Political Quotes

“I respect the chairman and his need to carefully review this legislation, but we have been reviewing the legislation for 8 years, and we have been having hearings on this legislation and the issue of sexual assault in the military for 8 years. We have been passing legislation through the committee for 8 years, but this vote has been denied every time. In fact, when don't ask, don't tell repeal was being filibustered by the Armed Services Committee chairman and other Members of that committee, we ultimately took that vote to the Senate floor. It was an up-or-down vote to repeal don't ask, don't tell. In this case, the committee has been considering this thoroughly and carefully for 8 years. And even if the chairman believes that he hasn't fully vetted it or reviewed it or had the careful consideration, many of the Members of the committee have. We have been diligently looking at this issue for 8 straight years. It is time to bring this to the floor. I am confident that if we bring this to the floor, we will be able to reform how we deal with these cases; we will be able to change the system for the better; and that we will be able to finally begin to overcome the scourge of sexual violence in the military. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.”