Robert C. Byrd: “Sacrifices of principles now have no reward but the agonies of national disaster in the future. Let us, therefore, steel…”

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

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.

Doesn't this send a signal to the Iraqi people and to the American people that the United States intends to have a large permanent presence there?

I will also ensure that the OIG pursues aggressive oversight of contracting issues.