Peter Visclosky: “And I certainly want to thank the chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, as well as the chairman of the…”

“And I certainly want to thank the chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, as well as the chairman of the full committee, for all of their good work on the Appropriations Committee. It is not out of disrespect that I rise in strong opposition to this legislation. We are piecemealing destroying the government of the United States, including the defense and the ability to defend ourselves of this Nation. While we would suggest today that we are solving the problems at the Department of Defense, I would ask the question: What about maintenance of the existing equipment needed for readiness? Not in here. What about procurement for new equipment that is being eaten up in Afghanistan? Not in here. What about research and development to keep technological superiority of our forces so we are never in a fair fight? Not in here. What about maintaining facilities where these personnel live, where they work, where they serve our Nation? Not in here. What about the commissaries? Not in here. I recognize that yesterday in Europe the Army Chief of Staff said that this shutdown is impacting significantly day-to-day operations and forcing the military to cut training.…”