On the recordFebruary 1, 2024
Mr. President, if you listen closely right now, you can hear the drums of war gain momentum. I know that sound. It is the same sound that led me to deploy to a dusty desert outpost in Iraq 20 years ago, where I served alongside some of the bravest men and women you could ever meet. It is the same sound that, ultimately, led me to run for office, a decision I only made after I was shot down in Iraq, when I found myself searching for a new mission to serve my Nation. I found that mission in giving a voice to every veteran who had willingly sacrificed so much answering their Nation's call to serve, and I found it in speaking up for the Active-Duty troops still waking up in dusty base camps throughout the Middle East, still serving tour after tour, bleeding--even dying--thousands of miles away because they had sworn an oath to defend a country they loved, no matter what it cost them. And that sound is why, a few minutes ago, I wheeled myself to this desk with the same purpose that took me first to battle, then the campaign trail: And that is to help keep America as strong as she can be and to try to look out for the troops who never stop looking out for the rest of us. Today, I am here in this beautiful chamber with privilege all around me to beg of my colleagues one simple thing: As tensions in the Middle East escalate, please, from this place of safety and comfort, think of the sacrifices our servicemembers make every single day.…
Source
govinfo.gov




