John McCain

It is truly an interagency and international mission and these troops are blending in beautifully.

All they want right now is guidance on the mission before them and the tools to accomplish it.

I look forward to your testimony.

I am consistently amazed and heartened by the courage, commitment, and dedication of the brave men and women who choose to answer the call to defend our Nation.

The catastrophic January 12 earthquake that struck Haiti reminded all of us just how indiscriminate natural disasters can be and renewed America's commitment to Haiti.

President Obama's setting of the July 2011 date for the beginning of U.S. troop reductions in Afghanistan energized Afghanistan's leadership.

I am mindful of the fact, as are you, that unlike the last time this issue was considered by Congress more than 15 years ago, our military is engaged in two wars that have put troops and their families under considerable stress and strain.

This policy is wrong for our national security and inconsistent with the moral foundation upon which our country was founded.

We have well over 200,000 troops deployed in harm's way right now.

I am disappointed, Secretary Gates, that you have announced that you will recommend a veto if the Defense bills include funding for the F136 alternate engine.

I would appreciate it if you could comment on these and potentially other issues you see facing this program.

I fully support your efforts to use OCO and supplemental funding to address many operational shortfalls in Afghanistan.

I remain concerned that we are not on pace to achieve the end strength of 400,000 by 2013, as recommended by General McChrystal.

Are you going to stay or are you going to leave like you did last time?

There are also opportunities.

The day that this -- the leadership of the military comes to me and says, 'Senator, we ought to change the policy,' then I think we ought to consider seriously changing it, because those leaders in the military are the ones we give the…

I'm happy to say that we still have a Congress of the United States that would have -- would have to pass a law to repeal 'don't ask, don't tell,' despite your efforts to repeal it, in many respects, by fiat.

Senators John McCain and Tom Coburn call a waste of money.

I agree with the statement in your report that 'the events of November 5, 2009, are first and foremost a tragedy for all involved; families, colleagues, and the Nation.'

The omission in your report of adequately recognizing and addressing the specific threats posed by violent extremism to our military servicemembers is troubling.

What happened at Fort Hood was something more than an isolated incident, more than a random act of violence by an alleged perpetrator.

I am sure you are aware that 45 percent of all apprehensions of illegal immigrants in this country occur in Arizona.

I know that my time has expired, but could I just ask again, how closely intertwined and coordinated are the drug cartels and the human smuggling people?

I wanted to congratulate you, and not only ICE but also the coordination between all levels of law enforcement in that operation.

Well, the President's budget requests $53 million less than 2010 for the identification and removal of criminal aliens.