Peace Garden News

The Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing to review several nominations for key positions in the Department of War. The nominees included Timothy D. Dill for Assistant Secretary of War for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Dr. Maurice L. Todd for Assistant Secretary of War for Readiness, Michael Payne for Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE), and Alexander J. Velez-Green for Deputy Under Secretary of War for Policy.

Senator Kevin Cramer, who chairs the SASC Airland Subcommittee, questioned Michael Payne about whether independent assessments at CAPE are influenced by advocacy efforts rather than objective analysis. Payne responded, "At times in the past, yes, I have seen CAPE take on an advocacy role that I think is inappropriate for an independent analytic organization," adding, "If confirmed, you have my commitment that my priority would be focusing CAPE on its true mission, which is being an advisory, not a policy making or decision-making organization."

Cramer also addressed Alexander J. Velez-Green regarding reports about a pause in aid to Ukraine and comments attributed to Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby suggesting the British Royal Navy should limit its presence in the Indo-Pacific region. Velez-Green declined to comment on private discussions between governments but cited public remarks from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth: “it is most important for our European allies to focus on their home theater as they work to build out their capacity.”

Velez-Green continued: “That is the guidance that the Secretary has offered in a public setting, and my personal view is, I think that does make a lot of sense because we believe in a NATO that is as strong as possible,” he said. “That is a sincerely held view. My personal belief is we have an interest in NATO being as strong as possible on an enduring basis, with the United States deeply engaged. But for that to happen, especially as we face the rise of China, our allies simply have to step up and focus those resources where they're needed most.”

Cramer questioned whether statements made by U.S. officials were coordinated with allied nations or with the State Department: “There are other agencies for whom international relationships are the higher party, not at least, which, of course, is the State Department,” he said. “And so I'd be interested to know if this position was reconciled with the State Department, or if this was just again a private conversation to your point or for that matter if other allies were consulted—allies that welcome the British having a ship in the Pacific.”

Velez-Green explained that leadership has focused on military matters while maintaining communication across government agencies: he noted Under Secretary Colby had been “ruthless and specific” about ensuring his office focuses on military concerns while interacting with interagency colleagues.

Addressing recent claims about paused aid shipments to Ukraine following comments by nominee Austin Dahmer and references from Defense Department publications stating some assistance was under review due to capability assessments within DOD processes—Velez-Green clarified: “I can say categorically, the policy leadership neither ordered nor even recommended a pause to any weapons shipments to Ukraine as it was reported,” he stated. “Full stop, no caveats. That reporting was completely inaccurate in substantial part because we do not have the authority to order any adjustment to weapons deliveries one way or the other. I am aware of brief disruptions to certain deliveries as a result of the capabilities review that Mr. Purnell referenced in the July 2 transcript that I believe was referenced on Tuesday but I am not aware of a pause ordered by the Secretary to any of the weapons shipments at the time.”

Cramer responded: “Well, we may have to dispute terms and titles but it’s a DOD news release.”