I am pleased that NASA appears to be moving forward with the development of the Space Launch System.

NASA is one of the most publicly-recognized agencies in the Federal Government and an inspiration to young people around the world.

With this budget proposal, we have a significant challenge ahead of us but I believe that with some direction and greater accountability, NASA's endeavors can be successful.

But, General, my emphasis is on the rocket itself, specifically, not all the ancillary things, the components.

We just know that this is a deviation from the regular government contracts. We want to make sure that NASA spends our money wisely.

there's just no reason this program should continue, given its history of extensive waste and abuse.

This sounds like a great arrangement for the companies but I don't believe it is a great arrangement for the taxpayer.

I strongly believe that this country must continue to push the science and engineering envelope while maintaining focus on current investments.

I have serious doubts about NASA's dedication to truly developing a heavy launch capability.

This budget focuses too heavily on maintaining the fiction of privately funded commercial cargo and crew vehicles.

This country has finite resources to invest and while we are committed to NASA's mission, subjecting mission critical activities to shoestring budgets because a more exciting idea has come along is not wise.

That's a large swing in the cost model that raises questions, I think, whether the difference is attributed to cost savings or is it a lack of commitment to the mission?

NASA has used Space Act Agreements rather than traditional Federal Government contracts to execute the commercial cargo and crew programs.

In other words, we're concerned, and I hope there's not a lot of ground for it, about SLS, the rocket itself, not the component.

If you're the one that's paying the bill and they're doing it, it looks to me like you should be in control of the destiny of that to a point, through the contract system.

I'm concerned, General Bolden, that the budget before us is an example of chasing the next great idea while sacrificing current investments.

These are important lands that possess critical wildlife habitat, clean water and other scenic values.

I'd like to express my appreciation for the extensive effort that John and his staff made to work with all the stakeholders involved and to develop the original bill in 2009.