Jim Inhofe

General Odierno, Admiral Greenert, General Amos, and General Welsh, are you comfortable with defense strategy based on budgets, as opposed to providing the means for adequate levels of national security?

My concern is that by reducing the capacity and capability of the Army, the United States invites miscalculations by future adversaries, making military conflict more likely.

I will always do everything in my power to ensure that whenever we send soldiers into battle, their units are properly manned, trained, and equipped.

If sequestration continues, the Air Force will not be able to support the current defense strategy.

The simple reality is that the world around us is not getting any safer.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs warned us that continued national security cuts will, and I'm quoting now, 'severely limit our ability to implement our defense strategy, it will put the Nation at greater risk of coercion, and it will…

I've always said that readiness equals risk, risk affects lives, lives lost.

As America retreats from its role as a global leader, we'll have more failed states like Syria and Libya as breeding grounds for terrorism.

The tide of war isn't receding. It's America's leadership, trust in American security partners, and our ability to protect this country that's receding.

I think about peace obtained through strength. We know that Ronald Reagan's probably rolling over in his grave right now, seeing what's happened to the military strength of this country.

There could be a time--it would be for the first time in my career instances where we may be asked to respond to a crisis and we'll have to say that we cannot.

Another year of sequestration only compounds the damage that will be done to our forces and our national security.

A formula for more American casualties?

If you don't mind my going a little bit longer, because I won't be able to stay for a second round.

Yes, that is right. Of course, you heard my comments in opening statement.

I was very pleased to see the results of this study that took place, that we immediately adopt this and discard anything that is in conflict with this.

The first hydraulic fracturing that took place was in my State of Oklahoma in 1948.

I appreciate it, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Thank you very much. This is one of the areas where we are going to find a lot of agreement with each other.

Do you think this should be reauthorized? We have a lot of good programs, Mr. Chairman, of cooperation.

So you are contending that we need regulations to force that?

Would you do an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking and allow comment to be taken on the notice to see if the regulations are even necessary or should be changed?

Do you really think you need regulations to motivate these changes that are being talked about today?

I am very interested in this because, as you look around, you see this huge boon that is taking place right now.

I do have time right now that is scheduled. However, my friend from Alabama had one other point to make. I would like to yield 2 minutes of my time to the Senator from Alabama. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Alabama.

Last night at 10 o'clock I was privileged to be down here with the Senator and we went over a lot of things. Something happened this morning. I went home, I went to bed, I ate. I am back here now. The Senator from Kentucky has been waiting…