Chuck Hagel

It could change everything.

Their dedication and professionalism are the foundation of our military strength.

We have the best and strongest military in the world. I am so proud to play a small role here in this subcommittee to make sure they have what is necessary to be successful in keeping America safe.

They will and they are doing it now.

I do not think we can minimize this threat, Senator, and I think it is going to be with us.

The only thing that is going to fix this problem is a change in the sequestration

As you all know, their well-being depends on the decisions we make here in Washington.

Allow me to express my appreciation to this subcommittee for its continued support of our men and women in uniform and our civilian workforce.

I think, first, we stay focused on our policy and that is preventing the Iranians from acquiring any capability to weaponize.

I think the cyber threat is probably the most insidious, dangerous threat overall for this country.

The Department of Defense faces the significant challenge of conducting long-term planning and budgeting at a time of considerable uncertainty.

DOD takes its treaty obligations seriously and reviews its plans carefully to ensure compliance.

. . . it hasn't achieved the objective, obviously.

Should the Assad regime use chemical weapons, I would be concerned about the welfare and safety of the Syrian people.

The United States is heavily engaged in supporting the SOC and SMC as a counterweight to extremist elements in Syria.

I have joined with him in pressing to look for additional ways to put military pressure on Assad, sending a message of inevitability, a message of determination, and I think for many reasons, the sooner the better.

If we did not get into this the right way, if we get into it, there could be more bloodshed.

Certainly every nation has the right to protect itself in their own interest of self-defense.

The transfer of chemical weapons to terrorists will not be allowed.

Once you are in, you cannot unwind it.

The best outcome for Syria and the region, I think, as we all agree, is a negotiated political transition.

The United States remains in close contact with Israel on the deteriorating situation in Syria.

The potential proliferation of chemical weapons in Syria is one of our top security concerns today.

The administration's goal remains a managed political transition led by the Syrian people.

Although it is difficult to predict what the precise Iranian reactions would be to a no-fly zone, given that Syria remains one of Iran's only partners in the region, and given Syria's role as a conduit to support Hezbollah, it is likely…