Joe Lieberman

If we can help bring down Assad, it's a tremendous strategic victory for us against Iran.

You can't just stand by and watch people being slaughtered.

Yes, I think it is another stall tactic by the Assad regime.

We've got to arm the Syrian opposition. And only when Assad feels threatened by that, that kind of counterattack will he even think about leaving, hopefully, or going to real negotiations.

I don't know how many times world leaders are going to have to be deceived, lied to by Assad before they realize that this man can't be trusted.

It is clear that this is a growing problem that we as a country have yet to address.

I believe that our military families should be provided with the best available care.

The time to address this critical gap in TRICARE is now.

I would like to lend my strong support for expanded coverage for military families affected by autism.

I just cannot say how important this JSF program is.

Yes. That is the point I appreciate you are making and why there is such pressure, as you well know, Admiral Venlet, on bringing the JSF in on schedule.

We will keep hopefully not totally motivated by paranoia, but we will keep an eye on this and ask you to continue to report to us about how it is doing.

So the main purpose for this program is in terms of fuel consumption. Is that right?

There is a lot on the line.

I think holding back those aircraft was really important and I am glad that the international partners agreed.

Their participation is important to the fiscal viability of the program.

The JSF program from the beginning was envisioned to be an international program.

I think I am typical of most Members of Congress which is that we strongly support this program.

So, bottom line, you are confident, encouraged at this moment, based on the changes that you are implementing after the technical baseline review, that there will not be additional delays in the development or production of the JSF.

The F-35 JSF is a really important program to our military. It is a big program. It is expensive, but it is critical.

Yes. That is what is so critical.

But if the goal is to improve fuel consumption and fuel efficiency, then why not invest in improving some of the existing engine programs for aircraft?

I appreciate the very thorough response.

I just want to clarify.

Have any of the pilots been left with lasting disabilities as a result of these problems?