Chris Coons

But we need technology development.

I support ARPA-E getting a significant increase and think it has shown, both in its strategy and its focus, a real innovative approach.

I am grateful for the opportunity to join you.

I think will help contribute to the role that I also view this committee as having a central place to play in, which is sustaining America's leading role in innovation.

The best way for us to honor both their sacrifice and the investment of over a trillion dollars, here, is to plan adequately for the transition and, hopefully, for a stable and secure ally in Iraq.

Thank you for convening this important hearing on the transition from a military-led to a civilian-led role for the United States in Iraq, going forward.

I think all of us agree that we are in a debt and deficit crisis and one that I would welcome your elucidating a little bit further just what the consequences would be for, as you put it, Senator, the little guy.

If America is not to fall behind, if we are going to be competitive, we are going to have to have high-speed rail.

High-speed rail... has value for America, and we are all part of Team America.

I support high-speed rail because I believe it is good for America.

One of my concerns is that should there be some agreement that leads to recisions of financing or funding for projects like that, that there be particular attention given to that.

What I would like to do is work with you as much as I could to make sure that Amtrak achieves the level of service that I think they are capable of delivering.

I am extremely pleased to see that this budget continues on the President's public commitment to invest in world-class education for all our students.

You do not want to create the incentives to have more of that stuff happen outside the United States.

I think the Bowles-Simpson Commission laid out the kind of strong, broad vision that we need to take on to tackle not just the deficit but, as was mentioned before, the debt for the long term.

I am hopeful that this budget--that this conversation at this Committee and elsewhere will serve as a catalytic event.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for your leadership on these very important issues.

I hope to be Senator Kaufman's successor in interest both in subject matter interest and interest in terms of representing both the people of Delaware and our country.

This really is, at the end, about values, integrity, and allowing our men and women in the Armed Forces to serve openly with honor.

I think we will listen attentively to the other panels for some clarity about what the current challenges are.

I think this is a very important topic, and in reading the briefing materials beforehand was reminded of just the challenges that both our troops in the field face and that civilians face in theater.

How engaged and how helpful has the Karzai administration been on the ground in Afghanistan...

Is my perception that these borders, broadly, are highly porous and poorly policed correct?

If I might, Ms. McGrath, you had spoken previously that the Department of Defense was working to achieve some cost savings through the streamlining of its processes.

Thank you, Chairman Akaka, thank you, Senator Voinovich, for what from the testimony today has clearly been an effective and engaged job of oversight.