Cord Byrd: “This is a defense bill. This is for the defense of our homeland. This is for the defense of our people, our…”

“This is a defense bill. This is for the defense of our homeland. This is for the defense of our people, our schoolchildren, our people who go to church, our people who work in the mines and in the fields and the shipyards. We are talking about homeland defense. We can't get any closer to home. Why some people would come to the floor and attempt to be critical over moneys that are for the defense of our homeland, for the defense of our own people, and in the many areas that have been explained by the distinguished Democratic whip, Mr. Reid, is beyond me. Last year, the President requested $6 billion for homeland defense. The Congress appropriated $10 billion for homeland defense, $4 billion more than the President requested. The President signed that legislation. The President made a request last year. The Congress, in its wisdom, in its collective wisdom, saw a need to appropriate more money. Those additional moneys that Congress appropriated last year over the President's request have made a difference. I hope Members will stop complaining.”