We need to be urgently investing in our shipbuilding capacity and fleet, not going in the opposite direction.

I really appreciate this Committee hearing that you and Senator Hickenlooper have put together.

There's real risk in relying on capabilities that won't be ready till the 2030s to deter or defeat a Chinese threat that may materialize in the next 5 years.

the Administration has submitted a budget request that would result in a real reduction in defense spending when you take inflation into account.

We know that the agreement that was reached is going to expire this summer; do we anticipate there are going to be further disruptions?

We don't want to see a gap.

What can we do to ensure that we follow the practice that we have always followed?

will you rescind or revise that memo?

Unfortunately, this is not the case in Maine.

you stated that 'you were under the impression you are providing indemnity for livestock in addition to fluid milk.'

I just, you know, when I look at your previous efforts to eliminate the University of Maine's Agricultural Lab altogether during the Obama administration, and restrict the use of potatoes, despite the Institute of Medicine's study, that…

I was very surprised to see that your budget is again proposing to zero out this program.

I told you that in 2016 a dairy farmer in Arundel, Maine, had discovered that the milk that was being produced by his cattle contains some of the highest levels ever reported from a PFAS contaminant.

Mr. Secretary, we received a response to that letter at 1:24 a.m. this morning.

It is important that the record be corrected on this issue.

I can assure you, from talking to my colleagues, and state commissioners, that this guidance has created a lot of angst, and concern, and it is in conflict with our intent.

One thing I want to ask about is the Office of Advocacy.

I fear it will discourage research and have an impact on the pipeline of drugs.