"I greatly admire that decision, even as I am very personally disappointed by it."
"This is an interruption, not an end."
"I don't think there is a proper understanding in this body, or even nationally, the devastating impact that has on the ability of the Government."
"It is devastating when this body is unable to pass the normal appropriations and authorizing bills in some sort of regular order."
"Forcing us to shed key talent from our ranks represents a penny-wise/pound-foolish strategy, as we would lose the ability to properly monitor certain areas of Pentagon spending, some of which account ..."
"I cannot imagine an argument that says that the specter of sequestration coming down at us reduces our workload."
"It is critically important that we make smart choices in this difficult budget environment."
"It is wrong to think the defense budget has somehow been held apart from our debt and deficit problems."
"If we want to be a global power, we have got to be out and about."
"Access to overseas markets is critical to our economic growth."
"We are not going to have more economic opportunity in this country if we have less influence in the world."
"How can we make sure the military is a good steward of the taxpayers' dollar, without increasing the risk to our Armed Forces?"