The international community has spoken.

But that means the US Army must stand ready.

And so if you're ready, that's your duty

at this point in time.

Even as our competitive edge over our foes and adversaries

decreases due to budgetary confusion

in this town and the budget caps,

I am among the majority in this country that believe

our nation can afford survival.

And I want the Congress back in the driver's seat

of budget decisions, not in the spectator's seat

of automatic cuts.

[APPLAUSE]