Dan Sullivan

Close with and destroy the enemies of our Nation?

Going to 450,000 now is too risky, given the strategic challenges that we face globally.

There are a lot of us who think the President...pressing the limits of his executive authority, ignoring the rule of law.

I think the White House has admitted they violated the law with regard to Bergdahl.

There is a debate that I am sure you are seeing being played out.

How do we ever complete our mission as long as there is a substantial safe haven in the border region of Afghanistan and Pakistan?

Are we targeting ISIL forces as part of our CT mission in Afghanistan?

We know the intention of IS [the Islamic State]. We have seen this in the media.

I believe... it is way too low, strategically risky for the country.

Let me just say if the Army retained the 425 at its full strength... would it not send a strong message?

Do you think removing these forces emboldens the already unstable leader of North Korea or Putin?

There is a big principle at stake here: the management of Alaska's lands, State and Federal, which were guaranteed by Congress.

I appreciate the bipartisan way in which we have been focused on it.

This is a perfect example of where an agency philosophically disagrees with Federal law, so they bypass the will of Congress.

So I urge a yes vote on my amendment.

There is a fundamental issue here. The statehood compact by which Alaska became a State... granted by the Congress, authority for the State to manage our fish and wildlife.

Alaska has probably the best management of fish and game of any State, of any country in the world.

I noted that the budget certainly focuses on this.

Is there something legislatively we need to do to fix this at all?

I think we should just nip in the bud, kill. I mean, it is outrageous that we have vets going through that kind of stress.

I would welcome the chance to work with you and this Committee on those issues, because I think they are important and I think they go to servicing our veterans in the best way.

I understand the purpose of the rule, but we want to make sure that we are not limiting veterans' opportunities.

I think the critical element here is connecting them.

Senator McCain is always pushing veterans' issues.

It is beyond unacceptable if we are still having those kinds of issues.