Political Quotes

“I yield myself an additional 1 minute. There have been many times where I wished I didn't have to do that, but it comes with the job and particularly on something as important as Afghanistan. I don't think anyone would dispute that the most important thing about this bill, the Armed Services Committee bill, this year is what's going on in Afghanistan. The single most important issue, and we're denied the opportunity to have a vote on what I think is a much better plan, rather, leaving in place in the base bill a call for having 68,000 troops in Afghanistan until the end of 2014. It is very simple: the majority is in favor of a larger troop presence for a longer period of time. We are in favor of a smaller troop presence for a shorter period of time. I believe it's the better policy. I regret that we will not have the opportunity to vote on it; but as we go into conference, I will strenuously argue this point. It is a major flaw, I believe, in an otherwise very strong bill. With that, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I'm not as good as my friend in characterizing or talking about something, so I would just like to read from the bill what it actually says: The United States military should not maintain an indefinite combat mission and should transition to a counterterrorism and advise and assist mission at the earliest practicable date, consistent with conditions on the ground.…”