Executive privilege was used as a stonewall, and frankly they didn't care whether the theories were true or not.

I have a special regard for the Department of Justice. I know it to be an essential bulwark of our democracy and our freedom.

I have been a persistent and animated critic of what has happened to the Department of Justice under Attorney General Ashcroft, Attorney General Gonzales, and Attorney General Mukasey.

The firewall between the White House and the Department of Justice.

I think that whole question requires a fairly thorough review of where we've been.

I don't think they get past the laugh test, frankly.

The number ran up close to 800 that were contained in that facility. About more than two-thirds of those detained have already been released by the previous administration.

Obviously, that's not my understanding of what rule of law means, nor of what Executive Orders amount to.

It has operational and political value because of the sovereignty problem.

I have many disagreements with Attorney General Mukasey, but to his credit, he put that firewall back up.

If you have ways to suggest that we could change that to make those reviews more effective, I know I would be open to hear those thoughts.

I believe such outsourcing of defense contracts runs against both U.S. national security and economic interests, eroding our defense industrial base, costing jobs and stunting economic growth.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Chairman Volcker, for not only your testimony, but for your service on this G-30 Commission as well as so many other commissions.

If something is going to change, we in Congress have to change it. We need to do it now and we need to do it in a way that sticks.

But I think you are quite correct that this is the next area for these investigations to go.

I believe the DOD can play a dual role of investing in advanced research and manufacturing of new energy technologies.

Secretary Gates, do you plan on focusing more effort on energy research and on investing in manufacturing of advanced energy technologies?

What are the major challenges you see facing DOD laboratories and technical centers as they seek to stay technically competitive with their Federal, industry, academic, and global peers?