As recent events have powerfully underscored, these are perilous times, whether we are speaking of the horrific terror attack in Boston this week or the escalating situation in North Korea.

I often use the phrase that at some point you have to stop worrying about the arrow and start worrying about the archer.

In my judgment, particularly given the threats we are seeing from North Korea, the potential threat we have from the Nation of Iran, reducing our commitment to missile defense at this point seems ill-advised.

I express the deepest sympathies that law enforcement was not able to prevent the horrific crimes you suffered.

Has that been the experience you've been seeing in the market? That the impact has been coverage costs increasing and impacting, in particular, those struggling to climb the economic ladder?

Of all of the economic data that swirl about, the one I find most troubling is 0.8 percent, which is what our economic growth has been, each of the last 4 years.

I will say this is an incredibly important topic.

Well, and I would apologize to the Committee, but I have lost my voice entirely--perhaps from cheering too much at last night's State of the Union.

To my mind, that data suggests that allowing law-abiding citizens to arm themselves, and in particular protecting the right of women to protect themselves, is an important safeguard against violent offenses.

I think that may actually be an area of potential bipartisan cooperation.

Thank you for coming. Thank you for standing for your lost loved ones.