This policy, 'don't ask, don't tell', is a stain on the honor and values of the American military and we ought to remove it as quickly as possible.

My concern is legislative changes at this point leading sailors to question whether their input matters.

I remain convinced that it is critically important to get a better understanding of where our soldiers and families are on the issue.

Thanks again to the witnesses.

Let me just say that we base a lot of our decisions, probably too many, on samples about political questions and our standing that are a lot smaller than the number that you had responding here.

I appreciate, finally, your comment about the integrity of the military.

I believe it is an important matter of keeping faith with those currently serving in the Armed Forces that the Secretary of Defense-commissioned review be completed before there is any legislation to repeal.

The U.S. military has a proud tradition of leading and reflecting the best values of America.

the fact is he cannot do it himself. Congress has to take action to give the President essentially the same latitude for executive action that President Truman had during his time.

I know there are more than 60 votes in the U.S. Senate to adopt the defense authorization bill, including the repeal of don't ask, don't tell. The only thing that will stop us is time.

No. I don't think -- after today's hearing, after the report put out by the Pentagon a couple of days ago, there is no legitimate reason for sustaining the don't ask, don't tell policy.

This policy, don't ask, don't tell, is a stain on the honor and values of the American military. And we ought to remove it as quickly as possible.

I think the question that John raised today has been answered in the survey. Not -- two-thirds of the American military, a little more than that, say that they don't think repealing don't ask, don't tell will have any effect on military…

I think it is un-American.

It's just wrong and un-American to discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation.

for 22 years it has been a blessing for me to have served with Chris Dodd in the Senate as my colleague from Connecticut, as my dear friend, as my legislative partner. I am going to miss him a lot, as everybody in this Chamber will. I…

Mr. Dodaro is not a newcomer to government.

I think that is a great priority for you to commit yourself to because there is a way that when a high-risk report comes out, the agencies on it suffer some bad publicity for a day, and then for some of them, unless there is a driving…

Thanks, Senator Carper.

In the selection process that led to this nomination there was a lot of pushing and pulling and concern about politics.

Last week, I was in Afghanistan to visit our troops, and I saw a remarkable demonstration of a bomb-sniffing dog there.

In this coming budgetary round, if you feel you need more funding support for research and development or grant programs to develop better technology for screening, please do not hesitate to ask us.

You are getting what you need?

Is there somewhere now within your two agencies, within DHS or the intelligence community, and if not, should there be, where we are trying to think like the terrorists?

I hope you will keep us posted on that.