Opening Statement of Senator Carl Levin Chairman, Committee on Armed Services Hearing on the Posture of the U.S. Armed Forces Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Richard B. Myers

The Committee meets this morning to receive testimony from Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard Myers on the posture of the U.S. Armed Forces and on the President's proposed defense program for fiscal years 2003 to 2007. This is General Myers' first opportunity to testify before the committee as Chairman. I welcome both of you back to the committee.

As we meet today, America's Armed Forces continue to risk their lives in and around Afghanistan. Some have been injured, others have given their lives, and this nation is forever indebted to them and their families for their sacrifice. Senator Warner and I traveled to the Afghan theater to visit with our forces over Thanksgiving. Other members of the committee have since traveled to the region. I know my colleagues join me when I say that these men and women are nothing short of inspiring. They are performing a complex, challenging mission with extraordinary courage, skill and determination. They know their mission, and they know America appreciates and supports them.

The success of our forces has been remarkable. Osama bin Laden – if alive – is on the run and hiding. Many of his al Qaeda terrorists have been captured or killed. The Taliban regime that harbored them is no more, the Afghan people have been liberated from tyranny, and an interim government is in place in Kabul. And nations around the world have been put on notice: America is determined to protect itself from more attacks and to bring terrorists to justice.

The excellence behind that success wasn't built in months. The success of our forces in Afghanistan is a tribute to the recruitment, training and investments over many, many years. And it is a tribute to the leadership of the two witnesses here today. Secretary Rumsfeld, General Myers, the country is grateful for your leadership of our armed forces during this difficult and dangerous time for our nation.

This committee will look carefully at the conduct of the operations in Afghanistan as we work with the Defense Department to shape our forces for the future. On Thursday, the committee will receive testimony from the commander of Operation Enduring Freedom, General Tommy Franks, in both open and closed session.

One of the lessons of this operation is that we enhance our security when we make common cause with other nations in pursuit of common goals. The path to a safer world and a more secure America rarely comes from a go-it-alone approach, but rather from working with allies, partners and other nations and from remaining engaged in critical regions of the world.

Future success on the battlefield will also depend on success in managing the Defense Department and on preparing our military for tomorrow's missions. The Department's budget request provides important funding for the war against terrorism and to improve the quality of life of our forces and their families by increasing pay and benefits, especially health care. It includes funding for increased purchases of precision munitions and for unmanned aircraft, which proved so critical to the success of our military operations in Afghanistan.

The Administration is proposing the largest increase in military spending in two decades. I want to point out that this proposed increase comes without a comprehensive strategy or a detailed plan to guide that spending. A year into office, the Administration has not yet issued a National Security Strategy, a National Military Strategy, or detailed plans for the size, structure, shape or transformation of our military. We all appreciate the pressures on the Department while it conducts a war. At the same time, I trust Secretary Rumsfeld agrees that an overall strategy and clear plans are essential if we are to make wise decisions on the future of our armed forces.

We also continue to await a report on the steps the Department plans to take to ensure the taxpayers' money is spent wisely. The Administration is requesting $48 billion above the fiscal year 2002 level. In his last testimony before this committee seven months ago, Secretary Rumsfeld candidly stated that "I have never seen an organization that couldn't operate at something like 5 percent more efficiency if it had the freedom to do so." And he went on to say that "the taxpayers have a right to demand that we spend their money wisely. Today, we can't tell the American people we are doing that. I know I cannot." The committee will be interested to hear how much progress has been made on this front.

Finally, we look forward to the Department's plan for carrying out what the Quadrennial Defense review called the military's "highest priority" – homeland security. A new combatant command will apparently coordinate the Department's role in homeland security. Congress awaits the decision on how the Pentagon intends to organize itself to oversee this mission. General Myers testified at his confirmation hearing in September that "this whole issue of homeland defense or homeland security needs a lot more thought." The committee looks forward to specifics on Secretary Rumsfeld's and General Myers' thinking on this important mission.

America's armed forces are performing admirably in their fight against Al Qaeda. This committee will do all in its power – as it has done down the years – to ensure that our forces have the resources, tools and technologies to prevail in that fight. We are determined to preserve a high quality of life for our forces and their families, sustain readiness, and transform the armed forces to meet the threats and challenges of tomorrow.