Roger Wicker

Tell us about that number.

The problem with the Arleigh Burke is she is full. We really do not have much room to expand or modernize her much beyond her current platform.

Are we going to be glad we went with the EMALs and advanced arresting gear?

Mr. Secretary, you answered Senator Kaine's question about the troubling issue of the advanced weapons elevators.

And you agree with that?

The $450 million that you asked about earlier----

We do not want you to be alarmist. We do not want you to exaggerate and wave your arms.

But the 355 is the minimum under a scenario where things were dangerous, but actually less dangerous than they are right now.

A 355-ship fleet is not some best-case ideal that we would like to achieve if everything goes well.

The challenges--I think his statement was that they are more dynamic, and you certainly agree with that.

I view that as unthinkable, and it would be irresponsible on the part of this Congress.

It was a bipartisan achievement, and I am I proud to have been part of this team.

Reclaiming my time, I thank the Senator from Florida for making those points and for his leadership as ranking member of the Commerce Committee. In this regard, I suggest the vote coming up soon will be probably as lopsided as the one on…

I'm a proud member of this Subcommittee, too, Mr. Chairman.

Why is that important, and can you discuss the impact that these national security cutters have on the Coast Guard's efforts to carry out its core missions?

Now, we also have a right to be proud of the fact that we have been able to delist the Louisiana black bear.

In essence, Commissioner Gibson is writing to support Chairman Barrasso's efforts to bring transparency and State input back into the consideration of endangered species.

The bottom line is it is a voluntary program.

I would like to see the United States offer an alternative that has strong baseline protections.

The goal was and is to have one set of privacy rules that are interpreted in a uniform way throughout the continent.

The ability to produce additional resources from existing land with more data that is available than ever before.

That's certainly the apprehension that I have and I think a lot of Members of Congress have.

We've tried to work with them. We want to make sure that we respect their prerogatives in this.

There is an efficiency aspect to this need, that there is an American productivity aspect to this need, and also there's a very important environmental aspect to this need.

We support a uniform rule of law across the country.