It's good to work together on these issues. We have a bipartisan working relationship and, I think, a common understanding of the dangers of sequester.

we have to modernize.

I like giving folks flexibility.

We will have at least one C squadron at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.

Secretary Mabus recently said he wants to protect shipbuilding at all costs.

That process typically takes 18 months to 2 years to do the EIS.

The 83 percent that we have requested is sufficient to fully fund the work that we know we can accomplish.

the unpredictability in stability and even the threat of sequestration hampers our ability to work with industry

I commend you for recognizing that in your testimony.

We have enough readiness for immediate consumption, but not enough for a contingency.

I'm very committed to working to try to minimize the sequester impact.

But it sounds like a sequester effect is kind of a compounding effect.

Last question I want to ask deals with the Ohio-class replacement.

We do not need more studies and we do not need more legislation.

If the Department's calls for increased defense spending is going to have credibility with the American people, the Department must strive to be better stewards of the tax dollars it is given.

readiness is critical for us.

On top of that, we had congressional support to help us protect the budget because otherwise, our programs are just vulnerable to be hacked away on the budget on an annual basis.

I do agree completely this authorization is needed.

The current, inadequate acquisition system is leading to the erosion of America's defense technological advantage.

in multiple hearings we have heard testimony from the Service Chiefs on some of the negative effects of sequestration-level budget caps.

A return to sequestration in fiscal year 2016 is a recurring concern as the Department requires a stable budget to meet these objectives.

what steps should we take so that we can get more of these companies working on our defense acquisition programs?

If we are unable to reverse sequestration, how can the Services leverage simulators to maximize full-spectrum training proficiency in the face of fiscal constraints?

It appears the Government no longer seems to attract the fastest moving, most innovative companies.

one theme that has come out in the current discussion of acquisition reform is the need to develop better tools to provide incentives to contractors to help improve acquisition outcomes.