We needed real reform within the intelligence community to function as a community.

Until the Saudis commit to changing their schools, their curriculum, their culture, they are still going to be a breeding ground for terrorists like Osama bin Laden.

That has really been the growing concern on the part of the public is when big donors can give unlimited amounts of money or bundle big groups of money then what is the resulting influence and how do you make sure that you separate that…

One of the most important things for any soldier to know is when are they coming home.

I very much appreciate the commitment that you've shown in your budget to fully fund the construction of three guided missile destroyers (DDGs) this year.

Why were we so ill-prepared? Why didn't we have more body armor and more fortified HMMWVs available to protect our troops?

I will be following up in writing with some of those concerns.

I think, as Senator McCain and others have suggested, that we are going to see an exodus from the Guard and Reserves that is going to be very harmful because of these repeated deployments.

I remain, however, very concerned about the Department's future shipbuilding plan, particularly as it affects the transition from the DDG to the experimental destroyer (DD(X)).

I hope you will consider working with the committee to come up with a more traditional request.

We really do need to preserve the important role that Congress plays.

All of us want to make sure that we do that quickly and fully.

We do need to exercise our constitutional responsibilities.

I continue to receive e-mails from soldiers in Iraq who tell me that they still lack the equipment they need.

It is our duty. This is not a case where we're not eager to give you the money you need.

I feel we have a moral obligation to make sure that they have all of the supplies and equipment, and most of all, protection that they need.

Thank you very much. That's good news.

If this occurs, it would be the first year in more than 20 years that our Navy will not be procuring a major surface combatant.