Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I don't get this whole woke reference, but I am definitely awake after what I have heard on this floor today. During our markup, we heard repeatedly that the PRC and Russia--even today we heard it--they aren't spending their troops' time on DEI. I absolutely agree with you. They aren't. The strongest military possible, the one we aim to be, the one we are, is a diverse, equitable, and inclusive one. When you compare our military with those of our competitors, what is immediately striking is the diversity of our servicemembers. Studies have long shown and demonstrated that diversity helps organizations out-innovate, outperform, out-strategize, outmaneuver others. Our diversity is our strength. Our commitment to equality, to exclusiveness, that is what makes us Americans. It is why we have the very best military in the world. Some House Republicans insist on peddling a false choice between DEI and readiness. Why are they so keen on emulating and becoming more like the PRC, more like Russia? Eliminating DEI won't help our military compete more effectively with the PRC. It will, however, undermine the innovative thinking, the cultural competency, the inclusive institutional cultures, the qualitative edge, our ability to win if we need to be agile and ready and lethal.…”