Brian Mast

When President Biden said this will be no Afghanistan or this will be no Vietnam, this will be no helicopters lifting off buildings he was absolutely correct. It was far worse.

As a direct result of, in my opinion, a failure to plan--not bad luck, bad planning--America mourns 13 of its sons and daughters.

He was provided critical intel gaps, arguably, selectively by an Administration who wanted to drive a time line based on a calendar date, not by facts on the ground.

I do not think any of us should have to look back and think that what happened in August should ever happen to any of our sons, daughters, brothers, or combat allies ever again.

Too often the policy and strategy are not worthy of their sacrifice.

May I inquire how much time I have remaining? The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman has 2 minutes remaining.

I would say this: There is an attempt to divide the military. We see each other as brothers and sisters in arms. I come from the military, and I can tell you this, Mr. Chairman: We don't care in the VA and we didn't care on the battlefield…

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: At the end of the bill (before the short title) insert the following: Sec. 419. None of the funds…

I will bet they can't tell me. I hear silence because you don't know what I am. You don't know that I am half Mexican. You can't look at me and see that, but you believe that units should be made up of something that you can't see and that…

I am amazed at the bigoted comments I am hearing from the other side right now, literally stating that units need to look a certain way. There have to be people of certain colors in these units. It is purely idiotic. It is dangerous. War…

It's important that we know what your mission statement is, what you're trying to do on behalf of the American people.

It is common practice for every one of our offices that it be open source who works in our offices.

I do not believe this is how you fulfill the White House's promise to bring transparency and truth back to government.

When it's hard power, I think it's important that we put the fear of God into those that challenge us.

It is actually a show of strength to engage with the world.

The economic future of this country relies on us making this transition.

The United States always chooses human rights, human dignity, and human life.

Develop a set schedule for downtimes of each bridge.

Those could be 2-mile-long trains going over dozens of intersections.

I think you have worked hard to find that balance and find equilibrium between all parties.

Along the north-south corridor, passenger rail service would result in minor increased traffic delays.

Would you pass on important information like that?

I don't want you to stop trains, Admiral.

I am just saying, if you were told that, you would have passed it on?

I am just saying, when you would participate in an environmental impact statement, if you are given information and you are working with the Federal Railroad Administration, you would pass it on, correct?