Cord Byrd

I opposed the Ensign and Stabenow amendments regarding Social Security and illegal immigrants, because those amendments violated section 313 of the Budget Act--the Byrd Rule--which prohibits extraneous matter on budget reconciliation…

for several days--for several days--the news has been saturated with stories about the indictment of a well-known professional football player for running a dog-fighting operation. I am not going to comment on that particular case. The man…

I opposed that amendment, but my vote should not be viewed as a lack of concern for the consequences of a failed Iraqi state. I agree that it is not in the interest of the United States for Iraq and the rest of the Middle East to devolve…

But it is incomplete--incomplete because we cannot possibly claim to have truly provided for our Nation's security until we have addressed the situation in Iraq. It is now more than 4 years since President Bush declared the mission in Iraq…

I supported that amendment, but my vote should not be misconstrued as a blanket endorsement of missile defense installations, nor as support for military action against Iran. The amendment by Senator Sessions noted Iran's continuing work…

next Wednesday is July 4, Independence Day, the grand national celebration of our Nation's beginning. The Senate and the House of Representatives will be quiet, in recess so that Members can join in Independence Day celebrations around the…

I feel compelled to address head on, I mean head on, the news stories in recent weeks that have pointed out the shocking discovery, yes, shocking discovery, that I am growing older. Did you get that? Shocking discovery that I am growing…

I am voting against the nomination of LTG Douglas Lute, not because he is unqualified for the position but because the White House refuses to permit him to testify before those Members of Congress responsible for the oversight and funding…

each Senator--every Senator--has a responsibility to vote. The people of West Virginia expect me to do the job they sent me here to do, and I am doing it. This 18,000th rollcall vote is a testament to their faith in me and to my work for…

Today is West Virginia's birthday. Established on June 20, 1863, West Virginia became the 35th star in our national constellation, taking her place between Kansas, which joined the Union on January 29, 1861, and Nevada, which joined on…

during my half century of service in this great body, I have seen too many energy shortages and too many half-hearted efforts by the Federal Government to respond. A geopolitical crisis erupts and oil prices rise. All too quickly, our…

the Bible admonishes us to ``honor thy father and thy mother.'' Courtesy insists that ladies go first. Last month, the Nation honored mothers with Mother's Day. The ladies were treated to cards, flowers, phone calls, brunches, gifts, and…

June 14 is celebrated in the United States as ``Flag Day.'' Flag Day is not a big holiday. Offices will not close to observe it; stores will not hold special sales; no fireworks will light the sky; no special presents or dinners will make…

28 months ago, on February 3, 2005, I voted against the confirmation of Alberto Gonzales to be the Attorney General of the United States. Hallelujah, Amen! Eight days before that, I was one of 13 Senators who voted against the nomination…

I oppose the amnesty provisions included in this bill. Nevertheless, I voted against the Coburn amendment, because it would have codified expedited procedures in the Senate for considering the Presidential certifications required by the…

I saw the sun sink in the golden west No angry cloud obscured its latest ray. Around the couch on which it sank to rest Shone all the splendor of a summer day. And long though lost to view, that radiant light Reflected from the skies…

It meets the critical needs of this country. It moves us forward in our efforts to change the dynamic in Iraq. We must challenge--we must challenge--this President, our President, to open his eyes to the truth and adopt the new direction…

a few weeks ago, Congress approved legislation that would have changed the course of the U.S. occupation of Iraq. I say occupation because, frankly, that is what this is. Our troops won the battle they were sent to fight. The dictator…

I thank the Chair. In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived…

here we are once again--deja vu--debating supplemental funding for the President's disastrous misadventure in Iraq. Now in its fifth year of occupation, the U.S. death toll in Iraq is over 3,380. What a shame, shame, shame. The death toll…

May 19 is Armed Forces Day. This is the day our country sets aside each year to remember and to honor the brave and patriotic Americans who serve today in the United States Armed Forces. On Armed Forces Day in 1953, President Dwight David…

I knew Tom Dodd. I served with Tom Dodd. He reminded me of a Roman Senator. God bless him. It has been quite some time since Senators talked about the case for censure against Senator Tom Dodd. These remarks on the floor today bring back…

Last month, this Chamber celebrated a milestone day in the life of our dear colleague, Senator Ted Stevens. On April 13, the senior Senator from Alaska became the longest serving Republican Senator in history. This was an important day for…

Sunday, May 13, is Mother's Day. Motherhood and May are a perfect pairing of all that is warm and nurturing. The earth is soft and green, with the buds of new leaves and new life appearing everywhere. Birds fill the air with their love…

President Bush marked the fourth anniversary of his announcement that major combat operations in Iraq have ended by vetoing war funding legislation because he claimed it limited his ability to prosecute a war unconditionally and…