Political Quotes

“The gentleman from Texas makes a very useful and interesting argument, but neglects to focus on one of the principal ways in which these organizations do support themselves, and that is with illegal poaching, particularly of elephants, and the use of their tusks to support themselves. It is about an $8 billion business. This does not in any way deter the current power that the Department of Defense has, but rather, it allows them to engage with those organizations in these governments that deal specifically with the conservation of the species in those countries. It does not prioritize. It simply gives an additional role and augments the military's use of their equipment, particularly the ISR equipment, to focus specifically, but not only, on the poaching issue. It is very clear from studies that have been done by conservation organizations throughout the Sahel of Africa and in other parts of Africa, that this is a significant source of revenue for these violent extreme organizations. We ought not ignore that. I would ask for a positive vote on this matter in that it does not deter in any way from what the gentleman from Texas says the military is already doing, but adds to it. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.”