I think the real opportunity here for Congress to have a say in this, if they wanted to, would be with respect to the purse and the power that we have in terms of appropriations.

What do you think the consequences should be if the Iraqi Government fails to step up and follow through on its promises?

But it seems to me that the bottom line concern that we have to have is that our troops understand that we are committed to them and support them and want to make sure that they have every opportunity to be victorious, to complete the…

I think that the questions that have been asked earlier--what is most important in the debate that is occurring up here right now, in my view at least, is the impact that it has on the men and women who are wearing the uniform.

Sectarian-motivated violence now inhibits political progress, effective governance, and economic development.

Aye.

I believe that the commitment, the political commitment of the Iraqi government to the success of this plan, is probably more important right now than the additional troops.

let me echo what has been said repeatedly here and express my appreciation for your service to your country under extraordinarily difficult circumstances.

Thank you very much, gentlemen, for your service. I look forward to getting you confirmed.

I appreciate that and if you could answer it for the record it would be great, because that is such an important part of our success there...

Let me express my appreciation to all of you gentlemen for your willingness to serve.

I thank the panel for their willingness to serve.

If confirmed, can you inform the committee as to what steps you would take to improve the relationship between TRICARE and private health care providers?

Thank you all very much for your service to our country and your willingness to take on new and additional responsibilities.

I would welcome the opportunity to host you at Ellsworth and show you the work that's underway out there.

I, too, want to add my support of the gentlemen who have been nominated for these positions.

We think that the transformation that's being undertaken by the Air Force is important and might be something that is replicated in some of the other Services.

As the ranking member of the Seapower Subcommittee, I have to express my displeasure at the way in which General Pace was treated.