My concern is that linking budgeting to the number of full-time employees does not reflect accurately the unique maintenance public safety needs at our refuges.

can you tell this committee that you will be outfitting planes and other equipment that has been inoperable for years

the people of Guam are concerned about this and want to be very secure.

Mr. Smith, can you then get that report back to my office?

I am concerned that the fiscal year 2019 budget request fails to properly resource the accounts that help address these shortfalls.

Since I have been here on the Armed Services Committee, they have always been very supportive of Guam.

I want to thank Admiral Harris for keeping an eye on Guam ever since you have been in your present position.

So it should be no surprise to you that the Readiness Subcommittee continues to be alarmed with the state of naval readiness in the Pacific.

The people of Guam are proud to host the continued bomber presence and one leg of the nuclear triad.

I am concerned regarding the U.S.

Considering our strategic importance, is Guam adequately defended from theater missile threats?

Without question, I think my colleagues would agree that the U.S. Navy is the most powerful fleet in the world.

I appreciate your comments during this hearing and your leadership in ensuring adequate ship repair capabilities, especially in the Pacific.

Mr. Secretary, I strongly support the national strategy's intent to keep our forces forward deployed.

I hope that we can continue our positive dialogue and work on a solution that supports American jobs and our readiness in the region.

And I yield back, Mr. Chairman.

Actions speak louder than words, and we must ensure that the recommendations included in these reviews are promptly considered and acted upon.

Today I am proud to reintroduce my Compact Impact Relief Act with my colleagues from Hawaii and the Northern Marianas as original cosponsors. Our bill would provide relief to Guam and other States and territories required by the Federal…

I do look forward to discussing the challenges that are impeding amphibious training and the mitigations and long-term solutions to build and sustain readiness in the Marine Corps and the Navy.

I certainly support eliminating the CR.

It is clear that better coordination is required by the Navy and the Marine Corps to ensure this critical warfighting and skill is restored to a readiness level.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

I thank the chairman very much and appreciate his great support and look forward to continuing to work with him on the implementation of this provision and to address future workforce needs on Guam in support of the military realignment.

I thank the gentleman for yielding and wish to engage the gentleman from Texas, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, in a colloquy. Let me first start by thanking Chairman Thornberry, Ranking Member Smith, and the committee staff…

Thank you for making the trip to Washington. We appreciate it.