Political Quotes

“I am joined on this amendment by my colleague from Minnesota, Mr. Keith Ellison. This amendment is simple in that it merely terminates the most expensive weapons system of the Department of Defense in its history, that is, terminating the F 35B Joint Strike Fighter. Well, why? Well, because there are many other planes that have capabilities that rival the F 35B and yet cost far less to buy and operate. Our amendment would save $50 billion over the life of this program. The termination of this program has been recommended by so many groups. I will mention a few: The Project on Government Oversight, Taxpayers for Common Sense, the Cato Institute, the Center for American Progress, the Public Interest Research Group, the National Taxpayers Union, our colleague Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, and the Bowles- Simpson Commission. Please join us in a very simple idea. I reserve the balance of my time. {time} 1710 Mr. McKEON. I rise, Mr. Chairman, to claim the time in opposition to the amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from California is recognized for 5 minutes. Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 1 minute. Mr. Chairman, I oppose the Conyers amendment. The F 35B is a short takeoff and vertical landing variant of the F 35 stealth fighter, and it's in the final stages of development and has entered low-rate initial production.…”