"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 national security community."
"Security in Asia and around the world would increasingly rely on the U.S. maintaining naval supremacy."
"DOD continues to notify us of new programs and new projects to fund with savings they have accumulated as opposed to returning those savings to American taxpayers."
"As part of our ongoing Comprehensive Defense Review, we are assessing how defense cuts of $400 billion would impact the DOD's ability to carry out contingency plans."
"Absolutely. When we say disastrous, that's exactly the disaster we mean."
"I hope you'll support, to cut off funding as soon as possible when our money goes into enemy hands."
"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?"
"If confirmed, do you commit to working to address this modernization backlog at this and other important shipyards?"
"America wants a normal, productive relationship with Iraq going forward--a partnership like we have with other nations around the world."