It is hard to register, hard to vote, hard to count votes. All the difficulties are clear and navigating through these difficult areas is not always that easy.

One disenfranchised service member is one too many but, when two out of three ballots are not counted for whatever reason, we have got a serious problem on our hands.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I am mightily impressed. And as the Director-designate indicated yesterday, so much of the success of his agency will be in human intelligence.

there is significant national security value in establishing an additional east coast CVN support base

Secretary Gates, you have publicly stated that a new Afghanistan strategy is a high priority for the Obama administration.

the Navy has expressed the importance of strategic dispersal of capital ships like aircraft carriers

Under current law, if the surviving spouse of a servicemember is eligible for Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), that annuity is offset by the amount of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) received.

It is important to brief any and all such operations to the full membership of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Secretary Gates, please provide plans, which Congress can consider, that would eliminate this offset over time.

Secretary Gates, please describe the risks to the Nation should implementation of the Navy's decision be delayed.

How will Special Representative Richard Holbrooke's new mandate coincide with that of General Petraeus?