Political Quotes

“Madam President, I rise to speak in support of the revised National Defense Authorization Act conference report we have before us today. It is the result of months of collaborative work by the Senate Armed Services Committee and a very thoughtful conference. I would like to join Chairman McCain and commend Chairman Mac Thornberry of Texas and Ranking Member Adam Smith of Washington. The collaboration, the thoughtfulness, and the consideration were extraordinary and outstanding throughout the conference process. I have to say that from my point of view, the reason we are here today most fundamentally is the leadership of Chairman McCain on the committee. It was thoughtful, it was bipartisan, and it encouraged participation by all the members of the committee. There was vigorous debate and then there were votes, and that is the way this committee and this Congress should operate. Ultimately, too, I think it reflected what the Chairman has always brought to his duties as a Member of the U.S. Senate and before that the U.S. House of Representatives and before that the U.S. Navy-- understanding that what we do here ultimately reflects and influences and shapes the service and sacrifice of millions of young Americans in uniform. The Chairman never forgets that. He has laid out some of the extraordinary reforms that have been included in this legislation, and he has also indicated that we will continue to work next year under his leadership on additional reforms.…”