Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, this is a good amendment, and I would like to mention two measures. First, key provisions of my BURMA Act are included, as they were in the last Congress. The Burmese security forces perpetrated genocide against the Rohingya people, and those same forces are continuing to terrify Burma's other ethnic minorities with horrific violence. The victims deserve justice, and they deserve our unwavering support. This measure will hold these military officials accountable for their crimes and help support democracy in Burma. Next, is my provision to prevent another phony emergency declaration to push through arms sales, as the administration did in late May. The administration misused the law and went around Congress to sell more than $8 billion in arms to the Saudis and Emiratis. This fix would make sure that an emergency declaration cannot be used if the weapons won't be delivered for more than 3 months, because then there was no emergency in the first place. It is a commonsense reform that will protect Congress' role in the arms sale process. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the en bloc. I am also honored to join Chairman Smith as a cosponsor of amendment No. 1. The American public deserves to know the impact of our military operations abroad. There must be more openness and transparency when tragedy occurs, and civilian casualties are caused by U.S. military action.…”