"Not only will it cost less, but steel is an American resource that we have and can manufacture right here in our backyard."
Such a plan would strain American resources, posing logistical nightmares.
Fiscally it would be next to impossible - without a drastic change in the use of American resources.
But there are strict limits to what even American resources can achieve.
American resources are stretched, and beyond doubt, the Pentagon budget will be cut.
Many American resources were devoted to the military.
But American resources could be used much better.
At worst they might drag their feet on arms control, raising global tensions and diverting some American resources from economic construction back into defense.
Jackson called him "a real nice American natural resource."
Instead, this week the majority decided to take up a bill to give away valuable American resources to foreign companies.