Jim Inhofe

I think that's happened. We know that the House has a program that's primarily the CR.

This is something where Senator Inhofe has been particularly involved and taken a leadership role.

Without an approved budget, I cannot accurately forecast the means available to support CENTCOM planning.

Supporting the ongoing operations in Afghanistan remains a high priority. But this focus on Afghanistan comes at a cost to readiness.

Under current authorities, the DOS would be the lead Federal agency and would coordinate with the United Nations for a mandate for U.S. military operations in Syria to secure designated chemical and biological weapons facilities and…

Sound strategy requires a balance of ends, ways and means.

In your professional opinion, the current diplomatic and economic efforts to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons capability were not working.

They would be more emboldened to act more like a revolutionary cause vice a responsible country.

I think it's important that we understand that this thing that we've talked about since 2007, with their emerging capabilities, nuclear capabilities, delivery systems, it's getting worse all the time.

As I have said many times before, due to the nature of military operations: risk equals lives.

With the cuts that we've already sustained and then with sequestration coming up, with the CR problems that are there, it is, in fact, unprecedented.

The reality of these cuts and the pain of operating under continuing resolutions mean that you will have declining resources and reduced flexibility to address increasing threats.

General Mattis, I think as we look at CENTCOM one of the biggest problems there, as we've talked about, is Iran.

Thank you for your many years of faithful service to our Nation, and on behalf of our entire committee, please convey to the brave men and women you lead how grateful we are for their sacrifice, and that of their families.

That is why last month Senator Toomey and I introduced a bill to give the department the flexibility it needs to operate within these severe budgetary constraints, and to mitigate risk.

I called all five Service Chiefs, including the Guard, and asked them... if you could take that and operate within that and make the determinations as to where those cuts would be, would that be less devastating than if you just went ahead…

I appreciate that. It is my understanding, responding to my friend, that the other author of this bill, Senator Toomey, wants to be heard for 2 minutes prior to the vote. I would like to be heard for a few minutes of time.

I asked unanimous consent I be recognized after the two of you went through this. Can I inquire as to about how much longer it will be? I am the author of the bill that is coming up in just a few minutes.

I agree with what was said by both the Senator from Arizona and the Senator South Carolina. In fact, it was my request that Senator Ayotte's measure be the Republican alternative. So I just wanted to make sure everyone knew that. I think…

Yes, of course. The question is this--and I know the Senator already knows this, but others may not know, and I want to make sure they are aware. I am in support of the Senator's bill. I am a cosponsor of the bill and have been since way…

Reserving the right to object, I don't need to be in this lineup. I will be talking later on. I only wanted to ask one question of Senator Ayotte when she has the floor.

I know the distinguished Senator from Delaware, Mr. Carper, wishes to be heard. He is not on the floor now, so I think it is acceptable to go ahead with another Republican now; is that correct?

DOD has been unfortunately dealing with CRs for many years because Congress can't seem to pass a budget.

Secretary Carter, aside from sequestration, why does DOD continue to assert a mandate for defense accounts in the BCA?

The administration's announcement of rebalancing our military strategy significantly raised expectations of allies and partners in the Asia-Pacific region.