Jim Inhofe

General Austin, what capability does the SFW provide that other munitions in the U.S. inventory cannot in this environment?

General Austin, is it anticipated that area weapons would contribute in defending against hostile action by Iranian land and/or maritime forces, should deterrence fail?

I support the President's policy.

I think we all agree that Israel is our best friend in the region.

The polling actually is 80 percent supporting of the Afghan National Army.

You have 17 universities now. There were only two under the Taliban.

I see all the great things that are going on there that were not there before.

Only 12 percent of the AFRICOM requests for ISR are being met, due to the resource shortfalls.

I have never thought of it as adequately resourced.

Iran continues to pose one of the greatest threats to our Nation.

However, massive cuts in the national security budget are making their jobs even more difficult.

We've spent a lot of time recently talking about the growing threats in the U.S. national security around the world.

This budget reflects your decision to undertake a contract pause for the LCS program and pause at 32 ships.

The development and proliferation of more advanced military technologies by other nations means that we are entering an era where American dominance on the seas, in the skies, and in space can no longer be taken for granted.

Secretary Hagel, what steps were taken to ensure you are not double-counting these cuts with the current round of efficiencies?

Secretary Hagel, in May 2010, then-Secretary of Defense Robert Gates launched a DOD-wide initiative to save $100 billion from fiscal years 2012 to 2016 by cutting overhead and reducing unnecessary programs. How much money was actually…

Secretary Hagel, going forward, how will DOD and the Services perform the functions previously performed by contractors?

Secretary Hagel, why is the Navy going to bear a disproportionate burden of this funding reduction?

The acquisition reform initiatives of all the Military Services will result in contracting efficiencies estimated to save $30 billion over the fiscal year 2015 to fiscal year 2019 period.

The President's budget states DOD is expecting to achieve approximately $94 billion in efficiency savings over the next 5 years.

You have noted previously that you believe piecemeal changes to reform can cause harm and that a holistic approach is the best model.

To do otherwise would indeed break faith with our servicemembers.

I was very pleased to hear that. Do you still stand firm on the principle of grandfathering those currently serving and retired into any changes you may propose as a result of the Commission work?

I believe that Congress and DOD owe it to the men and women in uniform, who do so much for their country, to adopt these proposals and thereby ensure that they have the training and equipment they need to succeed in battle now and into the…

DOD's proposal to gradually slow the growth rate of the tax-free BAH was a difficult but necessary decision if, in this era of constrained budgets, DOD is to achieve a proper balance between competitive pay and benefits for servicemembers.