Claire McCaskill

I think people think an audit is like going to the dentist; you know, you know you've got do it, and it's going to be painful, and, when it's over, you're not sure that it really was worth it.

If we are not recruiting more women, you are not going to get women in the various positions that will allow the kind of integration that's going to ultimately make the Marine Corps stronger and better, and make our Nation more secure.

I would like your commitment to familiarize yourself with that training and a commitment that you will continue to fight for the adequate funding.

I just think it is a very, very irresponsible precedent.

The only difference between the commitment to put this $40 billion in the budget... is the willingness to acknowledge that we are spending the money.

There are some in the Senate that I believe are tempted by the idea that we could go in and bomb Iran.

Retaliation is a crime.

I would like to see a written plan from you as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs with all of the chiefs signing off on what is your path to getting at this culture.

I think it is too early to declare success, obviously. We have a lot more work to do.

I cannot figure out any reason why we would be putting the $40 billion increase into the war fund instead of into the base budget.

I really would like you and would like a commitment from you today that you would at least help me figure out what the stall is here.

I am hopeful that the work that you have done on this committee will serve you well and hopefully the next commander in chief would want to utilize continually your expertise.

I have certainly since the day I got here tried to figure out, coming in as a former auditor, how in the world we had gotten to the point that the Department of Defense was incapable of being audited.

I was really disappointed when I found out in March that they have pulled the clean audit finding from the Marine Corps.

I think it is important that on the record we talk about the success that we have had.

Those reports are essential to robust oversight.

I think what we have learned in Iraq and Afghanistan... has made it very difficult for us to really hold everyone accountable.

I want to associate myself with the remarks of the chairman about the weapon systems.

I think that is, obviously, a double standard that is inappropriate.

The fact that you worked this hard and came up with this proposal adopted unanimously is something that I hope, before we get off to the races trying to politicize anything on this side of the table, that we pause a moment and realize that…

I think our country needs to save more, and our military always sets the example for our country, in terms of the values and ethics embraced by our military.

It's unacceptable that we would disrupt passenger service in Missouri over this issue.

I think getting rid of sequestration is maybe the most imperative bipartisan challenge we have in the Senate.

Thank you very much. Thank you, Senator Grassley, and thank you, Senator Blunt.

I really want to tell you how much I appreciate, Senator Grassley, you holding this hearing today.