Susan Collins

If we're going to have that alternative to Taliban rule, isn't our task made much more difficult by the widespread corruption and the shadow over the legitimacy of the recent presidential election?

I am certain that we need a surge in the Afghan army and I am certain that we need a civilian surge.

I do hope that you will share with this committee, assuming your confirmation, what you believe the true needs are for our Army.

I want to associate myself with the concerns that all of us have expressed about the stress of repeated deployments.

Her tireless efforts on behalf of the citizens of Maine and all Americans have made myself and my family and all of us who are part of that great State very proud.

I hope you will look at that as an area where you could achieve savings for the Army by having more work directed to that unit which provides high-quality, low-cost work for the Army.

I am concerned about press reports that indicate that the Pentagon has been given an assumption of a zero real growth in the budget for next fiscal year.

It is certainly appropriate for there to be a review of all programs to determine their necessity, to eliminate wasteful or nonperforming programs, but that should be an ongoing process that is different from having to meet an artificial…

I was pleased to hear you endorse an increase in the size of the Army, which is the ultimate answer.

I urge the members of this committee to report his nomination favorably for swift consideration by the full Senate.

Militarily, I think in many ways NATO is already embracing the counterinsurgency (COIN) strategy.

If confirmed, will you have the resources you need in order to counter these adversarial efforts to shift from sea to shore lines of communications?

How will Russia's transformation factor into the upcoming QDR?

The oversight of these funds should remain with DOD.

I have long advocated for a mechanism for measuring our progress in Afghanistan.

The Commission on the National Guard and Reserves criticized DOD for not having made civil support a primary mission of the Department.

One of the most effective ways to ensure that our Nation is prepared to manage catastrophic incidents is to conduct in-depth planning for those incidents before they occur.

Admiral Stavridis, I invite your comments on whether a cooperative U.S.-Russian missile defense program could possibly change the overall dynamic in the region.

An appalling gap in our Nation's ability to respond to the use of a weapon of mass destruction on our soil.

Despite economic recessions, both China and Russia are increasing defense spending in an effort to modernize and transform their militaries.

I appreciated the opportunity to discuss with you the impressive contributions that the State of Maine has made to our Navy.

Aegis cruisers and destroyers provide a critical element to that capability from the sea.

We forgot that lesson of history that only the nations with powerful navies are able to exert power and influence, and when a navy disappears so does that nation's power.

I believe we must reset DOD's multi-sector acquisition workforce with the right size and skill mix required to successfully provide proper oversight and management of contracts.

I strongly believe that energy security is an important part of national security.