Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Let me commend you for holding the hearing, and also commend Senator Miller for his very aggressive and tenacious efforts to have this whole area looked at and reviewed.

some of the legislation I have seen lately proposed by the Administration is proposing to repeal the laws of arithmetic

the structural changes that appear to be siphoning off jobs to places around the world

But it seems to give us a little longer perspective, obviously, than the 5 years and 10 years that we look at tax cuts and expenditures.

the currently improving economic numbers should not distract us from some very disturbing trends that persist

I have seen no leadership from the Administration suggesting proposals of this order. Would you urge them to begin this process now?

I do not think I am the only one who is alarmed at the significant costs associated with Afghanistan and Iraq that are not included in this budget.

I would suggest, Mr. Secretary, that you're not doing your job then.

Would you describe this as a good interrogation technique or a violation of the Geneva Conventions?

So if he's dressed up, that's fine, but this also has other environmental manipulation.

What I've heard from you is dissembling and avoidance of answers, and lack of knowledge, pleading legal process.

Mr. Secretary, do you think crouching naked for 45 minutes is humane?

It sounds to me like a violation of the Geneva Convention.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

One of the key aspects of an operational test is that you control the tests, not the contractors.

Thank you, gentlemen, for your service to the Nation, which begins and ends with the profound appreciation of the service and sacrifice of the young Americans you lead, and I thank you for that, too.

General Schoomaker was here a few weeks ago and said that at the current burn rate of spending on Iraq and Afghanistan he would be out of funds by October 1 unless there was a supplemental appropriation.

I think it is a deceptive way to finance the operations of the military and I think it also has practical ramifications.