Robert C. Byrd: “I think we ought to write it into the bill.”

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 cannot support this item unless there are some limitations on it, unless Congress can exercise its power over the purse, as the Constitution provides.

The Department is firmly committed to working closely and openly with Congress in order to protect the health of our servicemembers.

The President hasn't requested one dime of his $81.9 billion supplemental for the veterans' healthcare system.