Political Quotes

“I rise regarding the pending bill, provided that no other Senators seek recognition on another matter. Seeing none, I wish to accommodate my colleagues whenever possible. It is now my privilege to once again bring forward for consideration by the Senate the annual Defense authorization bill. I commend my colleagues on the Armed Services Committee. We have a magnificent committee. All members are very active. Our attendance is good and I am proud that this institution has such diligent and hard-working Senators to provide their input to our work on the Armed Services Committee. I also recognize what I view, and this may be slightly biased on my part, as one of the finest professional staffs of any committee of the Senate. We have had a long history of extraordinary, competent, fair- minded, open-minded people who want to devote their careers to the men and women of the Armed Forces and the causes for which they offer their life and limb, and that of their families. Their work over the past several months has resulted in this important legislation. We completed the markup of this bill in record time and in the spirit of true bipartisanship. In particular, I am privileged to have the senior Senator from Michigan, Mr. Levin, a longtime, dear, and valued friend, as my ranking member and full equal working partner on this committee. He preceded me as the chairman of the committee, but we will not go back into those days, nevertheless.”