Equally important, we must make sure that this request does not commit the nation to going beyond the current mission in Iraq.

This Administration seems to be fixated on the military side of the equation at the expense of the domestic side.

I will give every dollar--I will support every dollar I can to help the troops and provide their--for their safety, and to help win the war.

From my side of this table, number one is the Constitution of the United States, and the separation of power is doctrine, checks and balances.

Well, Mr. Secretary, this is not the first war we have fought.

The people have the right to know how their monies are spent and to believe that they are being spent prudently.

It is our job, as elected representatives of the people, to ensure that this spending request meets the needs of our troops overseas and our citizens here at home.

As long as we have a separation of powers, and checks and balances that are written into this--which you have to live by, which I have to live by, then the liberties of the American people will be secure.

I know Karl Rove thinks you need a tax cut in order to get reelected, but this is an embarrassment to this Senator.

The Secretary of Defense would be allowed to transfer up to $9 billion.

Remember Lord Atkins' statement, 'Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.'

But we cannot afford to give this Administration or any other Administration a blank check.