Patrick Leahy

I am disappointed that the budget document doesn't reflect the priorities that you have.

Securing this Nation is not just a Federal Government responsibility.

I also look forward to working with Senator Frank Lautenberg, our vice chairman.

I look forward to working with Senator Dan Coats, our ranking member.

I'm concerned that the budget projects only 285 ships by fiscal year 2017 when every study I've seen... have said that we need a minimum of between 300 and 315 ships.

I'm concerned that the combatant commanders have testified repeatedly about the increasing importance of the maritime domain and their areas of responsibility.

The importance of our Navy and to our ability to project power, particularly with the pivot to the Asia Pacific region, cannot be overstated.

I opposed it because I didn't think it was the right decision for our national security.

I appreciate what you said during your testimony. I know we could never have supported two simultaneous wars without men like you.

I don't think that these cuts in the Air Guard and the Reserves are going to save us money.

I can assure you, as long as I'm the co-chair of the National Guard Caucus, you're not going to be ignored, none of you will.

I think we should have our air control alert locations, and the Air National Guard explosive ordinance disposal...

I worry that they're not listening to some of the concerns of the Governors.

I don't see the threat going down. I think we should have our air control alert locations...

Do you think the Air Force considered the State and local impact of getting rid of our Air Guard bomb squads...

Protecting our servicemembers has always been a bipartisan issue, and I look forward to working with you.

Frankly, as far as I am concerned, those who would do that, you should be cracking down on them every way you can, both civilly and I believe in some instances criminally.

The administration is about to use taxpayer dollars through the HAMP program to bail out speculators who drove up housing prices during the bubble.

I think that is an insulting comment. Mr. Breuer obviously lacks comprehension of the enormous obstacles facing whistleblowers.

This Committee has tried to do its part in connection with the housing crisis.

Today we welcome Assistant Attorney General Tom Perez, who has hobbled in here.

I want to thank you and your whole Department for all of the help and support you have provided to the State of Vermont in the wake of Hurricane Irene's devastation last August.

I'm especially grateful that we were able to get the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) the additional Emergency Relief (ER) funding that the States need.

The CDBG Program is one of the most effective Federal programs to revitalize communities with proven results.

These cuts have left State CDBG programs oversubscribed.