John McCain

I know you have an in depth knowledge of the needs and requirements for our national parks, for our public lands, for BLM, for a broad variety of issues that are important to the future of this Nation.

I have not supported drawing in ANWR. But if the technology is there I certainly feel strongly that we ought to--

I did not have an opportunity to publicly say congratulations Senator Salazar. We are very proud and pleased that you've agreed to serve in this very important position.

Admiral Stavridis, what is being done to find other locations to compensate for the loss of Manta?

The loss of Manta Air Base affects U.S. counter-drug operations in South and Central America.

The Beyond Goldwater-Nichols Phase II Report recommends that DOD could utilize functional commands to provide robust analytical support.

Will you require any resources or authorities in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2010 to assist you in overcoming this loss?

We need to act prudently but rapidly to posture ourselves to humanely provide for the care, custody, and safety of migrant populations at GTMO.

Should Cheyenne Mountain be restored as your primary command center? If not, why not?

In justifying the decision to scale down Cheyenne Mountain, DOD officials have stated that the threat of an intercontinental ballistic missile strike on facilities in Colorado in today's environment is low.

Admiral Stavridis, General Renuart, General Ward, and General McNabb, what additional resources, if any, do you believe that combatant commanders need to establish robust analytical capabilities to identify and assess their long-term…

How important has the Merida Initiative been?

They're effective, the Mexican military?

First of all, is the Mexican Government winning or losing?

I think one of the most underestimated aspects of the conflict in Iraq was the assistance that the Kuwaiti Government provided us with.

I'd be very interested in seeing how you're going to do that, in light of the base closure and the other increased security threats, particularly using commercial operations, given what we know is going to be an escalation in threats to…

Is the Mexican Government making any progress in addressing the issue of corruption that goes to the highest levels?

What happens to the south of us will influence what happens here in our own Nation.

It's been reported, for example, that the daily demand for truck deliveries into Afghanistan will increase by some 50 percent as an additional 17,000 troops deploy to the country.

I believe it's imperative for the United States to develop a comprehensive strategy toward the African continent.

This increased demand comes at a time when our supply routes through Pakistan have grown increasingly dangerous and the Government of Kyrgyzstan has evicted or announced the eviction of our forces from Manas Air Base.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I join you in welcoming our witnesses today and I'd like to echo your thanks to the witnesses and the men and women who serve under their command for their distinguished service to our Nation.

At the end of the last Congress, Sen. Barrasso and I introduced legislation to begin to reform the Minerals Management Service.

I find it highly offensive but you're certainly entitled to your views.

He said that the people here still believe that the future is ours to shape.