Senator Garn brought a measure of great civility and an enormous knowledge, and I feel that I was able to launch my career in trying to help the American Space Program because of the excellent guidance and tutelage, those two space…

I would have trouble, Madam Chairwoman, supporting a budget that is poised to eliminate a real manned space program, and instead maintains the fantasy of one.

And there is no contingency plan beyond that, except, 'If we get to it, we'll deal with it?'

We're ready to do legislation on the global climate crisis.

to be an astronaut, you have to be daring, you have to be courageous, you have to be agile.

I think what the committee would appreciate, and also the Congress would appreciate, as it looks at climate change legislation, for us to have an inventory of these very important climate projects.

I understand that it is $126 million, that there's been a reduction of $43 million.

This is a real victory.

I promise you we will work with the Coast Guard and others in our Defense Department to see what we can do to bring clarity.

So somebody trying to rebuild Afghanistan makes less than somebody working at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), trying to rebuild the cities of America, both serving America with duty and dedication?

If we are for Lilly Ledbetter, we're also going to be for the wonderful people who work at the State Department.

Does the DOD believe that U.S.-flagged merchant ships are more secure if they are left to manage their security in pirate-infested waters on their own, rather than having embarked military personnel?

If a foreign threat was attacking Americans, say, in Washington, DC, would you recommend that the best response would be for those under attack to hire private security guards?

Is it the case that protecting U.S. commercial shipping is no longer among the primary missions of the United States Navy?

You know, I have often talked about how, in our Country, we believe that we are prepared for emergencies.

I just think that we need to, coming out of this Committee, at least make our recommendations to them.

There was phenomenal reluctance. Phenomenal. And that is why I am saying this. I would not say this if it did not pain me.

What I would suggest is that you all adopt the Commander-in-Chief's very words, the urgency of now.