Political Quotes

“I don't necessarily oppose the gentleman's amendment, but I would want to make some remarks regarding it. The European Command believes this amendment would make it more difficult and costly to acquire energy for European military installations, and I would note in next year's authorization there is language included to study the logistics and support capability gaps for our military forces in Eastern Europe. I believe results of that analysis will inform this amendment and many others related to the European Command and the efforts of the European Reassurance Initiative. I believe Congress should wait until the Comptroller General and the Defense Department have had time to analyze European military installation energy source issues and offer them the opportunity to propose a range of recommendations to the Congress. I also do believe that if the amendment's language is broadly written, it includes all contracts, and the restriction would impact the Defense Logistics Agency Energy. That energy agency would have to include a clause in their contracts to prohibit manufacturers from procuring fuel from the Russian Federation as Russia is not a prohibited source. This requirement may have Trade Agreements Act implications. Additionally, this language would be problematic as the Defense Logistics Agency Energy does not have the visibility over the source of crude oil for their suppliers.…”