Nominations of the Principal Deputy under secretary of defense for intelligence, robert karen to be assistant secretary of defense for new National Security affairs and kenneth to be assistant secretary of defense for Homeland Defense and Global Security. I note the presence of several of our colleagues including our distinguished majority leader who is here as well. Representative barbara comstock. If it is agreeable to our colleagues, we would like senator mcconnell to make an introduction, it is a heavy busy schedule. Welcome, senator mcconnell. Senator reid, members of the committee, i am proud to be here today to introduce robert karen, a very experienced and wellqualified nominee to serve as next assistant secretary of defense in National Security affairs. This committee will find an individual who worked to prepare himself to address major challenges facing our country. Because of his razorsharp intelligence and diligence, robert, a native of lexington, kentucky, rapidly moved up in my office from staff assistant to legislative correspondent and eventually to be my legislative assistant for foreign affairs. And i learned not to doubt his advice or judgment. Robert also worked in my office when the nation experienced one of the most harrowing days in its history, hard at work on capitol hill and september 11, 2001, when our country was hit by the devastating al qaeda terrorist attacks was witnessing this heinous attack on our country including on our pentagon from this close vantage point, left a profound imprint on keen appreciation of the seriousness of the threats confronting our nation. He was a seller legislative staffer and advised me on a wide array of Foreign Policy issues. For instance he played an Important Role in assisting me on matters related to burma. Something chairman mccain and i have both been involved in over the years, bipartisan sanctions which led ultimately to the adoption of muchneeded reforms. Burma has been and remains a bipartisan issue on capitol hill, and this was a significant role in our efforts in this regard in the early 2000s. He provided vital assistance to congressional delegation in afghanistan and iraq in 2003. Robert left to work in the Bush Administration as special advisor for National Security affairs, to Vice President cheney where robert would work for a number of years. The Vice President thought enough of roberts skill that after he left office he asked him to assist in researching and editing his memoirs. Following his tenure with the Vice President roberts ability House Majority leaders eric cantor and kevin mccarthy, both of whom robert advised on National Security matters, he later was the Foreign Policy staffer on the jeb bush campaign. We face numerous security threats around the globe. Donald trump announced an outstanding choice by nominating a man with experience and ability to serve as assistant secretary of defense, looking forward to the Committee Consideration of the nomination and could not have picked a better person. For this office. From the busy schedule on behalf of the nominee. To confirm command higher representative comstock, welcome. Thank you, mister chairman. Chairman mccain, senator reid and members of the Armed Services committee, thank you for having me here this morning for the great honor of introducing my fellow virginian and friend of over 30 years to be assistant secretary of defense, Homeland Defense surrounded by his family, his wife dixie, son scott, recent west point graduate, recent newlywed with his wife, also cans daughter claire, joining shortly, another daughter, taylor, proud mother, carefully is also here, along with brothers richard and dave and sisterinlaw sarah. Mister chambers, a family of Public Service, my strong support based on my personal knowledge of his abilities and his significant and stellar expertise in the area covered by the assistant secretary of defense position. Volunteer between 2 combat tours in iraq and afghanistan. s Previous Service at the pentagon in key areas and more recent service in positions of ever increasing responsibility at the department of energy and as deputy undersecretary of counterterrorism focused on unconventional nuclear threats. Always a family sacrifice and we appreciate him stepping up in this new role and i look forward to seeing him in his success or convey you. You, congresswoman, for coming over and we appreciate your introduction. Its my understanding chairman thornberry wanted to be here, but had another obligation. He wanted to join us to introduce ms. Billingham so i was to his statement to the record. He writes ms. Being a commitment to service will serve the department of defense and the nation well. So, welcome, witnesses this morning. We thank you for joining us and we welcome your family and friends are with us today. As is our tradition at the beginning of your testimony, we invite you to introduce those that are joining you today. Its a standard to ask certain questions to exercise responsibility. Its important this committee and other appropriate committees of Congress Hear testimony, briefings and other. If you will answer the questions do you hear to the laws and regulations governing complex of interest . S. Will you ensure your staff complies with deadlines established for communication including questions for the record and hearing . Yes. Will you cooperate in providing witnesses . Yes. Will those witnesses be protected from reprisal from their testimony or briefing . Yes. Do