Thank you very much, Admiral. I wish that you will convey to your Special Forces operators our great respect and appreciation for what they're doing.

As I suggested in my opening statement, there's an issue of, as we draw down in Iraq, conventional forces redeploying and there's the expectation that SOF elements will help us make that transition and continue our presence there.

the non-availability of force enablers has become SOCOM's 'most vexing issue in the operational environment.'

I understand your proposal does include registration of advisors to hedge funds, which is legislation that I proposed and I think it is on the right track.

Very briefly, let me first express my view that the release of the OLC opinions was proper, was necessary, and was wise.

It is incredible to me that it has taken 50 years since the Surgeon General made this a priority.

In the fiscal year 2010 budget the President has requested $26 million for the VA to work in partnership with HUD, Labor, Education, HHS, Small Business and nonprofits to reduce homelessness.

You will be in charge of that for the Veterans Administration, is that the way the concept is?

This is something we've got to do, and I want to work with you and I'm sure all my colleagues do.

The winds of change have blown and under the Obama administration science is resuming its rightful place in public policy.

Like funding for food stamps and unemployment insurance, LIHEAP provides a significant multiplier effect that is important in helping to bring us out of this recession.

Would you support LIHEAP funding at the $5.1 billion allowed under the budget resolution?

I hope that you will do this in a year.

The task force has, in the Federal Register, filed a notice requesting public comments on the President's memorandum and its six guiding principles.

How do we write a policy or pursue a standard of oversight that allows for some degree of management of the function of employees in talking to the media?

I think we have a number of these issues swirling around.

We need to have robust funding in the base program.

I think one of the most important things is going to be to draft an agency-wide media policy.