General, you obviously have a great challenge in front of you.

I have some real concerns about the leadership in Iraq and their capability of carrying out their plans.

Is there any conversation at the Pentagon relative to derailing the F-22 multiyear contract or the bridge money?

It is going to require a political resolution and a military resolution.

One issue that I have had relative to this ongoing conflict is the fact that I have been disappointed that from an intelligence-gathering standpoint we have not in my opinion achieved the results that we should have been achieving at this point in time.

Thank you, General. As you accept this challenge, obviously our best wishes go to you for a huge success.

General Casey, first of all let me just echo the sentiments of all of us in thanking you and your family for the terrific commitment that you have all made to the service to our country and to tell you how much we appreciate that commitment.

I believe that this is an extremely important priority, since, in the end, it's the Afghan forces who can best defend and secure Afghanistan.

No.

the recent high prices, although they have come down some in Georgia, that people are paying at the gas pumps reflect our dependence on oil.

the economy of our State is growing, but we risk losing all that with the high price of energy.

It's very important that as a Congress and as leaders that we emphasize the importance for us to get our dependence on foreign oil as minimum as possible and diversify to the maximum extent the sources of energy in this Country.

I appreciate you calling this hearing today.

My only point is this. You make loans to cover that amount above what is insured.

If you are making that loan to someone, your underwriting, I think, should encourage them when they spend that money to rebuild in a more responsible way.

Rather than creating this separate DNI with the CIA, FBI, DIA and every other agency still in place, why doesn't it make more sense to bring all of the intelligence community under one umbrella

Under your bill, who would brief the president?

I am in favor of giving the Reserve components the same robust responsibilities and demanding of them the same level of performance as the Active Force.