Political Quotes

“I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy, as I appreciate the cooperation of the ranking member and the Chair on a couple of items that we've placed in this en bloc amendment. One of them deals with the necessity of providing energy efficiencies that could save billions of dollars. It requires the Department of Defense to valuate energy efficiency benefits and recommend how to deploy them. Fuel is carried on expensive supply convoys that often travel through indefensible areas. One out of every 24 fuel convoys represents casualties. We're spending $24 billion a year to protect convoys to forward operating bases in Afghanistan, and 65 percent of all electricity on bases in Afghanistan is for air conditioning and heating leaky tents. Reducing this fuel use is a simple way to reduce fuel convoys, which reduces costs and casualties. And this amendment requiring a report on energy efficiency and onsite renewable generation will expedite energy efficiency deployment across the armed services. Additionally, there is an amendment that I have cosponsored with my friend, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Schrader), that will deal with what happens with contracts that are issued on defense activities where the Federal Government has provided indemnification. We've been dealing with an issue that involves the Oregon National Guard where we really can't understand exactly what elements were related to this indemnification. We can't get the full information.…”