John McCain

It's really frustrating to us when you set up these strawmen that the only alternatives we have is to walk away, and the other is a preponderantly American force. That's not true.

The Senate Armed Services Committee meets this morning to receive testimony on the United States strategy in the Middle East and efforts to counter so-called Islamic State.

In reality, we will have 179 [F-35s].

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program is the largest and most expensive acquisition program in Department of Defense history.

Costs have more than doubled from original estimates.

The F-35 program's record of performance has been both a scandal and a tragedy with respect to cost, schedule, and performance.

Believe me, this was devastating and there is no doubt about the responsibility that rests with the EPA.

This is not a partisan issue. It is a Native American issue.

It is a violation of our obligation to protect the interest of Native Americans and their tribes.

I have to be very blunt as I have been known to do, suppose this had happened in a non-Indian area?

Well, it just seems to many of us--and I'm sure the members of your Tribe--that actions taken by a Federal bureaucracy, not necessarily by a law passed, but a regulation that would devastate the economy of your people, that there should be…

Is there any ongoing investigations into criminal negligence?

Do you agree with the statement the Army Corps. has superior experience than the DOI to lead the study?

I just want to assure the witnesses that we're a long way from finished with this issue.

Did the EPA review lead to any criminal referrals to the Department of Justice?

Did the EPA internal review identify any criminal negligence related to the spill?

No safe blood lead level in children has been identified.

What is clear now is that not enough has been done.

The EPA's failed on many occasions to meet its obligations to Native American tribes.

I think that the Navajo Nation and other tribes in the West are right to not trust the EPA.

We are going to have further hearings, that is music to our ears.

This forced the closure of tribal immigration systems, which has devastated agricultural communities in and around Farmington.

The Department of Justice criminal investigation is merited and must now occur.

There's no question as to the EPA's culpability and negligence in this disaster.

Let me be clear, the Committee is not finished with the EPA spill. I intend to have further hearings as needed.