Opening Statements

Today, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence, Emerging Threats and Capabilities, made the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, before the Subcommittee's hearing on the Fiscal Year 2021 budget request for U.S. Cyber Command and operations in Cyberspace:
​

"Thank you, Chairman Langevin.

"Welcome to our witnesses. Secretary Rapuano and General Nakasone welcome back to the committee, it's good to see you again.

"We are now almost two years removed from US Cyber Command reaching Full Operational Capability. In that time, we have witnessed several significant achievements with tangible operational results. These included the interagency efforts with the Russia Small Group, and Operation Synthetic Theology – or OST, and also the development and implementation of a strategy that emphasizes continuous engagement, hunting our adversaries forward, and reasserting deterrence in cyberspace. During this same time period we have seen our adversaries adapt, blending cyber and information warfare to form an operational continuum that continues to challenge us in the digital realm. What worked for our cyber forces in helping to secure our 2018 mid-term elections will not guarantee our security moving forward. We must acknowledge the creativity of our adversaries and continue to adapt our playbook. We must ensure that election security is a continuous, sustained effort, and one that has our relentless focus 365 days a year.

"There has been significant progress within the Cyber Mission Force over the past year, specifically:

• The understanding and categorizing of specific Cyber Operations Forces;
• The delegation of important operational authorities;
• The establishment of cyber-peculiar capability development;
• And, the understanding of cyber vulnerabilities within our own installations and weapons systems.

"I am pleased with the headway that has been made maturing our cyber forces, but I also recognize there is much work ahead. Most importantly, two years removed from Full Operational Capability, I am interested in hearing from our witnesses what we have learned about the operational needs of the cyber mission force. Are we organized with the appropriate skillsets, number of personnel, and force structure to meet the future needs of the nation? As we re-evaluate our cyber posture, these findings will be critical to ensuring we align the appropriate resources, policy, and authorities to the Cyber Mission Force to stay ahead of our adversaries and reaffirm the notion of deterrence in cyberspace.

"We have a lot to talk about, so thank you again to each of our witnesses. I yield back".
​