Political Quotes

“Finally, we have managed to pass a national defense authorization bill for 52 straight years, including a number of recent years when we were unable to pass a bill in the Senate, and therefore unable to go to a traditional conference. That is not best way to proceed. I think we all acknowledge that. Our troops, their families, and our Nation's security, deserve a defense bill, and what we are offering to the Senate is the only practical way to get a bill passed and enacted. Again, before I yield the floor, I wish to thank Senator Inhofe and his staff who have joined so closely with myself and all of the members of the Armed Services Committee and our staff to make it possible to get, as I said before, this close to the finish line. I am confident we are going to cross that finish line because of the hard work of our members. I want to especially point out our subcommittee chairs and the ranking members as well as all of the members of the Armed Services Committee, including Senator Blumenthal, who at this moment is presiding over the Senate and has personally played such an important role in getting us to where we are. With that, and again with my thanks to Senator Inhofe, I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oklahoma.”