John McCain

Secretary Gates, to what extent will your budget proposal ensure that the delivery of assets for OT&E and initial training will be managed consistent with plans approved for OT&E?

I am concerned about the F-35 Lightning acquisition program, even with the restructuring you announced in December 2009.

I thank them for their service and sacrifice.

Secretary Gates, please explain in detail how the working group will attempt to gauge the impacts of a change in the law on military effectiveness, including how a change might affect unit cohesion, recruiting, and retention.

Secretary Gates, will the administration come forward with a legislative proposal to repeal the current restrictions on bringing detainees from GTMO to the United States in time for comprehensive review before Congress receives the JTF…

If Congress approves a change in the law to allow long-term detention without trial in the United States, and also approves the funding requested to purchase and improve detention facilities at Thomson, what is the timeline to begin…

There is absolutely no way we can maintain a credible deterrent and reduce the number of weapons in our stockpile without either resorting to testing our stockpile or pursuing a modernization program.

In the past you have been quite vocal on the need for modernization of the nuclear weapons complex.

There is no hard cap on the number of forces in Afghanistan.

What will be the total costs in terms of infrastructure, family support programs, and other operating costs to achieve DOD's long-term goal to phase out all unaccompanied tours in Korea?

I look forward to resuming work with the GOJ to fulfill our longstanding mutual objective of realigning our force posture in Okinawa to be more politically and operationally sustainable.

Secretary Gates, what is the difference in terms of the number of detainees that could be held or the nature of detention operations between IOC and FOC?

When would the extensive improvements at Thomson and Rock Island begin?

It would be far more appropriate, I say with great respect, to determine whether repeal of this law is appropriate and what effects it would have on the readiness and effectiveness of the military, before deciding on whether we should…

We need more than 3 minutes. We need more than 3 minutes.

I am gratified by the management decisions you announced yesterday to instill accountability in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program by replacing the program executive officer and withholding more than $600 million.

Your statement obviously is one which is clearly biased, without the view of Congress being taken into consideration.

Is there a hard cap on the number of troops in Afghanistan?

The cost of an additional half percent pay raise increase to the fiscal year 2011 budget is $339 million in fiscal year 2011 and $2.2 billion across the FYDP.

The ability to make substantial reductions in combat forces hinges on the timing of the next round of Iraqi parliamentary elections.

Secretary Gates, during the hearing, you explained that, at this moment, the program is holding schedule in terms of the expected initial operating capability (IOC) dates for all the variant aircraft except that fewer quantities may be…

I am confident that this can be achieved.

It is the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy that reflects a social agenda out of step with the everyday experience of most Americans.

I am determined that we in the Department carry out this process professionally, thoroughly, dispassionately, and in a manner that is responsive to the direction of the President and to the needs of Congress.

I fully support the President's decision.