Political Quotes

“Let me start by thanking the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Adam Smith, my colleague, for his hard work and leadership on this bill. My amendment requires a series of independent studies to evaluate potential cost savings with respect to our country's nuclear security enterprise and force structure. This amendment is a measured approach to ensuring that our military spending meets our national security needs while making the best use of every taxpayer dollar. It would require the Government Accountability Office to examine options for reducing service contracts, reducing the nuclear security enterprise, rebalancing force structure, and reducing or realigning our overseas presence. It would also examine realistic, cost-effective ways to use pre-award audits to negotiate better prices for weapons systems and services. Additionally, it would require an updated and comprehensive series of studies from Federally-funded research and development centers as well as a nonpartisan, nongovernmental think tank. These would supplement the GAO studies and look at cost savings resulting from alternatives to current force structures and our nuclear posture. Now, I know the other side is going to say that we have done these studies; there is plenty of information out there. But the reality is we operate in a different world, and we need an updated, comprehensive study that deals with our current situation in the world.…”