Political Quotes

“What I object to is the caboose on this train because it is a very expensive caboose. It is $1,200,000,000 additional for the Pentagon. People should understand this is simply to fund; it has got nothing particularly to do with any agreements about peacekeeping. It is simply money to give additional funds for the Pentagon. I understand that they would like it; so would every other department. The argument is that because they had to go into Somalia, and Bosnia, and Haiti, they need extra money. Madam Chairman, to be honest, I thought that is what the budget was for. I thought we gave the Defense Department a budget so they could send the Armed Forces places when they are needed. I did not realize that was basic and anything else they did they get compensated for as extra piecework. For instance, this says they need $47.8 million additional because they sent a boat to Haiti and brought it back. They did not even spend the night. I do not think they should get $47.8 million per diem if they did not even spend the night there. I understand their desire to have more money, but I say, Madam Chairman, if you give $1.2 billion extra to the Pentagon, you either add to the deficit or take it away from every other program.”