Apr 17, 2018
Why do we in Congress keep increasing the budget? I am all for the warfighter. He or she deserves whatever we can give them.
Walter B. Jones
The Public Record
★ Featured Quote
November 24, 2021
Unfortunately we have to lose my son in this manner. Had this bill been in place I think it would protect young men as they were jogging down the street.
— Walter B. Jones
Most widely reported
by number of sources- I am back on the floor tonight, because when I think about the sacrifice of our many men and women in uniform from the beginning of America through and including today, I think about the fact that many have fought and died and been injured for freedom. Yet in America today, our churches do not have the freedom to speak about the moral and political issues of the day. I share that because for the last 4 years, I, along with many others, have been working to try to return that first amendment right that was taken away in 1954. Prior to 1954, any minister, priest, or rabbi or cleric in this great Nation could speak on the policies and the political issues of the day. Many times when they are speaking, it is based on the teachings of their religion; and, therefore, they are very important to maintaining the Judeo-Christian values that have made America the great Nation that it is.2 sources2004govinfo.gov
- Saturday was the final day of the article 32 hearing for a Marine facing murder charges for actions he took against Iraqi insurgents in self-defense. A year ago in Iraq, Second Lieutenant Ilario Pantano made a split-second decision to shoot two Iraqi insurgents who refused to follow his orders to stop their movement towards him. Two and a half months later a sergeant under his command, who never even saw the shooting and who was earlier demoted by Pantano for his lack of leadership abilities, accused him of murder. Now the case is in the hands of a hearing officer who must determine whether Lieutenant Pantano will face a court-martial. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today, as I have many other nights, in support of this bright young lieutenant. I have always maintained the innocence of Lieutenant Pantano, and I believe last week's hearing produced information that will ultimately prove his innocence. During the hearing, it became clear that the sergeant who accused Lieutenant Pantano, Sergeant Coburn, disobeyed orders to not grant interviews to the media on this case. At one point he left the stand after the hearing officer read him his rights and explained he could face charges for disobeying orders. When he finally did return to testify on Saturday, he is reported to have said ``I don't know'' or ``I can't remember'' over 50 times. His story simply could not hold up under cross-examination. Mr.…2 sources2005govinfo.gov
- I am on the floor today to bring to the attention of the House a situation involving two U.S. Border Patrol agents. These agents were found guilty in a Federal Court for wounding a drug dealer, a smuggler, who brought 743 pounds of marijuana across our southern border into Texas. These agents now face up to 20 years in Federal prison. Agent Ramos served the Border Patrol for 9 years and was a former nominee for Border Patrol Agent of the Year. Agent Compean had 5 years of experience as a Border Patrol agent. These agents never should have been prosecuted for their actions last year. By attempting to apprehend a Mexican drug smuggler, these agents were simply doing their job to protect the American people. These agents should have been commended for their actions, but instead the U.S. Attorney's office prosecuted the agents and granted full immunity to the drug smuggler for his testimony against our agents. The drug smuggler received full medical care in El Paso, Texas, was permitted to return to Mexico, and is now suing the Border Patrol for $5 million for violating his constitutional rights. He is not an American citizen. He is a criminal. Mr. Speaker, I have spoken to numerous people inside Texas and outside of Texas regarding this outrage, including the attorney for one of these agents. I have written the President of the United States asking him to please look into this matter.…2 sources2006govinfo.gov
- only those who have been to war can truly understand the hell of war. I have not been to war, but I know enough to understand that when our men and women are in harm's way, we should be respectful of the extreme dangers they encounter. Most of us cannot imagine the stress that those in uniform undergo when they have to make a split-second decision as to whether to fire or be fired upon, to kill or be killed. Recently in Afghanistan, the vehicle convoy of U.S. Special Operations marines stationed at Camp Lejeune was struck by a suicide bomber during an ambush. After the incident, why I do not know, an Army official felt compelled to speak out in the press. Whether intentionally or not, this Army officer implicated the marines in the killing of Afghanistan civilians by stating, ``Americans have killed and wounded innocent Afghan people.'' His comments were irresponsible and without respect for his fellow comrades. The four branches of the military are a family. No one in the military family should be in the newspapers criticizing a fellow member of that family who has been faced with death.2 sources2007govinfo.gov
