Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I rise to address the conference report for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 which we will vote on later today. I will vote yes on this bill as I did on last year's bill even though nothing in it effectively addresses indefinite military detention, which 67 Members of this body are now on record opposing. My colleagues will recall that I introduced, with a large bipartisan group of cosponsors, an amendment that provided that U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who are apprehended on U.S. soil cannot be detained indefinitely, without charge or trial. The Senate passed this amendment by an overwhelming bipartisan vote, 67 to 29. I am saddened and disappointed that this detention amendment was dropped in conference. I don't understand why we could not ensure that, at the very least, American citizens and green card holders cannot be held indefinitely without charge or trial. As I have said over the past few days, to me this is a no-brainer and is a real missed opportunity. The main reason I support this bill is because it authorizes $640.7 billion for fiscal year 2013 for the Department of Defense. This funding ensures our troops deployed around the world--especially those in Afghanistan--have the equipment, resources, and training they need to defend this Nation.…”