William M. ``Mac'' Thornberry: “the compromise bill before us today is not the bill that I would have written. As a matter of fact, the compromise…”

“the compromise bill before us today is not the bill that I would have written. As a matter of fact, the compromise Senate bill we have been trying to get a vote on since February is not the bill I would have written either. But I do believe that the bill before us, imperfect as it is, does do what is needed to protect the country, and therefore I support it. A number of people deserve credit, including Mr. Hoekstra, Mr. Blunt and Mrs. Wilson on our side. But I also want to commend the majority leader, Mr. Hoyer, for the time and energy he put into this issue and for his perseverance in pushing it to a resolution. I know a number of Members on his side don't want to do anything. They prefer operating under an outdated law that makes it impossible to move with the speed and agility we need to have to protect the country in an age of terrorism. There may be some on this side who would prefer to have a political issue for the fall campaign. But I believe that every day we grow more vulnerable, and that we must act now to give our national security professionals, including our troops in the field, the tools and the information they need to do their job. Madam Speaker, the House has taken some significant steps this week toward ending the disturbing practice of playing politics with national security. When this House is allowed to vote, we can come together and accomplish things for the country.”