Political Quotes

“To ``support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.'' We reaffirmed that oath on January 3. Yet only 3 days later in this very Chamber, this body was assaulted while carrying out the peaceful transfer of power, the very hallmark of our democracy. I first took that oath when I was 17 years old and entered the Naval Academy. I was willing to put my life on the line to serve my country and protect the foundation of this republic, a foundation that was shaken but not broken on January 6. Mr. Bannon, a former naval officer like me, at one point understood this oath. He took it multiple times. He served his country honorably in the Navy. I don't know what happened between the time Lieutenant Bannon left the Navy and today. What forces corrupted his understanding of this oath? Mr. Bannon has been given the opportunity to voluntarily provide information relevant to the work of our committee, but he has not complied. Truly, this is larger than Mr. Bannon, this is larger than this investigation, and this is larger than the tragic and horrific events of January 6. This vote is a test of that oath. To my colleagues who chose to vote against enforcing the subpoena, you are saying to all future men and women who are called before this body that they can ignore a subpoena from Congress without consequence. You can make that choice today.…”