**FILE** Sen. John McCain (center), Arizona Republican and ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, flanked by Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (left), Arizona Republican, and fellow committee member Sen. Kelly Ayotte, New Hampshire Republican, speaks Dec. 14, 2011, during a news conference on Capitol Hill to announce an effort to replace the defense sequester mandated as a result of the supercommittee's failure. (Associated Press)