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Floor Speech

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Mr. TUBERVILLE. We have been out a couple of weeks, and it is time to get back to work. Senator Schumer, yesterday--or this past week--sent the Democratic caucus a long to-do list that includes keeping the government open, which is very important; our annual Defense bill, which is very important; addressing prescription drugs, which we are all very concerned about; the farm bill. There are a lot of other things that we have got to address in this caucus, in this room. Missing from that list was military nominations.

This is my 11th time standing up here and continuing to harp on the fact that we need to do something about this new policy that the Secretary of Defense has passed down and passed to the military. So far this year, dozens of lower level military nominations have passed through unanimous consent, but a number of important nominations are pending or will soon be pending.

General Smith's, as the Senator just brought up, is one of the most important. I have got a great deal of admiration for General Smith.

Earlier today, General Smith became the acting head of the Marine Corps. He is doing the same exact job which he has been doing for several years. The only difference is that today he is an acting official. This has minimal effect on his ability to lead.

There may be a delay in his planning guidance, and he cannot yet move into the Commandant's residence. But there is little doubt about General Smith's ability to lead effectively, even now. There is little doubt that soon he will be confirmed.

I have met with General Smith. I have got great respect and admiration for what he has done. General Smith has dedicated nearly four decades to the Marine Corps. He has got a record to be very proud of. During our meeting, General Smith assured me that he was committed to keeping politics out of the military. And for me to vote for somebody, that is exactly what I am looking for: keep politics out of the military.

The Marine Corps has done an excellent job of staying mission- focused. One result is, because of that, the marines are the only branch that is meeting its recruiting goals. I believe that the Marine Corps is in good hands now with General Smith.

But if Chairman Reed and the Democrats are so concerned, let's vote. That is all I keep asking for. Let's vote on these nominees.

This week, the Senate will consider a DOJ nomination for an office that has around 20 employees--20 employees. I agree that this is an important nomination, but surely the Commandant of the Marine Corps is more important. So if the Democrats are so worried about General Smith being an acting official, then let's vote. I keep asking for that. Let's vote and clear this up.

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