I'm pleased to be joining you and the other panel members here today on what is the last hearing of the panel's first 6 months to look at challenges of doing business with the Department of Defense.

How can the DOD better facilitate communication between PM offices where the technology needs are vetted...

A key message that has been shared by a lot of the stakeholders that we have met with is the importance of the defense industrial base to our Nation's security.

I would like to extend my condolences to the families of the 25 passengers and crewmembers who died as a result of this tragic marine casualty.

I want to thank you for scheduling the morning's hearing to delve into the safety of cruise vessels in light of the January 13th, 2012, grounding of the Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia off the coast of Italy.

In closing, just let me say a few words. First off, I want to be sure I thank Ms. Brown of Florida, the ranking member of the subcommittee, as well as Mr. Rahall, the ranking member of the full Committee on Transportation and…

We either choose to address this challenge or we risk losing a critical foothold necessary to maintain U.S. sovereignty in an Arctic frontier of emerging global economic importance.

Thank you for scheduling this morning's hearing to assess the capabilities of the U.S. Coast Guard's ability to maintain and protect the sovereign interests of the United States in the Arctic.

It is hard for me to recall another instance where the solution to a policy problem has been so apparent, yet the reaction of the Congress is so contrary or unresponsive.

I think you are absolutely right.

Mr. Chairman, thanks for filibustering until I can get here.

I believe we are all aware of the key role our industrial complexes played with providing capabilities throughout the years in support of our national security.