Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I would appreciate your keeping the subcommittee updated on the progress of competition in this area of launch just so we can be aware of what is available when and what the timetable is.

The biggest risk to cost growth is a delay in appropriations that causes the schedule to slip.

Might this not be an area rife for international cooperation? It is in everyone's interest who is in space to deal with this problem, and maybe we could have a joint venture on this cleanup problem?

If they follow historical trends, efforts related to sustaining and modernizing the weapons stockpile are likely to be particularly susceptible to cost growth.

It's a miracle because of the credibility of the deterrent.

It's a serious threat.

One of our advantages is naval power. I'm worried about anti-ship missiles.

Everybody around here hates sequestration, but it has a way of rearing its ugly head continuously.

Admiral, I can't resist. The studies you're doing for the east coast site remind me of when God came to Moses...

I just hope you'll convey that those of us here understand and appreciate that.

I hope you will take the message back to your people that they have one of the most important missions in this country.

How serious is that and is there any way to deal with it?

We need returnables. We need a returnable law.

Given the importance and given that vulnerability, does it not make strategic sense to spread these capabilities over smaller satellites, different satellites, commercial satellites so that we do not have a Pearl Harbor of space where a…

I commend to you, Chairman Levin, the idea of convening us as a group to talk about the solution to sequester.

It is an amazing piece of military equipment.

I think that it would be a significant accomplishment, sir, and I think it would diminish tensions throughout.

If the Afghan Security Forces continue to progress--I do not think the Taliban can defeat the Afghan Security Forces.

I realize that term is weird to hear, but we do have a common enemy, in this case.

How confident are you in the ability of South Korea, the United States, China, and other regional powers to deal with a state collapse scenario in North Korea?

What are the opportunities and risks associated with this scenario and how do you assess the likelihood that this is how the North Korean regime will eventually end?

Our obligation is to figure out how to replace the sequester.

I think we should take our obligation to meet the caps but to deal with the sequester, as the BCA contemplated in August 2011.

What would be the cost of leaving the National Guard as is and implementing the rest of the plan?