Chuck Hagel

I recognize that competition in all acquisition programs, including tactical aviation production, is key to affordability, to innovation, and to a strong industrial base.

Maintaining ready forces is a priority.

If confirmed, I am committed to ensuring that our female servicemembers are afforded the same reproductive health care options as women in the civilian population.

It's part of what's been talked about and defined in, as I said, the 2006 Quartet Principles and U.N. resolutions.

As Secretary of Defense, I won't be signing off on reports in the same way as a private citizen.

Absolutely, I've made that very clear.

I think it is critical that the generals and the people in the Pentagon provide you with the most unvarnished information possible.

I fully support and will continue to fully support Iron Dome and Arrow and David's Sling.

The President has made clear that the United States will respond to hostile acts in cyberspace as we would any other threat to our country.

In the surge case in Iraq, we lost almost 1,200 dead Americans during that surge and thousands of wounded.

budget alone should not drive our national security, of course not.

On STRATCOM, I think STRATCOM is vitally important to the future of this country.

I agree with the administration's view, as stated in the 2010 NPR, that large disparities in nuclear capabilities on either the United States or the Russian side could raise concerns.

Continuing to maintain the international community's unified stance to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon--to include further sanctions if necessary--is more effective than implementing unilateral sanctions.

I support the continued modernization, and expansion if necessary, of the GMD system and the other missile defense efforts that can contribute to the protection of the homeland in the future.

I believe that a modernized nuclear weapons infrastructure that would allow production of additional warheads is important to hedge against significant, unforeseen changes in the international security situation.

It is vitally important that they be ready to respond to the Nation's needs, and I am concerned that further budget cuts will negatively affect readiness.

If confirmed, I will continue to promote and advance the Department's military-to-military and defense relations with our key partners in the region.

A prudent manager has to look at all options when faced with significant budget pressure.

I fully support the Taiwan Relations Act.

I will because I think we have to.

The U.S.-Armenia defense relationship is sound.

The Navy is an indispensable part of our security apparatus.

I believe that multilateral sanctions against Iran, backed by a unified world community, are the most effective sanctions.

I agree that with Iran's continued rejection of diplomatic overtures, further effective sanctions, both multilateral and unilateral, may be necessary.