Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I would like to speak this morning in support of amendment No. 32. This amendment introduces new language to section 320 of the Federal Aviation Administration's authorization bill concerning unmanned aerial systems. It has been offered by Senator Ensign, Senator Conrad, and myself. It calls for the FAA to develop a process to integrate unmanned aerial systems--unmanned aerial vehicles and remotely piloted aircraft--into the National Airspace System. We have all seen on television and read in the media about the remarkable role unmanned aerial vehicles and remotely piloted aircraft are playing overseas in the security of our Nation in the war on terror. They achieve military objectives without putting our men and women in uniform in harm's way. Unmanned aerial systems will continue to play that vital role in our Nation's security abroad, but they are also poised to play a big role here at home in other important areas as well--areas such as enhancing our ability to patrol our borders and secure vital infrastructure, fight crime, detect wildfires, provide valuable crop data for our farmers, and respond to emergencies such as floods and fires. I can give you a practical and personal example of their value.…”