This effort will clearly increase the overall burden on our military, ... The Defense Department's civilian leaders must look at the impact of this and future crises and the ongoing war on the military's future readiness and overall state.

All of these are necessary right now. Otherwise, much of the efforts of the military will be shut down,

During the 2000 election, the current administration told our military, help is on the way. That is clearly not the case. The administration has failed to request the funds needed for the defense of this Nation. We must give the Army what it needs.

It is vital that Iraq and the United States together send the clearest possible signal that those who commit acts of violence against American military forces and American civilians will not be rewarded with amnesty.

We need to succeed in Iraq. If we don't, we will create a snake pit ... of terrorists.

Guard units in the U.S. are suffering severe equipment shortages which will affect their ability to respond to emergencies in their home States, such as Katrina.