Angus King

Will you give me a commitment that you're going to be just this side of obnoxious in making your case at the highest levels of the United States Government?

I hope you'll remember this moment and, even if it's the President of the United States, say, 'Mr. President, I have to respectfully disagree.'

If Senator Inhofe was here, he would tell you that currently it takes 23 years to get a new airframe from conception to the tarmac and into flight. That is unacceptable.

If they don't, this battle is lost.

I think there is nothing inherently prohibiting the Iraqi Security Forces from a will to fight with the exception of a lack of proper leadership.

All of your experience, all of your knowledge, all of your wisdom that you have accumulated over the years are of no value if you do not share them.

I think it is one of the best statements I have ever heard about the role and mission of the Army.

Isn't it true that, in terms of icebreakers, which are the roadbuilders of the Arctic, we have one little country road, and--they have a bunch of interstate highways, or something like 40 icebreakers, we have one.

The President isn't well served if he doesn't have people who tell him the straight truth.

We're facing a catastrophic attack, in my view, akin to the next Pearl Harbor.

We're playing defense, and we're not winning very--we're not getting very far.

There has to be an offensive capability which our adversaries understand, and understand will be applied.

It's one of the great disappointments of my 2½ years here that we have not yet brought significant cyber legislation to the floor of the U.S. Senate.

Our disengagement should be based upon conditions on the ground and not arbitrary dates in a calendar.

Policymakers don't need 'yes' men, they need criticism and straightforward advice.

I appreciate your willingness to take this on, and I do hope you will view this as an extraordinary opportunity.

I hope that you will be a real irritant on this subject.

This may be a moment in time where the stars are literally aligned, starting with the chairman of this committee...

They have to realize that this has to be their fight.

I don't see how any American can be satisfied with the general level of defense spending among our European allies. I think it should be higher.

I think there has to be a sense of urgency. We are if not directly at war, we are certainly close to war footing on a number of fronts.

I am gravely concerned that we will miss an opportunity to preserve what we have gained in Afghanistan.

I share that position [to support additional arms to Ukraine].

It is going to cost American lives.

I hope you all can help us get rid of the sequester, please.