"I think it is additionally helpful for us to provide a strong example of a functioning democracy that we can be proud of here at home."
"Ultimately, the development of participatory, accountable, and representative governmental institutions that respond to the needs of the Somali people will secure the country's future."
"ultimately the solution in Somalia needs to be a political one and AMISOM needs to work within a political framework"
"What timeline do you think it is possible to rebuild a representative, credible, vetted Somali national security force?"
"And the overarching goal of the 2016 process is to ultimately get to a place where a legitimate national election is possible."
"There have been developments in the region, both in Kenya and Somalia that I think called for a classified briefing."
"Building on airlift capacity is, I think, a long-term goal we all share."
"There has been real progress in dealing with the famine and the humanitarian crisis, in dealing with piracy which has been dramatically curtailed."
"I suspect we broadly share frustration about many of the things we read in the media, not all of which I believe."
"I think it remains critical first that we fulfill our constitutional duty in a bipartisan manner to examine ongoing and pressing national security issues."
"Thank you for convening this critically important hearing and ensuring that this committee continues to fulfill its constitutional duty, even in the middle of a Government shutdown."