I think the multi-year procurement authority is one initiative that would help accomplish some of the things you are talking about doing, and we would like to work with you toward that.

Transportation issues are critical to my state.

I want to make sure as we go through the process that we don't de-emphasize highway investment in rural states.

As future policy advisors to the Secretary, I would like to get your opinions on whether or not these most recent budget decisions were indeed informed policy decisions.

That's why those goals I hope become reality in terms of the Air Force being able to transition to fuels that are sourced domestically.

the Senate has passed a resolution by a vote of 94 to 3 that Guantanamo detainees, including senior members of al Qaeda, should not be transferred stateside into facilities in American communities and neighborhoods.

The Air Force is the largest purchaser of aviation fuels. Tremendous cost.

The success of the financial service transformation effort would increase efficiency and yield significant savings.

I have a deep and abiding interest in assisting the Air Force in completing this initiative to expand the Powder River Complex.

I also want to associate myself with the remarks that were made by Senator Lieberman earlier.

If you talk to troops or commanders, it continually comes up, and it really does undermine and hamstring our ability to be effective.

The 2006 QDR stated the Department plans to develop a new land base penetrating long-range strike capability that would be fielded by 2018.

Secretary Gates' most recent budget decisions were informed policy decisions.

I can't think of individuals who are better equipped to serve in the posts for which you're here this morning.

I want to see us succeed in Afghanistan and be able to put together a strategy that would allow that to happen.

He reached these decisions after consultations with the President, and with the military and civilian leadership of the Department of Defense.

I want to thank our nominees for their willingness to serve their country, and many of you have had careers in public service.

I think it will incentivize a lot greater participation by the private sector in expanding synthetic fuel production, if we have that type of multi-year procurement authority.

it appears that President Obama has no intention to continue with plans to field a third ballistic missile defense site in Eastern Europe.

The RAND Corporation recently issued a study that estimates that synthetic fuel would reduce the U.S.'s reliance on foreign oil by as much as 15 percent, while possibly generating up to $60 billion in domestic revenue each year.

In your view, will the next-generation bomber be vital to our national defense strategy?

The Secretary of the Navy, in consultation with the Chief of Naval Operations, signed a Record of Decision to develop a second nuclear-carrier homeport on the East Coast on January 14, 2009, and determined that it is in the best national…

If this is the experience--my experience is the experience that a lot of my constituents have, the traveling public has, their lives kinda stink when it comes to getting to and from their destinations.

I mean, don't you think that a lot of customers have a right to know which flights are chronically delayed or chronically canceled before they purchase their tickets?

You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.