Political Quotes

“I thank the chairman, Senator Levin, and the ranking member, Senator McCain, for the immensely important work they have done on the bill we are considering, S. 1867, the National Defense Authorization Act. It is a massively important bill, a big bill, and I want to focus on one part of it--a seemingly small section but a vitally important provision of the bill--that enables our Department of Defense to more effectively counter improvised explosive devices, known as IEDs, which have been a major source of attacks against United States and coalition forces in the wars of Iraq and Afghanistan and threaten not only our troops there but all around the world as well as our coalition partners. I thank particularly one of my colleagues, Senator Bob Casey, who has been a champion of these efforts against the IEDs or roadside bombs for some time. He has been a relentless and tireless leader in this effort and has included me and others, and I am proud to join him in seeking more effective measures. This summer saw the highest volume of IED incidents ever recorded in Operation Enduring Freedom, approximately 1,800 a month. That is a staggering and alarming number, and they continue. These devices are deadly and devastating, killing and maiming our troops and causing loss of limbs, traumatic brain injury, posttraumatic stress, and other horrific injuries that are the signature wounds of the ongoing wars.…”