“I applaud President Obama for his thoughtful choices to head the Pentagon and the CIA. I’ve worked extensively with these two nominees and have always found them to be men of integrity and dedication. Both will be effective leaders in the positions to which they have been nominated.

“Senator Hagel has a deep understanding of the national security establishment, which grew out of his experiences as a decorated war veteran, a former member of the Senate’s Foreign Relations and Intelligence Committees, and a member of the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. Few nominees have such a combination of strategic and personal knowledge of our national defense needs.

“John Brennan’s current role as a top national security adviser to the President, and his 25 years of service at the CIA, make him a very qualified candidate for a job vital to our national security. He has been part of a team that in recent years successfully rolled back terrorist threats to America and its allies, such as the operation that eliminated Osama bin Laden.

“I trust that all Senators will give these two men a fair and constructive confirmation process. The Senate takes seriously its role in advice and consent and I expect that this body will live up to this tradition and responsibility.”

“While there are still some concerns with provisions in this bill, and particularly in its House counterpart, I commend Senators Levin and McCain for working to address many of them, and I expect the remaining issues to be resolved in conference.”

“Bravery and courage come in many forms, and on this Veterans Day we honor the men and women who have exhibited these virtues in service to our nation and to the American people. In each decade, there are those who threaten our nation’s freedoms. In times of duress and in the face of immense challenges, servicemen and women displayed strength and fortitude to preserve our democracy. Our veterans are the truest American heroes, and as we honor all them today we must also pause to remember the countless individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice and laid down their lives for their country.

“Nevada is home to one of our nation’s fastest growing veterans communities. I am proud to celebrate the nearly 300,000 veterans in the Silver State who protected our freedoms. On the beaches of Normandy, in Kabul, Baghdad, and in countless other places, Nevadans and millions of brave American soldiers went into the crosshairs of danger to fight under our nation’s flag. When these individuals enlisted, their government promised to look after them and their families. This is a solemn vow that we must always uphold.

“As more troops return from duty and transition into civilian life we must stand ready to give them every chance possible to thrive. No veteran should ever find themselves out of work, homeless, or struggling, and in recent years I have led Senate Democrats to work with Republicans to ensure veterans have access to the highest quality health services and that they have opportunities to find jobs when they return home.

“When the vitality of our veterans is strong, our communities and our nation is made stronger. I extend heartfelt thanks to veterans everywhere for their significant contributions to our country.”

“The bill passed with the votes of a majority of House and Senate Republicans and the encouragement of — wait for it — Mitt Romney.”
[Milbank, Opinion, Washington Post, 7/25/12]

“The GOP refused to include automatic tax increases as part of this sequester. But automatic cuts to national defense? This Republicans were willing to risk.” [Thiessen, Opinion, Washington Post, 3/15/12]

Republicans Chose to Cut Defense Rather Than Cut Millionaire Tax Breaks

Republican Refusal to Consider Revenues Resulted in Sequestration. “To bridge the divide, McConnell and administration officials had been trying all week to design a mechanism to force the committee to act, giving Republicans their cuts and Obama his debt-limit increase. Republicans were opposed to a trigger that would force automatic tax increases; Democrats were opposed to a trigger with spending cuts only. On Saturday, Democrats appeared to have conceded the point in exchange for big automatic defense cuts, which they said would give Republicans a powerful incentive to work with Democrats toward a more palatable compromise.” [Washington Post, 7/31/11]

American Enterprise Institute Scholar March Thiessen: “The GOP Refused To Include Automatic Tax Increases As Part Of This Sequester. But Automatic Cuts To National Defense? This Republicans Were Willing To Risk.” “The GOP shares a large part of the blame for putting our military in this predicament. As part of last year’s Budget Control Act, Republicans agreed to $600 billion in automatic defense cuts (scheduled to begin in January 2013) if the congressional deficit-reduction supercommittee failed to reach agreement. The GOP refused to include automatic tax increases as part of this sequester. But automatic cuts to national defense? This Republicans were willing to risk.” [Washington Post, 3/15/12]

Majority of Republicans in Both Chambers Voted for Sequestration as Part of BCA

174 House Republicans Voted For the BCA—Including 106 from the Republican Study Committee:

Speaker Boehner Called the BCA “A Positive Step Forward.” “This is a positive step forward that begins to rein in federal spending…” [Press Release, 8/1/11]

Majority Leader Cantor Called the BCA “The First Significant Move” “To Turn Washington Around.” The agreement “…will finally begin to change the way Washington spends taxpayer dollars. As is the case with any major change, these things will take time and this is the first significant move – of many to come – to turn Washington around.” [Press Release,8/1/11]

Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) Said The BCA “Takes The Critical First Steps Toward Bringing Fiscal Responsibility Back To Washington.” “This legislation … takes the critical first steps toward bringing fiscal responsibility back to Washington.” [Press Release, 8/1/11']

Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA) Called The BCA “A Bipartisan Compromise Providing At Least $2.1 Trillion In Deficit Reduction.” “I voted on August 1 for the Budget Control Act, a bipartisan compromise providing at least $2.1 trillion in deficit reduction over the next decade forged by Speaker Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Reid, and President Obama …” [Press Release, 8/4/11]

28 Senate Republicans Voted for the BCA:

Sen. McConnell Praised The Budget Control Act As One Of The “Things We Agree On”, “Will Get Us A Trillion Dollars In Savings Over 10 Years.” McConnell said, “Well, regretfully, it never gets talked about, but there actually are things we agree on. We passed the Budget Control Act last August, this past August. It will get us a trillion dollars in savings over 10 years.” [Meet the Press, 9/18/11]

Sen. McConnell Said the BCA “Puts us on the Path to Recovery.” The deal “… puts us on the path to recovery. We’re nowhere near where we need to be in terms of restoring balance. But there should be absolutely no doubt about this: we have changed the debate. We’re headed in the right direction.” [Press Release, 8/2/11]

Sen. Alexander Said BCA Was “Welcome Change In Behavior That I am Glad to Support.” “Finally, Washington is taking some responsibility for years of spending money we don’t have. At a time when the federal government is borrowing 40 cents of every dollar it spends, this is a welcome change in behavior that I am glad to support. Make no mistake. This is a change in behavior—from spend, spend, spend to cut, cut, cut.” [Floor Remarks, 8/2/11]

Sen. Barrasso Called BCA “A Victory Over More Wasteful Washington Spending.”“… this agreement is a victory over more wasteful Washington spending…” [Press Release, 8/2/11]

Sen. Boozman Said BCA “Gives Us Some Direction Toward A Long-Term Solution To Our Financial Problems.” “This bill, while far from perfect, is certainly a step in the right direction.  It saves our nation from defaulting on our obligations while combining real spending cuts with a mandatory vote on a Balanced Budget Amendment.  It cuts deficit spending without raising taxes.  It gives us some direction toward a long-term solution to our financial problems.” [Press Release, 8/2/11]

Sen. Cochran Called BCA “a Significant Step Forward in the Long Process of Getting our Fiscal House in Order.” “I see this measure as a significant step forward in the long process of getting our fiscal house in order.” [Press Release, 8/1/11]

Sen. Crapo Said BCA “Requires Serious Reforms That Carry Weight” To Deficit Reduction. “For years, our country has been headed down the road to this unprecedented and unsustainable fiscal crisis.  It requires serious reforms that carry enforcement and weight beyond this Congress and into the future.  This legislation starts us on that path.” [Press Release, 8/2/11]

Sen. Hoeven. Called BCA “An Essential Step” Towards Growing Our Economy. “It is also an essential step toward addressing the most pressing long-range challenge our nation faces: creating jobs and growing our economy.” [Press Release, 8/2/11]

Sen. Hutchison Said BCA “Moves Us In the Right Direction.” “The Senate vote today endorsed an agreement that, while not perfect, makes serious spending cuts, with no tax increases, and moves us in the right direction.” [Press Release, 8/2/11]

Sen. Isakson Commended BCA Sequester “Enough Teeth and Enough Fear” to Force Action. “As far as the select committee, there was a fear among many that it would only be a paper tiger; that it would not have the claws or the teeth to actually do what it needs to do on the cuts. While I would have done a different type of sequestration, I commend those who negotiated this sequestration on putting one in that has enough teeth and enough fear to force this select committee to do what it needs to do.” [Floor Remarks, 8/2/11]

Sen. Lugar Called Mandatory Sequester Cuts “A Victory for Conservative Fiscal Responsibility.” “Additional deficit reductions will be determined by Congress and not an outside commission nor the President. If the Congress fails to find agreement, then mandatory cuts kick in. This is also a victory for conservative fiscal responsibility.” [Press Release, 8/2/11]

Sen. Murkowski Said the BCA Had “Real Teeth,” Including “Triggers Requiring Future Action.” “The deal has real teeth – serious reforms, significant spending cuts, future spending caps and triggers requiring future action … ” [Press Release, 8/2/11]

