Richard Blumenthal

I believe that it is time for the FCC to get involved in the rulemaking on this process.

I happen to believe that a formal rulemaking process is appropriate and necessary in this area.

I believe that the collaborative process works better.

Isn't that the purpose of the FCC's existence?

Don't you think that the public has a right and a legitimate expectation that there be standards in this critical area?

Don't you think that the FCC should open a formal rulemaking proceeding to explore whether there can be standards and requirements imposed in this area?

Thank you very much for having this hearing.

It's not just a Ukrainian struggle. Ukraine is the testing ground for the United States against this kind of blatant, ongoing aggression.

I believe that the time has come to provide defensive weapons, to listen to the Ukrainians, most recently the President of Ukraine, President Poroshenko, when he came to us in this Congress and asked for those kinds of weapons so that the…

The fact of the matter is, as the New York Times reported just recently, Russian 'tanks and other military vehicles are pouring over the border from Russia into Eastern Ukraine'.

I share the impatience and concern that has been articulated so well by my colleague and friend from New Hampshire and others on this panel.

Do you think that concern is shared widely in the Intelligence Community?

Frequently those members of the Naval Reserve or of the Army National Guard or the Air Force National Guard bring capabilities, training, education, skills that are very valuable.

Are there areas of our private defense industrial base or even financial, utilities, and so forth that you regard as most vulnerable?

I agree with you very, very strongly that legislation will be necessary.

This policy has successfully ensured peace in the region and contributed to the stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

Would you agree that rescission of that one would send a message about the stability and the new era that we're entering to our National Guard and Reserve?

I'd like to ask you to take a very close look as to whether Executive Order 13223... is still necessary.

Shouldn't we be closing or eliminating that excess capacity before we talk about another round of BRAC, which, in many ways, has been extraordinarily costly?

Isn't there excess capacity in overseas military installations?

The recommendation made last go-around was not adopted by the Senate or Congress. The reason is, quite simply, in my view, BRAC is not cost-efficient.

I would like your commitment, on behalf of myself and other colleagues who are very intent that the will of Congress be carried out, that this project go forward.

The 30-year-old helicopters that now do that mission have to be replaced, do they not?

The mission of rescuing our warfighters in peril is one of predominant urgency.

The irony is that for all of their physical needs they were, and are, so strong in spirit and character and values.