This is an area that we don't take for granted, that we continue to self-assess...

Is the Forest Service committed to ensuring robust funding for the Forest Legacy program?

I would hope that we would take every opportunity available to us to raise the issue of what is happening there and loudly demand that the world not allow this to continue.

I think the starting point has to be the continued threat to our Nation from international terrorists, specifically Islamic fundamentalists, obtaining weapons of mass destruction.

We really need the broad, integrated approach; clearly.

I would hope that all of us--those of you who are headed to this part of the world would raise that issue whenever we have the opportunity.

I think the protection issue is an absolutely critical one.

I would like to commend the Army for its hard work and initiative in developing the Third Generation Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (GEN III ECWCS).

I don't really have any more questions except to pick up on what you just said, Senator Corker.

What a difference it would make to our foreign policy if we are successful again in aggressively moving toward energy independence.

I mean, I guess, as I read this definition, it would address the concerns that you all were raising.

You're are absolutely correct. It does not need to be broader to increase the protections.

It's like taking a teaspoon of water out of a bathtub while you keep the spigot on at full speed and the bathtub continues to fill up, the spigot of spending, the spigot of government growth.

I want to welcome you all here today and I'm honored to be joined by the ranking member of this Subcommittee, Senator Jim DeMint.

However, it was also a time to take stock of NATO's long-term future, which we intend to discuss today.

Though Afghanistan--NATO's first 'out of area' military commitment--remains the most pressing issue for the Alliance, we are here today to consider those institutional questions which will define NATO's composition, scope, relationships…

I think you've all talked about the other threats that our NATO is facing and Europe and the United States are facing: cyber security, energy security, others.

I think it's important to point out, as I'm sure everyone here knows, that last month, NATO members converged on France and Germany to celebrate the alliance's 60th anniversary.