The administration is requesting that we authorize significant funds for host nation in-kind contributions on the Korean peninsula as part of the shift away from Seoul.

The budget for military construction is over $1 billion short of what it was projected to be this year in last year's future year defense program (FYDP).

I appreciate that Admiral Smith took the time to visit the facility. However, I am concerned that he is saying the temperature problem in the rooms will not be addressed until 2018, and that is too long for my constituents to wait.

Thank you. I think you might want to invite Senator Hirono to that groundbreaking. I am sure she really appreciates what you are doing there.

I appreciate it because when you can imagine when I read 'nonessential,' how that kind of makes me wonder.

We cannot deploy our men and women in uniform and put them in situations that make them sick.

You have not put it in place yet.

The Navy's plans to reduce and minimize future deferred maintenance in the surface fleet are aligned with the CNO's goals for operational availability.

I just have one final question for you, Admiral Smith. One of the issues that I had focused on as well is our servicemembers and our DOD civilians, you know, the jobs that they are doing--is ensuring that they have access to good…

We need to----

I really would appreciate, obviously, the focus on getting the military learning centers up and running as soon as possible at Portsmouth.

Is that what you understand is the new policy? What impact is the policy having on attrition, and do we continue to have, still, challenges on the security for our shipyards?

My sense is that naval shipyard dry-dock capacity is substantially inadequate to serve the future life-cycle depot-level maintenance needs of the U.S. Navy fleet.

I appreciate your February 11 response, and I appreciate that you took the time to visit the facility.

shipyards have harbor security barrier around it, as do our installation piers. But what we have right now does not meet the requirement for high-speed boats that could be used for a terrorist attack. We're looking for next (generation…

I know today, in fact, every Senator who is representing a public shipyard is supporting legislation that I have introduced.

The Navy has been struggling to adequately define maintenance requirements which are key to completing maintenance on time.

Is the Navy prepared, if they have to, to address the career progression issue?