Carter on Capitol Hill

Defense Secretary Ash Carter is testifying this morning on his department's fiscal year 2017 budget request.

Here's an excerpt from his prepared testimony:

In this budget, we're taking the long view.  We have to, because even as we fight today's fights, we must also be prepared for what might come 10, 20, or 30 years down the road. Last fall's Bipartisan Budget Act gave us some much-needed stability after years of gridlock and turbulence, and I want to thank you and your colleagues for coming together to help pass it. That budget deal set the size of our budget, and with this degree of certainty we focused on its shape -- changing that shape in fundamental but carefully considered ways to adjust to a new strategic era, and to seize opportunities for the future.

To check out his spoken and prepared remarks in full, click here.