Political Quotes

“Madam President, I appreciate this broad support we have seen for plugging the holes in our ability to evaluate foreign investment with regard to national security risks in the United States. We know China, for example, has been quite explicit about what it is trying to do to surpass the United States economically and militarily, and it has been very aggressive and very strategic in the way it has tried to acquire intellectual property and know-how through foreign investment in the United States. That is why this legislation is so important. I admire the Senator from Pennsylvania as one of the most principled conservatives in this body and in Congress, but he and I differ over whether the REINS Act, which would require up-or-down votes on implementing regulations, should be a part of the implementation of this national security legislation. I never dreamed we would do that in a national security context as opposed to doing it in economic and environmental legislation. Reluctantly, I oppose the amendment of the Senator from Pennsylvania and encourage all of our colleagues to do the same. I conclude by saying, I share his concerns when it comes to using national security as a pretext on economic legislation and trade issues, and I look forward to continuing to work with him and all of my other colleagues outside of the national security context to make sure we support free and fair trade--trade that protects U.S. interests.…”