"The simple justice that comes from that principled position cannot be overstated."
"I have seen the progress, and not just in Kabul, not just in the capital, but out in some of the tougher regions."
"I think this committee is well aware of these problems, but I don't think the whole Congress is."
"We must ask ourselves where is the breaking point, and what we need to do to prevent it, how much risk is too much."
"Air Force modernization cannot wait for the next big uptick in defense spending."
"as a Congress, we need to stop sequestration. However we put it together, whatever the agreement is, mindless across-the-board cuts is simply the wrong way to run a government."
"I am encouraged by the request for the Air Force's three most important modernization programs, the KC-46A tanker, the F-35A, and the Long-Range Strike Bomber."
"I hope that you will highlight your concerns regarding this issue in your testimony and provide more detail about where you see this trend going into the future."
"I don't think the whole Congress is, and I am convinced that the Nation really doesn't understand the severity of the cuts that we have been imposing."
"As a Congress, we need to stop sequestration. Mindless across-the-board cuts is simply the wrong way to run a government."
"I hope to hear how the President's budget, which asks for another $120 billion out of defense, will impact our military posture and readiness."
"I am also curious why, after three rounds of cuts to our Armed Forces in as many years, our troops are again being asked to pay the bill for out-of-control spending in Washington."