Robert C. Byrd: “The Nation's national security is important enough that we must pay for the defense we need.”

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

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.

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

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