It definitely needs to be avoided.

It was only that sort of blind notion that somehow not raising the debt ceiling was a solution to our fiscal problems that forced us into this awful, awful decision.

We must ensure that our military remains the strongest in the world, regardless of budget constraints.

Government spending matters. You can't just blindly cut it and assume that there is no problem.

Let me tell you, that attitude that you expressed right there is the number one biggest problem in solving the problem, is the notion that you have no responsibility in solving the problem.

The Administration is aware of the fact that this is the law. And until we change it, it is potential.

I hope this committee can begin to be part of the process of starting a realistic debate that can avoid the truly awful outcome that would come with sequestration.

If we are truly, truly committed to providing for the men and women who serve us and providing for our national security, then we absolutely have to be willing to raise the revenue to pay for that.

Those numbers don't add up.

We can't hold hostage steps that will do that to the notion that we have to have a balanced budget right now or even in the next 3, 4, 5, 6 years.

I completely agree with the chairman that sequestration is not a good idea. It would be bad for our economy, bad for defense.