The ability to avoid sequestration and to pass a full-year appropriations bill for DOD is within the power of Congress.

If confirmed, I will continue to work with OMB and Congress to seek the resources necessary to provide the military capabilities the defense of our Nation requires.

I believe the Department has developed a strategy that meets the challenges of the current and future security environment that both minimizes risk and complies with the fiscal constraints imposed by the Budget Control Act (BCA).

I have never said that I support sequestration. I do not nor have I ever supported sequestration.

I share the concern of our senior military leaders that the morale of the force will be affected in ways that are unpredictable if sequester goes into effect and disrupts our training, readiness, and family support programs.

I am deeply concerned about the significant rise in military suicides and am firmly committed to ensuring that the Department have the funds necessary to provide high-quality behavioral health care to servicemembers and their families.

I share the views of the leadership of the Army and the entire Department that this is a top priority.

The Department is doing all that it can given the complex nature of suicide and society's limited base of knowledge in this realm.

I have deep concerns about Iran's destabilizing activities and recognize the many shared interests between the United States and Azerbaijan.

If confirmed, I will work to uphold and prioritize our security commitments in the Asia-Pacific region.

If confirmed, working with the Secretary of State and other interagency counterparts, I would carefully consider any initiative that seeks to reduce tensions and facilitate a diplomatic solution to the current tensions.

I believe that we should make available to Taiwan those defense articles and defense services which enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability, today and into the future.

Sequestration may have irreversible impacts in the long term.

This is a far ranging issue that will warrant significant attention from me, if confirmed.

Industry is our partner in defending this Nation and I fully recognize the vital role it plays in our national security.

Naval presence will continue to be vital if we are to rebalance toward the Asia Pacific while maintaining our defense commitments in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Energy security is central to national security.

Japan is the linchpin of our presence in Asia.