For decades, America has been uncontested, and that is no longer the case now.

In the committee, we have heard repeatedly in recent months from all the Services about the present global threat environment that we are in and our lack of adequate readiness.

Russia's violation of the INF Treaty is but one example of their malaign military activity, and the U.S. should use all elements of its national power to respond strongly to this INF Treaty violation.

I would agree with that.

I absolutely agree with you. I do think we cannot overestimate the strategic advantage of having a leader like President Ghani in place.

a need for a long-term coalition commitment to Afghanistan, a need for increased coalition forces for training and assisting the Afghan military

I think that there is an effect that the new president has on the fighting troops over there, on theirs, that will yield a better performance.

I would like to get as specific information as we could as to what best we could afford to send over there against the aggression that they have.

General Selva, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed that Russia is deploying nuclear-tipped ground-launched cruise missiles in violation of the 1987 INF Treaty.

NATO will require adding new capabilities and increase readiness levels to counter the advancing A2/AD defense networks.

They say further reductions can and should be taken. That is where we have been. It is very disturbing.

I think you could probably say that North Korea is different from the rest in that they are totally unpredictable.

The obvious point is if we do not do it, China will.

We must always strive to grow and strengthen our security partnerships throughout the region.

A fully-militarized South China Sea will only serve to enable China to more aggressively pursue these ends.

Strengthening our military capacity can successfully deter conflict and coercion, and will enable us to respond decisively when needed.

Abraham Lincoln said, "Teach the children so it will not be necessary to teach the adults."

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sullivan). Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from Massachusetts. Nomination of Seema Verma and the Republican…