Joe Manchin

Are you confident that this budget meets the requirements to 'surge and regenerate forces and capabilities' that the President spelled out in your Priorities for the 21st Century Defense?

The fiscal year 2013 Air Force budget disproportionately cuts the Guard and will necessitate losing the expertise gained by pilots and capabilities over a decade of war.

This budget, if we adopted it, avoids sequestration. It does it because finally they're talking about additional revenues.

We can raise the revenues without raising taxes, by closing the loopholes----

There's a group of us in a bipartisan effort that are looking at ways that--and we know it takes everything, getting the money that we're not receiving now that should be paid in revenues, and also make sure we get fraud, waste, and abuse…

If the American people think that we're putting fairness to the system, I'll guarantee you they're behind us 1,000 percent.

We can cut spending, too, sir.

The deficit and debt of this Nation is the greatest security risk.

We also ought to have a Republican alternative, if there is one, so we can see exactly what the options are in that regard.

If we accept it, we're not fulfilling our responsibility under the Constitution to provide for the common defense.

We either have to find savings elsewhere or we have to have the political guts to raise revenues to pay for an adequate defense.

It's that silence which needs to be corrected by the administration, frankly.

We have to have the political courage both in facing the budget for fiscal year 2013 and the threat of sequestration.

I think you all realize the sensitivity of what we're dealing with here, trying to make sure that we give you what is needed to keep this safe and free.

I think, first of all, I want to commend all of you for working with our office so close on this new caucus.

If anything, I'd rather cut 200,000 contractors and keep the 100,000 uniforms and use the support of our National Guard.

I am deeply concerned, and I think you are right. I know you are right in the fact that we are always reacting instead of being proactive.

Let me tell you how this came to light to me.

Thank you, James, to all of you.

As our senator, we need your continued help and support.

When Senator Manchin was our governor the Lighthouse program was developed.

By devoting our time and resources to the areas of preventing financial abuse and ensuring a robust long-term care ombudsman program, I believe we can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of our aging network.

Thank you, Senator Manchin and Congresswoman Capito, for the opportunity to testify here today.

Thank you so much, Ron.

I want to thank you for your testimony.