Political Quotes

“Mr. President, last week, the Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing on whether to elevate the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This was an important hearing for the men and women of our armed services, and I am grateful that the committee allowed me to submit a statement for the hearing record. In light of the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act, in which I expect these provisions to pass, I ask unanimous consent that my statement be printed in the Record before the full Senate, so that the rest of my colleagues may have a chance to read it. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: Senate Committee on Armed Services Chairman Levin, Senator McCain, Members of the Committee-- thank you for holding this hearing on whether the Chief of the National Guard Bureau should be a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. And thanks to all of the Chiefs of our armed forces--both active duty and reserve--for being here today. There is no question--as a matter of both principle and of national security--that the Chief of the National Guard Bureau should be elevated to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Guardians of Freedom Act, which passed overwhelmingly in the House of Representatives on May 25, would accomplish this goal. I hope that today's hearing will lead to swift action on this important legislation, and I look forward to the testimony of each of the witnesses.…”