Political Quotes

“I would say a couple of different things. One, if you look at section 418 within the NDAA, cash allowances are absolutely Berry-compliant. It is something that we have done for a long number of years. That notion of preserving a choice has been something that has been consistently offered through all armed services. Two, people care about things that they can control, and I would argue that the average new recruit out there is going to be that much more vested in a decision that they have control over versus one that they don't. Finally, I think there are whole hosts of people who care deeply about our Armed Forces and our readiness--people like John McCain and Joni Ernst, who spent I think 20 or 30 years of her time in the military and who is now in the U.S. Senate--and who are against, again, this particular provision and who have been working on language over on the Senate side. I think it is why the White House opposes and the DOD opposes, and why a range of different conservative taxpayer groups opposes. It is not because they don't care about the DOD. It is because they believe, from the standpoint of the recruit and training, it is better for the recruit, and from the standpoint of taxpayer compliance and in watching out for the taxpayer, it is better. Again, I have heard very loudly and clearly what my colleagues have said on this. I admire the way in which they have advocated, but I, respectfully, take a different viewpoint on this one. Mr.…”