Political Quotes

“I am honored to follow Senator Klobuchar in advocating for the Afghan Adjustment Act, which we strongly hope and believe will be an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. I just want to begin where she finished in talking about the American troops who depended on these Afghan allies who now are at risk. I know firsthand about the translators and guards and others who served, putting their lives on the line, because like many of my colleagues, I visited Afghanistan. I saw them at work. Now, in Connecticut, I have had the privilege of calling many of them my friends, and their families--dear friends. I also know firsthand because my son Matthew, who was a Marine Corps infantry officer in Afghanistan, had a translator whom he succeeded in bringing back to this country but only because he was a lawyer, and he knew how to navigate the intricate and challenging rules that applied. It took him 2 years--2 years--to bring back the man who helped him survive his time in combat there. Senator Klobuchar is absolutely right. It is a promise. Great nations keep their promises. These individuals are among our most loyal friends. The test is that they put targets on their backs from the Taliban. They knew they and their families would be at risk if the Taliban ever took over. Now the Taliban has done it, and they cannot return nor can their families.…”