Kevin Roberts: “I thank my colleague and my good friend from Arizona for enabling me to make a few remarks to address the nomination of…”

“I thank my colleague and my good friend from Arizona for enabling me to make a few remarks to address the nomination of Mr. Eric Fanning to serve as Secretary of the Army. I have pledged to the people of Kansas that I would do everything in my power to stop President Obama from moving terrorist detainees to Fort Leavenworth, KS. The Senator from Arizona has certainly described the situation very well: It is the intellectual center of the Army. I believe today that I can tell Kansans that the threat from this administration will go unfulfilled. Last week, in a private meeting with Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work, I received the assurances I needed to hear to release my vote on Mr. Fanning. Make no mistake. I think President Obama's threat to act by Executive order still remains. However, Secretary Work has assured me that, as the individual charged with executing a movement of detainees to the mainland, he would be unable to fulfill such an order before the close of this administration. Practically speaking, the clock has run out for the President. As I have stated on this floor and to my good friend and colleague, the distinguished Senator from Arizona, my issue has never been--let me make this very clear--with Mr. Fanning's character, his courage, or his capability. He will be a tremendous leader as Army Secretary and will do great by our soldiers at Fort Leavenworth, Fort Riley, and--let me emphasize--every soldier serving our Nation today.…”