you agree to testify upon request before this committee . Yes. Do you agree to provide documents including copies of electronic forms of communication when requested by duly constituted committee or to consult with a Committee Regarding the basis for any good faith delay or denial in providing such documents . Yes. Have you assumed the duties or undertaken actions which would appear to presume that outcome of the confirmation process . No. Thank you. Ms. Begum the us faces a global threat environment where terrorist organizations are metastasizing and exercising states and adversaries are increasingly asserting power through a regular means. Every component of our Defense Department must have timely intelligence to understand the threats we face to prepare for professional potential conflict. With persistent budget constraints, accurate and timely intelligence becomes the more vital and we look forward to hearing from you as to how you will address this mission if confirmed. That assistant secretary of defense for interNational Security affairs is charged with a wide responsibility from Security Cooperation and military sales. The us defense policy in europe, the middle east and africa and we will be interested to hear from you on issues, us strategy for countering russian aggression, with the us posture with europe should look like over the longterm and what the us should do to create space for Political Solutions in iraq and syria. The secretary defense for my defense is responsible for a wide range of portfolios ranging from Homeland Defense, defense support, counter wmd, cyber policy and space policy. You have an extensive background in a variety of Homeland Security and i look forward to hearing you discuss how your previous experiences would inform your approach to these complex issues, especially the need for us policy and strategy in cyberspace. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I want to join you in welcoming you this morning. Thank you for your willingness to serve our nation and let me express my gratitude to your families who are here today and who support you throughout your careers. Nominees today have extensive experience and are wellqualified for the positions they have been nominated. Nominated to be Principal Deputy of defense is well known at the house Armed Services committee. Principal deputy support the second of defense for intelligence answers for the principal intelligence of advisory for secretary defense and overseas intelligence organizations including the National Security agency, National Space agency and intelligent throughout her work both on the hill in the private sector ms. Begum has expertise in the area of defense policy of Strategic Forces in space policy. Mr. Karam also brings significant experience including foreignpolicy advisor for the foreign majority leader. Assistant secretary of defense serves as the principal advisor to the under secretary defense of policy regarding defense policy and strategy to europe, russia, middle east, africa. He has had an impressive career in Government Service and private sector, counter proliferation policy analysis. Is also serve the marine corps and marine corps reservist and has been nominated to serve as assistant secretary of defense, global secretary of defense, a position in which he will be charged with developing policy, mission defense, support of Civil Authority and home lancet defense activity. If confirmed, all three will be instrumental on a number of issues within the department including various aspects to defeat the isis threat. The committee looks forward to hearing your views on these issues and thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you. We will begin with you. Welcome. Thank you. Mr. Chairman, senator reed, it is an honor to appear before you as a nominee to become assistant secretary of defense for interNational Security affairs. Leader mcconnell, thank you for your generous introduction. Im grateful for the confidence you showed in me 17 years ago. That experiences, opportunity and lessons provided played a essential role in inspiring a career in Public Service that has led to my appearing before this committee today and i would like to thank the president of the us and the secretary of defense for my nomination. If confirmed, it would be a honor to serve our country of the department of defense and let me also thank my friends, mentors and former bosses, colleagues and counterpart counterpart. I am grateful some of my family could join me. My parents, fred and suzanne of lexington, kentucky and my brother fred of chapel hill, North Carolina are joined by my girlfriend. My sister, Rebecca Hughes of birmingham, alabama could not be here, but im immensely proud of that amazing mother my little sister has become to her four children. The responsibilities of the office we welcome your family members. Welcome. Thank you. Responsibilities cover the vast majority of the globe and stretch across five commands. Its impossible these days to open a new without confronting boldfaced headlines without confronting eight crisis or challenge with the dedicated cover Government Service and military personnel are already ably grappling. National security challenges, these private confessionals confront are real and sobering. If confirmed it would be a privilege to serve alongside these american patriots to rebuild americas military capabilities and ready nest, bolster and modernize alliances such as nato while rebalancing