Roger Wicker

I would just hope that we as decision-makers and particularly the commander in chief as a decision-maker would make sure that we not leave too early based on a political agenda in Afghanistan.

General, how is the transition going from the Iraq and Afghanistan counterinsurgency and stability model to the more traditional role as a ready and capable rapid response force?

Unless the law changes, sequestration is back in October of this year.

I think we have had great success in Afghanistan. I do not think the American people perhaps understand how successful our operation has been there.

Mr. Dee, I was interested to hear you say that even without sequestration, the Marine Corps budget is the most austere of the services.

Sequestration right now is the law of the land. I think we all understand that.

I would remind everyone that national defense is solely a Federal responsibility.

I look forward to working with Senator Hirono to ensure that our sailors and marines remain the best trained, best equipped, and most professional maritime fighting force in the world.

Where can we see one of those?

There is a feeling among many people in this city that actually the administration is not speaking with one clear voice on this.

I hope to work with you on that, and I hope we will all 'fess up in Congress as adults that if you are going to build some infrastructure, you got to pay for it.

I appreciate everything you have said about Trade Promotion Authority and the importance of trade agreements to create jobs in America and to expand our exports.

Let me just say it is my understanding that later this morning more than 250 Chamber of Commerce executives will send to Congress a letter requesting action, number one, to fund the Nation's transportation system and, second, to empower…

I would hope that a strong signal could be sent from this Obama administration that, indeed, we are serious about getting something done that actually works.

I have to say that I agree with you on that. We have an infrastructure problem in this country, Mr. Secretary, and everybody in this room knows it.

I am also interested in working with you to make Grow America a program that we can all be proud of.

I would simply point out, they're--these are not jingoistic cowboys.

I think I'm learning that the French, for example, aren't quite there, but there's a determination to get to 2 percent of GDP for defense quicker.

I cannot think of a troop that's in a hotter spot than you are.

It was stunning to hear you admit that we were caught by surprise.

I am very concerned about the amount of lift available in order to support our plans, and the maintenance of that lift, as well.

We understand that we have a requirement for 50 amphibious ships. Is that correct?

North Korea as the most dangerous and unpredictable challenge.

I think everybody has been saying boots on the ground are going to be needed to defeat ISIL.

I just wonder who, in that whole list of neighboring countries, has the capacity to go in and retake this territory?