Political Quotes

“I would like to begin by thanking Chairman McKeon for his leadership and Ranking Member Smith for the extraordinary job that both of you gentlemen have done in bringing this bill together--bringing people together to make this happen. I also want to thank the ranking member of the Readiness Subcommittee. Madeleine Bordallo, thank you so much for your leadership and for your cooperation to make our effort on the Readiness Subcommittee as successful as it was. Today, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1960, the fiscal year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act. While this bill will not fix all of the Nation's readiness challenges, it does go far in addressing depleted force readiness levels and associated levels of assumed risk. Specifically, the bill prohibits the Department from proposing, planning, or initiating another round of base realignment and closure commission elements--a measure that's critical, in my view, given the fiscal uncertainties we face as a Nation. This bill helps our military members by restoring vital readiness accounts, such as the Army and Air Force flying programs; increasing funding for facility sustainment; increasing funding for Army depot maintenance and rest; increasing funding for ship depot maintenance; and prohibiting the retirement of amphibs and cruisers the Navy proposed to retire 10 to 15 years early.…”