Robert C. Byrd: “We're destroying our National Guard and Reserves, I can tell you. They're exhausted.”

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.

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

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