John McCain

I think there is a strong case that could be made.

This increase is both welcome and absolutely necessary to supplement significant long-term increases in DOE's own budget.

The United States has made the decision not to design and produce new warheads; however, we will preserve our capability for doing so.

Did any of our friends and allies raise any concerns about our new nuclear posture and proposed cuts to our nuclear arsenal?

How critical is the timely delivery of the dual-capable F-35 to the extended deterrence mission?

With the exception of the next generation ballistic missile submarine, the NPR says very little about long-term modernization efforts.

Does the administration intend to upgrade or modernize each leg of the triad?

I believe we must preserve sufficient flexibility to meet mandated stockpile management goals.

The NPR clearly articulates that nuclear-capable fighter aircraft forward-based in Europe are enduring, visible manifestations of our Nation's extended deterrence commitment to NATO.

The NPR sets forth a broad vision that must not be viewed outside of the realm of affordability.

The fact is that we have now sent a message: Stay in compliance with the NPT, and you will be immune from the response, if necessary, of a nuclear weapon.

That is really remarkable.

That's one of the more bizarre statements I've ever heard made before this committee.

Oh no, ambiguity was clearly a policy, Madam Secretary.

The key test of our Nation's credibility on nuclear issues is not whether, or how much, we reduce our nuclear arsenal, but whether we meet the nuclear proliferation threats posed by regimes like Iran and North Korea.

So, we are telling the American people, now, that if there's a chemical or biological attack on the United States of America, and it is of devastating consequences, we will rule out the option of using a nuclear weapon, even though that…

That's not a change in our policy.

All options regarding Iran were on the table.

Meeting the proliferation threats posed by rogue states like these must be our top priority as we determine our nuclear posture and work to shore up the global nonproliferation regime.

Unfortunately, the NPR seems to limit, inappropriately, the ability of our nuclear complex to ensure the highest level of safety, security, and reliability.

But, with 90 percent of the world's nuclear weapons, the United States and Russia must lead the world in the direction of zero.

Another concern raised by this NPR is its change to our Nation's longstanding nuclear declaratory policy of calculated ambiguity.

The commercial industry has not proven to be able to meet any safety or budget deadlines and the Constellation program already has a heavy lift vehicle, the Ares V, in the works.

You can't blame them, since no one in the White House or so far a majority in the Congress, is willing to step up to the plate and demand that this Nation provide the level of funding that is absolutely necessary to secure our leadership…

If we are going to cancel this program and pursue a different path, we should only do so under the following conditions: (1) the President has demonstrated a clear vision for human space exploration and adequately explained why it is…