Sequester is purely the fallout of political gridlock.

We need a safe, secure, and reliable nuclear deterrent. The submarine force is a key leg of the triad.

I thank you for the opportunity to be before this committee today and to continue that process of coordination and consultation with you.

The President has outlined a framework for the authorities he believes will be necessary to pursue this long-term campaign.

Nuclear weapons don't actually cost that much.

Taking the fight to ISIL requires that we be flexible and patient in our efforts.

Every dollar wasted is a dollar we don't have to provide our troops with the training and equipment they need.

Our ends with respect to ISIL needs to be its lasting defeat.

I am committed to ensuring the Department is vigilant in guarding its servicemembers against unfair and predatory lending practices.

I will ensure that DOD continues to work with Taiwan as develops its requirements to determine what support the Department could provide.

I very much incline in that direction, Mr. Chairman, because I think we need to support the Ukrainians in defending themselves.

I am honored by his trust and confidence, and also by the prospect of serving once again the troops and the country that I love so much.

An important purpose of our posture is also to assure our friends and partners, such as Japan, Korea, and Singapore, that the United States is fully committed to the security of the Asia-Pacific region.

If confirmed, I plan to continue the Department's efforts to effectively implement each provision.

I very much hope that we can find a way together out of the wilderness of sequester.

We owe a great debt of gratitude to the Guard and Reserve for what they have done over the last 12-13 years.

Our country has friends and allies in every corner of the world, and our adversaries have few.

If confirmed, I will work closely with Congress to ensure that DMDC has the necessary resources to execute its mission.

I am in favor of reintroducing to the acquisition system the role of the customer, which is the chiefs of the military services.

It hits everybody, and it hits them hard, and it hits them soon, which means that we don't have time to adjust.

The United States remains the strongest, most resilient, and most influential nation on earth.

They have really come through for us.

If confirmed, I will make this a high priority and hold our senior leaders, civilian and military, accountable.

I understand the Administration's policy to be that the determination of whether to try detainees in civilian courts versus military commissions is made on a case-by-case basis.

I am concerned that recent Chinese actions... has raised regional tensions and complicated efforts to peacefully manage and resolve territorial disputes.