Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman from Arkansas for pointing out the danger of these weapons, not just to the victims but also to our own troops. As far as the dud rates go, the Department of Defense has indeed stated DPICMs have a low dud rate, 2.35 percent, as the Department has said. This figure, however, does not tell the whole story. The DOD tests the dud rate by dropping bomblets on a concrete surface. Obviously, every little bomblet will detonate on concrete, but that is not representative of the environments where they are deployed. When cluster munitions are dropped in mud, snow, marshes, and certain soft terrain, that dud rate skyrockets upwards of 50 percent. The DOD's announced dud rate figure cannot be taken at face value, and constructing an argument against this amendment solely based on that foundation is truly flawed. I just point out, again, the damage that is done to humanity by these weapons, and the majority of those who are casualties are children. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus). The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes appeared to have it.”