Patrick Leahy actually said...

Today's men and women volunteer to join, or stay, in the National Guard fully expecting to be deployed.

Of course, Senator Bond and I have the privilege of not being within departmental guidelines and we can do what we want to do.

I just want less time to be spent on conflicts inside the Pentagon and more time spent concentrating on your mission.

I have enjoyed our bipartisan cooperation, and that cooperation is one of the reasons why you have four stars on your shoulder, General.