Richard Durbin actually said...
If I suggested as a member of the Senate and a member of this panel that I wanted the Navy or the Marine Corps to buy substandard equipment, because of a political connection, you would find that as ghastly as any suggestion that we would provide our men and women in uniform with something less than the best.
Context
Durbin emphasizes the importance of providing the military with high-quality equipment.
03/25/2014