my colleague, Senator Cruz, is ill and unable to speak on this nomination. He has, however, expressed his concerns to me in the form of a letter. I appreciate his contributions to this debate throughout the committee process. I ask…

This letter is signed by several Senators, but it was promoted, more than by anyone else, by the Senator from Texas. The Senator has repeatedly requested this information. I have personally heard Senator Cruz request this information, just…

let me, first of all, respond to the chairman of the Armed Services Committee. I agree. We have talked about the anguish. We had a hearing yesterday where the service chiefs discussed the disaster facing our armed forces if we go through…

Admiral Winnefeld recently stated that he was aware of 'no other time in history when we have come potentially down this far, this fast, in the defense budget.'

If the defense budget faces further significant reductions, I advocate these cuts be made more gradually and with greater programmatic flexibility.

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

Reductions of this magnitude would first prompt a strategic review and likely result in an Army with revised roles, missions, capabilities and capacities.

The National Guard is the hometown force and first military responder for 3,000 communities across the country.

The Army will likely have only $2 billion in our O&M account to fund the remainder of fiscal year 2013.

What can we do to avert creating a hollow force similar to the one we had after taking the 1990s peace dividend?

If the continuing resolution and sequestration persist, the Army as it exists today will not recover.

I find this an appalling risk to our national security.