I believe that America has a right to defend itself and that Congress has a tremendous responsibility to provide for our national defense.  I have and will continue to promote policies and legislation that will provide our military with the capabilities they need to protect America’s values here and abroad.  I will continue to serve as a steward of the American taxpayer – ensuring that the leaders of our Armed Services appropriately and effectively utilize your tax dollars to retain the right military capabilities and appropriately invest in the future force.  America faces serious diplomatic and military challenges in the years ahead.  As threats to our nation arise around the globe, there will need to be, in the words of President Eisenhower, “a speeding, a sharpening, a concentration that will extract the last cent of value from every dollar spent.”