Richard Shelby: “Thank you, Madam Chairman.”

As Senator Shelby at our Senate testimony hearing last March pointed out to us, we must maintain what we have before we can build new, and I think he hits the mark head-on.

The Department of Navy has played and will continue to play a critical role in the defense of our Nation.

I remain concerned that the Air Force budget request is insufficient considering the needed modernization across the inventory with a rapidly evolving threat.

We have got to get our arms, one, around the inflation first, and then try to boost our defense capabilities in a dangerous world.