So the Marines clearly want and need a 12th LPD [landing platform/dock] and the LPD maintains the critical industrial base hot for rolling right into procuring the next amphibious ships based on the LPD hull form.

the world is not getting safer but is becoming more dangerous and that we need more ships, not less ships.

I believe you mentioned in your testimony that this is a feeling of Afghan Government officials, civil leaders, and that there's a growing appreciation of the coalition's efforts; is that correct?

There's a frustration on the part of our chairman that the American people haven't been given a balanced view about the success we've had in Afghanistan.

I don't think we should forget what happened in 2001. We went into Afghanistan by a virtually unanimous vote of this Congress.

I think it's remarkable, and I hope people listening today in the United States... are listening to the chairman of this committee, who made a profoundly remarkable opening statement.

Let me begin by asking each of the nominees what your impression has been of the role of the CFTC in managing abuses...

That same individual told me that they knew that the Department of Defense was going to continue to take painful cuts from the military until BRAC was viewed as the lesser of two evils, would you agree with that statement?

Mr. Chairman, thank you very much for convening this hearing. It's obviously very appropriate and timely.

Our bill is the result of extensive bipartisan, bicameral work over the past year. This bill is both compassionate and fiscally responsible. From the start, my priority has been to ensure that flood insurance remains available and…

I want to compliment the efforts that the contractors are making to produce products which protect the security interests of our country at a reasonable price.

I consider American leadership in space as a matter of national pride but also national security.

We as a country are more dependent upon a peaceful, quiet and stable space environment than any other nation in the world.

Congress has consistently provided more funding for the Orion and Space Launch System than the Obama administration has requested.

Civil space cooperation is not something done just for fun or even just only for inspiration, as important as that is.

I believe we are on the right track but we must remain budget-focused and mission-vigilant.

The future of human space exploration is one that is personal to me.

We must ensure that future exploration endeavors lay the groundwork for an eventual human landing on Mars.