Sequestration would make that rational evaluation impossible, which is why it must be avoided.

If we're going to fix this problem in the long run and avoid sequestration in the short run, I believe that we must address this from both ends--spending will have to come down, and we're going to have to generate new revenues.

You cannot look at a budget that is almost 40 percent out of whack in terms of our deficit and say that 20 percent of the budget has absolutely nothing to do with that.

The industrial base of this country is critical to our economy and obviously defense spending is part of maintaining that industrial base.

the Economic and Fiscal Impacts of DOD Spending on the Commonwealth of Virginia in FY 2008

There are certain things that the defense budget requires in terms of technological and business capabilities that, if we are not doing it, those capabilities go away.

I appreciate you holding this hearing and this series of hearings that we have had to discuss the impact of defense cuts.

I would strongly urge this Congress to pass appropriations bills so that we can fund our Government in a responsible and reasonable way.

If we go to sequestration, every line item in the defense budget, and frankly, every line item in all discretionary spending has to be cut by the exact same amount, which is, frankly, insane.

The U.S. military is the modern era's pillar of American strength and values.

Like many, if not most, of our members here, I share the view that large, immediate cuts to the defense budget would have substantially negative impacts on the ability of the U.S. military to carry out its missions.