Robert Byrd

I do not accept that job losses in the coal industry are an inevitable consequence of cleaner air and water.

Since fiscal year 2007, Congress has provided over $3 billion, that's $3 for every minute since Jesus Christ was born.

I was distressed to see that the President has proposed to cut, C-U-T, cut funding for over $750 million of programs in fiscal year 2010 that we funded in the stimulus bill.

The Bush administration's official position was that the Department could be created at no cost, no cost to the taxpayers.

$2 billion per year. That's $2 for every minute since Jesus Christ was born.

I am disturbed, Madam Secretary, by the proposed cut in funding for our firefighters.

Inconceivably, inconceivably, it took nine days for the disaster to be officially declared.

I will be carefully monitoring the changes you have implemented that will, I hope, greatly reduce the amount of time expended before wounded soldiers receive critical medical care.

The bottom line, however, is that the systemic problems in both Afghanistan and Pakistan cannot be solved simply by more activity, and more money.

The ongoing costs of the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and elsewhere around the world, are important--not only for the goals that we aim to achieve in these volatile spots, but also for the nation and our economy here at home.

The situation in this region is increasingly dire. Al Qaeda's surviving leaders have proven adept at hiding, communicating, and inspiring.

After more than 7 years of committing 'blood and treasure' in this region, U.S. taxpayers deserve to know what progress is being made in return for their investment.