Joe Cunningham: “the Subcommittee on Defense and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is the absolute best committee, I think…”

“the Subcommittee on Defense and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is the absolute best committee, I think, to serve on in this House. When we go to our meetings, we do not know the difference between Republican or Democrat when it comes to defense issues. The gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha), the ranking member; the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks); the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter); the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), all work for the security of this Nation. One reason it is difficult to oppose the Obey amendment is that the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) in many cases is 100 percent on target. How many Members took time during the break to visit sites that were vulnerable? The gentleman from Wisconsin went to those sites and saw those vulnerabilities. He talked to the organizations regarding where they were deficient, and they are; and I agree with that. Members of the committee also agree with the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey). Most Members did not. I did not; I was in the hospital. But many people did not take time away from their families like the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) did, but he was concerned about national security. Mr. Chairman, I would say along with the amendment of the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), not exaggerating, there are a million vulnerable areas, over a million. That is why terrorism is so tough to handle.”