We believe he has got the best temperament of anybody in South Carolina.

This is a huge deal for the State of South Carolina in terms of our economic future.

And I want to thank President Obama. He certainly did not have to do this.

It is going to change shipping as we know it.

I think is very important that we understand, generally speaking, how many contractors we have.

The plan is to deepen the Panama Canal so that super cargo ships can pass through the canal.

But since that system is not in place, I have to protect Charleston.

do you agree that providing access to a quality education for our kids is a readiness requirement for the All-Volunteer Force?

To me, that is a personnel issue we need to come to grips with.

I very much appreciate President Obama nominating you.

Employers must understand that military spouses possess the necessary skills and attributes that make them excellent hires.

the idea of drawing the Army down by 40,000, the Navy, 9,000, the Marines, 16,000, the Air Force, 10,000, is that a wise decision right now, given the uncertainties of where the world is going?

For too long, the challenges of managing a military family have prevented many spouses from securing long-term, fulfilling employment.

I have learned more about this than I ever wanted to learn.

Are these enduring increases in the base budget for fiscal year 2012, or are these contingent on war-time funding?

Secretary Hale, you served as a member of a Task Force in 2007 created by Congress to examine the future of military health care.

You really meet the human condition in family court in every way possible.

I think it would do more harm than good to reduce those brigadier general spots that serve the Air Force well.

if we don't do something, as Secretary Gates said, at some point, it will fall of its own weight.

I just really question, is that a wise decision?

To me, it means you're going to go a lot, yes.

I believe we do need a slight modification of our authority.

It's a privilege to serve with you on this subcommittee.

I would like to recommend to this subcommittee this would be a good use of our time to look as a Nation what does it mean for these ships to come through the Panama Canal.

We're having, I think, an unsustainable increase in healthcare cost in DOD.