Robert C. Byrd: “There is no requirement for consultation with Congress. Shame.”

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.

Could I impose on the chairman and the ranking member just briefly? What is the current monthly cost of operations in Afghanistan, and how much of the $25 billion in this budget request is for operations in Afghanistan?

I fully agree and I compliment you and our ranking member.

Well, I have to tell you, Mr. Secretary, this seems to me to be an abuse, a serious abuse, of supplemental appropriations requests.