Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I agree with the gentleman from Virginia. Continuing resolutions are a growing threat to our national security. Yet, for the past 17 years, Congress has forced the Department of Defense to begin the fiscal year under a continuing resolution 13 times. {time} 1900 Continuing resolutions are designed to temporarily fund the Federal Government if more time is needed to debate and finish remaining appropriations bills; however, they inhibit the Defense Department planning for the future. Not only do they harm us and our ability to deter and defend against emerging threats, but they also put our national security in a gridlock. Supporting defense programs through prior year funding levels is wasteful and inefficient. Think about it. Are our family's or business' needs the exact same as they were last year? the year before that? Of course not, because as we grow and develop, our needs change. The short-term fixes of continuing resolutions ultimately obstruct and hinder the military and its responsibility to secure our Nation. The consequences of shutdown politics will ultimately compromise the Department of Defense by inhibiting our military's ability to pursue long-term projects and reforms. The Department of Defense relies upon multiyear contracts for fighter jets like the F-35, missile defense systems, and other advanced weapons. This is because contracts are usually the most cost-effective means to pay for military equipment.…”