As you know we have aging L-class ships.

I really believe we need 38 amphibious ships.

To lose 7 cruisers early that are not near their expected end of life... does not add up.

These ships will be great ships for their specific missions; but they obviously do not have nearly the capabilities of the 7 Aegis Class cruisers.

The new strategic guidance clearly states the DOD will increase focus in Asia-Pacific and rely more heavily on maritime forces in the Middle East.

The status of the amphibious fleet concerns me, especially with our strategic shift to the Asia Pacific.

It will put our Air Defense, ASW, and future BMD mission at risk.

they're obviously looking--Iran is looking to avoid isolation.

they want to be able to point to the world and say, look, we're not alone.

they're looking for allies to help them circumvent sanctions.

Iran really is not capable of doing much on its own in the region.

they seem to be establishing a platform to potentially carry out asymmetrical attacks against the United States.

the regime in Iran does pose an international threat, not just to the United States, but to the world

the cost-benefit analysis of being associated with Iran isn't necessarily on the benefit side.

I call on the Obama administration to address promptly the threats to the United States should Venezuela use energy as a weapon.

the strategy to shift our focus towards the Asia-Pacific demands that marines not only go back to their roots of amphibious warfare

Please raise these issues.

Frank Wolf, Congressman from Virginia, and I have tried repeatedly to go to Cuba--have been denied a visa each time--with the express purpose of going to the prisons.