Mr. Levin, the GAO conclusion is that SBIRS-High is still a program in trouble.

Mr. Levin, SBIRS-High is clearly a highly visible troubled program.

Secretary Teets, the GAO notes that between now and 2008, the DOD's estimated cost for space programs more than doubles going from $3.5 billion to $7.5 billion.

Make us feel better about this, that the two of you don't know anything about this

Clearly, we've already seen other countries try to deny us.

I don't understand, Mr. Secretary, why you decided to exempt all space programs from the full funding requirement.

The challenge is to have Congress have confidence in the cost.

Historically, space programs haven't done real well in their cost performance or their schedule performance.

Whenever you invite Senator McCain, it's never going to be boring.

It seemed that everybody in the world wouldn't allow there to be any reserves.

Mr. Secretary, do you expect to keep both contractors in the EELV for the next 5 years?

Will he have review of this formal process before it goes on up to the Secretary of Defense?

I certainly believe that the Government has to have the strong independent cost-estimating capability that Secretary Teets talked about.

I would encourage you to hurry up because NASA has to make some decisions pretty soon about what its follow-on vehicle--if we're going to have a manned space program, they're going to have to start deciding that pretty quick.

Sounds to me that this is unprecedented and will virtually guarantee that the space programs continue to be chronically underfunded.

Let's go back to your comment earlier that NASA and DOD are cooperating on the programs.

You will report to Secretary Wynne once he's confirmed or directly to OSD?

I suspect that Senator McCain might consider an offset of allowing both contractors to go forward in exchange for the resignation of some high level officers of the company.