Lindsey Graham

I am concerned about the current cuts in the Reserve and National Guard. What greater catastrophe looms in the event of sequestration for the Reserve component?

Secretary Hale and Dr. Woodson, how does this administration's proposal for fee increases compare with the proposal put forward in 2006, which we all felt was too much, too fast?

The President's budget makes the necessary budget adjustments to avoid devastating DOD through sequestration.

If sequestration is allowed to go forward, are we creating a hollow force and diminished support for military families and schools?

I would just like to be on the record saying I would like to work with the administration to find some way to change this dynamic because the BCA requires $87 billion.

I think it is very important before we make a decision how to get to $87 billion, that the civilian workforce, if it is going to be reduced just a fraction of the Active-Duty Forces and Reserve folks who wear the uniform, I would like to…

The BCA is going to require some $400-plus billion in defense spending reductions over the next decade.

Military family and veterans groups have urged that you exhaust internal efficiencies in health care before increasing fees.

What initiatives are underway, other than adjustments to cost sharing, to reduce the costs of the TRICARE pharmacy program?

Secretary Hale and Dr. Woodson, we received a 32-star letter embracing these proposals, so among the senior military leaders, there is no dissent, is that correct?

They are a very valuable part of the team, cannot do the job without them.

Sequestration--I hope in a bipartisan fashion--we can stop that. That would be devastating according to Secretary Panetta to do $600 billion on top of the $400-plus billion.

Everything has to be on the table.

I worry such action is premature and would weaken opportunities for U.S. companies.

I am telling everybody in this committee that if we get this right not only will they feel better, but I will feel better and we will win this thing.

I think we would be buying in terms of costs a lot more than the cost of staying and getting it right.

Do you agree with me, Dr. Miller and General Allen, that Afghanistan is the center of gravity for the moment in the war on terror?

I believe that this is our last best chance, and the only way we will really fail at the end of the day is for our political system not to support the General at a time of his greatest need.

Would you agree with me, we really haven't had it right over 10 years?

Doesn't the stability come helping the many where they live fight and defeat these bastards in their backyards, so we don't have to send 100,000 troops?

I hope we'll look, going within the force and cross-training people.

Do you have enough flexibility to make adjustments?

We're going to put 87,000 people out of work, I guess.

That's just the math, right?

The Defense Department is more than paying its fair share, in my view.