Jeff Sessions

I've long urged that we focus more on the GMD system, the only system solely responsible for protecting the Homeland at this time.

I'm pleased that the top line of $8.6 billion includes a modest increase over last year, but I'm concerned that the overall 5-year budget represents a more than $2.2 billion reduction below last year's planned future defense budget.

I'm confident that the difficulties we are having will and can be solved, but we have to spend some time and effort on that.

Well, ultimately the political leaders make final decisions on the matter, there's no doubt about it.

I happen to be the ranking member on the Budget Committee, which makes all this no fun to talk about.

Do all of you understand it would be your duty, if asked in hearings or within DOD, that your duty would be to give your best military judgment as to how to best defend America, even if it's not in accord with us politicians?

What steps are being taken to ensure that taxpayers' dollars will be spent wisely?

I appreciate, Mr. Chairman, your commitment to hold another committee hearing next month to address critical issues regarding the modernization and future plans for further potential reductions, and I'm afraid unwise, reductions in the…

DOD is not immune. I'm just telling you, and neither is DOE.

The United States of America cannot not have a reliable nuclear arsenal. It is not acceptable.

Admiral Mullen has said it's the greatest threat to our national security--our debt.

It's difficult to overstate the fiscal crisis this Nation is in.

I believe that an individual arrested carrying a bomb, about to board an airplane in the United States directly connected to al Qaeda should be treated as an enemy combatant, does not need to be taken to court in 24 or 48 hours and given a…

Well, I do not know, you being a long-time appointment, so you can speak candidly about what is important to protecting the safety of the United States of America.

Have you made a recommendation that that is the way, the presumptive way----

Well, I would agree----

I remain totally baffled by this administration and, frankly, your perception that those who are dedicated to the destruction of this country...should be presumptively treated as criminals.

Well, could I ask you this question. Did Mr. Lew or the President of the United States, when they made that statement, 'We will not be adding to the debt,' did they say, by the way, American people, what we really mean is some arcane idea…

Well, that is not what he said. He said we will not be adding more to the national debt.

Our deficit this year is projected to be $1.65 trillion, the largest ever by any Nation in the world.

The co-chairs of the Deficit Commission, Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson, declared that if the United States failed to curb our growing debt, the country would face 'the most predictable economic crisis in its history.'

This crushing debt burdens growth. It undermines economic confidence and threatens our Nation with a severe debt crisis.

I believe this accident should not have happened.

I believe that is reassuring to those of us who believe, as a matter of national interest, we should produce oil and gas from the Gulf.

I know Admiral Mullen of the Joint Chiefs said our debt is the greatest threat to national security.