Political Quotes

“Today, I rise in strong opposition to the amendment offered by my good friend from Texas. First and foremost, my opposition to this amendment is about national security. Since the 1940s, the United States has had a U.S.-owned and - operated uranium enrichment entity in place. This allows the U.S. to control its uranium stockpile, to be a signatory to nuclear weapons treaties, and make sure that we do not rely solely on foreign-owned companies for our uranium needs. This amendment would put this streak of nearly 70 years in jeopardy if it were to pass and would leave the U.S. without any domestic producer of enriched uranium. Some will say that we can rely on a foreign-owned company in New Mexico to supply our uranium needs. First, the National Nuclear Security Administration and the Department of State have made it clear that we will never be able to rely on a foreign-owned company for our nuclear weapon triggers, to fuel our nuclear military fleet, or for any other national security purpose, period, end of story. Even if we could rely on a foreign-owned company for these purposes, I have serious concerns about this company. This company in question is the former employer of AQ Khan, the man responsible for giving away nuclear secrets to North Korea, Iran, and Pakistan. The company did not have the controls in place to safeguard their secrets. As we now know, Pandora's box was opened because of AQ Khan and the lack of oversight of this company.…”