National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013

Floor Speech

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Mr. COATS. Mr. President, I just wanted to comment that I was listening to the discussion going on here about the Leahy amendment.

I don't know what the history of all this is, but I simply want to say that I think the Senator from Oklahoma asked a very legitimate question that we all ought to consider; that is, Is this legitimately a Federal responsibility? Given the fiscal plight that we are in and careening toward the cliff, do we want to keep expanding Federal programs? But in deference to his colleagues and the timeframe here, he said he understands that it will be a virtually unanimous vote despite his question, which is legitimate and I think we all ought to consider. But that was rejected. And then the response to somebody who I think was trying to be deferential to the Senator from Vermont and his proposals sort of is put in a position where it looks as though he is not trying to be conscious of the situation that exists.

I think he asked a legitimate question to which all of us, given our current fiscal situation, ought to give due consideration.

I thank the Senator from Arizona.

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