Senate Proceeding on Jul 22nd, 2009 :: 4:10:05 to 4:12:25
Total video length: 4 hours 13 minutes Stream Tools: Stream Overview | Edit Time

Note: MetaVid video transcripts may contain inaccuracies, help us build a more perfect archive

Download OptionsEmbed Video

Views:22 Duration: 0:02:20 Discussion

Previous speech:

4:10:01 to 4:10:05( Edit History Discussion )

John Thune: uniform with the opportunity to vote, i think we, as americans, owe them that opportunity.

4:10:05 to 4:12:25( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: John Ensign

4:10:06 to 4:10:27( Edit History Discussion )

John Ensign: my office has b the offe of secretary of state in nevada to continue through these challenges. implementing these changes will not beimple. my colleagues and i have modified the bill to address some of and for example, the original

4:10:28 to 4:10:48( Edit History Discussion )

John Ensign: version of the bill attention on the steps that states must take even though we know that many states like my home state of nevada have local election officials carry out important election activities. we never had any intention of reaching into states and rearranging that relationship. that is why the rules committee modified the bill to clarify

4:10:49 to 4:11:09( Edit History Discussion )

John Ensign: that election responsibilities identified in the bill can, of course, be delegated to the appropriate local election officials. this work and negotiation process is ongoing because the objective itself of getting military, those persons in the military, having their votes counted on election day is so critical.

4:11:10 to 4:11:31( Edit History Discussion )

John Ensign: i fully new issues to work through, but we must keep our main to protect the voting rights of our military -- military personnel. there are few rights we exercise greater than choosing our own elected officials.

4:11:32 to 4:11:53( Edit History Discussion )

John Ensign: we cannot call ourselves a democracy if we do not count the votes of our citizens in elections of government officials. the men and women who put their lives on the line forou and me to protect our country are certainly no exception. and it is time that we steps to protect their right to

4:11:54 to 4:12:16( Edit History Discussion )

John Ensign: vote. so, madam president, i encourage our colleagues to make sure that this particular amendment is included in the defense authorization bill this is critical ahead of the election where the states have time to prepare so that we can have every person in the miliry who wishes to exercise

4:12:17 to 4:12:25( Edit History Discussion )

John Ensign: their right to vote that that willingness to exercise the right to vote is allowed to take place and their vote is counted