Richard Shelby

It is very innovative.

We are bringing our equipment up to readiness status.

I am not sure how the R&D program is balanced.

I think you've got to invest for the future.

You made some cuts there. Is that wise? I know you're constrained by your budget from time to time. Will you address that some?

The ground-based midcourse defense segment, the multiple kill vehicle program and the Kinetic Energy Interceptor program I think are very important.

If you had more money it wouldn't hurt anything, would it?

These are organic lab accounts. I think they are important for the future.

We have been told that the work is critical and the technology is badly needed.

Would you look at these accounts, take a second look?

We have got to get that to the depots, have we not?

But you have got to have sufficient resources to reset.

It is very important to the future of the Army, is it not?

While, in my opinion, this budget again falls short in total funding for our veterans, it does include important initiatives.

I am disappointed this budget cuts funding for VA Medical and Prosthetic Research.

I look forward to working with Chairman Bond and Senator Mikulski on this bill.

I believe these cuts are harmful to the VA's core mission of providing the best medical care possible to our veterans.

The President has requested $67.7 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2005.

I applaud the work you and your staff have done to reform this system and will support you as you continue this work.

VA medical care is my top priority area again this year and I am committed to ensuring that our veterans are not short-changed.

We should not balance our books on the backs of our veterans.

I think the administration has a credibility problem on its approach to the Clean Air Act and to mercury pollution.

We've got so much to learn there to benefit us.

I believe they are the concerns of a lot of people on the committee.

We have to use foreign launch systems now. The budget it seems chooses to use them in the future, which is troubling to some of us.