Bill Nelson: “I wish to speak on the trade bills, but first I would like to comment on the fact, as the Senator from Utah has reminded…”

“I wish to speak on the trade bills, but first I would like to comment on the fact, as the Senator from Utah has reminded us, of the sacrifice a lot of young Americans are enduring. One of the more difficult tasks that I have is to sign the letters of condolence to the families on the loss of one of their members anywhere in the world having to do with the armed services. I might say that another major part of our protection of our national security is the young men and women we do not hear about, the men and women of the intelligence community all across the globe who likewise are protecting our national security interests, many times in direct coordination with the U.S. military. From time to time, we have casualties in the intelligence community as well. I just want to again express my profound thanks and gratitude to those across the globe who are protecting the national security interests of our blessed country. It is interesting because we just learned of a plot that was a threat to our security interests. Can you believe--a plot to assassinate a diplomat here in our Capital City of Washington; a plot that has intrigue like a B novel, that brings in the Mexican drug cartels; a plot that, according to the Attorney General, has been hatched by high levels of the Iranian Government. Now, the question is, who is in control in the Iranian Government? Is it the Supreme Leader? Is it the President, Ahmadi-Nejad?…”