Robert C. Byrd

I believe that a more promising and productive approach would be to let our trading partners know that we demand, and are willing to enforce, equal access to foreign markets. Our citizens will no longer support unfair subsidies that put…

We must not succumb to the notion that class should be pitted against class in this country; that region should be pitted against region in this country; that State should be pitted against State in this Nation. Our greatest strength is in…

Perhaps, over the years we have erred in expecting government to be all things to all people. But we have erred on the side of the people-all the people of this Nation.

America is truly a remarkable experiment in government. We have found our greatest resource to be our people. And we have found our strength to be in the unity of our people.

So, Mr. President, I call on the administration to open Pandora's box. Let us take a peek. Just let us have a little look into this Pandora's box.

There is an increasing air of unreality over the defense budget process. Neither the increases nor the decreases can be identified with the specifics of a defense program.

I am not opposed to the reconciliation resolution. But I am opposed to the subversion of the budget process, and, indeed, the legislative process as we have known it heretofore in the Senate.

The Senate should not risk further degrading the economic condition of distressed areas in the hope that national economy recovery will trickle down and take care of everyone.

I support a balanced budget. But the Federal budget cannot be balanced on the backs of the Nation's elderly.

We have seen in the past the paralysis that can develop when the President and Congress are at odds with each other.

The President's proposal to immediately cut benefits has sent shock waves through the elderly community. Let us put their minds at rest, and begin to work together.

The Congress is not going to let the social security system go bankrupt. We will work very hard with the President to insure adequate future financing for the trust funds.

The Soviets' response to the end of the embargo is more killing in Afghanistan. The free nations of the world must continue to recognize and condemn this brutality. Afghanistan must not be forgotten, so that its tragic suffering will not…

Afghanistan must not be forgotten. Those who have openly resisted the Soviet takeover there have been killed. Worse yet, many people have been killed in Afghanistan who could not resist, who had no weapons, and no defense against their…

When evil is done it is not the victim but the doer of the wrong who debases himself. The cruel Iranian terrorists are the losers.

We are not a nation of nobles and commoners, but a country of Americans. When 52 of us were imprisoned, part of us, part of America was held by terrorists.

Freedom is not a gift, it must be earned every day. These Americans have reminded us of that basic truth.

There are few nations in the world capable of transferring power by the ballot. In many countries an event such as the one we have celebrated today would be accomplished not by respect for the rule of law and with dignity for both winner…

We have participated together in the creation of history. We live in an age of transition, change, and upheaval. Many of our decisions during the 96th Congress will have a crucial impact on the future shape of our country and our world.

I hope that we in the Senate and the American people understand that if we are going to really make the Soviet Union understand and sit up and take notice then we are going to have to be united.

I hope that the Polish people will be allowed to make their own decisions and work out their own destiny which they are perfectly capable of doing.

We are paid to do our job. If we have to stay here until Christmas, we ought to stay here until Christmas.

Our contract is still good, until January 2. We have a duty to stay here and complete the people's business.

The Congress is anxious to work with the President-elect to promote economic growth and halt the corrosive effects of 10 percent inflation.

We do not intend to stop our efforts to serve the country; nor do we see this as the final bringing down of the curtain on the majority leadership by my party. My party has been in the minority before, and we have come back.