Long-term entitlement reform is really one of the keys to getting the macro problem solved.

We found incremental is acceptable as long as when they violate an increment, they have a punishment for it.

One of the main things we want to do is use the leverage if these countries want to do business with the United States.

I think it is not too much to ask that we see real significant changes in policies and practices before we finish the negotiations.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 3, 2015, at 9:30 a.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Committee on…

Mr. President, I ask for a vote to be called, and I ask that it be a rollcall vote on the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act. I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There…

Mr. President, I know we are close to a vote on the Clay Hunt suicide prevention bill. As chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, who has just left the Veterans' Administration this morning after a 3-hour meeting with employees, I…

I think we all appreciate that. I do not know when you sleep, but I know how active you have been and will continue to be.

this health care proposal enacted in 2010 has been one of the most impactful pieces of legislation ever enacted by this Congress.

it would be irresponsible for the administration not to have a plan to address that, should the decision not come down the way you would like.

Too much has changed for the worse.

I see the permanent exemption being very important, because if that is added on what they have already just really been dramatically cut...

Right. And if we are going to ask you to make a capital investment, then we want you to make sure that you make one that complies with the regulations that the Government puts in place and there is one standard.

As soon as you can, Senator. I mean, we are approaching a point in time where we are going to have to make those decisions.

It is like, how does anyone make a living doing that?

It is a privilege for me to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee today to introduce Dr. Ash Carter.

He has done so much. It is important to note that he spearheaded some developments during that period of time, particularly the removal of nuclear weapons from Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Belarus.

We are fortunate, indeed, that President Obama has nominated Dr. Carter to be our next Secretary of Defense.