I thank the gentleman very much and thank all of our witnesses.

Considering these statistics, by what measures do you believe Americans are better off since the start of the administration?

The bottom line is that we should not be increasing spending for land acquisition when the government cannot maintain the land that it already owns.

I will tell you unequivocally that I think the creation of the CFPB is a good thing for America.

Increasing taxes on energy production is misguided policy that, obviously, will just increase energy costs.

I also have serious concerns about the tax and fee increases on American energy production.

The whole reason I supported the creation of this agency is that there were too many agencies doing their own little work in their own little silo.

But as you are getting started, remember that Congress wrote this law kind of going forward, too.

I would certainly like to know about it.

I have actually voted to cut some EPA funding in the past because I don't like some of the things they have done.

We can always go back tomorrow, change that statutory authorization, and make it any number we choose.

But up until now, you have--the last I heard, you are about $150 million below the cap which is, give or take, 20 percent, maybe more?

Honestly, I was listening to the chairman's questions, and paper work for a justification is all well and good, but the truth is I don't judge most agencies by what they say they want to do. I judge them by what they do, the EPA included.

There are none?

I think it needs to be brought up to date.

The Administration's plan effectively reinstates the drilling moratoria that were lifted in 2008.

The Department is also pursuing new regulations on hydraulic fracturing on public lands.

Increasing taxes on American families and businesses is not the solution.