I would like to focus my first round of questions on contract support costs, and the 105[l]s.

They need action that helps solve problems, not actions that further delay solutions.

Alaska is willing and able to increase our Nation's and our allies energy security.

I appreciate that. Again, we certainly, I am certainly hearing from the Native leaders about the need to prioritize Tribal participation within the conservation of the Cooperative Management.

The hope is that we can reach agreement on the contours of the exchange in the coming year.

When I talk to communities in my state, they very much want to take on PFAS, but they are concerned about national regulations, and how they could, potentially, amount to new unfunded mandates.

It is good to hear the Director speak so highly of the CHAP Program and the benefit that it can provide.

I think we recognize we not only--we not only need the minerals but we are going to have to do more to promote some efficiencies, and deal with the permitting issues; something that we are all talking about here on a bipartisan basis.

But all they talked about was the injustice that they felt in having been denied their native allotment.

Domestic supply matters to our energy security and also matters to our mineral security.

I hope that you and your team will be able to explore ways in which CDS projects can be awarded faster.

What I am trying to drill down though, is whether or not there is legally defined reference definitions.

I hope we are able to reconcile that. Let us know if we can be helpful.

We have a trust and treaty obligation. That absolutely includes health care, education, housing, and so forth.

I had mentioned in my last question there, Chief, the Southeast Alaska Sustainable Strategy, $25 million spent so far and, it is always described as quote, 'An initial investment'.

I would simply urge the subcommittee here to utilize the terminology that is founded in the law, and the regs.

I have long said that I do not believe that we have to choose between a healthy forest and a healthy economy.

A lack of promises made and promises unfulfilled. A little bit of a pulling the rug out from underneath us.