Political Quotes

“First of all, let me associate myself with Ms. Jayapal's remarks. I completely agree with everything she said. I have an enormous amount of respect for Mr. Thornberry, but I disagree with the premise of part of what he said. Part of what he said is absolutely right. We should exercise our independent judgment and not simply rubber-stamp what the Pentagon asks us for, but I don't see how having them give us even more of what they want somehow better enables us to exercise our independent judgment. It is the Pentagon who is sending us what ``their priorities are.'' I think we should be absolutely skeptical of whatever they sent us. But to say, ``Look, you get to ask for $740 billion, and then you can ask for even more,'' that somehow that makes it easier for us to exercise independent judgment, independent of what the Pentagon wants, sort of stands logic on its head. Make no mistake about it, there is one and only one reason for this law. It is because there are some who believe that no matter what you spend on the Pentagon and defense spending, you could always spend more. They are trying to push us down that road toward more, which is wrong because it is a waste. But it is also wrong because it is bad for national security. We need to make choices, not imagine that the budget is unlimited. That is what this does, and it should go away.”