I do not doubt or deny the need for the expansion of executive authority, but I think there has to be a check and a balance.

We are living in an era of extraordinary expansion of executive authority.

We have to be very careful when we exclude the judicial process in the determination of these issues.

Regrettably, the congressional oversight factor has been totally ineffective in restraining the expansion of executive authority.

I regret that I have to excuse myself. We are very heavily engaged right now with the U.S. Attorneys.

Do we have to be in the middle of the pandemic before the rules are issued?

The budget resolution does contain an increase this year of $1.3 billion and Senator Harkin and I added an amendment to increase the budget resolution for $2.2 billion more.

We will provide the kinds of resources you need to the maximum extent of our capabilities, which is now more limited than it used to be.

I share the concern about the budget. I know we live in an era of severe budget constraints.

These reentry programs and the legislation that is pending now on second chance, these, I think, are of the highest priority.

Well, it looks to me as if the rejection of that petition may have been decided by someone at a lesser level than the Secretary.

We are right in the middle of our new immigration bill, which is a very high priority for the President.

It impacts directly upon juvenile crime. As does the $55 million cut in the Job Corps.

Now we have finally found something we agree upon. That is as ridiculous as it sounds.

Shouldn't there be protections in place to protect workers, in case there is a pandemic? Shouldn't we be prepared.

The funding for the migrant and seasonal farm workers program has been eliminated. Almost $80 million.

it is not inappropriate to raise a question.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman for convening this important hearing and thank you, Dr. Hodes, Dr. Katz, Dr. Nabel, and Dr. Rodgers for joining us this morning to explore the needs of your various Institutes and the impact of the budget cuts…