Thank you, Madam Chair. And I would echo Senator Daines' comments. This is actually a great panel. So, really, really appreciate everybody's testimony.

It is estimated that 30 percent of the undiscovered oil and gas resources in the world are in the Arctic.

I actually think that it is not 'if.' It is not even 'when.' It is happening, right?

we're fully on board with supporting the growth of ADSB; and whatever it takes to fill in the last pieces, we're going to be pushing for that.

Are there things that we are not thinking about, from the congressional perspective, of how to make this happen?

Thank you, Admiral. And, again, I would, please, from this committee, pass on our compliments to all the members of the Coast Guard, who are doing such great work for our country.

The Coast Guard's mission is to ensure the safety, security, and stewardship of our Nation's waters.

if I didn't have Russia at the table, it would be the United States and Canada alone.

They are being crushed in many ways by Federal regulations.

It is also very important to recognize that our fishing fleet, whether they are in Alaska or in the Gulf of Mexico, they are the epitome of the small American businessman or businesswoman.

the Secretary of the Interior could fix this issue with the stroke of a pen.

I wanted to follow up on Senator Cantwell's comments about the need for additional icebreaking capabilities.

Your heroic efforts continue. Please, I think one thing we want to get out of this committee is to make sure you thank all your members for their fantastic service.

the United States alone will not be able to address all of the emerging contingencies that I foresee in the Arctic.

this is not just an Alaska issue; this is an American issue.

I think a lot of people have equities.

this could be a very, very critically important waterway for the nation, for the world, you know, in the decades to come

Good. We would like to work on that and--with our pilots on that initiative.

There is a lot of disappointment and concern in Alaska that that number has now dropped from seven to six.

We want to make sure the fleet is viable.

if this was an enactment of Congress in conjunction with the Coast Guard bill 6 years ago that we now think is undermining safety and increasing costs, is that something that we need to be taking another look at?

I am also confident in the men and women that serve under you, and in the Service's ability to do all that we ask of it.

The regulatory burden can be so significant, all well-intended, but it can be so significant that it can really undermine the operational ability for a family business.

I actually want to also encourage you to continue your focus on Essential Air Service.

I fear that this kind of regulatory redtape--we're always looking for more dollars, but we're not always looking for ways to make our own permitting system more efficient.