Kelly Ayotte

I want to solve this problem.

The demand for ground forces will continue to increase even more so since many of our longstanding allies have significantly reduced their military forces over the last 25 years.

Right now the level of uncertainty, the velocity of instability, and potential for significant inter-state conflict is higher than it has been since the end of the Cold War in 1989-91.

I do not agree with that, and I think this committee very clearly in the defense authorization--actually the Army requested $106 million for Patriot improvement to upgrade our use of the Patriot, and that was actually accepted by this…

We know that at least 107 terrorists who were formerly detained at Guantanamo and then released have been confirmed of reengaging in terrorism.

Your enemy can wait you out and know when you're going to leave, versus what's happening on the ground.

I would also ask you to commit to this committee that you will take with the utmost seriousness... that you will not allow the release of someone that you think could reengage in terrorism.

Would that significant cost share growth impact those currently retired, as well as those currently serving when they retire?

The idea of grandfathering those currently serving or already retired.

I want to thank all of you for the hard work and thoughtfulness you put into this commission.

Wouldn't that create a reinforcing disincentive discouraging service beyond 20 years?

Is it correct that the commission proposes increasing the cost share for medical costs 1 percent each year for 15 years?

I wish to recognize the extraordinary life of my friend Chip Kennett, who passed away on January 17 after a courageous 2-year battle against cancer. Bayard Winslow ``Chip'' Kennett II was born and raised in Conway, and he was a proud New…

I think that is just basically robbing Peter to pay Paul. Let us not kid ourselves.

We owe the people who really need this fund, and it is important to them that we actually try to solve the long-term viability of it.

You and I just have a disagreement on whether this is a productive way to look at things, and I know that the American people will decide themselves on what they think about that.

We are in a position where that is a huge chunk of 12 percent that does nothing for us, on what we are spending that money?

As we look at putting our country on a fiscally sustainable path, I look at your projected outlook where deficits go down, but then they go back up to over trillion-dollar deficits in 2025.

Let us just be honest. When you say 'a small reallocation,' that is transferring the money, and yet it is a system that already, as we look overall, is going insolvent.

I think that would be helpful. And I know my time is up.

So, if it does nothing productive for us, are you not concerned at all as we look at the budget proposal when we get to 2021, which is not too far off, that we are already spending more on interest than defense?

What we need is greater prosecutions and an ability of the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to prosecute these individuals.

I think it is very clear the impact that it is going to have, and our ability to defend the Nation is one that calls all of us to act to address this for each of you.

I do not mean to interrupt you, because I do not have a lot of time, but I just want to be clear: What you are doing is basically ignoring the fact that it is exhausted and transferring the money?

Without making some bipartisan reforms to these programs, can we do it without looking at those issues?