If there is not a commitment to follow the law as written, then a draconian chilling effect will linger over all future proposed development projects in Alaska.

I have no confidence in this permitting process, and that the Army Corps will factor in our concerns.

The reason I ask that question is I have heard some people are claiming that they own the subsurface, and that would stop road. That is not the law, to my knowledge.

I have never been for or against this project, but I am for the process.

her statement would suggest no 404(c) would be done until all the science is in (EIS?). Obviously, that's not what we have in mind . . .

I will be bird-dogging this real close.

It is my honor today to introduce the Alaskan witness.

This program is to help Alaska Natives, American Indians, Hawaiian Natives. That is what it is set up for, and it has been a success.

But I am very excited about this. I am excited about the witnesses that will come up later.

There has been some complaints from how it was set up but not from the work they did.

And I want to thank you and the Chairman, although she is not here, and the Ranking Member for letting me sit on the Committee today. This is crucially important to the State of Alaska and especially my Alaskan Natives.

I probably won't hear it because I have to go to another meeting, but I will know what it says; later on I will read it.

I think it is crucially important on this issue you can testify on how good the 8(a) program is going.

This is crucially important to the State of Alaska and especially my Alaskan Natives.

I was involved in making Alaska Natives eligible for the 8(a) programs, and it is been a great success.

I was very excited because I don't think there has been one complaint--and we have to look at the end result--from any agency that the 8(a)s did work with.

a few weeks ago, I had an opportunity to come to the floor and talk about the outstanding public service of some senior U.S. marines: Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, Secretary of Homeland Security General Kelly, and the outgoing Chairman…

I ask unanimous consent to complete my remarks prior to the vote for Ambassador Barrett. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Hyde-Smith). Without objection, it is so ordered.