TRANSCOM has never looked at the attrition that would take place with a full sealift callup when you actually have ships sinking.

That is with the best Secretary in the world in U.S. history for Homeland Security is in there right now.

I would much rather be the largest component within the Department of Homeland Security.

If you were in the Department of Defense, I think it would match that.

I think we are getting those two things mixed up.

There is nobody better, could be than Homeland Security Secretary for the Coast Guard's budget.

They are now asking for the moon, and if they get a little bit less than that, then they are happy with it.

I find it more than ironic that some of the same people who are still -- voice suppressing condemning the leaks of classified information or condemning me for not leaking information about these classified documents.

As you know, I have introduced a bill, H.R. 1240, which would expand the U.S.-flagged fleet by requiring a percentage of U.S. crude oil and LNG on American-flagged vessels.

I suppose since the President is so intent on bilateral negotiations and he is such a good dealmaker, maybe it could be done.

if we are going to exploit a strategic American resource, such as natural gas and oil, it ought to be on American-built ships with American sailors

Every day the Coast Guard's missions are critical to our Nation's defense.

OMB has done its thing, and that is fine. They can suggest, but we are the ones that are actually going to write the appropriation as well as the budgets.

I think we have an opportunity here to achieve what you said in your last couple of sentences...

We would be purchasing foreign-made ships for a tradition of American-built ships in the Ready Reserve?

I want to move to what is, I guess, my--I don't know, it has become an obsession, how to build ships in the United States...

We are going to need to make an argument that a wall on the Mexican border isn't going to stop immigration or the drug issue.

Well, I for one await his strategy.