Tom Carper

I love him, and I really do.

I am a glass half-full guy on America.

I also have to live in the real world of communities and people and neighborhoods of all types.

I speak as a recovering Governor for the State of Delaware, a former chairman of the National Governors Association and have huge respect for the States, Governors and others.

Four billion, that is a lot of money.

Thanks, Mr. Chairman.

The whole notion of retention of proceeds, as I explained before, I think is critical.

Tell us very directly what we need to do, what we on this Committee and we in the Congress need to do to actually turn the course of this aircraft carrier, turn this carrier more quickly.

Every past Secretary of Homeland Security has said, 'Do this, actually make this investment, and over time you will save not just hundreds of millions of dollars; you will save billions of dollars for taxpayers over 30 years.'

I would just tell you that I would be willing to be able to join you in that journey and try to figure out a way that we can get this resolved.

I am encouraged here to give it another shot and work together.

You can do it, we can help--just like at Home Depot.

In the Navy, when we were doing the hard things, we would sometimes liken it to changing the course of an aircraft carrier.

I have talked, I think, to every previous Secretary of Homeland Security, and I came here not thinking St. E's made a whole lot of sense.

Keep doing oversight.

What can we do to help in a particular way to save money in what you are doing?

If it is not perfect, make it better.

Treat other people the way we want to be treated, the most important rule of all.

I think maybe they are picking on the wrong enemies or the wrong issues.

Several of you said things that reminded me of a sad chapter in our State last week when we buried the son of Joe Biden and Jill Biden.

Again, thank you so much for being here, for sharing your stories with us, and again for your service, past and present, to our country.

Nobody is entitled to say, 'Well, forget about it. It is the government's money.' No. It is my money. It is your money.

It is a pleasure to meet all of you and to welcome you here today.

There is some outstanding legislation which is the Service Members Justice Act, which has been introduced by Senator Boxer, joined by Senator Grassley.

Just do not give up. If you know you are right, you think you are right.