We can't let numbers like that drive the agenda.

But the base defense budget that we rely on to defend America has to be examined and not unnecessarily weakened, in my opinion.

I believe Senator Levin asked you about deployments in Europe. It's just a matter that's come up again recently. I am of the belief it's difficult to justify 40,000 troops in Europe at this point in time.

We need to have this kind of conversation with our allies. They have to participate more.

I think this is a smart Navy move. I remember when Admiral Clarke proposed it.

I believe it's the responsibility of Congress to reduce spending. We're going to have to do that.

They do have to be confident the people of this country are behind them, and sometimes that means money.

I just feel that you have a good ship there.

I think we have to ask ourselves, can we continue to maintain that kind of forward deployment of brigades.

I appreciate Senator McCain because he's going to be on top of it.

The U.S. Government is a government of limited powers.

It causes our Nation to once again enter into a discussion about what it means to be a government of limited powers.

We did not have hearings in this Committee on the health care bill, the constitutionality of it.

I believe that is a very important point.

My Governor, Governor Riley, has told me he is stunned by the economic impact that this health care bill would have on State budgets.

I think that's pretty plain.

Senator McCain smelled a rat early on.

The Air Force did start off with this process in a very, very unfortunate way.

we shouldn't on the eve of this competition take any action that would suggest we want the Air Force to do anything other than try to select the best aircraft at the best price for the men and women who defend our country.

I know the Air Force has bent over backwards to be fair about this.

That's pretty conclusive, actually, your ability to determine that.

both offerors reacted in a responsible manner and returned the disks that were mistakenly forwarded to them.

I think the Air Force tried to do what they could.

I hope, submitting the lowest possible bids, for the benefit of America and the taxpayers.

I believe that it is unthinkable that we have no problem relying on countries such as Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Venezuela, for increased oil imports, while refusing to produce our own domestic reserves.