Republicans defended the idea as a way to simplify federal bookkeeping that would cost taxpayers nothing.

Republicans defended their bill's reliance on insurance companies to devise and market drug coverage for the elderly.

Some upstate Republicans defended or played down the decision to see the Yankees.

The Republicans generally defended the telephone calls, saying they were a legitimate effort to test possible advertising campaigns.

The Republicans also successfully defended all of their own seats, including eight in the South.

An incumbent Republican is defending his seat against a Democratic challenger.

Republicans now hold a 55-to-45 edge in the Senate, but must defend 19 of the 33 seats that will be contested next year.

The conservative Republicans defended the agreement but said that American money would be better spent at home.

But many other Republicans defended the president and said Republican candidates were in a strong position.

Some Republicans on the committee defended the administration's missile defense program.