I agree 100 percent with what you said, but I also would stress that it is important for the Federal Government to be able to function, and to function efficiently and well.

But I beg to differ, as the Senator from Louisiana.

Thank you very much.

It is hard to tell them that there is another priority.

I am going to call a hearing for earthquakes particularly.

I think this is an important option for local leaders.

Thank you. Mr. Secretary, I just can't tell you how encouraged I am by what I have heard this morning.

I believe, if my memory serves me correctly, that the cost per student here is somewhere between $20,000 and $40,000 a year.

I am also excited about your commitment to funding and the President's commitment to that goal of reform.

Could you explain the decision to eliminate Even Start and propose options for the 60,000 participants who will be left without services?

I want to thank you for your early visit right after your confirmation to New Orleans, to see their continued effort to rebuild their school system.

Given these programs' past successes, do you support funding this program again at the level of $5 million?

Will you and the Chief Architect of GSA work with my office to ensure that the agency complies with the Stafford Act and follows its own policy on Gulf Coast reconstruction projects, by allowing locally-based Louisiana firms to participate…

At a time when you own its future an entire culture hangs in the balance, the most sought after actor in our fellow New Orleanian hasn't simply helped people. He's given their lives back. Pitt has brought life and hope for our most unique…

We're closing Gitmo; we're doing all of these things.

You can't stop anybody from speaking out.

We've changed the policy in Iran. We've changed the policy in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. We've changed the policy in Afghanistan -- we've changed the policy in Afghanistan.

We have changed the policy in Afghanistan.