your first priority is to prevent the law from expiring?

I was making very clear that it was Congress' prerogative to reauthorize the law.

I believe the Department has developed an effective approach for both identifying high-risk chemical facilities and assessing the security risks associated with them.

there now seems to be general agreement that CFATS is making a positive contribution to our national and homeland security and should be continued.

is an effective program for addressing the security risks associated with the Nation's high-risk chemical facilities and is helping to make our country more secure.

From talking to many experts in this field, it seems that there is a great deal of dispute...

I want to thank our witnesses today for helping us understand this complex issue.

The Long Creek watershed near Portland, Maine is one of the first in the Nation being required to reduce nonpoint source pollution under the Clean Water Act.

In my State of Maine, we have a 60-day permitting period for new technology research, development, and demonstration projects.

I hope that as MMS looks at leasing opportunities on the OCS for renewable resources, that you will revise the draft regulations which do not include the Gulf of Maine at this time.

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.

My State of Maine has some of the strongest offshore wind resources in the Nation, as well as the scientific and manufacturing capacity to lead the Nation in developing new composite materials for deep water offshore wind turbines.

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

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

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.

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

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

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