I think that is absolutely what we should be doing.

What kind of precedent does this set? Why should a parliament that voted to obstruct vital U.S. war plans still receive aid?

one of the roles of the Federal Government is to try to close the opportunity gap between the affluent districts in this Nation and the disadvantaged districts

He reneged, in my opinion, on his promise to fund the Leave No Child Behind Act.

I think it is the height of hypocrisy for him to open his budget with the quote 'The time for excuse-making has come to an end.'

I am going to do everything I can to oppose these two programs and instead try to support the public schools, as well as choice for parents, real choice that means something to them.

I did not say it went to wealthy families. I do not have a problem helping wealthy families. My problem is when resources are limited we should help the poor families first, the middle-income families second, and the wealthy families…

The People of Louisiana did not send me to the Senate abrogate that power in favor of the President.

I must note that the unwillingness of the administration to submit this measure or discuss its plans in advance of submitting the bill makes it extremely challenging for the Congress to exercise its proper role under the Constitution.

It seems extremely unwise to escalate our involvement in other conflicts at this time.

The time for excuses is over. The President and his administration should be the ones that stop making excuses and be a good example for everyone else.

Well, he reneged on this promise. He continues to make excuses and I think it is a shame.

Are we going to work through the United Nations to get those commitments?

In my view one of the roles of the Federal Government is to try to close that gap and help those children that come from less affluent neighborhoods to actually have equal opportunity to succeed.

It is important that we bear in mind the wisdom of America's greatest foreign policy success, as we work to create a new vision for the Middle East.

Louisiana is not asking, Mr. Chairman, for lower standards, we are asking for using common sense.

Does not the President's larger objective for the Middle East, and for our relations with the Muslim world and for the war on terrorism require us to have a long-term commitment to reconstruction in Iraq?

Your term of putting it on a path concerned me. It sounded like we are going to put it on a path, and walk away.

I am just trying to get a number of the children that we are talking about.

But in that stop, do you do a comprehensive evaluation of the child's general situation so that you could provide foster parents with some meaningful information about a general initial evaluation of their physical health, maybe some of…

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I can sense your frustration. And I share some of that.

It is very important, I would suggest to the chairman, that our committee focus on the funding and recruitment.

the District is, unfortunately, the No. 1 target in the United States for terrorism.

Let me just add something that might clarify it, because Senator DeWine will remember...

And of course, our committee takes very seriously this responsibility because we basically are a direct appropriator to these Federal agencies.