John McCain

Do you believe the Afghan Security Forces will be capable of assuming lead responsibility for combat operations in 2013?

Key to long-term stability in Afghanistan is the development of the Afghan Security Forces.

Secretary Panetta, does this delay in any way infuse additional risk in our national ability to meet our current strategic requirements in the future?

Secretary Panetta, does a delay instill additional risk in the Navy's ability to maintain the same at-sea availability rates required under current nuclear force posture?

Secretary Panetta, does the current strategy include any margin for design or development challenges?

Secretary Panetta, I understand the budget proposes delaying the replacement ballistic missile submarine for 2 years and estimates doing so will save $4.3 billion.

I think it is tremendously shortsighted if they reduce funds that are absolutely essential for modernization . . . if we aren't staying ahead of it, we jeopardize the security of this country.

General Dempsey, how will you avoid the repeat of the poorly executed drawdown of the 1990s, which slashed recruiting and first-term soldier strength, thus creating gaps that hurt the Army--in order to retain more mid-career personnel?

I am concerned that returning to pre-September 11 personnel levels within 5 years may damage readiness and create structural problems within the Services.

Do you have a plan to address the nondeployable population of our combat forces, such as about 25,000 Active Duty Army soldiers?

I am concerned that a rapid reduction in the end strength of the Army and the Marine Corps will degrade the readiness of the combat forces and break faith with an All-Volunteer Force that defeated the insurgency in Iraq, that continues to…

Secretary Panetta, if there is any further postponement of transition of future Medicare eligible enrollees to Medicare/TFL...

Do the contracts in effect today comply with the statutory requirement for cost neutrality? If not, why not?

5 years have passed since revelations by the press of substandard care management for wounded warriors at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Secretary Panetta, since announced plans call for Marine Corps forces to rotate to Australia or Guam, 8,700 marines and their families will be leaving Okinawa to be stationed somewhere else--where will they go?

Secretary Panetta, did you have an opportunity to advocate to the OMB or the President for a smaller reduction than $487 billion in cuts over 10 years?

Sequestration, however, would clearly pose unacceptable risk by significantly reducing U.S. military readiness, investment, and force structure, hollowing the force and degrading U.S. military power.

Sequestration would likely result in a smaller force structure that is ill-equipped, ill-trained, and ill-prepared to meet future challenges.

What incentive can the Taliban possibly have to negotiate meaningfully with the Afghanistan Government or with us when they know that the United States is leaving regardless?

Does the cost of TRICARE Prime comply with current law for cost neutrality? If not, why not?

Secretary Panetta, please provide a comparison of the per beneficiary costs for those enrolled to the USFHP...

Secretary Panetta, is there a Plan B for the F-35 JSF if both procurement and sustainment costs are not controlled and if so, what could those options be?

Secretary Panetta, why, given these recent developments, did you believe that lifting the F-35B from probation 1 year early was appropriate?

Secretary Panetta, if you are presented a request for a formal position on a particular spending item of this nature, can I expect a firm and unequivocal position from you stating why you either oppose or support the spending?

Further reductions below 33 amphibious ships is inconsistent with the Marine Corps mission to maintain a viable amphibious assault capability.