If confirmed, will you fully examine the impact of the divestiture on all partners to ensure the system will remain viable until it is replaced or upgraded?

Secretary Panetta has called for a review of the military retirement system.

There are a lot of pieces of legislation floating now to try to figure out how do we deal with this from a defense perspective and a national security perspective.

The military supports the effort to get the Law of the Sea Treaty resolved.

Do you support the policy of ensuring our Homeland is protected from an ICBM attack by a rogue nation or non-state actor?

I think they are going to be short on how many they will need based on replacement.

DOD has a huge role here, not only during times of war, but also, as you said, you're a large consumer of energy.

I think this helps our sovereignty, strengthens our sovereignty.

from the Karzai Government on down, he is not exempt from this.

Dr. Carter, currently the EELV program is divided into two separate contracts: a cost-plus Launch Capability (ELC) contract that annually funds all fixed costs for United Launch Alliance (ULA); and a Launch Services (ELS) contract through…

An east coast IFICS IDT will significantly enhance our ability to communicate with in-flight GBIs for protection of the east coast.

I believe one of our greatest challenges to integrating intelligence capabilities between DHS and DOD is the important policy and legal balance regarding the protection of privacy rights and civil liberties.

I think that is a good move.

Sometimes around this place, the funding occurs based on who yells the loudest.

Can you share--you don't have to do it right now, obviously, but if you could get to my office--maybe what you see those trend lines look like over the last several years and where we're going in literacy attainment within our security…

DOD being unable to sustain any more cuts to force structure.

Dr. Carter, if confirmed, will you make it a goal to transfer the security mission to the Afghans sooner than 2014?

Dr. Carter, what is the basis for the planned acquisition of 40 cores over 5 years, specifically?

Yes. Against today's threat, I believe an east coast IFICS IDT enhances our ability to communicate with in-flight GBIs for protection of the east coast.

I support the other leaders who have testified and attested to the fact that I think it will improve our standing and our security if we enter into the Law of the Sea Convention.

Dr. Carter, what is the average cost of a launch on a Delta V and a Delta V Heavy?

I've worked extensively with TRICARE Management Activity and the Services to improve access to care.

Mr. Panetta, do you have concerns with the Afghan Government's ability to sustain our efforts--like funding their own security forces?

It is easy to call this wasteful if you do not understand the needs of rural communities. They do not have any other means of transportation. When he introduced the amendment, my friend in Arizona suggested that folks are bypassing…

I want to assure him, there are some moderates over here who understand the value and the managing of the budget. If someone comes from Alaska, you know we support gun rights, oil and gas drilling, we support a lot of things as Democrats…