Robert C. Byrd: “It is time to stop posturing and pretending. It is time to stop all of the glib talk. It is time to do our duty.”

We need important changes in our great health benefit program. TRICARE, to ensure a superior benefit for the long-term.

Why should Congress not have some limitations on this? It is the taxpayers' money.

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

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