Jeanne Shaheen

I share the views, I think, of all of you that we have just heard from that energy efficiency is a win-win-win. We can save energy, save pollution, we can protect our national security, and we can also create jobs.

Unit costs will go up in every program affected by the sequester.

These automatic cuts that are going to go into effect aren't just going to affect Government jobs and Government programs.

I think that is very important for the Senate.

I do think it has to be balanced, that we need to look at the domestic side and the defense side in spending.

Isn't it the case that the longer we wait to get a long-term debt deal done, the more expensive and disruptive this process will be?

Repairs to the USS Miami are scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2013; but might be deferred due to a full-year CR and sequester.

If sequestration is triggered . . . much of the work going into the fiscal year 2014 budget will have been an exercise in futility.

Secretary Carter, could you describe the anticipated affects sequestration would have on the contract management within DOD particularly regarding contract fees and penalties?

Well, obviously, I share Senator Ayotte and Senator King's concern.

So I am concerned and our industry partners are concerned that some of them just are not going to make it.

I am pleased to see that DOD was able to protect its investments in ship construction despite the difficult challenges imposed by sequestration.

It obviously shouldn't take a tragic event like this one to ignite unprecedented cooperation between DOS and DOD.

Please explain how the AFRICOM CIF will be used. Will it be positioned in a location that gives it the flexibility to respond more quickly in times of regional crisis like Benghazi?

Do you agree with this assessment?

Reports suggest that AFRICOM has been under-resourced because of Afghanistan.

Is there going to be an ongoing structure to do that, an ongoing system that will be put in place, so that it's not just this one review of what the circumstances are, but for the foreseeable future we'll expect to have communication and…

The bottom line is that our agencies didn't do enough to protect our people on the ground and we have to do better.

You also insist that better intelligence would have given the agency a heads-up and enhanced its ability to provide better support to Benghazi.

Do you think that this mission focus prohibited AFRICOM from being effective in responding to the Benghazi incident?

I certainly hope the House will take up that legislation and pass it so that we can address the resources that are required to make sure this doesn't happen again in our embassies and missions around the world.

I think it's important for the administration to continue to be open and upfront about what happened in Benghazi.

Please explain DOD's reason for not employing the 'unusual circumstances' clause beyond May 1, 2014.

It is very important.

I believe Georgia still has reforms to undertake before it should be considered a NATO member; however, it is important that we offer a clear path forward for them.