I wholeheartedly agree with that. I was optimistic that President--the President would hear that rhetoric from the Secretary and turn it into action.

I welcome you and your commissioners, and I appreciate the work you all have put into this report.

I am really interested in us doing some creative things when it comes to recruitment and retention.

In my opening statement, you heard me talk about the threats that we have in new warfighting domains that we have to be conscious of.

The big difference is the previous administration's was conditions based. This is unconditional withdrawal.

I have significant concerns about President Biden's decision.

I don't doubt the commitment of the Biden administration against the terrorist threat and I would hope that they are committed, as all previous administrations have been, to taking the steps necessary and striking when we need to to…

The chairman was correct earlier when he made the point that Biden administration's policy to withdraw from Afghanistan is following up on the previous administration's.

Make no mistake, they will fight until they control that country again.

I am of the opinion this should have been resolved before you announced you were leaving.

I think it's really important, certainly, the Department of Defense but the State Department and whole of government really sort of moves that up on the priority list to go--to go forward to try and find a way to help the people who have…

We do not need to have a slush fund for the Defense Department.

I share my concern on the burn pits that Representative Welch talked about.

I wholeheartedly agree with the request for the Aegis Ashore site at Guam, that that is inadequate, and this should be one of our highest priorities, to protect what we know is an early target from any attack.

Our National Guard folks are right alongside Active Duty personnel... they should get the same treatment.

I think that is unacceptable.

Maintaining financial control over this behemoth is critical to ensure taxpayer accountability and avoid waste, fraud, and abuse.

There had better be a plan for that, and I expect the administration to explain it to us as soon as possible.

I am very concerned that the Taliban will overrun the democratically elected government soon after we withdraw.

Given the commitment and given where we are at in our national security needs, I think the President made the right call.

European Command and our NATO allies are facing an increasingly belligerent Russia and a growing Chinese influence in their operations.

I believe that the committee should continue its strong support for European Deterrence Initiative, the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, and other programs to build our capacity in Europe and empower our partners.

We should be more concerned about raising the baseline of our partners' capabilities in Eastern Europe than about Vladimir Putin's ego.

If we do not fund you at least at the rate of inflation, and hopefully aligned with the National Defense Strategy Commission's recommendation of 3-5 percent increase, then we are doing you and our country a great disservice.

That is why I greatly was disappointed with the President's top-line budget number of $715 billion requested for DOD, which constitutes a nearly $5 billion cut in real dollars.