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.

If confirmed, I would, in close consultation with our senior military leaders, provide the President with my best strategic advice as to how to most effectively counter the ISIL threat.

What is particularly tragic is that sequestration is not a result of an economic emergency or a recession.

We want them to continue to be isolated as a military and limited in terms of the kinds of equipment and materials they are able to get.

I urge Congress to develop a comprehensive and balanced deficit reduction package that the House and Senate can pass, and that the President can sign.

I will take the $52 billion, too.

We protected the operations of the nuclear forces under sequester.

Sequester is irrational, mindless, and damaging.