Political Quotes

“I said those words. I stand by those words. I said ``de facto'' because there was every available means in the course of the debate on our authorizations bill for colleagues to come and challenge this. No one did. As a matter of fact, the first reference to this occurred when I was chairman of the committee and I remember, it was last fall--I think it was General Abizaid, I asked him about this very provision. It is in the Record. I said I was concerned about whether there was an obligation of Congress to go back and review this language and determine whether it comports with the various missions he was performing at the direction of the President. I can't recall exactly what his responses were. But I did raise this. That is the very reason I asked Senator Lugar to join me in raising it again. I think it is incumbent upon the Congress to debate it. But we certainly have passed by and legislated many times, with full knowledge that this is the basis on which the funds we have appropriated are being utilized for the forces.”