Political Quotes

“I say to Senator Nelson and my colleagues, it is clear this decision to take the Kennedy and put it in a situation where it is going into mothballs was made in the final hours of the budget process. It was driven by the budget. The Chief of Naval Operations had testified before our committee, which testimony is before the Senate, that he always wanted 12 carriers. If we are to make a decision to go from 12 carriers to 11, that should be done in the QDR process which is underway now, which will be concluded this year, possibly impacted by the BRAC process which likewise is underway, and consequently there are orderly procedures legislated by the Congress by which a decision of this magnitude should be made. There are three Senators who desire to speak, and I will yield 2 minutes to each of them: Senator Allen, 2 minutes; Senator Martinez, 2 minutes, and Senator Talent, 2 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Virginia is recognized.”