Carter Remarks at Hearing on Innovative Techniques in Military Construction

In today’s hearing we will examine opportunities for the use of innovative technologies in military construction. But first, I want to take a moment to welcome our new Subcommittee members.

For the majority, I would like to welcome Representative Alford from Missouri, who will be serving as our Vice Chair, and Representative LaLota of New York. Joining the Committee for the minority from my home state of Texas is Representative Escobar, and Representative Levin from California. 

This Subcommittee serves the people who serve our nation and provides vital investments for the members of our armed services, their families, and veterans. We have a long history of bipartisanship on the Subcommittee.  I am committed to maintaining that tradition in this Congress.  I urge all members of the Subcommittee to keep this in mind today and in all Committee hearings this year.   

We are here today to examine the potential use of innovative technologies for military construction.  While the current military construction process produces high quality infrastructure, the construction timelines for projects can be lengthy and many believe that DoD pays too much for what it buys.  One study found that the military construction cost premium was as much as 35 percent for some facility types. 

Given today’s fiscal challenges, we must find efficiencies and reduce construction timelines and costs. If we harness the power of new technologies such as 3D printing, we can deliver high quality infrastructure for the warfighters and their families and be better stewards of the taxpayers’ money. 

Joining us today is we have four distinguished witnesses:  Mr. Dave Morrow, Director of Military Programs for the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers; Mr. Keith Hamilton, Chief Engineer, Naval Facilities and Engineering Command; Mr. Thomas Healy, Chief Executive Officer, Hyliion; Mr. Brent Richardson, Principal Research Scientist of Energy, Infrastructure and Environment at CNA. 

 And now I would like to recognize Ms. Wasserman Schultz for her opening remarks.