I am concerned about press reports that indicate that the Pentagon has been given an assumption of a zero real growth in the budget for next fiscal year.

I hope you will look at that as an area where you could achieve savings for the Army by having more work directed to that unit which provides high-quality, low-cost work for the Army.

I was pleased to hear you endorse an increase in the size of the Army, which is the ultimate answer.

It is certainly appropriate for there to be a review of all programs to determine their necessity, to eliminate wasteful or nonperforming programs, but that should be an ongoing process that is different from having to meet an artificial…

Her tireless efforts on behalf of the citizens of Maine and all Americans have made myself and my family and all of us who are part of that great State very proud.

I want to associate myself with the concerns that all of us have expressed about the stress of repeated deployments.

I do hope that you will share with this committee, assuming your confirmation, what you believe the true needs are for our Army.

I am certain that we need a surge in the Afghan army and I am certain that we need a civilian surge.

If we're going to have that alternative to Taliban rule, isn't our task made much more difficult by the widespread corruption and the shadow over the legitimacy of the recent presidential election?

We forgot that lesson of history that only the nations with powerful navies are able to exert power and influence, and when a navy disappears so does that nation's power.

I believe we must reset DOD's multi-sector acquisition workforce with the right size and skill mix required to successfully provide proper oversight and management of contracts.

Mr. Johnson, President-elect Obama has indicated his desire to close the detention facility at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.

The department must pick up the pace of its progress.

This all-night debate has no impact on me whatsoever. It's clearly not an opportunity for a serious debate. We don't have to stay in all night to have a serious debate on Iraq. We can do that in the daylight hours just fine. All this is…

What many of us are looking for is a new strategy that would not be a precipitous pullout, with all the problems that that would cause.

In drafting Section 550, the intent of Congress was clear and unambiguous--this statutory provision provides the Department strong, interim authority for up to three years until permanent, comprehensive authority can be enacted.

I want to follow up on the line of questioning that some of our members have already raised with you.

I believe industry consolidation through mergers or acquisitions can limit the number of competitors and thus the opportunity for competition.