Political Quotes

“I appreciate the opportunity to talk about the important investments our bill makes in our military, investments that the President's request simply did not make. As I outlined in general debate, this bill shifts roughly $16 billion from the President's request for the overseas contingency account, which we call in our bill also the war on terror account, for their operations into critical investments in our personnel training and equipment by providing a bridge fund for our overseas operations through the end of April of next year. Need I remind my colleagues that we currently have the lowest manning level in the Army since before World War II. At this time when North Korea, Iran, Russia are threatening international stability, ISIS isn't drawing back, and other groups are actually on the attack across the Middle East in northern Africa. This legislation also boosts the Army and Marine Corps end strength to begin rebuilding our forces eroded in strength and morale by years of underinvestment. We also have the smallest Navy since before World War I--World War I. Let me assure my colleagues that Russia and China aren't slowing down their shipbuilding, and neither is Iran doing the same in terms of their Navy. The readiness level for all of our services are alarmingly low, seriously risking our ability to defend American interests when called to do so. This is simply an unacceptable risk.…”