Well, first of all, from what I could see, any change would require statutory and regulatory change.

Did the VA decide on an enrollment for cost reasons, or did you also think by an enrollment, it would also be a deterrent for those people to come to you?

How did you arrive at $250? It is essentially like a deductible.

What are we doing for gulf war veterans, and second, tell me what the VA is doing as we look at what we are about to face in Iraq and what we continually face here in the war on terrorism.

The IG recommended a change in the law so that veterans could have privately written prescriptions filled by the VA.

But if I could just jump in, because the time is ticking here, you say you are worried that you will be overwhelmed by more people.

I really think this could be a very important tool as we get to our appropriations.

I cannot encourage you more for both ideas, efficiencies, good policies, et cetera, but we are facing serious issues on bioterrorism and possibly chemical terrorism.

What about the war on terrorism? There are 162 VA hospitals. Many of them are in high-threat areas.

I do believe it should be a cabinet agency.

Every major report on long-term U.S. economic competitiveness has cited the need for major increases in scientific research.

To say that OMB's budget request for NSF is disappointing would be an understatement.

That is exactly right, and if you recall last year, just in our subcommittee, we received $40 million in requests, and they were all bona fide requests.

I asked the HUD IG to investigate a mortgage service agency called Fairbanks.

I think the genius of what has kept NASA so fresh and spectacular has been we have a core group of civil servants.

I am troubled at the 2004 budget request for EPA.

If you want to help a new Republican Governor, help me get water and sewer grants.

I hope that as we move a bill through the Committee this year, we can continue this policy.