We must have sufficient munitions to counter threats.

Overall, the Air Force is developing better tools and processes to analyze energy vulnerabilities at all levels.

If it were to endure, we're back to sequestration, furlough levels of 2013, that was devastating to our force.

I will start with the lack of predictable, consistent funding, because when we do not get that, we not cannot plan our workload.

If this hiring freeze were to continue without adjustment, talk a little bit about the effect that that would have on shipyards in particular.

On budgets, I am a real certainty--having been a mayor and governor, I learned that anybody can adjust to a number more than they can adjust to a question mark.

push those limits further

There is a limit to what we can discuss in open session.

If we don't have soldiers manning our forces and carrying our weapons, we don't have anything.

what steps have you taken, if any, to plan and mitigate the threat and effects of climate change

General Allyn, Admiral Moran, General Walters, General Wilson, last week, Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work issued implementation guidance on the civilian workforce hiring freeze directed by the president.

unleash us from the tether of fuel

If more funding were available today, our top near-term priorities to restore readiness would include ship maintenance, ship operations, air operations, and information warfare and other operations.

Improving energy resiliency on military installations and forward operating bases is a priority.

Shipyards are critical to maintaining fleet readiness and also supporting forward presence.

DOD has identified climate change as a threat to both its operations and installations.

DOD needs more predictable and stable funding. Readiness is a function of many things. Predictability is one of the key ingredients.

Are they incorporating these risks and opportunities into theater engagement and partner development?

which readiness-related functions are at the most risk because of this hiring freeze?

Today we have 75 less F-35s than we had planned on in 2012.

We insist on the 50-50, and another president did as well, because we are in a BCA cap environment.

Congress can help now: 1) Support end-strength increase, 2) Support on-going recapitalization efforts to replace aging fleets and right-size high-demand capabilities, 3) Permanent relief from Budget Control Act funding levels.

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I think it was a mistake to go on it.