John Cornyn

IRGC-QF will likely continue to support Shia militant groups in Iraq after U.S. forces withdraw.

Improved interagency coordination begins with an adequate level of resources available to our civilian interagency associates and partners.

We are doing more with more, but the more we're doing it with doesn't match the more we've been asked to do . . . we are beginning to show fraying around the edges.

What steps have you taken to enable Iraq to adequately defend its airspace following the U.S. withdrawal?

I believe the most effective strategy is one that mobilizes the international community to implement sufficient diplomatic and economic pressure to further isolate Iran forcing the regime to change its destabilizing behavior.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) is equipping militants in Iraq and Afghanistan who have attacked U.S. and coalition forces.

Robust resourcing for the State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and other agency and department missions are some of the best investments for reducing the need for military forces to be employed.

How concerned are you that al Qaeda or its affiliates will return to Iraq and take root again following the departure of U.S. forces?

What steps have you taken to enable the Iraqi Air Force to take over this key mission, including training and equipping efforts?

Reckless fiscal policy is not the typical focus of our military's threat analyses but, frankly, I could not agree more with your assessment.

Secretary Gates, how much of the savings obtained from this cut will be reinvested in sustaining and improving the current B-1 fleet, to include enhancements such as a new radar system?

Given the administration's commitment to continue development and improving this important capability, how are these reductions justified when additional testing and GBI missiles are needed?

Why was the B-52 fleet, which currently numbers 76 aircraft and does not provide nearly the utility of the B-1 in current operations in Afghanistan, not similarly reduced?

I am concerned with the resulting impact to unit cost to the remaining aircraft in the FYDP.

The enduring success of our military operations in Afghanistan is dependent on the ANSF being able to provide security to the Afghan people.

Secretary Gates, how are your fiscal year 2012 proposed budget cuts to the B-1 bomber fleet consistent with your message about the need to sustain the current military force structure during a time of war?

Were our international partners consulted on the announcement surrounding the restructuring of the F-35 program?

India has committed some $1.3 billion and 3,500 Indian personnel to relief and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.

The United States and Mexico have a shared responsibility in the fight against TCOs.

Under President Calderon's leadership, Mexico is bravely confronting the grave security threats posed by TCOs operating within Mexican territory.

The fiscal year 2012 DOD budget request includes $197 million in Air Force RDT&E funding to begin development of a new long-range bomber.

Shouldn't the American people expect that the Attorney General or the Chief Deputy within his office will be familiar with the operational details of an operation that involved the straw purchase of 1,500 firearms in the United States that…

I absolutely agree that DOD should expand and strengthen its efforts to protect sensitive government information from theft through cyber means.

American jobs, overall economic impact, and the future of the defense industrial base are important considerations.

In my opinion, there now exists a serious airpower imbalance between China and Taiwan. Do you disagree?