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I would like to thank Chairman Hastings and Representative Bardallo for providing me this opportunity to share the following observations on the subject of today's hearing.

The bald eagle had recovered to the point where it was removed from the endangered species list.

They know that the E-S-A contains significant flexibility to allow projects to proceed after taking into account the national interest in the preservation of species and their habitats.

The fact that neither of the agencies tasked with implementing the E-S-A were invited to appear at the June 2012 hearing or in today's rerun reflects the continuation of a troubling Republican strategy of fear mongering rather than a fair…

The E-S-A's near perfect record of achieving species survival, and its numerous species recovery successes like the bald eagle, American alligator, and gray whale--even in the face of continued population growth, land conversion, and…

The ESA's near-perfect record of achieving species survival and its numerous species recovery successes... show that the law has been a true success.

Clearly, this law has not brought about the economic disaster that its detractors like to claim.

The Endangered Species Act is one of the most important, popular, and effective conservation laws, not just in the history of the United States, but in the history of the world.

What specific flexibilities or exceptions did you request in terms of furloughing the civilian personnel who provide the backbone of support for our operational Navy and Marine Corps?

The Navy and Marine Corps are critical to meeting the DOD's strategic guidance released in 2011.

I am concerned with our specialized workforce, such as those at military depots who may leave Government service due to the threats of furloughs and sequestration.

We certainly did learn a great deal, and it was disturbing to hear how, you know, sequestration is going to affect our operations, not only there, but everywhere we are represented.

Well, these reports are disturbing, certainly.

My first question is in three parts, and I would like to ask each of you the question...

I do not agree with the deep cuts to our Armed Services.

The Army has planned on reducing its end strength to 490,000 soldiers over the next several years.

The 2011 strategic guidance, the effects of sequestration and the planned withdrawal of the U.S. forces from Afghanistan place a significant pressure on all our military components, but particularly the Army.

This is the first in the series of hearings that will dive into some level of detail about the readiness issues for each of the Services.