Political Quotes

“I want to thank our conferees and the members of the Armed Services Committee once again, and I want to thank our staff directors, Bob Simmons and Paul Arcangeli. This conference report addresses a wide array of policy issues, from cooperation with nations like Israel and Georgia, operations in Afghanistan, our new partnership with Iraq, and balancing strategic opportunities and risks with respect to China and Pakistan, to mitigating the threat from Iran and North Korea, enhancing missile defense, and maintaining this Nation's nuclear deterrent. Passage ensures our troops get a 1.6 percent pay raise and the benefits their families rely upon. This bill also ensures that we continue to fulfill our Nation's most sacred obligations to our brave men and women serving in the greatest all-volunteer force in history. The service by our men and women in uniform is priceless, especially during the last 10 years of combat operations. Besides thanking them for their service and sacrifice to this Nation in ensuring they are afforded the best benefits and care for their service, there's little we can do to repay them for standing the watch and keeping America safe. This bill authorizes a modest 1.6 percent pay increase, but it never can express how truly grateful we are as a Nation for the service and sacrifice of our all-volunteer force and their families.…”