I come from a state where we still have the hungriest children in the country, that is an untenable situation.

If I am choosing between feeding my child and having a roof over my child's head, or be homeless...

We have a responsibility in this institution, as well as our private-sector partners, and other public sector partners, to do something to make sure that we eradicate those issues, poverty and hunger, in this country forever.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I want to thank the panel for being here today.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and I share my congratulations with the Chairwoman and the Ranking Member, as my colleagues have, and am delighted to be here.

I am going to reclaim my time.

I can tell you that on $4.50 a day, I was pushed towards the kinds of simple carbohydrates that give you a full belly, but aren't nutritionally sound and completely inappropriate; rice, pasta, ramen.

Scientific research--and improving technology transfer and commercialization--is a smart investment. It's vital to our Nation's future--for our national defense and our economy.

This law continues to guide NASA as a multi-mission agency, and to quote that multi-mission from the statute, quote, 'balanced and robust set of core commissions in science, aeronautics, and human spaceflight and exploration.'

Very few Senators have been astronauts like Senator Nelson. He may be the most passionate advocate for space exploration who has ever served in Congress.

Under his leadership, the Senate passed the bipartisan NASA Authorization Act of 2010.

Scientific research and improving technology transfer and commercialization is smart investment.

But Congress passed the last NASA authorization act in 2010, as I just mentioned.

I just want to applaud the administration for normalizing relations.

Investing in space technology is investing in our future.

The State of New Mexico receives about $2 billion in direct revenue each year from energy taxes and royalties.

A dollar reduction in the price of oil reduces New Mexico's state revenue from this direct source by $7.5 million.

I am concerned with the oil prices which have dropped more than 50 percent since last June.