Patrick Leahy

I would like to ask the assistant minority leader two or three questions about international water security. First, what do we mean by water security and what is its relevance to foreign operations?

I like to think I am very knowledgeable on this. My 5-year-old grandson climbed in my lap and asked me to log on to a particular interactive site for children. It is something he could do himself, but we don't let him log on himself…

While keeping the authority to set sentences where it belongs--with the Sentencing Commission--and while remaining deferential to the discretion of prosecutors, these provisions makes unmistakably clear that Congress expects this…

We keep the authority to set sentences where it belongs, with the Sentencing Commission, while remaining deferential, to the discretion of prosecutors. The provisions from the Senator from Florida make it unmistakably clear that Congress…

I do support this amendment. I think it shows the priorities that have to be met by the United States, priorities we sometimes overlook.

Yes, but it does not shut down or require changes in the central command. It doesn't require any military to report to the Secretary of State.

I strongly urge the chairman to use the conference to return this program to a level approaching its Fiscal Year 2003 funding of $12.7 million.

I think many of us are impressed with his commitment and courage. I certainly am.

If we had not provided personal security for him I think it would be safe to say the man would not be alive today.

No, I'm talking about for the Guard and Reserve prior to being on active reserve.

But we're talking about money for our forces in Afghanistan and in Iraq.

I worry about the costs.

Why didn't the Department request funds for this program in the supplemental?

I am extraordinarily proud of our men and women who are over there.

If we are going to say this is like the Marshall Plan, then let's start doing things the way it was done back then.

I would hope that we're not going to pay off loans to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

I'm afraid that the Iraqi people who don't feel safe are turning against us.

I commend the President for finally saying there was no link [between Saddam Hussein and September 11].

Are any of these countries that are providing support either been promised money up front or been promised reimbursement for whatever they did subsequently?

But you're not aware--and maybe they'd be the ones to ask. But you're not aware of any country that was either given money or material prior to offering to support us in Iraq or promised money or material for their help?

I think what we see here today--and I think there's a feeling of all Senators, both sides of the aisle, that we're going to be asked for more and more money.

I also think we need to start mending our fences around the world so that we might get other countries to join us.

Each time we've been told, 'This is the final amount,' within months it's anted up considerably more.

I worry that, to some extent, we've done that in Afghanistan, and we may pay a high price for it.

No. In fact, I say to my friend that the one time we did try to bring one of President Bush's circuit court nominees to the floor and ask to have him considered, for a month we were not allowed to because the Republicans objected. I have…