Sen. Portman Called BCA “A Step in the Right Direction.” “This is a step in the right direction because it begins to address Washington’s addiction to higher spending and dangerous levels of debt. It is only a first step and there is more to do, but I support the agreement because for the first time ever it begins to address Washington’s underlying spending problem while raising the debt ceiling and avoiding default.” [Press Release, 8/2/11]

Sen. Risch Called BCA “A Step in the Right Direction.” “This is a step in the right direction.  We are making actual cuts to government spending, putting spending controls in place and providing for a vote on a balanced budget amendment without raising taxes.” [Press Release,8/2/11]

Sen. Sessions Said BCA “Does Represent Fiscal Progress.” “This bill will reduce spending and does represent fiscal progress.” [Floor Remarks, 8/2/11]

Sen. Snowe Called BCA “The First Step” To Control Spending. “… It was the first step in what will be many to reclaim control over the U.S. Government’s out-of-control spending. This bill cuts current spending, it caps future spending, and it controls previously unrestrained government budgets over the next decade, while also protecting critical Social Security benefits.” [Press Release, 8/2/11]

Sen. Thune Called BCA “A Good First Step” “With the deck stacked that heavily against Republicans, we were able to negotiate a deal that is a good first step in the opposite direction President Obama and Congressional Democrats wanted to take this country.” [Press Release,8/2/11]

Sen. Wicker Said “The Budget Control Act Makes Real Spending Cuts and Represents a Change in Direction for Washington.” [Press Release, 8/1/11]

The Chamber of Commerce Championed the BCA Deal

U.S. Chamber Of Commerce On Debt Deal: “This Legislation Is The Right Thing To Do.” In a key vote letter supporting the Budget Control Act of 2011, the US Chamber of Commerce said: “… this legislation is the right thing to do, now. … The Chamber strongly supports the ‘Budget Control Act of 2011..’” [U.S. Chamber Of Commerce, Key Vote Letter, 8/1/11]

Chamber President Said “This Bill Begins The Process Of Getting America’s Fiscal House In Order And Was Necessary To Avoid A Default.” ‘While far from perfect, this bill begins the process of getting America’s fiscal house in order and was necessary to avoid a default that would have resulted in an economic catastrophe,’ said Tom Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.” [Atlanta Business Chronicle, 8/2/11]

“The Defense Authorization Act will give our service members the tools and resources they need to protect our nation overseas and to protect themselves as they work in some of the planet’s most dangerous regions. The measure passed by Congress today continues our efforts to ensure adequate pay, improve health care and other benefits, and provide state-of-the-art war-fighting technologies for the men and women of our Armed Forces. Our troops deserve nothing less than our full support, whether they are serving far from home over the holidays, or just coming back after long deployments in areas of conflict.

“Throughout this debate, I have raised concerns about a few provisions in this legislation, particularly those relating to the detention of terrorism suspects and a provision that would negatively impact civil rights protections in the TRICARE health care program. I have worked with my colleagues to address these concerns and some progress has been made to improve each of these provisions. Yet, concerns still remain, and I will be pressing the Administration to implement these provisions in ways that enhance our national security and minimize potential negative impacts.

“While this piece of legislation is not perfect, the Defense Authorization bill represents a major accomplishment in support of our troops. This is the 50^th consecutive year that Congress has passed legislation authorizing our nation’s defense activities, and I look forward to maintaining this strong record of support in the future.”

“Tonight the Senate voted overwhelmingly to support our men and women in uniform, including the more than 1,100 Nevadans serving overseas, as they continue to put their lives on the line. I congratulate Senators Levin and McCain for their stewardship of this bill and for working through several difficult issues.

“There is still work to be done in conference to perfect parts of this bill, including the provisions dealing with military detainees and efforts to improve key elements of TRICARE.

“But I am pleased that today an overwhelming, bipartisan majority agreed that protecting our national security is more important than partisan politics. Today we came together to support our troops, and ensured that this nation does everything in its power to keep America safe from those who would do us harm.”

“I have known Leon Panetta for decades, since we served together in the House of Representatives. He is universally admired for his judgment, intelligence and humor.  He has dedicated his life to public service, beginning with his enlistment in the United States Army in 1964 and continuing through a wide range of executive and legislative positions over the last 45 years.

“Leon has all the skills to excel at the difficult job of maintaining the world’s greatest fighting force. In this time of tight budgets, he knows how to do more with less thanks to his time as director of the Office of Management and Budget and Chairman of the House Budget Committee. He has the experience to make high-stakes decisions on matters vital to our national security especially in light of his tremendously successful tenure as director of the Central Intelligence Agency. I look forward to working with this capable professional on a range of critical issues – from withdrawing from Iraq and Afghanistan to trimming waste from the Department of Defense budget.”