Before we conclude the hearing, I would like to add into the record of this proceeding the statement of our distinguished Chairman, Senator Patrick Leahy, in favor of these nominees.

history has shown that what is right and what is popular may from time to time diverge

I will now call on Senator Mark Udall of Colorado to make an introduction of his nominee.

I agree with Senator Sessions about the importance of there being a rigorous and formal method for making the determination as to whether a case should proceed in civilian courts or in military tribunals.

I disagree with him that the military tribunal is the right answer in every case; I disagree with him that Mirandizing people is the wrong answer in every case.

I think it is a very valuable tool, and I assume that all of you would support mandatory DNA testing of violent criminals.

That is the area where the prioritization would make the most sense?

I have just a minute or so left and two more questions.

Let the record reflect that all five heads were nodding in agreement.

I meant mandatory testing of every single violent criminal.

There are a lot of certified agencies operating systems that are not that good.

There has been a number of incidents since 2006 that I think have heightened awareness toward strategy that have even occurred in the last 10 or 12 months.

I would presume that in the new Federal role that is proposed, either the Federal agency or the delegated authority to the State with Federal support would, as a minimum, certify these systems as being functional.

I appreciate that. It helps clarify your intentions.

If we subsidized these transit systems at the rate we subsidize the airline infrastructure and the road infrastructure, these problems might be self-correcting because the money would be adequate to do this.

The thrust of the legislation is to have a transit system independent safety oversight body.

In that 2006 review of GAO, you made recommendations but you did not recommend a Federal Government takeover, as proposed in this legislation.

I would think--and I am not an expert, but that seldom stops us from asking questions.