The longer we postpone the solution to this flooding crisis, the more danger North Dakota, Canada, and surrounding areas will face. The Devils Lake outlet project needs to be in full operation as soon as possible.

I don't think there's anyone on this subcommittee that will ever withhold the resources that are needed to carry out your missions.

I would expect everyone on this committee would feel that we don't want to withhold $1 that is necessary for the safety of the troops.

It seems to me that one of the major goals with respect to our security here in this country is the apprehension of Osama bin Laden.

It is extraordinary that we would call up a unit and they are gone 17 months or in some cases close to 18 months from family, home, and job.

I appreciate the work that the Secretary does, and General Jumper's, and the men and women of the Air Force.

I suspect that you are taking a look at what are the anticipated future costs here with respect to deployments.

They make the case that this money, the billions of dollars, should be spent on other defensive systems, which are more urgent.

I think you have indicated in your testimony we need to be judicious about how often we deploy them and how long we deploy them, because they are citizen-soldiers.

I think there is a threat of nuclear weapons against this country.

They say the Pentagon has waived the operational testing requirements essential to determine whether the highly complex system is effective and suitable.