Iran has become an increasingly more powerful player in the Middle East, but its nuclear ambitions and support for international terrorism are a threat to the regional stability and to our national security.

I think, as you point out, there's no dialogue--exchange of information that would seem to--we would lack the opportunity, I think, to get the true motivations.

Do you believe that they have the ability to close the Straits of Hormuz?

So move.

So move.

I think that most of us understand that on those issues, the political reconciliation, we haven't seen much evidence of.

I believe, quite frankly, we're in a cauldron at the present time, I'm not sure that the continued presence of American troops is useful and helpful in dampening down the kinds of intensity of the violence that we're seeing over there at…

Can you give us the assurance now, that that is your timetable?

What the American people want is a real assessment. They want it in a timely way.

This committee has been very supportive of that concept as we watch pressure on budgets and receive testimony on the open architecture nature of the DDG-1000 research and development program.

I believe the difficulties this program is experiencing today are the result, in part of the rush that occurred at the beginning of the program.

Admiral Roughead, isn't it more expensive to have two different designs of the same ship from a training and maintenance perspective?

if the Navy really believed that the threat were that urgent, it might have taken more near-term steps to address it.

I'm concerned that the problems in the LCS program jeopardize our ability to act effectively in this battle space in the near term.

I support a 55 percent increase to the statutory cost cap for LCS, up to $460 million.

So what you are saying, General, is that our men and women who wear the uniform really are a lot like Americans back at home? They have diverse opinions, too.

I support your nomination and I wish you well.

That is why Senator Levin and I and others keep getting back to the notion of consequences...