As we all know water is a defining issue of today's American West. We're in the midst of a historic drought, the worst drought in half a century in my State.

Congress probably exercises its most effective oversight of agencies and programs through the appropriations process.

In fact, while the drought has been occurring for decades, we are in the 4th consecutive year of the most severe drought we have ever experienced.

. . . if you will simply state and affirm that you are not going to spend more than 40 percent of your resources and revenues on political activities, you could, in fact, pass through.

I am pleased to convene this hearing to consider the fiscal year 2015 funding request of the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

I welcome the opportunity today to conduct critical oversight of the Treasury Department and its programs.

I certainly can appreciate that and recognize, given that we have our own natural gas exploration issues in New Mexico.

I would really appreciate if you would think about that, respond to me and the Committee.

In my State, I am from New Mexico, the energy industry is certainly critical to our economic success.

It is also clear to me that the natural gas revolution has national security implications.

This is a problem plaguing America.

Every life that is lost as a result of this is one life too many.

This is disappointing. I understand that we need to make hard choices, but this program provides a lot of significant impacts for every dollar spent.

I think this is really important progress, and it is a vindication of the polluter pays principle.

I cannot tell you how much it has been welcomed in the community that you are there and doing this monitoring.

I was pleased to see the announcement that the U.S. Government has entered into a settlement to clean up toxic remains of abandoned uranium mines on the Navajo Nation and elsewhere in the country.

I think this is historic, and I think it is going to make a big difference to the Navajo Nation.

I would like to say that the recent issues in the nuclear enterprise are very concerning.