John McCain

The plan is on time and on schedule for a complete withdrawal by the December 2011 deadline of the Security Agreement.

The drawdown of troops and equipment in Iraq is on track due to solid planning and the discipline, training, and dedication of our deployed forces.

I think it is time for us to have a serious heart-to-heart with the Europeans on their defense expenditures.

The primary focus of U.S. forces stationed in the ROK must be the deterrence of aggression against the ROK.

Is the extended deployment of U.S. combat forces away from Korea consistent with the guidelines contained in the U.S.-ROK Defense Cooperation agreement?

How can these costs be reduced?

I support DOD efforts to work with Congress to find ways to help control escalating health care costs.

This committee declined to authorize the President's request for $407 million to continue U.S. participation in the Army's troubled Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) program.

I believe we should have an enduring military relationship with the Afghans.

The challenge that you will face in Afghanistan was always going to be significant. But I fear this challenge has only been increased unnecessarily by the drawdown of U.S. forces that the President announced last week.

I have talked to probably 20 retired and Active Duty military leaders since the President's announcement was made, and it is very obvious that the challenges are now enormous.

The U.S.-ROK alliance has never been better and stronger.

I hope you will work with us closely on that issue, and I think we are going to ask for a pause until we can get a full evaluation.

Mr. Obama would only have himself to blame if, for entirely domestic political reasons, he undermines the conditions for a security transition to Afghan national forces by 2014 that still looks just about doable.

Does the President's announcement of this withdrawal make your job--if you are confirmed, and I am sure you will be--more difficult and more challenging or easier?

By drawing down U.S. forces those several months early so that they miss the next fighting season, how much additional risk are we incurring, and how could it negatively affect our mission?

However, under the President's plan, which calls for having all of our surge units out of Afghanistan by September, these troops will begin flowing out of Afghanistan right at the time that the Taliban, al Qaeda, and their terrorist allies…

It is clear to me that if there is another such provocation, South Korea will not turn the other cheek.

I am very concerned that the President's decision poses an unnecessary risk to the progress we have made thus far, to our mission, and to our men and women in uniform.

I agree with the President that we are making amazing progress in Afghanistan. This progress is real, and it is remarkable. But as our commanders on the ground all point out, it is also fragile and reversible.

We remain as committed as ever to our responsibilities.

In the long term, the promotion of healthy life styles and prevention among our beneficiaries is one way to help reduce the demand for health services.

What are the opportunities you envision to consolidate administrative and leadership functions of the various agencies or DOD enterprises?

Are you committed to DOD's compliance with the BRAC deadline established by law to the maximum extent practicable?

What are your views about the importance of this issue and the need for legislation to address this problem?