U.S. Representative Jim Banks (R-IN), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies, and Information Systems, delivered the following opening statement at a hearing on the Department of Defense's science and technology strategy, policy, and programs for FY23.
Rep. Banks' remarks as prepared for delivery:
Thank you Mr. Chairman and thank you to our witnesses for your time today. The work that you, and the men and women in your enterprises, do to transform our capabilities and technology through research and development will be a defining factor in future conflicts.
Our adversaries are heavily investing in emerging technologies through expanded research and development, recruiting top scientists, and stealing intellectual property.
They are transforming these technologies into capabilities that we will see on the battlefield.
Our armed forces are made up of incredible men and women but we're putting them at a disadvantage if we fail to equip them with the best capabilities and technology.
In the past year, there have been several high-profile departures from people in positions related to innovation. A common frustration they have expressed is that the Department is not moving fast enough to modernize the department and transition technologies to the warfighter.
We cannot afford to slowly embrace new technologies and capabilities, much less fail to adopt them at all. We cannot rely on antiquated practices when equipping our warfighters with the tools they need to win in the battlefields of the future.
Whether it is hypersonics, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, directed energy, biotechnology, 5G, or cyber, we must lean into developing, procuring, and deploying these technologies. We must also invest in the leading edges of new emerging and new technologies in order to compete, but more importantly, maintain our technological superiority.
I hope to hear from you today about how the Department preparing for the future of defense and how Congress can help.
I look forward to our discussion and working together to advance the mission.
