Robert C. Byrd: “I think of what this spending magnitude would bring to our national priorities--our schools, our healthcare, our ability…”

I cannot support this item unless there are some limitations on it, unless Congress can exercise its power over the purse, as the Constitution provides.

The President hasn't requested one dime of his $81.9 billion supplemental for the veterans' healthcare system.

In closing, may I say that the President's request includes $658 million for construction of the U.S. Embassy in Iraq.

My top priority will be to learn what challenges the DOD IG office needs to address and to ensure the adequacy of resources required to accomplish its mission.