We appreciate your service. We understand that a commitment to the military is a family commitment.

I appreciate Senator Graham's comment about TRICARE, and your responses are pretty interesting.

The rural electric programs are vital to the nation, and especially to my home state.

It is unfortunate we did not build more nuclear plants 20 years ago because it has turned out to be the most efficient, cleanest way we can produce it.

It is vital that we have good leadership in place at the Department to deal with the many issues.

Our rural citizens are certainly not exempt from economic and financial hardships.

We are very pleased to see you here, pleased to see you willing to commit yourself to America's farmers and ranchers.

I believe that the opportunities on the horizon have never been brighter for rural America.

Is it not normal to have some analysis for terminating a line, versus deciding to terminate the line and then do your analysis after the fact?

I kind of like that line of questioning you were on, Mr. Chairman.

Has the F-22 been pointed to, over the last decade, as the next-generation fighter that was going to allow us to maintain air dominance and air superiority?

it is my understanding that C-5 RERP is performing well, that Lockheed Martin is performing to cost and schedule, and that the Air Force has indicated that RERP meets or exceeds all key performance parameters specified by contract.