Political Quotes

“This conference report includes over $63 billion for procurement. That is a lot of money, but I believe it gets America more than the number might indicate. In fact, I would call this America's first true post-Cold War defense budget. The reduction in the size of our military forces begun in 1990 is largely complete. Troop numbers are stable, and this year's authorization uses the power of technology to equip those forces to do a more effective job and with less risk to our troops. It begins to outfit those troops to meet the missions they are likely to face today and tomorrow. We authorize and fully fund the Army's bold effort to become faster and more mobile without losing its punch. The Air Force will move into the 21st century with the immensely capable F-22 fighter; and the Navy gets new technology, ships and creative ways to buy them that will defend the taxpayers' wallets. The procurement program in this bill does not provide all the answers, but it should eliminate a lot of questions about whether America's military is ready for today's challenges.”