rapuano: i think it is well covered. just to reiterate, the emphasis is that we are going to be able of thosel in all domains critical to our national security and achieving our object is. -- objectives. >> the gentleman yields back. the chair recognizes the gentleman from colorado. >> i will follow up with these questions in the classified setting. it is my understanding traditional expendable launch , providers are contracted under federal .egulations new entrants are contracted under far 12. it is my understanding it is a more commercial way of doing business than far 15. can you explain the difference between them? does dod have the same insight on cost as well as oversight on mission insurance when using both of these contracting methods? is one more stringent than the other? gen. raymond: it is good to see you. i'm not an acquisition background guy. i don't know the answer to your question. i will be happy to take it back and talk to her professionals and get an answer. >> ok. space war fighting readiness, our cons

rapuano. i think the budget as we submitted that's a support the president's budget and i think it is adequate. >> mr. oxford, did you want to comment on the left of boom as we modernize the program? >> on the smt side i think we are adequately resourced. the cr is hurt. on the ctr program one of the first things i wanted to do was get with commanders and find out what the best programs we could operate. >> thank you. the chemical weapons attack on sergei skirpal provides a try good -- is a tragic test case. how the policies develop with respect to respond to crisis strategic run of effort and the support partners dictate the departments response. to assist the allies and how is the department working to reduce incentives to russian aggression. >> i will take a shot at that. we are as a whole of government working very closely with the uk as well as other partners and allies developing the response to this event. as you may be tracking the advanced forensics as currently being conducted by the

>> rapuano. >> we'll start with general raymond for your opening statement. you're recognized. >> thank you. general rogers, ranking member cooper, distinguished members of the subcommittee, i'm honored to appear before this committee. this time it's my first time being able to testify in front of you in my dual hat as the air force space commander, joint forces commander, component of u.s. strategic command. i have the absolute distinct privilege of leading and representing both the air force and joint space personnel who underpin successful global operations for our joint force in our nation. as i have stated previously, i am increasingly convinced that we are at a strategic inflection point and we must accelerate our preparations to protect and defend against a conflict that begins in or extends to space. and that's exactly what we're doing. today's space capabilities are the foundation of power projection and fuel or joint force lethality. a high-end conflict may begin in our domain which will require us to fight for space superiority. as a component of u

rapuano. mr. rapuano: i'm pleased to be here today to testify with three of my esteemed colleagues about our efforts to counter weapons of mass destruction. the honorable guy roberts, assistant secretary of defense for chemical and biological defense programs, lieutenant and mr. dy osterman, veil oxford. the four of us, the joint staff, the combatant commands and other d.o.d. components work closely together to ensure the department prioritizes its efforts and fully leverages d.o.d.'s unique authorities, resources and capabilities to protect the nation. as assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and global security, i am the secretary's primary advisor on cwmd strategy and policies. the united states faces a range of complex and multidimensional wmd challenges. chief among these are north korea's dangerous and provocative testing of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, the continued use of chemical weapons by the syrian regime and isis, china's expansion of its strategic nuclear for

ken rapuano us it's a secretary of defense romance offense in global security, mr. guy roberts, assistant secretary for nuclear, chemical and biological defense programs. mr. vayl oxford director of the defense threat reduction agency, and lieutenant general joseph osterman deputy commander you special operations command. i would now like to take a month to recognize ranking member for his opening remarks. >> thank you, chairmanan to phoc and thanks for witnesses for being here. to provide testimony on policy programs and preparedness for and counting weapons of mass is such a fiscal year 2019 considering wmd. in 2014 the department released its strategy for cwnd which outline three in states. that none actors possessed wmd, that there be no wmd use and that should wmdmd be used that e be a minimum donation of their effects with associated objectives and lines of evidence the strategy note that fiscal year, fiscal constraints who are dod make strategic choices and accept some wrister however, increasingly boldy rogue actora technological advances are challenging the

rapuano, given president trump's recent endorsement of the establishment of the independent space force, how do you think the department should implement that direction? because it is consistent with what this committee in the house of representatives has called for in the buildup to this last nda. >> congressman, the president is very focused on outcomes. he has prioritized space. he has recognized the threats that have evolved and the pace at which they've evolved. and he recognizes as a war-fighting domain. he also is very interested in ensuring that the departmeortme department is best organize dd d equipped to achieve vital missions in space and he's very interested in exploring -- to exploring any options that can provide that enhanced capabilities. the deputy secretary, as you know, is leading the organizational and management review for the department, consistent with the ndaa. assessment of the space corps is one of those options that is getting close attention among others. he is going to be recommending that set of options that best ensures lasting u.s. leadership and success