as we rebuild america's strength and confidence at home, we are also restoring our strength and standing abroad. around the world we face rogue regimes, terrorist groups, and rivals like china and russia that challenge our interests, our economy, and our values. in confronting these horrible dangers, we know that weakness is the surest path to conflict and unmatched power is the surest means to our true and great defense. for this reason, i am asking congress to end the dangerous defense sequester and fully fund our great military. [ applause ]