Ben Nelson

There is undoubtedly a foundational level of space capability that regardless of force structure size in DOD, regardless of almost any other decisions made from a budget perspective, that space capability has to continue.

double the number of ICBMs the current force is capable of defeating without adding a single new GBI

Hard choices had to be made.

So it is at least somewhat successful in breaking down the stovepipe approach to get cross-fertilization and cross-cooperation within the interagency system?

Do you believe this forward-deployed radar in Turkey is a significant contribution to our Homeland defense capability?

The President's fiscal year 2013 budget ensures that this will remain a leading national security priority.

I think we all agree on the necessity of implementing Dodd-Frank, and as you have said, in a sound and reasonable time frame and in a sound and reasonable way to deal with reckless speculation.

Dodd-Frank contained critical protections to ensure that non-financial end users who use futures contracts in a legitimate manner to hedge against higher prices would not be hampered by unnecessary regulations.

We spend an awful lot of time talking about what programs we would like to have. Probably not nearly enough time on accountability.

We as a Nation would be greatly diminished without our space assets.

While the administration may be moving forward in anticipation of a new reduction, anything that it's doing is not intended to be unilateral.

I just think there's a danger in going below this level and I think we need to be careful and thoughtful about it.