- as of today, H.R. 346, my legislation to designate the Department of Navy as the Department of Navy and Marine Corps, has 60 cosponsors. The language of this bill has already passed the full House of Representatives last month as part of the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act. This is the sixth year in a row that the House has voted to support this change. As a Member of Congress, I have heard for 14 years that the Navy and Marine Corps are one fighting team. If this is true, should not the team carry the name of both the Navy and the Marine Corps? The Marines do not serve beneath the Navy, they are coequal partners. I was very pleased to read a comment by the new Senate Armed Services Committee chairman, Carl Levin, in an article by The Hill newspaper last month, May 24, 2007, and I quote, ``When asked, Levin said he would 'keep an open mind' on whether to support [language in the House bill to change the name of the Navy to the Department of Navy and Marine Corps].'' Mr. Speaker, there is no cost to this change. Renaming the Department is a symbolic gesture, but is very important to the team. It is the right thing to do for the team.2 sources2007govinfo.gov
- Today is the 237th day of incarceration for two former U.S. Border Patrol agents. Agent Ramos and Compean were convicted in March of 2006 for shooting a Mexican drug smuggler who brought 743 pounds of marijuana across our border into Texas. These agents have now been in prison for more than 7 months. Since the agents' conviction, thousands of American citizens and dozens of Members of Congress have asked President Bush to pardon these two men. Mr. Speaker, many in this country are disappointed that the present sentence of Scooter Libby was commuted while these two law enforcement officers are still in prison. Mr. Libby did not spend one day in prison; yet two decorated Border Patrol agents with exemplary records, who were doing their duty to protect the American people from an illegal alien drug smuggler, are serving 11- and 12-year prison sentences. By attempting to apprehend an illegal alien drug smuggler, these agents were enforcing our laws, not breaking them.2 sources2007govinfo.gov
congress.gov
Apr 17, 2018
What would be wrong with putting the responsibility in the Office of the Secretary of Defense... and saying to the Secretary of Defense: You have the responsibility for accountability.
Apr 11, 2018
No President's, Democratic or Republican, should have the authority to bypass the Constitution or the will of the American people.
Mar 19, 2018
This bill will reduce the administrative burdens on grieving family members, and ensure that they receive the benefits that they are entitled to as quickly and expeditiously as possible.
Feb 5, 2018
I want to talk about the graveyard of empires. I think that is what they say about Afghanistan and the history of Afghanistan.
Feb 5, 2018
How can we build the trust of the American people after 16 years, over 2,300 Americans killed, over 20,000 wounded, and we spent $1 trillion?
Jan 9, 2018
I never will forget Donald Rumsfeld, the former Secretary of Defense, sitting where you are telling this committee that he will account for every dollar of the taxpayer.
Oct 31, 2017
In 2013, you tweeted, 'Let's get out of Afghanistan. Our troops are being killed by the Afghanis we train, and we waste billions there. Nonsense. Rebuild the United States of America.'
Oct 31, 2017
Mr. President, I agree with those remarks and so does the 31st Commandant of the Marine Corps, my friend and unofficial adviser, General Chuck Krulak. As he said in a recent email to me, no one has ever conquered Afghanistan, and many have…
Jul 24, 2017
If this could be on national TV, you would probably be having rallies out there right now protesting, because there is no one held responsible.
Jul 17, 2017
I wrote to President Trump, had it delivered on July the 18th. I wanted him, if he was going raise the troop levels in Afghanistan, to please come to Congress, ask Congress to meet its constitutional responsibility and have a debate.
Mar 20, 2017
I think we owe them, based on our constitutional responsibility, after 16 years, to review where we are in Afghanistan.
Mar 20, 2017
What has disappointed me as a Member of Congress for 22 years... we in Congress never seem to be willing to debate and review a policy.
Sep 20, 2016
I am not an isolationist, but I am a realist. We are $19.4 trillion in debt.
Sep 20, 2016
Bush taking out Saddam Hussein was a horrible mistake. Then Obama going and taking out Gaddafi was another horrible mistake.
Mar 15, 2016
America is not ready to defend this country if we keep going down this path.
Feb 1, 2016
The American people are just--they are not upset with the Afghans, they are upset with Congress.
Oct 20, 2015
Many of us in the Congress are very concerned about the continued spending of billions and billions and billions of dollars and not being able to show the taxpayer--how they are benefiting.
Oct 20, 2015
And this is what is frustrating to the American people. And, quite frankly, that is why Donald Trump is getting these big crowds.
Oct 7, 2015
What is the Department of Defense and the services doing to determine what information sharing would be most helpful to help prevent suicides?
Sep 29, 2015
I believe we have been very clear, sir, that the President's request, the PB16 [President's budget 2016] request, we believe, is the absolute minimum needed to provide the national security necessary for the United States.
Apr 14, 2015
How in the world can we continue to play this game of spending, spending, spending, and borrow, borrow, borrow?
Politicians like Walter B. Jones
