the idea is to minimize any kind of a potential for protest, even though we know that they will occur, because we're talking about a lot of money and contracts at stake.

Both of us talked about the strike fighter shortfall. I just need to know--this is probably for Admiral Manazir--what is the Department of the Navy's current estimate of the strike fighter shortfall because we have had different numbers…

If one characteristic defines the future operating environment, it is uncertainty.

Unless modified for the years after fiscal year 2018 and later, I believe that these caps will threaten our long-term national security interests.

I think that you mentioned that at some point you would want the F-35 program to become a multiyear contract program so that we can lower the cost, which I think is a good thing.

I think that we need to restore some of the eligibility of our compact citizens for particularly three programs, Medicare, TANF and SNAP.

In fact, I had to step in and ask for an extension of time to enable our, especially our Marshall Island citizens in Hawaii, to be able to enroll for health care.

That is why it is even more important that after the 1997 welfare reform law when suddenly our compact citizens no longer qualified for Medicaid, that that be restored.

Hawaii is very well aware of the challenges facing our compact citizens and so clearly one topic of this hearing is where we need to meet our obligations to the Palauans.

I think that we really need to push forward, not only, you know, I would love to see an increase in the $30 million but that all ends soon.

But first and foremost regarding Palau, it just really bothers me that the State Department and the Defense Department are not stepping forward to help fulfill our country's obligations.

I would really like this Committee, Mr. Chairman, to focus very clearly on the obligations of these other Departments and not just Interior.