the burden sharing. Strengthen us credibility and influence in the region of key strategic interest, defeat isis and other terrorist groups, confront russian and iranian aggression, combat new Cyber Threats and create conditions favorable for safeguarding our security and promoting americas prosperity. If confirmed alex forward to working with this committee and the congress is able to address these and other challenges facing our nation. Im grateful for your consideration of my nomination and i look forward to your questions. Thank you. Thank you. Ms. Begum. Thank you. Chairman mccain, Ranking Member read and senators of this committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you are in for your consideration of my nomination to be Principal Deputy. First, i would not be here without the strong support of my family, has been shone, our two young sons, henry and harrison and my parents john and rebecca. My father enlisted in the army had 18 and my grandfathers both served in the army during world war ii. If confirmed my role in the department is my opportunity to continue our familys tradition of service and get back to our country. Welcome to your family members. Thank you. I wish to thank the president and secretary mattis for placing their trust and confidence in me. Im also grateful to the mentors that have shaped my career including chairman thornberry and others. Who i have learned from it have the privilege to collaborate with and support of that and daa. Henry kissinger statement before this committee has stuck with me that quote the us is not safe while threats increase our military force structure has decreased. As a secretary mattis stated we have left the military shock absorber than we once did. This makes intelligence and highly effective Defense Intelligence enterprise are more critical to buy our leaders the time and space necessary to develop a policy, posture accordingly and resource capability. Keeping america safe and supporting our forces in harms way is a humbling responsibility. If confirmed, my First Priority will be to support the war fighter. We have troops around the world that deserve the best intelligence our nation can provide to protect and support their mission. Additionally we must improve our Defense Intelligence posture and capability to address the full spectrum of securing challenges together early from challenges that range from high end nuclear and advanced conventional threat to cyber in information domain. The battlefield is more dynamic in the Defense Intelligence enterprise must be more agile and adaptive weather integration with operations, collecting analysis or incorporation of new technology. Furthermore, im reminded of the reason why it was established in the first place. In the wake of 911 to improve the integration, management and allocation of resources across the enterprise. Integration and unity of effort across the Defense Intelligence enterprise is the value this position brings to the secretary, director of National Intelligence and congress. I recognize collaborative relationships are motivating people focused on a Clear Mission are the foundation to implementing these priorities and its been an honor working for the house Armed Services committee starting with Strategic Forces. I believe my time on capitol hill coupled with my technical background and work in the private sector have prepared me for this position. If confirmed, committed to working with this committee and other committees i hope to earn and confidence and im committed to providing you with the information you need for your oversight. I also look forward to working closely with the new under secretary once nominated and hopefully confirmed and a great team in the office and across the department. Thank you for your time today and for your consideration of my nomination. Thank you. Push the button. Good morning, mr. Chairman, Ranking Member read and members of the committee. Thank you for the privilege of appearing before you today. I would like to thank my family. First of all, my wife dixie is been my best friend and partner for 28 years and are for kids who are with us here today. Taylor, our oldest who is studying at North Park University in chicago to become a counselor. Scott, west point class of 2015 and an infantry platoon commander. His wife katie, a brandnew daughterinlaw and a welcome addition to our family. Also, clear who last month graduated Phi Beta Kappa from James Madison university and leaves next month with the peace corps volunteer. Finally, will who will be 30 or eight university of virginia the salt and is on track to become a business major and aspires to become a captain of industry someday. Welcome. Thank you. Dixie and i are proud of our kids. Raising them has been the most important and rewarding role of our lives and i would like to thank my parents, alan and cappy. If it wasnt for the love, hard work and perseverance im quite certain i would not be sitting before you today. I have been working National Security issues by entire career and i believe that the threats that we face today are complex, unpredictable and dangerous as any time in our history. The us homeland is no longer a sanctuary. The growing sophistication and proliferation of threats in fiber, space, ballistic and cruise missiles and endemic diseases and Unmanned Technologies combined with the growing number of nations and nonstate actors with access to them continue to increase this to the homeland and Defense Missi