On the recordMarch 10, 2014
I appreciate that from the Senator from Rhode Island. I have only been in the Senate for about 4 months. As soon as I made a decision to run for this office, I asked for national security briefings to study hot points in our country. I figured if I was going to win this office, New Jersey would expect me to be prepared to serve and deal with national security issues. I was amazed that, when I was being briefed by a group of folks who focus on national security issues, a general came up to the briefings in New Jersey as well and began to be very intent and intense on letting me understand that the military is not waiting for us to figure this out in Congress. They are preparing. He told me about flying planes on biofuels, thinking about the resiliency of our military bases here and abroad. It was amazing to hear this general talk in such fierce pragmatism about what we must do to protect the safety and the sanctity of our country. But I will tell you this: We are in a bad economy right now. When I go back to New Jersey, I hear people talking to me about jobs. I hear people talking to me about government spending. I hear about the strength of our country. If the Senator from New Mexico would allow me to ask him a question, what moved me about your remarks--I have to say, again, I am a new Senator. But the Presiding Officer and I have both gotten to know the Senator from New Mexico. The Senator lives and bleeds New Mexico.…
