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?

That's probably a very safe answer for you right now.

You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.

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…

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

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.

If thought were being given to the effect on the troops and the conditions on the ground in Iraq, I do not think you would probably see as many of these resolutions floating around here on Capitol Hill.

You mentioned some of the things, ethnic cleansing, other countries interfering, terrorist groups moving in, disruptions in the flow of oil.

His departure had nothing to do with his performance or competence and everything to do with the politics of an unpopular war.

I am very concerned about the mixed messages that are sent by statements that are made here, not so much again as they are directed to constituencies back in the States, but more importantly what impact that has on the men and women who…

What I would like to share with you are some concerns I've heard from my constituents regarding TRICARE and customer satisfaction.

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

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

I thank the panel for their willingness to serve.

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

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...

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

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