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

The uncertainty is affecting them not only in the work arena but home has been absolutely heartbreaking to see.

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

I have real concerns about the morale of both our Armed Forces and the Federal workers based on the current climate.

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

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...

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

This strategy is heavily dependent on the maritime forces of the Navy and the Marine Corps.

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.

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

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

What is your current assessment of Afghan readiness and force effectiveness in preparation for 2014 and beyond?

If we keep giving them this level of uncertainty, this level of personal pain, we may lose them.

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.

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

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

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

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

allowing budget sequestration--the cavalier discussions I've seen in some newspapers recently by Members of Congress about the fact that it's reality and we probably can't change it makes absolutely no sense.

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.

Becoming a party to the Law of the Sea Convention would enhance the U.S. security posture around the globe.

It is still kind of hard to contemplate that if confirmed you would be the first enlisted person to hold the position of Secretary of Defense.

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 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.

I am not feeling that we are that exceptional right now.