John McCain

Everybody agreed that we needed one. All of a sudden, now we need three. How did that happen?

The American people expect and deserve nothing less from their Marine Corps.

Chairman McCain proposed the Asia Pacific Stability Initiative, which suggested $7.5 billion in funding for United States forces and their allies in the Asia-Pacific.

I believe we need a minimum of 3 percent just to maintain the competitive level we have right now.

With a 3 percent increase over the Obama administration's defense appropriations, we are going to take care of all those things.

A 3 percent increase over the Obama proposed budget is not enough.

What is the strategy?

I do not think that is a hell of a lot to ask.

You cannot expect us to fulfill the three requirements that you gave--funding increase, pass a budget, present a stable budget--if you do not give us a strategy.

We still have not got a strategy for Afghanistan.

If we do not begin negotiating today, it is very likely the military once again will begin the fiscal year on a continuing resolution.

Congress has not passed a fiscal year 2018 budget, something that should embarrass every Member of the Senate and House.

It is going to be a campaign, as I laid out, that started with our request for an additional $30 billion during this fiscal year.

With your help and commitment, we can preserve our competitive advantage and ensure that we never send America's sons and daughters in to a fair fight.

We need sustained, sufficient, and predictable funding to grow sufficient capacity, develop the correct mix of advanced capabilities, and ensure a ready force.

Today, despite the challenges facing us, our military is the most capable military in the world.

I am keenly aware members of this committee understand the responsibility each of us has to ensuring our military is ready to fight today and in the future.

Russia, in particular, continues to occupy Crimea, destabilize Ukraine, threaten our NATO allies.

Iran continues to destabilize the Middle East and seeks to drive the United States out of the region.

North Korea is closing in on the development of a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile.

We face a stalemate and urgently need a change in strategy and an increase in resources.

The sacrifice of these heroes is a painful reminder that America is still a nation at war.

General Goldfein, how many space operators is the Air Force short?

General Goldfein, how many pilots short is the Air Force today, and of those, how many are fighter pilots?

Secretary Wilson, can you detail the acquisitions activities you plan on executing in the B-21 Raider program's engineering and manufacturing development phase with the $2 billion dollars you requested in the Fiscal Year 2018 President's…