John McCain

The fall of Bashar Assad would be the greatest blow to the Iranians in 25 years.

No one that I know, including General Andress (ph) and his battalion commanders, are asking for American boots on the ground.

Is the status quo acceptable? Bashar Assad with the Russians' equipment and the Hezbollah leader announcing that they are all in?

He came back more convinced than ever that America should play a greater military role in support of the Syrian opposition.

Senator John McCain crossed into Syria today to meet with rebel leaders.

We need to have a substantial campaign to counter the malign influence of Pakistan and the ISI.

This means that there is an architecture of support for Afghanistan that is a new factor.

The key, I think, is the number following that, the permanent support force that is going to be there for the foreseeable future.

It seems to me that there are several seminal events or situations that will determine success or failure.

The United States should continue to call for the adoption of an election law that establishes a transparent and inclusive Electoral Commission.

President Obama announced at the State of the Union that we will withdraw half of the forces we have now.

Allowing the election to slip would diminish public confidence in the process and could have security implications.

If we cut down to the $4 billion goal, the result would be to lay off something like 120,000 soldiers and police.

I would say, the level of 13,600 recommended by General Mattis, although I would be more comfortable with a level of 20,000 to 30,000.

We hope that this resolution will send a clear message to Afghan authorities that the United States is committed to investing in Afghanistan's future.

The United States should send a clear message to the Afghan people that we consider the integrity of this process to be a top priority.

The independence of these bodies is critical because it speaks to the ultimate impartiality of the elections and helps to build confidence in the electoral process.

I say with respect, given the tax rate that you are paying in Ireland, I am sure you have a very close relationship.

So it was my understanding that you sought to testify before this Committee for that purpose, and other purposes. Is that correct?

The moral of the story, at least in my view, is that Apple has violated the spirit of the law, if not the letter of the law, and I agree that a great deal of responsibility lies with Congress.

Does that sound logical?

So permanent drastic reduction of the corporate tax rate, it seems to me, following your argument, would be the answer.

The last time, as you mentioned, Professor Shay, that we did any meaningful reform was way back in 1986, and it is long overdue.

Our job and your job as designers of tax systems is to try and find a way that, while allowing business to do its business, we are taxing income in a way that least disturbs the pre-tax economic decisionmaking.

To a great advantage to Apple, wouldn't you agree?