Mazie Hirono

The military-to-military relationship between the United States and Mexico is extremely strong and absolutely at an all-time high.

Our security partnerships help create a layered defense of our Homeland by keeping our shared home stable and secure.

Relationships with allies in the Asia Pacific are important to our overall national security in that region.

It is clear that North Korea is committed to developing long-range missile technology.

To ensure our military can dominate in all phases of conflict, we need to think bigger and go faster.

I think that we must retain the sanctions.

Your concern that the contemplated cuts to the State Department, for example, and the Treasury Department by this administration would raise major concerns for you.

While ensuring that every taxpayer dollar is used wisely and efficiently should always be a top priority for government decision makers

Has the current means and methods of surface ship maintenance execution in Pearl Harbor supported the Fleet's requirements for cost, schedule and quality?

According to Vice Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Bill Moran, the attack submarine Boise has been sitting pier side for about 47 months for a maintenance cycle that usually takes about 24 months to complete.

Are you facing a challenge in trying to recruit and retain these highly skilled team members in the wake of the outstanding private sector opportunities which are available to them?

The OIB is currently work-loaded to meet requirements and positioned to surge in support of Contingency Operations.

Fiscal uncertainty and lack of a demand signal that drove us to this poor supply availability makes it difficult to optimize our processes.

The industrial base plays an important role in research and development as well as design, production, delivery, and maintenance of weapon systems

I congratulate you for your efforts. Because I know this is such a needed area not just of course for our military but across the country, we have a need for hundreds of thousands of people with STEM backgrounds.

I am just thankful that you continue to emphasize those aspects.

I feel as though, with the sequester and with the budget caps, et cetera, that we are just doing a lot of catch-up.

I would caution that we have to be aware of a potential self-fulfilling prophecy.

While the Air Force continues to face a challenging fiscal environment, it is my hope that key decision makers keep in mind the tremendous capabilities and flexibility that this system provides.

I have been an advocate of this system and have discussed the importance of this program with past and present Air Force and National Guard Bureau leadership.

If the Marine Corps are authorized to increase its end strength numbers, what steps will you take to ensure that the quality of marines recruited and the training they receive will maintain the Marine Corps standard when you grow the force…

What is the Army doing to mentor junior officers and enlisted personnel from these and other diverse groups to ensure that they have the opportunity and guidance to someday become senior leaders in the Army?

General Wilson, you testified to the importance of refueling tanker capabilities to support the global reach of Air Force missions.

It's pretty hard to enable our people to do the jobs that they signed up for if we continue to rely on short-term CRs and we do not get rid of sequester, because those all impact readiness and modernization, all of those connected areas.

We would really want to work with you as World War II Filipino veterans are dying on a daily basis.