Ken Calvert: “The Secretary of Defense serves at the pleasure of the President of the United States. He implements the President's…”

“The Secretary of Defense serves at the pleasure of the President of the United States. He implements the President's policies. We have, in many ways, been addressing our serious differences with the Department and this administration. We have done so on multiple occasions, and we have done so within this bill. Mr. Chair, I oppose this amendment, and I yield to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum). Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I thank the chairman of the full committee for yielding. Mr. Chair, I am very disappointed by these types of amendments that have been offered today. Secretary Austin has dedicated his life to the service of the United States with over 41 years in the Army, rising to the rank of four-star general. I could go on with his accomplishments. This is a man who is a patriot for our country, certainly someone who has not betrayed the American people. Mr. Chair, I thank the chairman for the time.”