Kirsten Gillibrand

I can't tell you how grateful I am that you have pulled together this distinguished panel of witnesses to discuss the importance of investing in our Nation's infrastructure and transportation systems.

This will hurt every single one of our States and ripple through our whole transportation system.

The Highway Trust Fund is projected to become insolvent by the end of the summer.

We run the risk of doing real damage to our economy if Congress fails to act.

We urge the subcommittee to support robust funding for the IMLS Office of Museum Services for Fiscal Year 2014.

This vital funding will aid museums of all types and enable them to continue serving our schools and communities.

I support the Gender Integration Study as a necessary intermediate step to opening closed positions and occupations.

I support the standards for detainee treatment specified in the revised Army Field Manual on Interrogations.

Could you clarify what role the Army has in selecting individuals for service in its Special Forces and providing guidance to Special Forces in ensuring that the most qualified candidates are allowed to compete for positions, regardless of…

I think you need to, and I think you need to make recommendations about how to do that and change protocols accordingly.

I authored a bill last year called the Cyber Warrior Act, which leverages the talent pool that already exists within our National Guard.

I am very concerned about cyber security and in particular in recruiting and retention of cyber experts.

Is the expertise of service women, and in particular of those women who have already participated in combat operations... being sought out and utilized to inform this process?

My concern is that the percent of restricted reports has gone up and unrestricted reports have gone down and the rates of retaliation have stayed the same.

Although the Department of Defense did not conduct a study of the prevalence of sexual assault in fiscal year 2013, I understand there are indications that the increase in reporting in fiscal year 2013 reflects an increased willingness of…

They cannot defend against columns of tanks, troops, air defense systems coming from Russia with blankets alone.

We have seen columns of Russian equipment, primarily Russian tanks, Russian artillery, Russian air defense systems, and Russian combat troops entering Ukraine.

I think the political piece, which is where the Iraqis really must lead, is critical, sir, to the success of the mission.

The single biggest concern I have right now is probably the sanctuary that al Qaeda has in----

I think the size force that we have in 2015 will allow us to accomplish those two tasks that I just outlined.

I think our withdrawal in Iraq did not allow us the time to develop sustainable Iraqi forces and to provide the environment within which effective governance would develop.

If confirmed, do I have your commitment to keep my office apprised of how that review is going and what the time line for integration is and whether there will be any exceptions?

What challenges do you see, and if confirmed, what would you do to address concerns about implementation?

Do you believe that current retention strategies are useful to the cyber force, or should we be considering different strategies?

If confirmed, what would you recommend for retention of these servicemembers across the total force?