Bennie Thompson actually said...

"I cannot overstate the difficulty an additional budget cut would create on this committee's staff."

"As a former volunteer firefighter, I know that interoperable communications can save lives."

"I hope to learn how we can keep essential personnel and train them in light of severe budget cuts."

"I hope the committee will take these matters seriously as we learn how the Directorate will carry out its strategic plan, management directives, and operational programs going forward."