Roger Wicker

Secretary Stackley, get back to us on the record about where that percentage of the total defense budget shipbuilding has been, where it has been historically.

Well, I am way past my time, but let me ask one other aspect of this program...

There is additional acceleration that could be had if we work together and are smart?

We need to improve quality and efficiency in all of our shipbuilding programs not only because of the direct savings but also because we need to demonstrate to the taxpayer that we are using every dollar wisely.

It is critical that this subcommittee conduct rigorous oversight of shipbuilding programs to ensure the Navy is making the best use of limited taxpayer dollars.

The vitality of the 30-year shipbuilding plan is essential to the strength of our shipbuilding industrial base.

What if anything could we do in the NDAA this year to further accelerate?

To what extent did that help us accelerate based on last year's congressional action?

Our sailors and marines are at the forefront of our rebalance to Asia, our ongoing operations against the Islamic State, our responses to a resurgent Russia, and efforts to deter rogue states such as Iran and North Korea.

Is there any way to further accelerate?

The Program utilizes existing U.S. maritime private sector capabilities at a fraction of the cost of what it would take if the Federal Government were to replicate the vessel capacity and global intermodal systems made available to the…

I am glad that you made the last point about the industrial base.

I hope that we do not bend over backwards so far in the name of diversity that we start trampling on the First Amendment rights of our servicemembers.

We would like to see matching up to 30 years of service, not stopping at 26.

We believe that we do need the flexibility because if we are having retention issues earlier, it would be one of those things that we can use to increase our retention.

We need flexibility in that 12 years.

I think you'll acknowledge the incredible benefit to public health and education in ensuring that we continue to connect wireless-only households through the Mobility Fund.

Do you believe the FCC's proposal aligns with Congressional intent?

I think his testimony is very compelling about how wrong and mistaken Government can be over time.

Small refiners are concerned that RFS, as it exists, has created an economically untenable situation for many companies.

EPA has begun to phaseout hardship relief without receiving feedback from small refineries.

I must say I share the Chair's skepticism about this whole idea.

Thank you to Senator Booker for the work he did just on the RRIF loans where he really hung out there to make some changes on that.

Mississippi with Senator Wicker and Governor Bryant have been extremely supportive of us of late.

We have to keep it on time.