Yes. The last time I touched on it the trend line on attrition was trending positive, which means we were gaining control of it. The trend line on literacy training was also trending positive, but that is an enormous slope to climb, for…

What actions is DOD taking to ensure that New Entrant requirements will be equitable and reasonable to allow for full and open competition under the EELV program?

I support eliminating the threat to U.S. national security in Afghanistan and Pakistan by defeating al Qaeda.

Do you support continued modernization and sustainment of the GMD system in support of this policy?

They're light on their commitments, that's my view, and that's a personal view.

I believe it is important to maintain this advantage by continuing to improve the GMD system and ensuring there are adequate capacity to counter limited threats as they evolve.

Dr. Carter, what are the total costs of a 40 core block buy?

But we'll have a commitment.

I do not agree that DOD is in a position where it cannot achieve additional cost savings and efficiencies through elimination of poor performing programs and a reassessment of priorities and requirements.

I support the efforts of this review to mitigate risk should the threat evolve sooner or if the threat is more capable than anticipated.

I will look into that.

I believe it is prudent to continually reassess the number of GBIs we need as our capabilities and knowledge of potential threats mature.

General Dempsey, if confirmed, will you work with the other partners to ensure the divestiture timeline allows for all partners to make the necessary preparations to assume responsibility for the sites if they choose to do so?

The current strategy gives the Nation a critical hedge beyond the program of record to respond to unforeseen threats, both in terms of capability and capacity for Homeland defense.

I think it's important from the national and international perspective, but also I'm biased--it's located in Alaska and we need to make sure the resources are there to keep it moving forward.

I am concerned about a potential threat to U.S. national security and military operability: the issue of rare earth elements and our military's dependence on unreliable foreign nations for our supply.

Today, the current GMD system provides protection for the east coast.

The real cost of the war is in the trillions, not in the billions, in the trillions.

I prefer those sources to be domestic instead of overseas to ensure access and strengthen our national security.

I'm assuming somewhere, and maybe it's not within DOD, but maybe it's a combo between DOD, State, and others: Assume the scenario we're out of Afghanistan; there is a financial cost that we're going to be committed to at some point, for…

Dr. Carter, if confirmed, what changes, if any, would you recommend for U.S. relations with Pakistan, particularly in terms of military-to-military relations?

Alaska needs to play a key role in these initiatives since it is the only U.S. State in the Arctic.

If confirmed, do you intend to continue this work on the Arctic and climate change, to include executing the actionable items in the Arctic Roadmap?

I have faith that you are not going to leave the troops hanging out there without the right logistic support they will need to do their job.

The Orphaned Earmarks Act would rescind earmarks that remain 90 percent or more unused 9 years after being appropriated. In early January, USA Today published an article examining 20 years of earmarks that have not been spent. According to…