Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman, my colleague, for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I strongly oppose the amendment from my good friend from Colorado. Like amendments that have come before this, this amendment will do the exact opposite of what we are trying to be able to accomplish here today, which is develop a bill to support and strengthen the national defense. My colleague's amendment has the potential to threaten high-altitude military aviation training that is critical to the readiness of our armed services and to the national security interests of the U.S. Additionally, it would make the United States even more reliant on China for critical and strategic minerals. Our goal is to be able to enact policies that support readiness and sustainable and secure supply chains for critical minerals. This amendment is in direct conflict with those goals. High-altitude military aviation training is critical to the readiness of our armed services and to the national security of the United States. My colleagues have stated that they want to be able to safeguard HAATS. In my conversations with DOD, it said it would look forward to DOD flight guidance with regards to how to operate under the language. And while I appreciate DOD's guidance, we all know too well that regulatory changes do not provide certainty. That is why I have submitted an amendment to codify the safe transit exception for military aircraft flying over the wilderness areas and mountain regions.…”