I voted against both resolutions because I support setting measurable goals for progress in Iraq and not arbitrary timetables and dates for redeployment. The American people want to see a plan for Iraq. As Nebraska's Senator, I hear from Nebraskans that they want to succeed in Iraq and bring the troops home.

We need to stand up the Iraqi military force, the security force and a functioning government. How many troops do they need in their army? How many do they have now? How soon can we get to the target number? If we can set measurable goals in those areas and work toward them then the American people will better understand what it is we are trying to achieve and how close we are to achieving them. Setting measurable goals, not arbitrary dates for withdrawal, will help the American people realize that our troops won't be there forever and objectives are within reach.

The nation has been in an uproar over granting amnesty to undocumented workers who cut our lawns or work in the restaurants where we eat, but it really should be outraged about plans to grant amnesty to those who murder, kidnap, or maim Americans in Iraq.

The challenge to both regional security in Northeast and Southeast Asia as well as to global security posed by the reckless behavior of North Korea should not be underestimated. Congress must constructively but realistically address the current actions of the North Koreans. The time is now to emphatically call on the Government of North Korea to cease producing nuclear weapons, to end its proliferation of ballistic missiles and to retract from a ballistic missile launch consistent with its 1999 pledge to refrain from such testing. House Concurrent Resolution 432 would convey this important message.

As a proposed long-range missile test remains in the forefront of global headlines, I call your attention to my testimony before the House Government Reform and Oversight Subcommittee on National Security back in May 1996:

"This [Clinton] Administration has chosen to ignore the ballistic missile threat to Alaska and Hawaii. If a rogue nation attempts to nuclear blackmail the United States by threatening to attack one or both of these states, would the President simply dismiss these states as a lost cause? I doubt it. Any consideration of the threat to the United States must take into account the entire fifty states; especially since previous CIA testimony confirms that long-range missiles -- the Taepodong-2 -- now under development by North Korea may pose a threat to Alaska or Hawaii by the year 2000 or shortly thereafter."

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The current hue and cry over the Administration's accessing of bank records to stop funds from flowing to terrorists completely misunderstands the way the American people think about their government. As hard as it is for many to believe, most voters trust their government to keep their focus on the war on terror and not use the information it gets to invade privacy. The fundamental disconnect here is that the left cannot believe that this reservoir of trust exists, but it does.

The Republicans control every branch of government, if they really wanted to control spending they could. Instead they chose to pass the buck to a President who has never vetoed a bill. The easiest way to control spending is to enforce the 'Pay-As-You-Go' rules. Americans live by these rules every day and Congress should too.

Broadband is the dial tone of the 21st century. We are all aware that deployment of broadband is crucial for all Americans to compete and succeed in today's global economy. The Universal Service Fund (USF) is essential for ubiquitous broadband service. After Wednesday's USF hearing, I have a new found optimism that USF reform could happen this year. I have worked diligently along with my Democratic colleague Congressman Rick Boucher to draft a USF Reform bill that can reach a wide consensus of industry needs. The USF hearing reconfirmed that all sectors of the industry can come together and agree on reforming USF.

Even today, I have been speaking with fellow Members of the Subcommittee on Telecommunication and the Internet and I am pleased with the positive feedback and strong support of USF from both sides of the aisle. The consistent message I get from everyone is "we need to update and reform the USF.

USF reform is an example of how Republicans and Democrats can work together to move America in the right direction.

While the lobbying reform Conference Committee sits in a stand-off over two weak alternatives that will produce fatally flawed legislation, we are offering what reform groups consider the 'gold standard'. This common-sense package will help begin the process of regaining public trust in government.

We have been tabulating violations of the VRA and they have been pretty heavy.

All you have to do is to apply, and a lot of jurisidctions have.  We're not being arbitrary.

We've been very disappointed and the clock is ticking.