If we really want to get to the bottom of something like this, we have got to go to the top.

I suggest, if we really want to get to the bottom of this, that we have another...

I want to add, too, that I join the chairman in requesting a time line. We just haven't had anything.

U.S. engagement in this region of the world is so important to our country's economic and political security.

if we are not willing to invest ourselves in some of these new facilities, it is going to be a hard case for us to make to allies and partners that they should do it or that we are committed to our Asia-Pacific strategy.

To what extent has congressional ambiguity, and in some cases inaction, potentially emboldened forces that are opposed to a continuing Marine presence in Okinawa?

I do feel that, you know, we have to work together, but I don't think it should have taken this long.

I have remained concerned that the Department is not speaking with one voice or executing major programs in the Pacific with a coordinated focus.

I just want to know if you could answer, how can this problem be mitigated with our renewed focus on the Asia-Pacific area, the discord between OSD and PACOM?

What are the risks associated with both the Senate's proposed arbitrary cuts to the civilian workforce and the cuts that would be imposed on thousands of DOD civilians by sequestration?

Work performed by civilian employees is already being illegally directly converted to contractor performance because of the arbitrary caps the Department has imposed on the civilian workforce.