I would like to thank my colleague from New York (Mr. Donovan) for yielding and for his work on this amendment, which I am proud to cosponsor. Mr. Chairman, the purpose of this amendment is simple: increase access to substance abuse…

The rising threats from North Korea and Iran are increasing threats that we are seeing that are happening at just almost a frightening pace.

I would like to work with you to clarify your answer, because I think there are those with your answer of 'we don't need it at this time' or 'we don't need it now,' who might use that as an answer to indicate that the preparation that this…

it gives them a significant advantage, and I would love to deny the Russians having that capability.

I think we can't wait until North Korea launches something that has precision that can detect and hit something similar to Hawaii.

I think it is really difficult for us as policymakers to have people like yourself that have such important positions as the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy to say that you don't want to tell us what your…

we are letting somebody else see what we are doing and we are not getting to see what they are doing.

Shouldn't there be a concern for a pause in extending the START [Strategic Arms Reduction] Treaty for an additional 5 years?

GAO and others continue to raise concerns about the long term affordability of the F-35 acquisition program.

An Air Force Chief of Staff has said that the A-10 will not be replaced by the F-35.

As more and more F-35 aircraft are produced and enter operational use, there is a concern if we have everything in place to provide for their continued support.

This airplane differently. It will survive---- In combat.

What is your strategy to structure the F-35 Follow-on Modernization so it provides the most efficient use of tax payers' dollars while at the same time providing the maximum amount of transparency to the Congress to support our oversight…

I can't imagine us being able to satisfactorily deal with those five challenges and, by the way, the challenges that we can't foresee.

Congress' expectation is that you had a base budget of 574.

Less than one-third of the Army forces are at acceptable readiness levels to conduct sustained ground combat.

I have a bill, H.R. 4076, that would eliminate those restrictions, that would say this is funding that is already there.

I would encourage members to please co-sponsor 4076, because it would help the agency have the momentum to waive the prohibition themselves.

I understand the Army is divesting legacy TH-67 training helicopters and the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior reconnaissance scout helicopters.

What can the Congress do to accelerate the procurement of ICBM support helicopters in fiscal year 2017?

The hearing will come to order. The subcommittee convenes to review the current posture of Army and Air Force rotorcraft modernization programs and receive testimony on the fiscal year 2017 budget request.

For my last question, General Williamson, I am assuming the Army's planning to start an APS [Active Protection Systems] test and evaluation program that would integrate technologically mature systems on Abrams, Bradleys, and Strykers.

There used to be 300,000 soldiers in Europe during the height of the Cold War. Today we have 30,000 with the same mission: to assure allies and to deter Russia.

The hearing will come to order. We have votes that are coming up, so we are going to try to get through our opening statements.

I think many of us are concerned about these end strength numbers and we are concerned, as we rightfully should be, simultaneously on costs.