On the recordMay 20, 2014
Well, I appreciate that. I don't know that I am expert, but I certainly have the heart. I have the heart to make sure that America is safe. {time} 1430 It is a constitutional responsibility that this body make sure that we have a strong defense for our homeland. It is a huge responsibility, and it is not one that is taken lightly. As you can see in the vote that was taken in the House Armed Services Committee--61-0--it is one that is shared by all Members. We have seen the threats. Unfortunately, not everybody knows what the threats are. But if you look at and read the news, whether it is Russia today resurging its influence within Europe, whether it is China, or whether it is Iran or North Korea, there are so many players out there that have ill intentions to our people, to this Nation. We have Africa, a continent that has seen a huge increase in violence that is associated with al Qaeda. We have threats around this world. To those who would say this world is safer than it was before, I would suggest to you it is not. So I will do anything that I can do to lend credence to our military fighting force to make sure we have the strongest, most-equipped, and best-trained force. It is what gave my wife and me solace when our older son was deployed to Afghanistan. It gave us solace when our two sons were deployed to Iraq, that we knew they were the best fighting force out there. That gave them the greatest opportunity to come home safe to us.…
