"I would say very much belie the level of some of the rhetoric we are hearing."
"It was in need of an update and a modernization."
"this is a really big cost to the country and to the taxpayer."
"the efforts were rendered less effective as Mr. Courtney suggested by the sequestration in 2013."
"the Navy now faces readiness concerns with its submarine force as well."
"the consequences of years of high operational tempo experienced by a smaller fleet."
"Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Mr. Wittman, for holding today's hearing on Navy force structure and readiness."
"I think it is important sometimes right now, to put this in perspective here."
"I mean, let's not shoot the bystander here in terms of, you know, overreacting to this problem that was identified."
"I think what's--you know, again, get some perspective here about what happened and what is an appropriate remedy and not throw the baby out with the bathwater."
"the ripple effect in terms of the value to people who wore the uniform of this country is, you know, far excess in terms of whatever small investment the taxpayer makes."