Dan Coats

It is essential, given the threats that we face today, that we are all in dealing with this issue.

We assess that Russia and China perceive a need to offset any U.S. military advantage derived from military, civil, or commercial space systems and are increasingly considering attacks against satellite systems as part of their future…

This has risen to a significant, if not the most significant, threat to the United States at this current time.

Clearly going to the heart of ISIS and driving a stake through that heart we assess will significantly improve the situation.

Do you have any reason to question the appropriateness of the investigations? No.

Our critical infrastructure is at risk. Our personal lives are at risk.

I am aware of the investigations that are underway both by the House and the Senate, now special counsel.

disclosing methods and sources put our patriot people who are doing great service for this country--it puts their lives at risk

It is the policy of the United States to prevent it.

I think those are two very relevant issues that ought to be thought through and policy ought to be devised.

China we've seen continues to use an aggressive campaign to vacuum up advanced U.S. technology however and whenever it can, whether stealing it through cyber or buying it on the open market.

I think making this as transparent as possible, not only to our own public, but throughout democratic nations that are facing this threat.

It's clear that we have assessed this as a very significant, potentially existential, threat to the United States that has to be addressed.

Well, it would be pure speculation. I don't--I couldn't read--I wasn't able to read the President's mind then and I don't think I can read it now.

I dreamt, I believed that life was a beauty, and I think that's what I was looking forward to. I awoke and found that life is a duty.

If we didn't learn anything from these incidents, then shame on us.

I absolutely support that. That is the law.

In the end, we follow the law, whatever it is, regardless of our personal opinions.

We cannot afford to be behind the curve in terms of development of both the offensive and defensive capacities that we put up into space.

I do, and I've made that clear to the President and to his advisers, that that is where I stand.

I do think it's at least worth discussion relative to the situation that might occur where we might have to, hopefully with some special authority, might have to go outside that.

I think that conversation has been going on, needs to continue going on.

I absolutely believe that is my responsibility and the responsibility of the IC, to provide what this committee needs to do its oversight properly.

I have been reassured time and time and time again from the President to his advisers that I'm welcome and needed and expected to be a part of the Principals Committee.

I may be wrong in saying it was a Bush-era.