Cord Byrd: “my amendment reads as follows: It is the sense of the Senate that--any request for funds for a fiscal year for an…”

“my amendment reads as follows: It is the sense of the Senate that--any request for funds for a fiscal year for an ongoing overseas military operation-- The word is ``ongoing''-- for an ongoing overseas military operation, including operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, should be included in the annual budget of the President for such fiscal year as submitted to Congress under section 1105(a) of title 31 United States Code. . . . These are ongoing--ongoing operations. What is to keep this administration from sending up an amended budget request right today? The administration has already said we are spending $3.9 billion a month in Iraq and almost $1 billion a month in Afghanistan. Why doesn't the administration send up an amended budget request right now and let us include that money in this appropriations bill? Now, the administration knows that is what it is spending. Why couldn't we at least include it in this bill that is before the Senate, rather than wait until next February when the administration will send up a request for that amount plus a great deal more? And why not anticipate the remaining months the administration expects to be in Iraq and Afghanistan and anticipate for the same amount on into the future? It is this thing that I feel very strongly about: the Congress of the United States being held at bay when it comes to getting information from this administration. When it comes to appropriations, the Congress has control of the purse strings.…”