What is the impact on our national security and the Navy's ability to project power if we are short on amphibious vessels?

Is 34 the right number of amphibious vessels?

I'm really appreciative that you're looking at this acceleration, given the need that we know is very apparent.

We're not going to be the first one to go down that path.

it seems to me very important that we stay on track to continue building the two Virginia-class submarines a year.

We cannot do that lightly.

if the budget is fully sequestered in fiscal year 2016 or beyond, it will jeopardize both the timing and resources required to undertake this strategy

what specific risks are the Marine Corps taking by having a total force less than the optimal force of 186,000?

If sequestration levels of funding continue, we will have a hard time maintaining the balance between manpower, readiness, and modernization.

the Defense Business Board highlighted what they believed to be $125 billion dollars in savings that can be achieved over the next five fiscal years through a series of business practice recommendations.

our number one job is to protect U.S. taxpayers.

Our troops who put their lives on the line for our freedom and security should not be sent into harm's way with the cheapest equipment--they should go with the best equipment.

What if they did not get the same deal? How does that hurt us?

I have some additional questions. So I am going to start this, but then we have a vote on the floor that we have to be back in 4 minutes.

I think one of our goals in this acquisition reform is actually to streamline and to actually make this a more efficient yet accountable system.

Training simulation accounts were severely cut due to sequestration, yet they can provide significant cost savings.

the concept of 'acquisitions reform' has been around for many decades, however we have witnessed major weapons programs taking a longer time to develop with greater cost and risk to taxpayer money.

Reform of the acquisition system is necessary to maintain America's technological and military dominance.