Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Congressman Jonathan Jackson, I commend you and Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick for co-chairing tonight's Special Order hour. I rise today with my colleagues of the Congressional Black Caucus to address the recent comments made on the House floor by Representative Eli Crane of Arizona during last week's debate on the National Defense Authorization Act. While offering an amendment that would prohibit the Pentagon from participating in race-based concepts in hiring, promotion, or retention in our military, Representative Crane stated that the military was never intended to be ``inclusive,'' adding that the military strength is ``not in its diversity.'' Representative Crane would go on to refer to Black servicemen and servicewomen who defend our country with their lives as ``colored people.'' These words harken back to a dark and racist time in our country's history and should not be tolerated. Representative Crane's comment on the House floor was unprofessional, wholly inappropriate, and unbecoming of a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Furthermore, to have a word like that spoken anywhere but here on the House floor in the year 2023 actually speaks to the very need for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Sadly, in the days since, we have heard from Members on the other side of the aisle who have tried to provide cover for Representative Crane. We need to be absolutely clear here tonight.…”