Political Quotes

“Chairman Frelinghuysen, I would like to thank you and your staff for all your hard work in crafting this Defense Appropriations bill. As a marine veteran, a current member of the Mississippi National Guard, and a former member of the House Armed Services Committee, I fully understand the importance of this legislation. Mr. Chairman, as you well know, the United States Navy and Marine Corps are the Nation's forward-deployed, fast-response force in times of crisis. The ability to respond to all types of conflict, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, is what separates the United States Navy and the Marine Corps team from the rest of the world. However, as a result of declining resources, the Navy has struggled to reach its own stated goal of 306 ships. A not-insignificant portion of this fleet consists of amphibious ships to support the requirements of the Marine Corps. The current number of amphibious ships in the fleet does not meet validated national requirements to accomplish the tasks the Marine Corps is responsible to carry out in time of war or national emergency; this is the very Marine Corps that is tasked to be the most ready when our Nation is the least ready. I know this issue also concerns you, and I request your thoughts on how we might get our Navy shipbuilding program back on track.”