And I want to commend one of our colleagues, Congressman Randy Forbes, who has produced a memorandum that I hope the American people have the opportunity to see.

I ask unanimous consent that the Defense Business Board report on their proposal to reform military retirement...

I hope that every effort is made to work with military families and get their input.

During our whole debate, I was impressed several times, it was referenced about military families.

Today the Military Personnel Subcommittee will address the subject of military retirement, an issue of immense importance to service members, and in turn to combat readiness.

I want to thank Dr. Joe Heck for recommending that the Subcommittee conduct this hearing.

I want to thank Congressman Dr. Joe Heck for recommending that this subcommittee conduct this hearing.

Dr. Heck very astutely recognized that military retirement would be a pivotal issue in the coming months.

I certainly know what a resource you can be. And so I hope that you would be contacted.

I am grateful to congratulate the 2011 U.N. International Volunteer Award recipient, Dr. Animesh Sinha, who is a native of Irmo, South Carolina. Dr. Sinha is a general practitioner in Fiji, where he is the founder and medical director of…

there should be no further cuts in our military defense.

I believe that global nuclear disarmament is necessary if our country and our species are to survive and flourish.

I appreciate you stating your belief that that is the position of the President.

I am very concerned with the drawdown, the Army below 520,000, the Marines below 186,600, that that puts us at risk.

if you could state further--I can't hear enough because I do know firsthand of the extraordinary success, like the 218th Brigade in South Carolina of their service in Afghanistan.

What do we say to the mother and father, the wife of the last soldier or marine killed to support a corrupt government and a corrupt leader in a war that cannot be won?

Last week, House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline of Minnesota introduced the Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act. This act is a direct response to the National Labor Relations Board's recent reckless action to rush…

Yesterday, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, a native of Dillon, South Carolina, testified before the Congressional Joint Economic Committee. He sadly stated that economic indicators point toward a ``sluggish job growth'' and that the…

The Raleigh News & Observer reported seriously that last Tuesday at a Rotary club meeting in Cary, North Carolina, Governor Beverly Perdue stated: ``I think we ought to suspend, perhaps, elections for Congress for 2 years and just tell…

During a radio interview last week, Vice President Joe Biden acknowledged the current administration has responsibility for the economy. The Vice President stated, ``Right now, we are the ones in charge. I don't blame them for being mad…

I believe, ultimately, the American people do have resolve.

I see the primary function of the national government as national defense.

So to me, Mr. Chairman, this is pretty persuasive case, and I think the committee should be looking at something like this.

What reassurance do you have to the American people as to space at the current location of Arlington Cemetery?

Is there a second location under consideration at all?