Joe Wilson

And that is really encouraging, to see it is not adversarial, that it can be, working together, mutually beneficial to U.S.-Chinese relations and then extraordinarily beneficial in the countries where you are operating.

Thank you very much, Congressman Gallagher.

Well, we are really pleased on behalf of our country the different options you are looking into.

We know those Marines will be greeted warmly by the resident Member of Congress.

President Ronald Reagan frequently used the phrase, 'peace through strength.' I agree with President Reagan, and I believe we must maintain a high state of readiness across our armed services in order to achieve that goal.

I am grateful to welcome each of you to this hearing of the House Armed Services Committee, Readiness Subcommittee, on the state of the Marine Corps readiness.

Could you explain what threat the return of the defeated Islamic State fighters to their home country represents to the long-term stability in the region?

And it is so important. I was actually pleasantly surprised that The New York Times covered it today.

Recently, the United Nations released a remarkably gruesome report outlining North Korea's ongoing efforts to assist Syria building chemical weapons.

It seems to me that rapid response is especially important in spaces where violent extremists, Russians, and other foreign actors are able to influence the information environment much more quickly than we are.

Part of reconstituting operations includes disseminating extremist propaganda and attempting to radicalize and recruit locals in those areas.

As an indication of how important what you are doing, we have the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee here with us, Mac Thornberry.

It is really reassuring on behalf of American families, your capabilities and competence, and in particular, to know that you are facing challenges from North Africa to the Philippines.

First, I would like to thank Congressman Sherman for his leadership in this bipartisan legislation, which will make a difference on behalf of the people of Gaza and on behalf of the people of Israel. The terrorists of Hamas hide behind…

I view India as one of the biggest strategic opportunities that we have.

I think we need to continue to look into the effect that Confucius Institutes and other influence operations that China has in our country.

It is mutually beneficial for America and China to have a good relationship, but I am concerned about the propaganda operations within the United States.

I agree we must involve a whole-of-government response.

Is there more that Congress can do to back up the Center?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I certainly have faith in your capabilities, and we look forward to working with you.

This democracy will stand up for itself.

We need your input here in Congress on budgeting and look forward to that.

The current fiscal environment that we live in is lurching from one CR [continuing resolution] to another.

As a grateful Navy dad myself, thank you for your candid remarks.