Chuck Hagel

What is the political purpose of the surge?

I agree financial management improvement is an important priority and support the Department's current plan to have the budgetary statement ready for audit by 2014.

Current reductions in the Army and Marine Corps are being carefully managed in order to balance risk with the right mix of capabilities necessary to fulfill all of the missions required by the Defense Strategic Guidance.

It is clear that Iran continues to pursue longer-range missiles and develop technology that could allow Iran to deploy an ICBM in the future.

I do not believe that providing lethal support to the armed opposition at this time would improve the terrible situation in Syria.

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

Absolutely. Again, I noted that in my opening statement, Senator. I think I have some experience in that area over the years. I'm committed to that.

If confirmed, I will ensure the Department actively supports foreign military sales of U.S.

I applaud Congress' efforts to support families through the passage of the Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012.

I was against it. I thought the Bush administration had not defined a clear end state for the war in Iraq.

The United States will always remain committed to protecting its national security interests whenever necessary.

The President has said Assad must go, and a democratic political transition should remain our goal.

Multilateral sanctions against Iran are the most effective approach.

If confirmed, I am committed to seeing that programs that focus on resiliency and leadership education continue and are further evaluated with additional research.

The objective of our relations with Azerbaijan and Armenia should be to strengthen each nation's political independence and contributions to broader regional security and stability.

I supported legislation to create a bipartisan commission several years ago to help us--Senator Levin and others supported that.

I have not supported unilateral sanctions because when it is us alone, they do not work and they just isolate the United States.

I urge Congress to eliminate the sequester threat permanently and pass a balanced deficit-reduction plan.

I believe the Electronic Warfare/Electronic Attack (EW/EA) will play an increasingly important role in future military operations.

If confirmed, I will assess the strike fighter capability mix, the progress of the F-35, and the state of the F/A-18 production line to determine if a gap exists and evaluate the options to address it for feasibility and affordability.

Naval presence will continue to be vital if we are to rebalance toward the Asia Pacific while maintaining our defense commitments in the Middle East and elsewhere.

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

If confirmed, I will continue to work with the State Department to monitor progress throughout the transition and provide Congress with information that is responsive to the NDAA.

The Pentagon is working off the Defense Authorization Act of 2013, which this committee passed.

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