Tim Kaine

Protection of whistleblowers must be a top priority for the DOD IG.

The President has invited engagement with Congress on the future of the AUMF.

If confirmed, I hope to play a constructive role in that process.

The 2001 AUMF encompasses those who are part of, or substantially support, al Qaeda, the Taliban, or associated forces.

There's no public official who's served Virginia in the last century who is as admired, by Virginians of all political persuasions, than Senator Warner.

I think the U.S.-Turkey relationship is one of the most strategically important right now.

If confirmed, going forward in Europe, one of the concerns that I've talked about to my fellow commanders in Europe are the three things that my wife talks about every time we move: schools, housing, and access to medical care.

There is a concern about tomorrow as well.

I would suspect that some of the short-term savings we might be trying to obtain through something like sequester actually may work to our long-term disadvantage even on the savings side.

The one thing that they were most concerned about was effects on training, the backing up of assigned training slots at various training facilities.

In making sure that the Guard maintains that desired state going forward, that makes things like retention and the training of guardsmen and reservists--ongoing training--absolutely critical.

Going forward, there is no intent from a planning perspective that the Guard would revert back to just a pure Reserve function.

In your judgment, are the Afghan security forces on track to assume the lead responsibility for security in Afghanistan, starting this spring?

If we don't get this residual force right to continue the momentum, Afghanistan will fall apart quicker than Iraq.

I can't think of a worse outcome for America than for us to lose in Afghanistan after a dozen years of fighting.

I cannot, in good conscience, vote to continue this operation.

Would you agree with me that the number of troops in any theater is not an end, but it is a means to an end...

General Austin always had a firm view that we needed--18,000 to 20,000 is what he first said.

I think it will, sir. I think, certainly, again, those forces have been outlined by General Mattis as what he needs to accomplish the goals and objectives that he's laid out.

These are historic times and difficult times. However, amidst the many challenges that exist reside opportunities.

If confirmed, I will continue to cultivate my existing relationships while pursuing additional opportunities and partnerships that will surely prove beneficial to our efforts.

I am going to be an incredible stickler on the need for an executive to consult with Congress.

I want our Secretary of Defense to go to sleep every night and wake up every day worrying about our men and women.

I think we owe deference to a President for choices to executive positions.

I am going to vote for Senator Hagel's nomination to be Secretary of Defense for three reasons.