Kelly Ayotte actually said...

"I will be making recommendations to him based on your best assessment of what should be done on all major areas in DOD."

"I do not believe that we should subjugate our national security for our failure to have political courage here in Washington."

"Will you make that assurance to this committee?"

"The Nation cannot have a strong defense without a strong economy; therefore I view the deficit crisis and corresponding deep cuts in defense as one of the most significant challenges to the entire nat..."