Political Quotes

“I think many watching the Senate from afar and even those of us privileged to serve in this body see us as simply talking past one another on a far too regular basis. So I want to start today remembering some wise words from my friend and former Senate colleague the Republican Senator from Nebraska and later Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel. Chuck was an internationalist and knew the dangers, personalities, and difficult tradeoffs when dealing with overseas challenges. Several years ago, he said quite wisely: Powerful nations must be the adults in world affairs. Anything less will result in disastrous, useless, preventable global conflict. I couldn't agree with Senator Hagel more, and I want our Israeli allies to think carefully about his words when it comes to the horror of Gaza. Quite simply, the humanitarian conditions in Gaza are appalling, unconscionable, and cruel. Last week, more than 100 NGOs--including Mercy Corps, Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children, and Oxfam-- warned of mass starvation spreading across Gaza. Following Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's nearly 3-month blockade of humanitarian assistance, three-quarters of the population in Gaza is facing emergency or catastrophic levels of hunger. The tiniest of babies cannot even access formula and risk heartbreaking death. Yes, Hamas started this conflict with a heinous attack on Israel. Yes, Hamas is still unconscionably holding hostages.”