Joe Donnelly: “I rise to discuss my efforts on the Senate Armed Services Committee, on behalf of the people of Indiana, to craft and…”

“I rise to discuss my efforts on the Senate Armed Services Committee, on behalf of the people of Indiana, to craft and advance a defense bill that supports Indiana's role in our Nation's defense and protect America's security interests and defense- related jobs. Before I get to that, though, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the chairman of our committee, my friend Senator John McCain. He is an American hero. I hope as he watches the Senate do its bipartisan work on this year's NDAA, the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act, he knows that all of us here are thinking of him back in Arizona and wishing him the best in his battle. When we think about John McCain, we think about a fighter. We think about the epitome of a man who defends our freedom every single day. I am proud he is our chairman, and I am proud he is my friend. Now I want to talk about provisions I secured in the national defense bill that we are considering, efforts I supported, and an amendment I filed. I am proud of the many contributions Hoosiers make to the safety and security of our Nation--most especially those brave men and women who volunteer to put on the uniform in service to our country. I am also proud of the thousands of working men and women who go to work in the dark every day to manufacture the highest quality products and equipment that support and protect our warfighters.…”