Rob Wittman

I think have in many ways been harmful to certain elements of local and state economies.

But let me get to a more fundamental question, and that is time versus resources.

The material condition and operational readiness of the ships are significantly degraded and not acceptable.

I want you to be assured that your son's life, given on behalf of this Nation, was not given in vain.

I think we can all agree that our Nation failed these 17 sailors and their families with these tragic collisions.

The Endangered Species Act is a very important law. It has done a tremendous amount to both recover and protect species.

Reclaiming my time, I thank the gentleman from Maine for working with the committee to improve the provision, while maintaining progress towards strengthening our fleet in the critical ballistic missile defense mission and capability. Your…

I thank the distinguished gentleman for yielding, and I now look forward to entering into a discussion with Mr. Poliquin for the purpose of a colloquy.

I claim the time in opposition to the amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Virginia is recognized for 5 minutes.

Let's simplify that. Let's make sure that at any time that they can declare residency in the same State as their spouse.

These, indeed, are extraordinarily important issues for military families.

But I do want to build on the question asked before, and that is, across the spectrum, I have not heard anybody that has disagreed with saying 355 is not a number that we should direct our efforts toward.

Secretary Mattis, you stated, which I think is extraordinarily important, the need for us to understand that we have been marking time, at best, here in the last several years and that our adversaries are advancing.

Thank you for coming before us today and shining some light on these critical issues for the Air Force.

I couldn't agree more. I think timing this here is critical to make sure there are no hiccups about what--who is going to perform certain roles.

I firmly believe that what this subcommittee and the rest of Congress does about national defense and military readiness will be a defining issue.

I am concerned that the KC-46A program continues to suffer delays...

I fully support the critical B-21 bomber program and am pleased to see that we are moving forward...

It is my firm conviction, in light of the higher-end threats posed by China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea...

I continue to be concerned about the ability of our military to properly provide for our Nation's defense...

I think that is critical. And we would like to continue the discussion with you and see a concrete proposal for 2019.

Our capacity there and ability to sustain in a major conflict is really being stretched to the point where I think it becomes strategically problematic.

I believe we are going to be severely tested with the current element of our Ready Reserve Force.

I appreciate the crucial investments in readiness, but the fact that we are actually taking a backwards step when it comes to shipbuilding is incredibly troubling.

I just would hope that we talk about strategically what is necessary before we get into fiscally what we need to achieve.