What I have been concerned about are the increased use of roadside bombs.

We've written to you on the question of more transparency of where equipment goes--we appropriate the money for it, and we kind of lose sight as it comes off the assembly line, where it goes.

I know you both know the 86th Mountain Brigade, that's upward of 1,800 very proud citizen soldiers from the Vermont Army National Guard are going to begin a deployment, either end of this year or early next year, to Afghanistan.

I would add, again, Secretary and General, that I don't raise this just out of a parochial concern for the 1,800 from Vermont, but for obviously, for everybody who is there.

I want to emphasize what Senator Sessions said about the joint task force and all.

This is National Police Week. We are going to pay tribute to the men and women who work every day to protect our communities, our schools, and our homes.

The task forces can be very helpful. But many times they need the kind of funding that comes from your office.

We owe them our gratitude and our honor, but we also owe them our commitment to do whatever we can to help them in their vital mission.

I commend you. I say that in a totally nonpartisan fashion.

I hope all Americans are encouraged by Judge Sotomayor's achievements and by her nomination to the Nation's highest court.

Though the Supreme Court is not a representative body, we should hold as an ideal that it broadly reflect the citizens it serves.

I believe these cases underscore the need for diversity.

This is a hearing of the U.S. Senate. The judge deserves respect. Senators asking questions deserve respect.

I should note that this was before Congress passed the Curt Flood Act authored by Senators Hatch and Leahy which made it clear that baseball's anti-trust exemption could not be used to undermine Federal law.

You satisfy that. Second, a strong and deep knowledge of the law and the Constitution. You satisfy that.

The courtroom can be the only sanctuary for the little guy when the forces of society are arrayed against him.

These issues invite all Americans to struggle with the dilemmas of democracy and the great questions of our Constitution.

It is a great tradition.

Judge Sotomayor will be in this same mold and will serve as a Justice in the manner of Sandra Day O'Connor.

Each generation of Americans has sought that arc toward justice.

The Supreme Court then found that the city, and I quote, 'rejected the test results solely because the higher scoring candidates were white.'

if the number one standard that conservatives use and apply is judicial modesty and humility, no activism on the Supreme Court, they should vote for Judge Sotomayor unanimously.

I, like Professor Carter, believe that we should not be so myopic as to believe that others of different experiences or backgrounds are incapable of understanding the values and needs of people from a different group.

I agree with Senator Feingold and with Senator Whitehouse.

Experience and wisdom will benefit all Americans.