I think this nation-building exercise is a huge debacle.

I think it does demand an explanation and you are in the best position to get that explanation.

I think we are being pushed around and I don't think the State Department is doing enough to stand up for what we are doing.

You have to recognize how much money the Federal Government is spending here. We're going to spend in the range of about $3.5 trillion to $3.6 trillion in a 12-month period. Part of my rhetorical question here is: If that's not stimulative…

May I inquire as to how much time both sides have. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Utah has 8 minutes remaining, and the gentleman from Missouri has 2\1/2\ minutes remaining.

It is my intention to yield the gentleman some additional time. I know he has a number of speakers who are still left. I am happy to do that. So that is my intention as you allocate the rest of your time. For now, I reserve the balance of…

I would like to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman if he needs it and has additional speakers. The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from Missouri will control that time. There was no objection.

I claim time in opposition. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Utah is recognized for 15 minutes.

One of the moral obligations, I think, is not only to the current generation but to the older Americans who have poured their hearts and souls into this contract. They've lived with the assumption that certain things are going to be there…

I do appreciate the gentleman's comments, Mr. Chairman, the generosity and the approach that he took that, yes, we should debate the issues, but we don't need to attack the person. I think it is the right attitude, and I appreciate the…

I think everybody is probably trying to achieve the same goal, but personally I am offended by the direction that Afghanistan is going.

I hope we don't wake up one day and just find all this money sitting over in Dubai or something like that.