Just as many of the other members have here stated, my State is in desperate need of immediate action.

We are a poor State and I know there are many needs in your own districts, as well.

I appreciate the opportunity to come before you today to consider funding priorities for the fiscal year 2018.

I appreciate you giving me the opportunity today to provide input for the fiscal year 2018 defense appropriations.

I am excited to advocate today about maintaining a strategic edge in reinforcing our national defense needs within the Defense appropriations budget.

Today, I ask the committee to help fund dredging needs that will provide much-needed resources related to flooding and navigation benefit, and not forget the tremendous benefit that shallow draft waterways and ports have in bringing jobs…

I want to thank you for this opportunity to testify in front of the Energy and Water Development Subcommittee on the importance of developing and maintaining Louisiana and the Nation's water infrastructure needs.

Thank you, Chairman Simpson, and Ranking Member Kaptur, and my colleagues and distinguished members of the subcommittee.

I mean, we are all interested in increasing transparency, and the more that we can make it readily available and accessible, understandable for, you know, just taxpayers, the better, I think because we want to know, really, where all this…

Let's hope not catastrophic levels.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.