Political Quotes

“I do not know of any other Senators who intend to debate this issue. I would like to put an exclamation point on the statement made by the distinguished Senator from Texas though. One thing that is clear, if we do not have a permanent facility there, an improved facility, we are going to have to keep more U.S. personnel there guarding and maintaining the security of this facility. If we use the funds the administration is requesting, approve the request the administration has submitted to the Congress, then we will be able to use a lot of the people who are there now for other purposes elsewhere in the war on terror to help better defend the country and make sure we are safeguarding the security interests of the American people. This is not to help prisoners have a better deal, even though the facility will be more humane and easier to care for and to deal with, but it will be more secure, and it will help us reallocate resources that will benefit our national security interests. That is the point. This is money well invested. The administration is requesting it. Our subcommittee chair supports it after reviewing the request. So I think the Senate should support the committee and what it has recommended and reject the Byrd amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there further debate on the Byrd amendment? The Senator from West Virginia.”