I would like to ask our unusual unanimous consent so that members of the full committee, like Mr. Lamborn, are also able to participate in the subcommittee questioning.

I would like to ask unanimous consent that opening statements be inserted for the record.

I think the only major topic that hasn't been touched on is the space force.

There are few more important topics than this for this Congress, so I appreciate your weighing in.

The subcommittee will come to order.

If New START expires without an imminent replacement treaty, the United States would face increased risks and uncertainties in its relationship with Russia.

I cannot see how we could counter with offense the Chinese buildup. And I don't think that is the way to go. I think the way to go is defense.

My final question is whether the State Department today is even staffed adequately to negotiate some of these new agreements.

Perhaps he could be persuaded to win a Nobel Prize by reducing nuclear weapons, because I think as Churchill said, we already have enough to make the rubble bounce.

The press has reported that the President is interested in perhaps winning a Nobel Prize for his work with North Korea.

We are fortunate today in the first hearing of the subcommittee to have three very distinguished witnesses.