John McCain

At what point did the Navy decide not to backfit Nimitz-class aircraft carriers and why was this decision made?

Why was the AAG program not designated as a program of special interest, given its criticality to meeting approved carrier requirements?

$40 billion that was spent on programs that never became reality. That is not an acceptable system or situation.

For more than seven decades, the aircraft carrier has been the centerpiece of America's global power projection.

When you use the Joint Strike Fighter as a success story, sir, you have lost the connection between the military and this committee.

I wonder if maybe we should make that a standard procedure here in defense contracting.

The only change to the program that Congress insisted upon was instituting a legislative cost cap on the three ships in the program.

The Ford-class program is currently estimated to be more than $6 billion over budget.

Congress shares responsibility for having approved the Department of Defense approach to acquiring these aircraft carriers.

The second ship, however, is 5 years behind schedule.

The committee would also like to know when there's going to be a policy that would fit into these attacks.

That would be considered a proportionate response.

We have identified the PLA [People's Liberation Army], the building in which they operate.

I agree totally with the committee that we need to strengthen our deterrence posture.

I believe that it was an Arkansas philosopher that said there is no education in the second kick of a mule.

I would like to thank you for your forthright and candid assessment.

The administration has still not mounted an adequate response.

This is an issue that Senator McCain has drawn attention to, and it's something that I think is very critical, going forward, for this committee.

They will, quote, 'respond at the time and manner of our choosing,' unquote.

They feel confident that they can attack us with impunity and without significant consequences.

We have to stop this. We just must stop it.

And if they are not fired, then the leadership should be fired.

When there is wrongdoing committed, it does not matter if the VA employee is a janitor...

What can we do to better protect you and others who are willing to come forward...

We will do everything we can to hold them accountable.