Thomas Daschle: “I have about 1,000 people from South Dakota who are now in the Persian Gulf, who are awaiting further orders from the…”

“I have about 1,000 people from South Dakota who are now in the Persian Gulf, who are awaiting further orders from the President of the United States and from the Pentagon with regard to what may occur in the Middle East and in Iraq in the next couple of weeks. Of course, I want to provide whatever resources are necessary to see that they are protected and that they have the ability to do their job. But I ask, if we are willing to make that commitment to those fighting the war in the gulf, why aren't we willing to make the same commitment to those fighting the war here at home? Why aren't we willing to provide the resources to the police and the first responders and to all of those who are fighting just as critical an effort to defeat terrorism here at home? Why do we say we have the money for the people in the gulf but we don't have the money for the people here at home? Are they less vulnerable? Is their role less important? Do they have some degree of disadvantage because they are here at home? I think the Senator from Nevada makes a very critical point in the argument here. If we have the resources and if we have the commitment to fight terrorism, regardless of whether it is abroad or here at home, we ought to have the resources commensurate with that commitment. What the President is saying is we don't have that kind of commitment here at home. That is inexcusable.”