Adam Smith

One of the biggest problems is, just in general with all QDRs, is the unpredictability of, gosh, 2, 3 years in the future, much less 15 or 20.

Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families, as regrettably another child--another tragedy strikes that base.

We must ensure that our military is prepared for the challenges we face today and in the future.

Many Members are very adamant that we need that nuclear deterrent strategy, we need that triad. Sequestration makes that impossible.

I think it would be devastating. I mean, it would--I think it would require us to fundamentally reexamine our nuclear deterrent strategy.

If we continue on a journey of sequestration and have to make those kind of choices, that will be detrimental to our national defense structure.

I agree with that prioritization and I support the funding in this year's base budget request that protects the nuclear triad and other nuclear deterrent capabilities.

I am increasingly troubled by the aggressive counter-space programs of China and Russia, in particular.

Ranking Member, Committee on Armed Services

I hope these sobering remarks remind us to not lose sight of our shared values and the vital importance of reversing the dangerous budget trajectory.

Wishful thinking is not a strategy to pin our force structure decisions upon.

I worry that the Department is justifying its deep cuts to the Army based on this set of unrealistic assumptions.

So these are some tough choices that we have to make, and figure out.

I don't see how we can maintain 11 aircraft carriers at that budget.

If we are going to be able to maintain that capability, we are going to have to make some very, very tough choices going forward.

We are a significant deterrent to what North Korea would otherwise do.

The good news is we do still have the most powerful, capable Navy and Marine Corps in the world.

The impacts we have seen on transportation, you know, our infrastructure is just way behind.

He cares also about infrastructure, about transportation, about investments in research.

The $26 billion that the President has asked for, he is very serious about

The President wants to get to that vision of the $56 billion by increasing taxes and making cuts to entitlements.

Every time I am in Afghanistan, I am overwhelmed by the job that you do.

I share the chairman's remarks and congratulate you on a tremendous career in great service to your country.

We are alarmed at some of the cuts that were contained in it, which is understandable.

I mean, it is bad enough dealing with the budget environment we have now.