I just really think you have been a good commander for the Air Force.

I wish you well in retirement, but I wish you were not retiring. You've done a great job for our country.

I think the whole world watches what we do militarily, and for a long time, we have been the single guarantor of security around the world.

We are uncertain as to what China will do, but it seems like they are intent on building up the military. Is that a fair statement?

I hope it does not happen, but I just want Russia to know that we are not going to sit on the sidelines forever here.

I want every Member of the Senate to understand that we are being told by our military leaders and our Intelligence Community that there is a threat to the Homeland building.

If the Iranians are given the right to enrich, would you claim an equal right? They all told me yes.

thank you. If the Presiding Officer would let me know when the 10 minutes expire, I would appreciate it. I wish to rise in support of Senator Burr's alternative to Senator Sanders' veterans bill. We are having a contest here about how best…

If it falls apart, what's going to come our way?

What I want the committee to look at is in terms of our budget deficit, how much if we went to the high risk, could we remotely balance the budget?

They expect us to lead.

Will the National Guard have any attack capability?

I will be introducing with Senator Leahy a commission, and I would like the commission to look at the effect of sequestration and have an independent view of that.

Do you agree with me that deterrence is one aspect of a strong, capable nuclear program to deter rational nation-states from engaging the United States?

The idea of a nuclear device coming into the United States on a steamer with 20 people on board is not a thing of novels.

It would be hard to describe this as a time of peace.

if we implemented everything in this recommendation, that is no substitute for fixing sequestration.

Call me old-fashioned, but I think that's the number one job of the Federal Government.

I want to be generous to our military men and women.

The world's just not safer. That's not why we're cutting the budget. We just decided for some reason to cut the budget in spite of the growing risk.

A 1- to 3-year delay in the AMPV RFP would put the larger combat vehicle portfolio investment plan and alignment at risk.

You're telling us Congress hasn't given you and your colleagues the tool to deal with this threat. Is that fair to say?

I would like to be recognized for 10 minutes, if I could. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

The problem that we are discussing was created by Congress and the White House.

The actual Commission report, the commissioners, the work was very helpful.