John Warner: “I support the President in his statements, of recent, of firmness of commitment to resolve that situation.”

I think that's a really significant answer since the question of readiness clearly one of the most strategically important issues you have to deal with.

I also thought it was extraordinarily important you pointed out that just as it is incumbent upon our military to continue to develop next generation weapons that it's been the legacy of our military forces to always be about innovation.

Senator Shaheen, you were a well-informed host as we toured Portsmouth Naval Shipyard together last summer studying their energy plans, and I am pleased that you wisely selected a naval vessel as the site of this important Senate hearing.

I am honored to be here in my home state at a base I know so well from the days I had the honor to serve the considerable number of military installations and private sector industrial infrastructure throughout Virginia, first as Secretary…