I think that we all agree that when the American public thinks of the terms 'national defense,' they envision our proud service members stationed around the world and the equipment, the ships, the tanks, and aircraft, that we supply so…

I have long stated that just as important as it is to provide our service members with new, modernized equipment, we must fully maintain the assets that we already have.

If we are going to rebuild readiness, we need to ensure that the depot maintenance accounts are fully funded to meet the requirement.

Without properly maintained ships, vehicles, aircraft, and weapon systems, our forces cannot perform necessary training required to build readiness or meet the operational requirements that are placed upon them.

Thank you very much.

There is no room in our current aviation readiness status to suffer personnel or material losses that should be avoidable.

I strongly support Ranking Member Adam Smith's proposal for an independent national commission on military aviation safety.

I understand that 1-day safety standdowns were ordered after the recent mishaps so that the service could review its safety measures and curb a drastic rise in aviation mishaps.

Thank you very much. And, Mr. Chairman, I want to say thank you. This has been a very informative hearing.

Today I introduce the Federal School Meals Parity Act with my colleague Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands as the original cosponsor. Our bill would ensure that Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands are reimbursed fairly…

So to lessen that 180 days?

I think that we all agree that when the American public thinks of the term 'national defense,' they envision our proud service members stationed around the world, and the equipment, the ships, tanks, and aircraft that we supply so they can…

I am concerned that in a year where readiness has been cited as the Department's top priority, the Department's budget request only supports 93 percent of the Air Force depot maintenance requirements and 92 percent of the Navy's aviation…

Without properly maintained ships, submarines, aircraft, and weapon systems, our forces cannot perform necessary training required to build readiness or meet the operational requirements that are placed upon them.

We expect to have that completed before the end of the fiscal year.

Today I rise to reintroduce the Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act. This bipartisan, comprehensive bill builds on legislation that I have sponsored in the House since 2009 to reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. I…

First, I commend Chairman Thornberry, Ranking Member Smith, and the committee staff, who have worked many, many long nights on the fiscal year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, a bill that displays a true example of bipartisan…

This proposal amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and the Dingell-Johnson Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act to allow United States territories and the District of Columbia to enjoy equal funding considerations for…