But I would point out that we have changed the policy in Iran. We have changed the policy in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

I don't know if they can be hurt any more than they are. There's something like 22 percent of them left in the country.

We are closing Gitmo.

I applaud the appointment of Norm Augustine who has enormous background and credibility to lead the current review.

NASA is at a critical stage in its history and the actions the White House and the Congress take on this Budget request will likely have repercussions for many years to come.

Specifically at Michoud in Louisiana--and I bring that up because I know a lot about it not because it is the only important thing, but just as an example.

I hope in practice the review is a little different than the directive on paper because on paper the review basically says ignore anything above this arbitrary dollar line.

Exactly my point. It, as a practical matter, would be impossible.

We do not anticipate a loss of work force. We anticipate a shift of the workforce as we move from Shuttle to constellation.

It is truly penny-wise and pound foolish.

What I believe is clear to most of us, however, is that the projected funding levels provided in this proposal for the 5-years following FY 2010 represent a virtual no-growth budget that likely would not even keep pace with inflation.

What assurances can you give us that that new directive has gone to the contractors and they are being asked to stop any actions in the next few months?

I hope it is not acted upon in that spirit, but that is what it says.

I am very concerned about the constraint he was formally given.

I continue to believe that the space program represents one of the best uses of taxpayer's dollars, because it is an investment that we can expect will return even greater value to our economy.

To the Administration's credit, they have initiated a review of the country's human space flight programs, and they have selected the right man to lead that effort in Norm Augustine.

It seems to me there have to be options that fit within the budget, but that in and of itself is a very constrained question.

We will work with you to double check that, but that clarification would make sense. I just want to make sure that is what is going on and there are not new notices starting in June or July.