We are here fighting as hard as we can to repeal sequestration, and that is a bipartisan effort.

Further sequestering of the defense budgets must be avoided.

I want to thank you for the work that you are doing, along with a number of efforts, to try to address this issue.

A return to sequestration would necessitate a revisit and revision of the defense strategy.

Given the president's budget request is still expected to be significantly below the funding level for DOD originally recommended...

Thank you, Senator Blumenthal, for your leadership on this issue that you just discussed with the witnesses.

the only other comment I would like for you to answer because I would like all my colleagues to be able to have time to answer questions is the old line about those of us that ignore the lessons of history.

The impacts on readiness and modernization outlined above would result in an Air Force that, at sequestered levels of funding, cannot successfully execute all Defense Strategic Guidance requirements.

If we do not address the problem of sequestration, we will severely limit the range of available military options to address these threats and protect our national interests.

It takes courage, though, to do that, right?

The clock is ticking away on that predictability. Is it not, General?

We must confront spending. Bring the overspending to an end and ultimately balance the budget.

The failure of our economy to recover is the President's record over the last six years.

As Senator Sanders says, we have a deficit of employment.

It does not seem to have calmed down as some people thought.

No nation in history has maintained its military power if it failed to keep its fiscal house in order.

We lose 4, 5, 6 months on a program like for us the Ohio replacement program where we do not have time.

Our nation needs a larger and more successful middle class, not a larger, more intrusive and fiscally foolish Federal Government.