Lindsey Graham

So the more foreign fighters that flow into Syria and Iraq to help ISIL and other organizations makes it more difficult for us to prevent the next attack.

Do you agree that the terrorist organizations that are operating in Syria and Iraq, Yemen--if they are not dealt with more effectively, we could get hit here at home?

Do we still want to replace Assad?

Would you support the creation of a regional force with two goals in mind: to destroy ISIL and push Assad out?

In terms of Iraq, the President has said the goal is to degrade and destroy ISIL. That is the right goal. Do you agree?

Because you are giving Syria to the Iranians if you leave Assad in power. Right?

Let us make this relevant to the American people. From our own national security interest, a Sunni-Shia conflict of great depth and breadth is not good for us. Do we all agree with that?

From an American point of view, if Syria is not resolved in the next 3 to 5 years, do you worry about our allies in Lebanon and Jordan?

If that's the case, then why would we even consider going down the sequestration road?

We want to have a deterrent effect against rogue nations.

If we want to insist upon sequestration, then we'd better be willing to go back home and tell people you can't get there from here

If we are smart, once we clear ISIL out of Iraq, if we can ever do that and not give the place to Iran, would you recommend a residual force to maintain the gains we've----

ISIL is just not a regional problem. It's a threat to the homeland?

I worry when that will occur in the future.

I'm looking for an overwhelming, decisive advantage over the enemy, and that will be lost if we don't modernize our forces.

A hearing without action is just a meeting. I didn't convene a meeting. I want a result and action.

I think we have the best system in the world, even with its faults.

The only thing unknown is how many people must die between now and then.

We need to have that position filled. We need to have all the players on the field if, in fact, we want to prevail in this.

I think we cannot underestimate the influence of a strong, trained, well-equipped military.

I think just the fact that you are holding this hearing is sending a message that this issue is one of great importance.

It has to be crushed, eliminated.

Because we are running out of time, could you provide me and the subcommittee sort of a wish list, realizing you can't have everything you want, but prioritize what you need that you don't have, so that we could make you more effective?

So this is one hearing in a series of efforts by the Congress to look ourselves in the mirror and accept some responsibility for this and try to do better.

We are facing today a religious genocide in the Middle East by ISIS and other groups destroying Christian populations that have existed for 2,000 years.