What happens in space doesn't stay in space.

But, if you say, 'Who has the mandate in this?' it's probably the President's science advisor and the national security advisor.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Thanks for calling this important hearing, and I certainly join you and Senator Hutchison in welcoming our very, very distinguished panel.

Well, first of all, I like Senator Alexander, he was president of the University of Tennessee which is an SEC school so I've certain amount of his kinship there. But he needs to study history. That to use the word Nixon, 11 people in the…

Bravo to the government. Bravo.

Again, just don't come to the -- don't wreck the country by irresponsibly buying up things that everybody knows is no good.

Yes, of course. I don't know what they were thinking they were going to ruin the financial system, it almost cause a depression.

Do we need humans in space to do these types of experiments?, yes we do.

But, if those funding gaps can be filled, in recognition of the role that agency and program plays in this broader national agenda, then I think we create something which is capable of serving the national need.

I doubt whether very many of them--or many of us in the Congress--could provide a detailed answer to the question of why they feel it is important.

But, you have to do it differently than it was done before if you do that, because before, it was viewed by many of the participants as more impediment than help.

Well look, I'm a Democrat, we're always worried. I mean, the truth of the matter is, Democrats look pretty good. We won the popular vote in four out of the last five presidential elections. We've won the last two Congressional cycles. But…

Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu is calling for his dismissal.

I don't think people were angry with him; that mostly I thought they were frustrated.

I wish he had spent more time on the ground.

I would argue that one of our goals should be--I mean, not just cleaning the environment, but stabilizing these prices in a way that allow industries to make smart decisions.

it's very important--because another focus that I'm going to have is not just cleaner environment, but more economic security and national security.

the impact to the domestic refining industry will be contracted so that we will not be refining our own product, we'll be refining our products offshore and importing them.