Political Quotes

“I thank Mr. Hastings for the opportunity to rise in opposition to the rule for the CR. The continuing resolution contains $99.9 billion in the Overseas Contingency Operation funds to continue the war in Afghanistan and to fund other operations in the so-called ``war on terror.'' This is on top of over $1.3 trillion we've already spent in waging war abroad. This is a war that costs U.S. taxpayers $2 billion a week. It's a war that, according to the Congressional Research Service, has cost the lives of nearly 2,000 U.S. servicemembers and has resulted in another 17,519 being injured, yet the war seems to have fallen from headlines and our national conscience, and this is wrong. We cannot afford another $100 billion on a war that will never result in stability in Afghanistan or the region. This war against Afghanistan boomeranged against the Soviet Union; it's boomeranging against our country. When you look at the amount of money that is being spent--not just for the war, but for the United States Pentagon, we're looking at a fiscal '13 budget of $613 billion, spending more money than every other country in the world almost combined for so-called ``defense.'' Now, we have an obligation to defend our country, but we also have an obligation for housing, for health care, for education, for retirement security. If you're concerned about Congress regaining authority under article I, section 8, then we should be voting to end this war right now by striking the money for it.…”