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

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

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

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.

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

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

I would be a strong advocate that when programs are initiated that there be full recognition of the funding required to do the program at that time.

The question specifically is, will there be a regular formal process by which OSD ensures that these programs are meeting the requirements, they're on schedule, and they're within budget?

But the funding requirement isn't written down. It's not a specific funding requirement.

When you shape up those figures, would you share them with the committee?

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.

We may have the beginning of a serious failure of oversight here.

Do you understand that there are those kinds of reserves in this program, or are they not?

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.