Political Quotes

“Madam President, this afternoon I rise in support of this continuing resolution which is now before the Senate. Overall, it is a relatively clean bill that carries forward current levels for discretionary spending and avoids another government shutdown. It contains a minimal amount of what we call anomalies or deviations from a straight continuation of previous-year funding. The anomalies it does contain are limited in duration and subject to relitigation when we return after the break. The bill is also consistent with the total level of discretionary spending enacted in the Bipartisan Budget Act for the fiscal year 2014. But most significantly, this legislation will authorize assistance to elements of the Syrian opposition to help confront the threat presented by the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, ISIL. While I believe action against this menace is long overdue, it is unfortunate, I believe, that the action once again requires the involvement of our military and our resources. This authority for training and equipping appropriate moderate elements in Syria is no panacea. We should remember this. We should not expect quick and easy progress in turning the tide against this new terrorist threat that has developed in the region while this administration withdrew and hoped for the best. History and our experience in the region tell us that this will not be the last time Congress will struggle with this issue.…”