I applaud the Army for making readiness their number one priority.

Russia's election interference is likely to be a new normal.

That is fine.

We can and must do better.

In terms of modernization, there is a tendency to make incremental improvements in equipment.

Sixty-six percent. What are the two or three key steps that you have to take, you think, to get from what it is today to that 66 percent?

I assume you have to do is improve recruitment and retention in order to just fill up the current existing force structure.

Restoring readiness, recapitalizing our combat aircraft fleet, and reinvesting in modernization will require strong personal leadership, accountability, and a frank assessment of the Air Force's true warfighting requirements.

We cannot go on like this. Our men and women in uniform deserve better.

This defense budget request and the additional funding that our military needs is literally illegal under the Budget Control Act.

Will the politics of this be difficult? Yes. But the question all of us here must answer is: How much longer will we send our sons and daughters into harm's way unprepared before we get over our politics and do our jobs?

Russia represents the most significant threat to the United States, not only in their new area denial systems but also in their cyber operations.

I have not heard a clarion call from the President and also a practical response and solution.

The budget that is submitted will not work.

We owe our sailors and marines and all of our men and women in uniform more than that, a lot more.

Do you need any additional authority for the National Sea-Based Fund to accelerate these future savings and to increase them?

Well, thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I am deeply troubled and disappointed that Republicans have chosen to move forward with their plans to dismantle the Affordable Care Act rather than working in a bipartisan fashion to improve this landmark legislation…