This is a very important issue that, unfortunately, hasn't gotten as much attention lately as it should. I'm a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, spent most of my time in Iraq; but I remember I was in a nation outside of Afghanistan getting…

I thank the gentlelady from Alabama for organizing this. It is great to be joined with you on this very important subject, the idea that over 7.5 percent of our fellow neighbors--and by the way, the President's own State of Illinois, it's…

As a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, I am very concerned about the so-called ``zero option'' that was floated by the President. Hundreds of thousands have fought for a victory for the Afghan people; and on the eve of victory for the…

I just would like to add to that. So, you know, we talked about regulations, and I know, look, the vast majority of Americans, myself included, are not small business owners. And so the vast majority of Americans can listen to this and…

I understand that. And look, as we go forward, you hear the rhetoric a lot; right? I mean, the House of Representatives is filled with rhetoric; right? It's probably been like that since the day it was built and the day it was created…

Let me add to that. I want to briefly remind people about the State of Illinois. I'm so proud of the people of the State of Illinois. I love my State. I've lived there most of my life, except my time in the military. But let's look at that…

I think the great point on that is why do we want to lower the tax rate, right? Is it because we want to protect the 1 percent? I've heard that a thousand times. And I'll be honest, I probably haven't been the best at coming back at that…

That was very well said. Wouldn't it be nice if we could just all have conversations like that all the time? I mean, look, there are people that really believe that coal is bad. I disagree, I disagree vehemently. They believe it. And I'm…

Let me just add really briefly to that. You talk about our ideas and the fact that, you know, look, the President can--the REINS Act, for instance, that makes sense, some of those things. I make a promise here today: if the President comes…

That's a great story. I just had a town hall meeting in Rockford, Illinois, yesterday. You get folks from all ends of the political spectrum. That is the great thing about our democracy is we can have that respectful conversation. You have…

I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin for organizing the time and bringing us all together. This is an important discussion. When I think back to somebody who's a big hero of mine, Ronald Reagan, I think back to the eighties, of course, and…

I thank the gentleman for your statements and everybody here for your statements. I am a member of the International Guard. Just 2\1/2\ months ago, I actually did missions on the border between Mexico and Texas. I fly a reconnaissance…

Well, thank you. And as we do wrap up our time, I just want to say thank you to those paying attention today and to my fellow Members here. This is an important issue. This is the very beginning of a long discussion that we need to have…

The big picture of this is we're getting into a lot of the details we need to. But I want to just, as I give my last statement of the night, I just want to say this. You know, America is the land of opportunity. America is growing at less…

Since I only have 1 minute, I want to just quickly say I'm a veteran of the Iraq War.

We're talking about the lessons we're going to learn in Afghanistan.

I think it's important that in Egypt the United States stay engaged with aid, with foreign aid as they go through this time of instability.

We're naive if we think America's never going to have to be in this situation again in the next 50 or 100 years.

I was utterly shocked to find out that the administration decided that they were going to leave no residual troops.

my big concern is the number 2014 for the year to withdraw from Afghanistan was pulled out of a hat, and it was pulled out for political reasons.

I think we should have gone in with far more troops. We should have had a plan the point Saddam's statue fell.

I fully support the 2-year extension that has been agreed to in principle by the negotiators from the U.S. and the Republic of Korea.

The alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea has brought stability, security, and prosperity to the peninsula and the Asian Pacific region.

I believe that in what I have seen lately in this administration, to be honest with you, we are out to make friends with everybody.

if you are in a crowded theater and the only way to empty that crowded theater is if you yell the world 'red line,' don't do it because it has a very powerful meaning if you are President of the United States.