Thad Cochran: “I appreciate the fact that in our State of Mississippi we're building Coast Guard vessels.”

I understand that the Army's unfunded requirements list includes a $3.1 billion increase in end strength beyond the fiscal year 2017 NDAA mandate.

We want to know what the priorities are for funding.

Mr. Chairman, let me join you in congratulating our panel here and the participation you're bringing to this challenge.

I wish to honor former Senator Pete V. Domenici of New Mexico, who passed away September 13 in Albuquerque. It was a privilege to call Pete a friend and to work with him as a Senate colleague and member of the Appropriations Committee…