Chuck Hagel

Full sequestration level funding generates unacceptable levels of risk to our national security.

DOD invests in energy efficiency, new technologies, and renewable energy sources at our installations and all of our operations because it makes us a stronger fighting force and helps us carry out our security mission.

The President has decided that a military response to the Syrian regime's use of CW should be limited and proportional.

The President has been clear about the scope and objective of possible military strikes in Syria.

I believe Secretary Kerry did address that here earlier this morning in reciting an inventory of different things that we have been doing in the way of diplomatic efforts.

Success of military action would be assessed based on its effectiveness in deterring the Assad regime from using CW again.

I think most of us believe--the President does, I do, I think most of our partners in the world--believes that is the only way that this is going to get settled, through some diplomatic, political resolution.

There are always risks and consequences to action. But I also said there are risks and consequences to no action.

If no response from the international community occurs to what Assad has most recently done on August 21st, and other actions he has taken prior to that, he will do it again.

It is in our country's national security interest to degrade Assad's chemical weapons capabilities.

I strongly support President Obama's decision to respond to the Assad regime's chemical weapons attack.

But if you want to get into the budget debate about that we can.

I think the likelihood is very high that he would use them again.

I strongly support President Obama's decision to seek congressional authorization for the use of force in Syria.

This would not be a pinprick. Those were his words. This would be a significant strike that would, in fact, degrade his capability.

It is imperative that we demonstrate to Assad that his use of CW will elicit a strong international response.

As I've said before, military action should be a last resort.

The big concern is the wrong groups in the opposition would be able to take advantage of it.

A nation is always stronger when it is together, when the President gets the Congress and the American people with him at the beginning.

I strongly support President Obama's decision to seek congressional authorization for the use of force in Syria.

Secretary of State Chuck Hagel ordered all military services to rescreen service members who hold sensitive jobs.

In order to do that, I think what we have to give you is the rest of that data.

We are fully committed to those programs and the funding of those programs. We are committed because it is the right thing to do.

I will meet with the President to brief him on the results to give him a sense of the choices that will have to be made if the DOD topline remains sequestered beyond fiscal year 2013.

I think it is a key component because it is about confidence. It is about self-governance. It is about rights.