Haley Stevens: “I do oppose the amendment Senator Feingold has offered. I do so because of my great interest in this system. The V-22…”

“I do oppose the amendment Senator Feingold has offered. I do so because of my great interest in this system. The V-22 represents the best new technology in aeronautics adapted by the military air system that I have seen in my time in the Senate. Unfortunately, it has had some bad circumstances, and we all regret deeply the difficulty it has had. I have spent a considerable amount of time with the Marines, in particular, on this system and have discussed them personally with the Commandant of the Marine Corps. I will be very brief in saying that I believe this amendment is untimely and it is not in the best interests of our Marine Corps system. I do believe, as the Commandant has written to me today, that the V-22 Osprey is the Marine Corps' No. 1 aviation priority. I think we should be very slow to terminate or disturb such a system which is being developed in the best interests of our men and women in the Marines. In particular, if it proves successful, as I pray it will, it will take our men and women across the beach.”