in this room.

This program is critical. It is lifesaving. It is essential to readiness.

The combat rescue helicopter...has been responsible for saving 12,000 lives--12,000 lives.

If there is any slippage, will you commit to reporting to this committee as soon as there is any indication--I mean, any indication--that that schedule may at all be delayed again?

I led a bipartisan letter to Secretary Mattis urging him to do everything in his power to expedite the fielding of new helicopters.

I do not want to put you on the spot now, but in terms of our allies, if you could provide some numbers as to how they are seeing the same kind of challenges, that would be very helpful.

Thank you, Secretary Speer. Thank you, General.