That we have performed well is a credit to our wonderful and loyal troops， but loyalty must be a two－way street. We expect the magnificent men and women of our military to be faithful in their service， even when going in harm＇s way. We must remain faithful to those who voluntarily sign a blank check， payable to the American people with their lives.
As Speaker Ryan said yesterday， quote， ＂Our men and women in uniform are not bargaining chips.＂
The consequences of not providing a budget are clear：Without a sustained budget， ships will not receive the required maintenance to put to sea； the ships already at sea will be extended outside of port； aircraft will remain on the ground， their pilots not at the sharpest edge； and eventually， eventually ammunition， training and manpower will not be sufficient to deter war.
But I am optimistic that Congress will do the right thing and carry out their responsibility. I may be in the minority in this room， when I say that －－ （Laughter.） －－ but I＇m an eternal optimist.
And as Senator Reid said last November， ＂We need bipartisan investment in our troops to enhance military readiness and help us meet evolving national security challenges.＂
Under our Constitution， it is Congress that has the authority to raise armies and to maintain navies. Yet as I stand here this morning， watching the news， as we all are， from Capitol Hill， we＇re on the verge of a government shutdown or， at best， yet another debilitating continuing resolution.
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