Robert C. Byrd: “There are times when each of us must vote for measures which are unpopular but which are truly in the national interest.”

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.

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

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

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.