I think we recognize that, as an Arctic nation, we have certain responsibilities, obligations, and icebreakers are right up there.

I appreciate what you have provided here today, and I look forward to working with you to ensure that the capabilities that we have with the 425th are continued.

I think the commitment still is there. Know that I certainly share that with you, that we're going to figure this out.

I think we need to at least keep them for an additional year, defer our decision for 1 year.

I have alerted him to the fact that most of my questions this afternoon are going to relate to the Coast Guard budget.

my observation--or at least the people that are coming to me are saying it's lengthy, it's costly, there must be some way that we can be a little more efficient there.

We recognize that it is expensive, but we also recognize that it is the Coast Guard's study that it be not just one icebreaker but there actually be three polar icebreakers and three smaller icebreakers.

We need both, and the recapitalization effort that you have spoken to is critically important for our country.

We have seen national security cutters every season in the summer up in the Arctic as we are seeing different traffic, different folks poking around up there that you probably would not anticipate.

I appreciate that response, and know that you have got an ally in me in terms of how we can ensure people understand the imperative of building this out and doing it quickly.

Exports of LNG (liquefied natural gas) are a big deal for me both because of the Alaska LNG project.

I want to thank you for taking action on these.

We cannot continue with business as usual. The cost to the taxpayers and the public do not match.

Hopefully we will be able to get this ultimately enacted.

I want to thank Secretary Jewell for her bold action to modernize the Federal coal program.

Depriving the Gulf states of revenue sharing from offshore production is just a nonstarter.

What I see, unfortunately, is a continuation of the efforts that block our ability to safely develop our resources.

I have suggested that a much better option is to increase domestic energy production and use those revenues to help communities in need.

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