releases: https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/floor-statements?ContentRecord_id=ED5050FB-3190-4A60-9069-75E63032EB7C
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/floor-statements?ContentRecord_id=ED5050FB-3190-4A60-9069-75E63032EB7C | FLOOR STATEMENT BY SENATOR JOHN McCAIN ON SENATOR KELLY AYOTTE | 2016-12-07 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | AZ | John McCain | M000303 | www.mccain.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor today in tribute to Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH): “Mr. President: I come to the Floor today to pay tribute to my dear friend and colleague, the Senator from New Hampshire, Kelly Ayotte. “I first met Senator Ayotte in 2010, when I joined her for a town hall meeting in Nashua, New Hampshire. My affection for the state of New Hampshire dates back to my bid for President in 2000, so it was a familiar setting to join so many old friends in support of her campaign for the U.S. Senate. I was impressed with Senator Ayotte’s deep understanding of the top challenges facing the country, the seriousness with which she approached her work, and the ease with which she engaged with members of the audience – gracefully handling spirited debates and sparring matches with voters—a staple of town hall meetings in New Hampshire I always admired. I knew we’d be fast friends. “In the Senate, Senator Ayotte brought that same tenacity to her work, distinguishing herself as a rising star in the Republican Party and a leader willing to work across party lines to get things done. Senator Ayotte has approached every issue candidly and pragmatically—something that is all-too-often lacking in politics today. ‘I call them like I see them,’ she once said. ‘And that means not just with the opposing party, but with my own party.’ “Senator Ayotte took this mantra on the road, continuing the tradition of the New Hampshire town hall meetings by holding more than 50 town halls in small cities and towns where she spoke directly with her constituents about the issues impacting their families. “But, in my view, Senator Ayotte’s very best work lies in her contribution to defense and national security as member of the Armed Services Committee. Coming from a military family, her commitment to strengthening our Armed Forces is deeply personal. That has contributed to her tireless advocacy on issues important to New Hampshire; to Pease Air National Guard Base and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard; and to all military and civilian personnel supporting our national security who call New Hampshire home. “As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Readiness, Senator Ayotte has called attention to the dangerous military readiness crisis and has been a consistent advocate for making sure the men and women in our Armed Forces have the resources they need to defend the nation. “Senator Ayotte has authored numerous legislative proposals to eliminate wasteful and duplicative spending at the Department of Defense so that we can reinvest savings into rebuilding our military. She successfully passed legislation to save over $1 billion in the Pentagon’s budget and to keep U.S. tax dollars out of the hands of America's enemies. And she’s been a leading advocate for repealing arbitrary budget cuts and the mindless mechanism of sequestration, which continue to weaken our military and put the lives of our service members at greater risk. “Senator Ayotte’s fight to prevent the Air Force from precipitously mothballing its fleet of A-10 Warthog attack planes saw the very best she has to offer. As the wife of a retired A-10 pilot who flew combat missions in Iraq and an expert in defense policy, Senator Ayotte understood the critical role this aircraft plays in providing close-air support for our fighting men and women. So, year after year, she relentlessly led the fight to prevent the Obama Administration from following through on its plan to retire that fleet—pushing through measures in annual defense authorization bills that would prevent any premature divestment of this aircraft. At the end of the day, she was right. The Air Force conceded to this aircraft’s value in the fight against ISIL overseas and reversed its decision, delaying any divestment until at least 2022. “Anyone who has watched Senator Ayotte question a witness in the Armed Services Committee will not be surprised to learn of her background as New Hampshire’s first female attorney general. I have been a fortunate observer of more than one occasion in which a bureaucrat withered under skilled cross-examination by Senator Ayotte. She takes her oversight role extremely seriously and believes in holding our nation’s leaders accountable. “In every way, Senator Ayotte rose to meet the responsibilities and opportunities of her office. There are many qualities that are important to being a good senator. But none in my opinion is more important than standing firm for what you believe. That is what Senator Ayotte has done. She has never wavered in her commitment to principle. And this body is better for it. “On a more personal note, I have cherished the friendship and partnership of Senator Kelly Ayotte. The kindness and courtesy she has extended to her colleagues has made this institution a better place, and her principled leadership has served as an example to all of us. In Senator Ayotte, you could always find a warm smile that served as a reminder that serving here is truly a joy and a privilege. “While I will miss Senator Ayotte’s daily presence in the Senate, I will continue to rely on her wise counsel and friendship. And I’m confident our nation will continue to benefit from her talents for many years to come. “With this in mind, I thank my dear friend and valued colleague, Senator Kelly Ayotte, for her service to the nation in this body. And until the nation calls on her again, I wish Senator Ayotte, her husband Joe, and their children, Katherine and Jacob, fair winds and following seas.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |