I think people should play by the rules. The rules have been set up in a certain way, and if people are not going by the rules, I got a problem with that.

This is America. Everybody on this--in this committee has fired people. Everybody.

We have been able to, I think, straighten out GSA.

I think that we must pause for one moment and give credit where credit is due, to you Mr. Chairman and to this entire committee.

We can do better. And we will.

Would you define what is left and what is right? No, I'm serious.

the idea that the IRS has an impact on every single family in America, and the idea that people are feeling more and more vulnerable with regard to their information being distributed all over the Internet

I'm a big defender of Federal workers, because I think a lot of times they are criticized when they should not be.

It would be legislative malpractice if we did not bring Mr. Shulman in here to ask him to explain to us.

But the people who are the experts didn't contribute to making the decision about what should be cut or not?

I am concerned with the amount of resources being dedicated to addressing new regulations related to Fukushima, that there is a possibility that the NRC will fail to address potential safety issues that exist at our plants today.

I believe that collegiality has returned to the NRC under your leadership and I want to thank you for that.

We need a nominee who will take a thoughtful approach to addressing these issues and we need a nominee that will recognize that the regulations beyond Tier 1 can be costly to the industry and yield in terms of actual safety benefits.

The Washington vision is a vision that says nuclear energy must take a back seat to other forms of energy, despite the industry's proven track record of reliability and affordability.

I believe we need a nominee who would proceed cautiously on these proposals.

Since I came to the Senate, I have worked closely with my colleagues to ensure that nuclear energy can continue to be a vital part of America's energy mix.

Thank you for the courtesy. I wanted to have the opportunity to reintroduce Dr. Macfarlane to our Committee.

I have long been a supporter of Yucca Mountain and I continue to believe that the project should move forward.