However, had we been more patient, I believe we could have dealt with Saddam Hussein without damaging relations with important allies.

I just think the principle of it is important for America, that we intend to be the primary military superpower in the world.

I urge us to pursue that in a pretty aggressive way, because over the short, medium, and long term, it would be a great advantage to the country.

I reject that view, and I believe his attacks against people who work for you are unfair and misguided.

I agree with your assessment that it would be wise for us to be both a military superpower and a diplomatic superpower.

I would like to thank Senator DeWine and Senator Lautenberg for introducing legislation today that would provide substantial funding for enforcement efforts to stop drunk driving and increase seatbelt use.

Well, he reneged on this promise. He continues to make excuses and I think it is a shame.

Louisiana is not asking, Mr. Chairman, for lower standards, we are asking for using common sense.

I think it is the height of hypocrisy for him to open his budget with the quote 'The time for excuse-making has come to an end.'

I want to go on record as saying that the President's budget is wholly inadequate to support the commitment that he made personally to the schools in Louisiana and to the schools throughout our Nation.

I think that is absolutely what we should be doing.

I am going to do everything I can to oppose these two programs and instead try to support the public schools, as well as choice for parents, real choice that means something to them.

He reneged, in my opinion, on his promise to fund the Leave No Child Behind Act.

The time for excuses is over. The President and his administration should be the ones that stop making excuses and be a good example for everyone else.

In my view one of the roles of the Federal Government is to try to close that gap and help those children that come from less affluent neighborhoods to actually have equal opportunity to succeed.

one of the roles of the Federal Government is to try to close the opportunity gap between the affluent districts in this Nation and the disadvantaged districts

I did not say it went to wealthy families. I do not have a problem helping wealthy families. My problem is when resources are limited we should help the poor families first, the middle-income families second, and the wealthy families…

Does not the President's larger objective for the Middle East, and for our relations with the Muslim world and for the war on terrorism require us to have a long-term commitment to reconstruction in Iraq?