John McCain

If that ship decides to continue on to its destination, which may be the port very likely if it is carrying illicit weapons to an unfriendly port, do we have any way of forcing them to change course, or do they just arrive at that port?

I do believe it is neither permissible nor good policy for military personnel to participate in a political process while wearing their military uniforms.

I have concerns about the adequacy of general officer development in the Guard and Reserve.

We need a human capital strategy that views the most senior officer and enlisted personnel as 'talent resources'.

I generally concur with the recommendations of the Commission on National Guard and Reserves in this area.

The National Guard Youth Challenge Program should be funded and managed by the DOD and the NGB because of the strong military linkage which is a key element to the program's success.

Mr. Heddell, you indicated in your response to the committee's advance policy questions that you were involved in investigating the recent case involving $100 million in fraudulent claims against the TRICARE program in the Philippines.

Mr. Heddell, within a reasonably foreseeable period, will the DOD OIG be capable of conducting the audit for DOD or would DOD be better served by having independent external auditors conduct the audit?

I certainly don't view this stance in Resolution 1874 as having any impact whatsoever on North Korean behavior.

I applauded your comments last March about DOD's acquisition strategy, which you underscored that we must devote our procurement dollars to weapon systems that address the most likely threats instead of what some consider to be the most…

My personal view is that the Department should include predictable contingency costs in the base budget request to the maximum extent possible.

I believe military units in Europe need to be of sufficient capacity and capability to conduct missions across the spectrum of military operations.

I support the Defense Department's plan to sustain U.S. air superiority through the program as articulated in the Secretary's Defense Budget recommendation announcement.

What is your long-term plan for staff in that regard, i.e., to what extent does the OIG intend to ramp up its auditing capability by the 2017 deadline?

I have expressed on numerous occasions my concern about corruption in government and in DOD in particular.

If confirmed, will you take a look at this plan to ensure it is in the best interest of your forces in Europe and the U.S. taxpayers?

Business as usual is not acceptable.

They will all play an important role in achieving the positions for which they are nominated, and as far as I can tell will certainly be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Transparency and knowledge of the truth are the antidotes to the corruption that is bred by earmarks and abuse of authority.

The American people are fed up with a system that breeds corruption and will not continue to tolerate it.

I join you in welcoming our nominees this morning, and I welcome their families as well.

I absolutely do. I did then, I do now.

The importance of each of these positions to our national security can't be overstated.

The death by friendly fire of Corporal Tillman was a great tragedy, as we all know...

For years now we have been fighting without a clear strategy, with insufficient resources, and with less than total support of the Government of Pakistan.