Political Quotes

“Let me just first thank Chairman Rogers, our ranking member, Mr. Dicks, and my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee for their hard work in putting together this bill. I rise today to offer the Lee-Jones amendment, joined by Representatives Nadler; Woolsey; Olver; Stark; Jesse Jackson, Jr.; Honda; Conyers; Grijalva; Paul; and Amash. And I want to thank each of my colleagues for joining Representative Jones and me on this important amendment. This amendment would end the war in Afghanistan by ending the funding for combat operations but would provide funds to bring our troops home in a safe and orderly manner. And while I would have preferred to offer the Lee amendment, which I have offered in the past--to fence off and to limit funding to the safe, orderly withdrawal of all U.S. Armed Forces in Afghanistan--I was unable to do so today given that we are debating on an appropriations bill. So I want to emphasize again this important point: that while this amendment cuts war funding, it cuts combat operations funding, but it does leave enough funding to provide for the safe and orderly return of all U.S. forces from Afghanistan. I speak today as the daughter of a lieutenant colonel who fought in several wars, one who knows the trauma and devastation of wars on families. I want to be clear that our servicemen and -women have performed with incredible courage and commitment in Afghanistan. They are doing everything we asked them to do.…”