Ray Mabus

Because of the long lead time needed for shipbuilding, it is not the job of one administration. It is not the job of one Congress.

I think sequestration puts every program at risk. It puts everything we do at risk.

It follows then as certain as night succeeds day that without a decisive Naval force we can do nothing definitive and with it everything honorable and glorious.

It is an example, Senator, of when you miss a year building a ship, because we missed some years--we only built one submarine instead of two--you just do not make that up.

I believe that U.S. energy security is a vital component of our overall national security.

As President George Washington said, it follows then as night succeeds the day that without a decisive naval force, we can do nothing definitive, and with it, everything honorable and glorious.

For me, leading the Department of the Navy is the greatest honor of my life.

You will not lose this war. That is deep. There is a lot of layers. And we are all blessed.

I will protect shipbuilding until the last dog dies.

I want to thank this committee for all that you have done to ensure that the Navy and Marine Corps remain the preeminent fighting force in the world.

The civilian workforce writ large, we would not have a fleet to put to sea without those civilians.

It is important because it makes us better warfighters. It is important because it takes fuel away as a weapon to be used against us.