Mike Levin: “I thank Senator Warner, his staff, and all the Members of the Armed Services Committee for working in such a spirit of…”

“I thank Senator Warner, his staff, and all the Members of the Armed Services Committee for working in such a spirit of unity. Our committee always is able to come together on national security matters. It has always been a joy to work on the Armed Services Committee because that committee works in such a bipartisan spirit. There are differences from time to time, but those differences are resolved in ways which contribute to the security of this Nation. Now that we are in an emergency situation, more than ever it is essential that this committee help lead the way, in a way that does not avoid debate on issues but, where we were unable to resolve issues, that they be deferred. There are some issues that have been deferred to a later date for reasons I expressed at great length yesterday. The Presiding Officer had an opportunity to listen to that. We have preserved our position on that. It is an important position, and we will raise that if and when the circumstances are appropriate. But for the time being, what is important is that this Senate now has a chance to express with one unified voice support for the men and women in the military, to make sure they have everything they need; that they have the resources, training, the equipment; that they have the pay; that they have the housing.…”