Political Quotes

“I enthusiastically support the seapower portion of the defense bill, which is a strong bipartisan boost to our security on, below, and above the seas. The Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee worked hard this year examining the President's budget as well as the larger strategic maritime context that we are considering these programs in. We have determined the following, that the demand for our naval fleet is higher than ever and so is the strain on the force. A casual review of the headlines explains why. China's navy is militarizing the South China Sea, threatening good order and commerce on the world's seaways, completely in violation of international maritime law. Russia's navy is recapitalizing its fleet, particularly its undersea fleet, and operating at a level not seen since the cold war. These are just two examples of the up-tempo challenges that the Navy faces every single day. In this strategic context, the seapower portion of our bill builds on the work done by the Navy, the Obama administration, and this Congress to put us on a path to a 308-ship Navy within the next 5 years. That is good, but it is clear we need to do more to ensure that we have the capability to keep pace with the growing and changing threats around the world. That is why this bill adds three new ships to the seven ships in the President's budget, a third littoral combat ship, funding to complete a third DDG-51 destroyer, and resources to add an additional amphibious ship.…”