Mike Levin: “while we disagree on a very critical issue, I as always look forward to working with Senator McCain to work out…”

“while we disagree on a very critical issue, I as always look forward to working with Senator McCain to work out agreements so we can move this bill forward. I am confident we will pass the authorization bill this year, the way we have every other year, for the reasons Senator McCain gives, which are the critically important provisions in here for the men and women in our military and their families. The difference is apparently as to whether this is an appropriate place to debate Iraq policy. It is an authorization bill, which, it seems to me, is a very appropriate place to debate policy; in fact, I think is the most appropriate place to debate a policy issue such as Iraq. I have not wished this to be debated on an appropriations bill, because I don't think we ought to try to have a policy debate and decision when it involves the funding of our troops because I think hopefully all of us want to fund our troops. This is an issue as to whether we should change course in Iraq. This is a debate which is a healthy debate, it is an essential debate. I look forward actually to working with Senator McCain to see if we cannot come up with time agreements on debates on Iraq--on these amendments on Iraq. There is going to be more than one amendment.…”