I am committed to giving our servicemembers every resource they need to bring a quick and decisive end to the Taliban and the other insurgent forces.

I am concerned for these soldiers mental and emotional well-being as they are returning from serving their country to possible unemployment and financial instability instead of a happy family reunion.

If we didn't have the employer support that we've got out there today, we wouldn't have a National Guard.

I think it's a policy that we need to look at and really focus on.

It's extremely important that we begin to look at long-term planning to make sure that we maintain our aerospace industry in this country.

I think that's fair. But, we still have a big problem out there.

In the past, we've heard promises that the first KC-X tankers will come to Fairchild. That was walked back.

Therefore, the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists joins with the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to urge this subcommittee to increase Federal funding to a minimum of $30…

We have a lot of families out there who have sacrificed a heck of a lot in a very tough economic climate.

Still, I am still very concerned about the health and welfare of our service members with visible and invisible wounds.

I hear it all the time, they're afraid to say something is wrong, because they don't want to sit there, miles and thousands of miles away from family.

Eighty percent of our force is what we call a traditional Guard force.

I have another question for Secretary Gates, but I think all of us are watching this very closely.

I continue to be very troubled that DOD is awarding this contract--it's taxpayer funded, $35 billion competition.

It's really important that the Air Force has enough time to make a full and fair assessment of the bids that come in.

If one company is bidding against a company that has been subsidized, our taxpayers are essentially fighting against a country rather than a company.

In the State of Washington, we're very interested in adding a Stryker Brigade Combat Team to the Army National Guard.

This program is a valuable tool for equipping and training our soldiers and family members to maximize their potential.

The President's budget for this year, 2011, doesn't include any investments in military construction at Fairchild Air Force Base.

If we don't get them home and with their families, and get them the care they need, then we're going to be in trouble in the future.

If we need to be doing more, in terms of support services, outreach, whatever, I think we really need to focus on that issue.

Nurses significantly contribute to the healthcare of our service members and their families.

Does the DOD have any plans to address the potential loss of U.S. capability?

I'm very concerned about this discussion of a projected contract start date of November 12, when there's no projected award date.

But, we've been talking about this for a long time, so I'm frustrated that we're not doing better than we are today.