Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, this restores $156 million of the $458 million that was cut. The amendment that we're going to offer today is in compliance with the Iraq Study Group. Now, about 226 Members of this body said they favor the Iraq Study Group. What this does is this puts money back in for demining. If you listen to the news today, there were 13 killed with regard to IEDs in the effort for demining. This also puts money in for training for human rights. Now, whether you want to go out today or whether you want to do whatever you want to do, we still need training for human rights, we still need training for capacity for democracy and governance, we still need ways for reconciliation to bring the parties together. We are always hearing about the differences between the different factions. That's what this money is for. The administration originally asked for $458 million. We knocked it down. We brought them in and said, what do you really need? They said, this is what we really need. This amendment is what the Iraq Study Group recommended. The Iraq Study Group recommendation number 6 says, "Building the capacity of the Iraqi Government should be at the heart of U.S. reconstruction efforts, and capacity building demands additional U.S. resources." That's what this is on. I urge Members on both sides, this ought not be a political issue or partisan issue, to support this amendment.”