On the recordMay 21, 2014
The rule today, before us today, continues the process of allowing Members to provide input on the NDAA. That process is important. This rule makes in order 162 amendments to the NDAA. I know some of the other side don't think that is enough. Remember, in committee, we were there from 10 o'clock in the morning until after midnight, and we heard another 155 amendments from both sides of the aisle. And 155 amendments were considered in order and were voted on or added to the NDAA. So it is not like there hasn't been any input. It is just the opposite. It has been impressive this year as compared to other years, and unprecedented. It is also important to stress that both of these underlying pieces of legislation are bipartisan agreements. They include the input of Members on both sides of the aisle. Any time you get agreements like this, no one is going to get everything they want. I sure didn't. But it doesn't have to be all or nothing. That approach doesn't work, not for this body and not for the American people. But what this rule allows is for debate on both of these issues. On the USA FREEDOM Act there will be a separate hour of debate to debate the merits of that particular piece of legislation, and we are going to have debate on the remaining amendments that have been made in order that we are bringing forward today as relate to the NDAA. That is a lot of input. Is it ever enough? It probably could never be enough.…
