So it was really a cost issue more than anything?

I think it is brought into the starkest and most staggering profile by the Russians in effect thumbing their nose at us in Ukraine.

If I may, General, let me ask you about a related technology issue, and I think I may know the answer but I want to be sure we have it on the record.

Your estimates that you gave earlier about the reduction in costs are dependent on all of those allied purchases going through.

What will you do then in coming to us with the results of those more up-to-date analyses and the exercises that you have planned?

The F-35 will form the backbone of U.S. air combat superiority for generations to come.

the emphasis on competitive prototyping is intended to mitigate this risk for the government.

We are voting at 4:30 p.m., and we also have a meeting of our full committee afterwards to talk about sequestration.

I conclude by observing that national defense is solely a Federal responsibility, but it requires assistance from all levels of government and civilian industry.

yesterday's hearing of the commerce committee's subcommittee on consumer safety provided a powerful and important moment in our legislative process, and I want to thank my colleague, the chairman of that subcommittee, Chairman McCaskill…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. GM Recall

Thank you, Mr. President. I am honored to follow the Presiding Officer, my good friend Senator Schumer of New York, and my colleague and friend Senator Murphy of Connecticut to talk about an issue that really affects quality of life, our…

We need it on time and hopefully under budget, as our submarine-building program has done.

I take it from what you said yesterday and what you have said here today that GM concealed material significant information from NHTSA.

To be precise, the shortfall is $150 million?

warn drivers who are currently behind the wheel of those cars that they should not drive them until they are repaired because they are unsafe.

And defects are supposed to be reported, correct?

will this cut of 29 helicopters have a negative effect on the Navy's operational capability?

commit to a compensation fund that will do justice for the victims of the defects that killed people in your cars.

Isn't this point a weakness in the authorization or appropriation process, to potentially put the entire ORP at risk because of this anomaly or idiosyncrasy in budgeting?

I have enormous admiration and respect for your career, what you have accomplished, and the leadership that you have provided to GM.

Even with the changes that you describe in the aircraft carrier, won't there still be a need for the 11 frigates to have helicopters?

Thank you, Madam Chairman, and thank you for committing to continue these hearings.

But why not just come clean and say, we are going to do justice here, we are going to do the right thing, we are going to compensate the victims.

Senator, if I had any data, any incidents where with just the key or the key and the ring there was any risk, I would ground these vehicles across the country.