"Unfortunately, I was being naive. Rather than keeping pace with the threat from China, the President's budget recommendation would let us lap them--let them lap us."
"This budget is throwing the shipbuilding industrial base further into disarray."
"While this administration dithers, China is rapidly growing and modernizing its navy."
"I refuse to support it. We should be expanding and modernizing our naval capabilities as called for by the last administration."
"this budget doesn't get you there."
"I just don't know why we would agree with anything that would reduce the force structure and induce a near-term risk with China."
"the nonpartisan--the bipartisan Commission on National Security Defense recommended a 3 to 5 percent increase in defense spending each year over inflation for the foreseeable future."
"why are you canceling the program that our best military minds on deterrence tell us that we need to deter Russia and China?"
"the fact is these UFRs [unfunded requirements] are necessary and we need to fund them."
"I welcome you and your commissioners, and I appreciate the work you all have put into this report."
"In my opening statement, you heard me talk about the threats that we have in new warfighting domains that we have to be conscious of."
"I am really interested in us doing some creative things when it comes to recruitment and retention."