Jimmy Carter: “Eliminating waste, fraud, and error should be as important to you as your program objectives.”

The aircraft carrying the 52 American hostages had cleared Iranian airspace on the first -- first leg of a journey home. And at every one of the 52 hostages was alive, was well and free.

Without immediate action, we are at genuine risk of civil conflict and losing our precious democracy.

All of us owe them our gratitude and respect.

I fear for our democracy.