Political Quotes

“I want to thank both Mr. Smith, the chairman of the committee, and Mr. Thornberry, who I have had the opportunity to work with through the years. Both of them are leaders who have focused on America's well-being, America's national security, and the well- being of our troops who serve in uniform and support those who are at the point of the spear. I believe that we have and our country has been advantaged by the leadership of both and by the fact that they have been able to work together collegially to accomplish objectives on behalf of the country, not on behalf of party. So, I thank both Mr. Smith, the chairman, and Mr. Thornberry, the ranking member who was the chairman. They have both held the responsible positions of leading this committee and its work. I rise in strong support of this year's authorization bill. Let me say at the outset, as the majority leader, I schedule legislation for the floor. Mr. Smith and I have had long conversations, and Mr. Thornberry and I have had conversations in the past. This bill should not be on the floor in December. This bill has historically passed in May through the committee and has been to the floor before we break for the August break. I have had discussions with Mr. Smith and will tell successors on the Defense Committee that it will be my intention to urge the committee to mark up its bill and have it ready to report to the floor by May. Now, there have been exigencies from time to time which made that impossible.…”