Political Quotes

“Mr. President, each of the items which the Senator from Arizona mentioned were voted on in committee. These are decisions that were made by the committee, and if we can get this bill to the floor, the decision will not be left up to the Armed Services Committee; it will be left up to the Senate. If anyone wishes to strike a provision that is in this bill--and the provisions which the Senator from Arizona talked about are all relevant provisions. It was a Senate Armed Services Committee bill which put into place don't ask, don't tell. The provision we have in there now which changes that policy makes it conditional upon that survey being completed and a certification from the military leaders that there is no negative impact on morale. So we have taken into consideration that survey. The main point is that the place to debate these policies is on the floor of the Senate. The Senate will determine, if we can get this bill to the floor, whether we make that conditional change in the don't ask, don't tell policy or whether we do a number of other things, some of which I objected to in committee. Some of the amendments of the Senator from Arizona that were adopted in committee I objected to and voted against. I am not going to deny the Senate the opportunity to take up a bill which is essential for the men and women in the military because I disagree with some provisions in that bill.…”