Robert C. Byrd: “Too often, we in public office run campaigns on our opponent's warts and pimples, instead of on real issues.”

Promoting efficiency and preventing fraud in defense acquisitions will obviously be a high priority.

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?