Political Quotes

“I am pleased to join the distinguished Senator from Hawaii, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, in presenting this supplemental appropriations bill to the Senate. The central purposes of the bill are to fund the military and diplomatic surge in Afghanistan, to respond to natural disasters in this country and in Haiti, and to address the immediate challenges we face from the oilspill in the Gulf of Mexico. It has been 5 months since the President announced his strategy to achieve stability in Afghanistan. Central to that strategy is the addition of some 30,000 troops into the theater, together with a significant increase in aid and diplomatic resources to the region. Congress has the responsibility and the duty to carefully review and consider the President's request for these supplemental appropriations and approve the expenditure of the funds that are necessary for a successful outcome, one that serves the interests of the United States. We must be mindful, however, that more than half of the additional troops called for in the President's plan have already arrived in Afghanistan. Spring and summer offenses are being mounted now and in the coming months will become critical to our chances for success. It is also important that we act on the President's request in a timely manner. We should not procrastinate or drag our feet.”