Madeleine Bordallo: “It is paramount to our national security to continue to have unimpeded access to the Pacific theater and to have better…”

I am concerned that in a year where readiness has been cited as the Department's top priority, the Department's budget request falls well short of meeting the total depot maintenance requirement for the Army and the Marine Corps.

I have long stated that just as important as it is to provide our service members with new, modernized equipment, we must fully maintain the assets that we already have.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You always make my day.

The cost of electricity for Puerto Rico residents is nearly twice the national average, while at the same time their GDP per capita and median household income are just half that of the mainland United States.