Lindsey Graham

I consider education opportunities for military families an important Departmental goal.

In your statement you report that more than half of the schools serving communities with significant military populations do not meet State academic standards in reading and math.

The Department must work closely with OMB and Congress to ensure the additional cost hinder recapitalization or put additional burden on the American taxpayer.

The proposed pay raise for fiscal year 2011 is only 1.4 percent, but as you point out, matches the rise in the Employment Cost Index.

Yes, I think that is a terrific idea, because all of us, now, are worried about the cost to the country and to--beyond ourselves, which is good, because we all bear these costs.

What Senator Webb indicates is very important. We want to make sure that we're tracking the health of the force.

We're not nearly where we need to be.

The healthcare component--how do we get a grip on this?

Before we ask for premium increases, I think we need to try to make sure that we're telling the force, 'We've done everything we can within reason to make it more efficient and to lower the cost, through efficiency, best practices…

I think most Americans want to make sure that our men and women are functioning as well as possible and getting the help they need.

We have to make sure that we're not wearing these folks out beyond their ability to respond to the Nation's call.

We're getting it done.

I promise, when it comes to the troops, we'll be as bipartisan as possible.

It really is working.

What you're pointing out is very important to the country, and I appreciate your interest, and we'll get some answers to these real legitimate questions.

I want to also acknowledge that Senator Nelson was a complete joy to work with, and he's gone to another subcommittee.

The sexual harassment, sexual assault problem is being better identified, and the number of reported cases is growing.

TRICARE benefits for the Guard and Reserve--I'd just like to get your impression about how that program has worked.

Do we need to look at changing our laws?

I want to hear what they have to say.

Who the hell made this rule up? Why did you pick 96 hours versus 80 hours or 100 hours? I can't get anyone to tell me how this thing was formed, whose idea it was, and how it became policy.

The one story I hear told over and over and over again, 'Senator Graham, this policy makes no sense. It is putting our folks at risk for no higher purpose. Quite frankly, here's what's going to start happening. We're going to take less…

We're going to transition this facility to Afghan control.

I just want to let the committee know that you and Doug Stone and others involved with Camp Bucca is probably one of the great, great success stories of Iraq.

I want to thank you for leading that charge, because I think our warfighters will appreciate that, particularly the marines down south.