John Tierney

I strongly support the draw-down of military forces in Iraq and the transition to a civilian-led mission.

I am sort of amused sometimes by my colleagues on the other side who think they first have to immunize themselves by saying how closely affiliated their families are with unions, and then they jump in to attack.

God bless the men and women who are going to continue to be there because if it is the policy of the United States not to fire back, I have deep concerns.

I think that might have some limiting effects on our ability to try and bring some order to what is going on.

Our troops should have the same legal protections on January 1st as they did on December 31st.

We are being asked here to consider legislation that makes it harder for working people who want to form a union to have an election.

But when they wanted to ask questions such as why weren't their legal costs--the fact that they don't like them, and do they get reimbursed for that.

So can you give us some assurance here today that you're going to accept Senator Begich's offer to make sure that your Counsel produces that information and those answers to the House and to the Senate?

The enforcement programs, the operations, and the way they've been exercised in the past have led to that.

You know, I don't really think this is an argument about do we regulate or do we not regulate.

If it was dead, we wouldn't still be beating it.

It would have gone a long way for our fishermen if there had been more of a response in indicating whatever happened to the people that were responsible.

I think the Inspector General's report leaned heavily on the lack of transparency and accountability for the programs.

Corruption and feeding into corruption is not going to be helpful.

I asked Chairman Chaffetz to call this hearing to examine the problem of contracting corruption in Afghanistan.

I don't find that satisfactory, I am sorry. I just don't find it satisfactory.

But especially now it is just heartbreaking to see the resources of the American people abused and stolen in this fashion.

I was a little disappointed when I learned that without further investigation, this went to a hearing...

Part of it is the money, nobody wants to lose the money, the taxpayers are like that.

So we are right back to the same people that were involved in the problem that instigated the investigation.

I think we ought to take a real hard look at our mission over there, and the prospects for accomplishing well-intended goals.

Do you agree, General Townsend, that it is simply the cost of fighting war in Afghanistan?

I wanted to begin today by honoring and stating once again how proud I am of all those people that have given service to this country.

I just have to tell you, it is a whole lawless area.

The goodness and the generosity of the American people is being abused.