I do not want our country to lose the edge in the development of alternative energy, particularly offshore wind, because our permitting process is so slow and cumbersome.

Well, I guess the point that I would make is the Department has done a first-rate job of implementing this law. It has made a difference by your own assessment.

I want to thank the Department for the work that you've been doing to try to provide some assistance.

This is a matter of life and death. That's what I don't understand.

We have got to know. It's got to be independently verified.

Yes, we're looking at it now, but where were you then?

We have an obligation to determine precisely where these massive breakdowns occurred that obviously with both the company and the Federal agency that failed to do their own due diligence.

I would like to stay on the topic of dairy and speak about cattle health.

We're just asking that the full rulemaking process be followed so that we can have the opportunity for input.

It is an important issue. We did receive some funding, but this year the State--the conservationist, the head of NRCS, has allocated the AMA irrigation funds for other purposes.

Reduction to Border Patrol Premium Pay and Agent Staffing--CBP requests a reduction of $31.7 million in premium pay and agent staffing.

I do not think that was a credible answer.

I worry that we are waiting for a cyber 9/11 before taking this as seriously as we must.

when I hear that the cyber budget is cut by $19 million, it really concerns me.

The Inspector General has told us that the budget that you are presenting would 'significantly inhibit' his ability to carry out the operations of his office and to lead the fight on waste, fraud, and abuse.

it is a safe assumption that Congress is not going to appropriate $200 million to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in New York City.

the Administration thankfully has reversed course

This Committee worked very closely with the Department's Inspector General (IG) in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and working with the Inspector General, we were able to identify nearly $1 billion in wasteful and fraudulent spending, which…