Joe Manchin

I will encourage allies to increase their defense spending so they have the right forces and capabilities required to address the threats of the 21st century.

Human rights related content--including the rule of law, civilian control of the military, and code of conduct--are key ingredients infused into every engagement with the Sudan People's Liberation Army.

We should continue to support African nations, the Africa Union, African regional organizations, the European Union, and the United Nations where we have common objectives.

The AFRICOM AOR has become a front line in the fight against al Qaeda and other terrorist groups.

The importance of taking care of people, which will always remain the most important asset in our military.

The sooner these targets have been reached, the sooner we can withdrawal troops dedicated to the training mission.

I am a strong supporter of bringing our troops home from Afghanistan as quickly as possible so we can focus on rebuilding America.

I would encourage this committee to take the role model of its former ranking member, Senator McCain, who can get into it hot and heavy, but at the end of the day, he is going to respect the other person's motives.

That weighs heavily on me, too, making that commitment to vote for Senator Hagel who has done that.

I felt that was unfair.

I think one of the great Senators, that gave me a little bit more confidence.

I have not found any reason why I would not support Senator Hagel.

I believe very strongly they are truly the greatest ally and the only ally we have in that part of the world.

If it has been a bad day, we have all had maybe a less than a stellar performance if that is what we are looking at.

I think that told me right there everything I needed to know, that he would not hesitate to defend this country.

I want to thank the chairman and thank the ranking member for having this, and I want to confirm everything that has been said here.

So I would hope it does not become a political vote, if you will.

I support the President's policy that while the United States does not take sides over competing claims, the United States opposes any and all forms of coercion to resolve disputes or apply pressure.

I share the concern of our senior military leaders that fiscal constraints will affect the very necessary programs needed to support the families of our servicemembers.

Yes. I support the effort and will maintain the Department's commitment to producing audit-ready financial statements by the congressional deadline of September 2017, with an audit beginning by the end of calendar year 2017.

If you can't change your mind, you can't change anything.

I appreciate your support for that. I look forward to working with you that we can put more of our vets back to work.

I respect you being the person being able to say what you thought needed to be said.

It's truly informative. But encouraging also to see that everyone is trying to move in the most appropriate manner and taking the public safety first and foremost.

Yet somehow we find it acceptable that an industry can use 1960s technology in 2013 to close its valves.