Mr. Ambassador, we thank you for coming. We thank you for your work.

I think it's fair to say both Senator Feingold and I look forward to working with you, supporting you, and we look forward to developing those benchmarks.

Well, thank you, Senator Feingold. Those are important questions.

I would just remind my colleagues that there is an alternative.

I vote for more.

The Environmental Protection Agency's budget is arguably the most important tool we have today for ensuring that the environment, the air we breathe, and the water we drink, are safe for us and for our children.

I want to talk just a moment about mercury.

The natural gas pipeline is not just an Alaskan concern, it is an American concern so far as I believe.

We need a deadline. We have got--this subcommittee provides 100 percent of the funds for the District for the Courts.

Thank you.

I am concerned, however, to know that Court officials and representatives of the National Law Enforcement Museum Fund have been unable to reach an agreement on the design of their shared space in Judiciary Square.

I expect you to reach an agreement and submit your plans to the National Capital Planning Commission no later than March 3.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Senator Landrieu, our subcommittee's Ranking Member, and to recognize her continued commitment to improving life for the residents of the District of Columbia.

Let me invite our other panelists to come up.

We see this Memorial and that tribute to law enforcement as something we want to see.

Why--why is this happening now? Why would they take this step backward at this point in time?

I apologize for starting the hearing 25 minutes late.

We've got a high refugee number, and we're nowhere near filling it.