This was not environmental. It was funding.

As a Senator from Louisiana I am particularly interested in the analysis and testimony on the subject of natural gas.

In fact, U.S. natural gas is the most expensive in the industrialized world.

The political stability of the gulf, the trained work force that is in the gulf all lead to trying to promote production in the Gulf of Mexico.

I do have concerns about getting out of the fire into the frying pan with the same dependency outside our State.

If we want it to come domestically, I think we need to get clear about what the real potential is in the Gulf and act accordingly based on what is politically possible, scientifically sound, and environmentally responsible.

We would like to help the country get a greater supply.

the Government of the United States is responsible for the depths of the channels.

While U.S. chemical makers have lost an estimated 78,000 jobs since natural gas prices began to rise in 2000.

Well, and I realize that, and I know that you all have worked a great deal on this, and I am not going to reach any conclusion.

But if the funding, you know, is short, then it puts a crimp in this particular formula.

I want to just reiterate again how much of a pleasure it is for me to work with Senator DeWine.

Because both of these projects are so important, and I am just wondering maybe, Ms. Gallagher or Mr. Lindstrom, things that Congress does and can undo, things that Congress does and can change--you know, it is not--anything is not in stone.

We commend you all for the work that is ongoing, and we look forward to continuing the partnership in that regard.

I think it would be a great misuse of our donors' money to now revisit the idea of moving elsewhere.

It can help to build a new initiative in the City that strengthens families, protects children from harm and expedites life changing and sometimes threatening decisions.

I want to support the chairman. I think those deadlines are tight, but there is a real need to work this out.

I also express, again, the importance, at least from our perspective, Mr. Chairman, of the focus on establishing the new Family Court.