I look forward to getting briefed by the chairman on his recent visit and just want to encourage our work.

We can't drill our way back to $2 or $3 gasoline.

In my view, Mr. Chairman, we're never going to get clear, as long as we continue to talk around and throw statistics out that try to make both sides look good.

I think it is a major departure, but an important departure, Mr. Chairman, that I am sure you are aware the Secretary and Dr. Shah have been developing.

You know that 98 percent of our offshore is limited to drilling. We can't even explore there.

We need to get a more aggressive drilling policy in this country.

Louisiana constituents, particularly younger Louisianans, have been contacting my office nonstop in support of the 'Kony 2012' movement.

I want to express my gratitude for your work as First Lady, Senator, and now as Secretary of State on behalf of children living outside of family care.

I believe that our country's aid to developing countries will be ineffective if it does not incorporate initiatives to strengthen child welfare systems.

I just think that it's important for us to be clear about what our situation is.

I have to continue to express this to you privately and publically.

The facts are that drilling on public lands are down, and they need to be increased.

Senator Landrieu knows so full well.

Senator Leahy has supported this set-aside in the budget.

I particularly want to be supportive.

a couple of hundred million dollars for orphans and vulnerable children.

How are we justifying this reduction, and are you concerned about it?

I want my colleagues to know.