The Public Record
Robert C. Byrd was a prominent Democratic politician who served as a U.S. Senator from West Virginia from 1959 until his death in 2010. He was known for his long tenure in the Senate, where he held various leadership positions, including Senate Majority Leader. Byrd was a strong advocate for the interests of his state, focusing on issues such as healthcare, defense, and infrastructure. His legislative efforts included promoting efficiency in defense acquisitions and improving health benefits for servicemembers through programs like TRICARE. Byrd's influence extended beyond West Virginia, as he played a significant role in shaping national policy during his time in office.
What does it say about the state of our relations with all of these countries of the coalition of the willing, when, 2 years into the war against Iraq, the United States has to create a new foreign aid program to repay these countries for…
No, we're not talking about a lot of things; we're talking about this particular request for modularity.
Does the administration have any plans for attacks against Syria, either because of the assassination in Lebanon or for its supposed hand in the Iraqi insurgency?
Why does the administration believe that the Appropriations Committee, or Congress, should have no say in how this $200 million foreign aid program should be spent?
I cannot understand why the administration chose to begin a major war knowing that our troops did not have enough body and vehicle armor.
the Congress has passed two use-of-force resolutions, one almost immediately after the September 11 attacks
I am equally worried that the administration has no agenda to manage what appears to be a worsening nuclear crisis in North Korea.
the same situation that obtained prior to the entry of the war with Iraq might, in some respects, lend itself to a repeat in the case of Syria and/or Iran.
Why has it taken nearly 2 years of fighting in Iraq before the Pentagon asked for armor for all of these supply vehicles?
Will these funds be sufficient to address the complaints that we have heard, and that you heard also, Mr. Secretary, when you were visiting there, that our troops are scrounging for armor in trash dumps?
Doesn't this send a signal to the Iraqi people and to the American people that the United States intends to have a large permanent presence there?
I cannot support this item unless there are some limitations on it, unless Congress can exercise its power over the purse, as the Constitution provides.