"I stressed the importance of making our foreign policy less reactive and promoting management of the State Department."
"We are not discussing for the moment precisely what is in any of these budgets."
"It is a privilege to join you in welcoming Ambassador Burns once again to the Foreign Relations Committee."
"The State Department budget represents something like 1 percent of the total Federal budget."
"It would appear that about $8 billion has been cut from the State Department's budget request just for the rest of this fiscal year."
"We hope you will stay closely in touch throughout these months."
"It is essential for the Department to demonstrate the most effective possible use of the resources that we are provided."
"Ambassador Burns would be the first Foreign Service officer to serve as Deputy Secretary in nearly 30 years."
"I made notes that you suggested the Taliban will persist in Afghanistan in one form or another."
"We need to work with the Afghan Government in order to make sure that those who wish to lay down their arms can in fact do so."
"The situation in Afghanistan is complex and requires a nuanced approach."