On the recordMay 17, 2016
I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. McCarthy), the distinguished majority leader. Mr. McCARTHY. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I want to take one moment. Very seldom do we see a bill of this significance come to the floor in such a bipartisan manner. That takes leadership, it takes experience, and I want to thank the chairman for that. He knows that I trust his judgment, but more importantly, whenever we are talking about national security, he is the first one that I call. But I am not the only one who calls him: those around the world do as well. I want to take a moment to thank the ranking member as well. The vote to come out of this committee was 60-2. That shows the leadership on both sides that when America looks at national security, they want Republicans and Democrats alike to work together. Both of you have shown that leadership, and I want to congratulate you for that, bringing it to the floor in that manner. Mr. Chairman, it is indisputable that our national security has declined under President Obama's watch. Terrorists are attacking us right here at home. Europe is under siege. And, yet, the President is more focused on closing Guantanamo Bay and releasing detainees than he is on the real threats to American security. Afghanistan is increasingly unstable, and the Taliban and al Qaeda are gaining ground.…
