the Service proposes to protect species and habitats in ways that are politically unpopular for some constituencies.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as you know, invested some $25 million, $26 million in the Delaware River watershed.

But isn't it true that the vast majority of consultations actually occur quickly?

Let me conclude by saying that when Congress tasks an agency with an important mission and an increased workload, we must in turn provide sufficient funding so that they can get the job done that they are expected to do.

I am happy to welcome everybody today and call this hearing to order.

I want to again thank members of our staffs, both minority and majority, for their work in preparing us for this hearing.

Thank you for that comment. It confirms what I have been thinking.

Senators are going to be asked to submit questions for the record, and they can, and we hope they will.

The President's budget request includes just over $2 billion for the Fish and Wildlife Service, $2 billion.

I also want to thank you for joining us today. I want to thank you for your testimony today and for your willingness to respond to our questions.

the Service proposes to protect species and habitats in ways that are politically unpopular for some constituencies.

There has been increasing talk about how the issue called permitting reform could somehow end up playing a role to help get us to make sure we don't do something like a self-inflicted wound and default on our debt.