Kay Bailey Hutchison

I think there have been significant questions raised about the movement of prisoners out of Guantanamo Bay.

I question the basis of this.

I think the question has to do with the additional expansion to the infrastructure that the military buildup would require.

I just think it is worth another look at whether this island can accommodate this kind of influx and if it is the very best move that we could make.

I would like, before we come forward with our recommended military construction appropriations report, to know what is the German and Korean contribution to the requests that are being made.

The sooner that we can get our service men and women into the new state-of-the-art facilities, the sooner we will live up to our commitments to provide for them in a way that we should as a Nation.

I think that is something that you are going to have to take under your purview.

I wish to thank my colleagues for their work on the Reagan National perimeter rule issue. Last week, I sat down with several interested colleagues in an effort to try to find a path forward on this issue, and the result is the modified…

I have emphasized the importance of fully funding and effectively implementing the BRAC program.

I look forward to discussing military construction and family housing needs with you.

Are you committed to the joint facility with the Army at Fort Bliss?

I think that hitting it now rather than waiting so long, as was done in Agent Orange, it is still late, but I am glad we are doing it.

I commend the Department for the decision on the Agent Orange diseases, and I think that is the right thing to do.

I am highly concerned that this new policy will further complicate the already large claims backlog.

We do need to get out of the base in Seoul and move south, and that is in our interest as well as Korea's.

The President has said he wants to close Guantanamo, and I certainly support that decision.

Was there a business case analysis prepared that justified retaining four BCTs in Europe?

We have got to start looking at the money that we are spending overseas and is it better to have permanent bases in America.

The VA's 2011 budget request proposes an $11.4 billion increase above last year's level.

I think that the increase in the budget proposed, $5.2 billion for mental health treatment, is an increase from last year that is very warranted.

I would like to ask you also to submit for the record whether it is, in fact, more efficient to deploy from Germany into Iraq and Afghanistan as opposed to from the United States.

I will look forward to having you come to us with your suggestions, and then we certainly will be helpful.

I think there are some major issues here that are going to take more than maybe even one hearing.

I am concerned that these requirements are not consistent with our future force requirements and posture.

I concur with the Senator from West Virginia. No realignments will be allowed to continue before the completion of the board's recommendations, unless the affected employees and the FAA agree in writing to do so.