Political Quotes

“It is great to come down here today and talk on this issue. I have been a little bit outspoken since the decision was made by the executive branch, so it is great to see the legislative branch take a stand and talk about what this policy decision has made. And I am good friends with Chairman McCaul and, of course, Eliot Engel who is the chairman of the committee. As someone who served for many years in the military, and I am very involved with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and our alliances-- alliances and values are important. Walking away from friends is the sad indication of policy that we don't want to support, we don't want to condone. Yes, we want America to be great, but we are also great because of our friends and our allies. Coalitions are not bad. Coalitions strengthen our public policy around the world. And our relationship with the Kurds goes way back to the first Gulf war and the protection of the northern Iraqi Kurdish area protecting the air space. Talk to people in uniform who have been protected by Kurdish fighters throughout these 20 years of involvement in Syria. We give them our word that we will be with them. I liken it to being in a foxhole with someone from another country, and the attack is coming. You don't get out of the foxhole and go to the rear and leave your ally in the foxhole to defend themselves. We see what is going on. I think this could have been predicted. It is unfortunate.…”