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?

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.

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

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

Will you furnish some details on all this to the subcommittee?

The fiscal year 2014 budget aspires to do many new, innovative, and exciting things, yet it proposes, General Bolden, no additional funding.

I have long been a supporter of public-private partnerships that use Federal dollars to leverage private resources.

Well, some of us are concerned about the funding necessary for the SLS rocket development and, of course, the other components.

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.

I believe that with some direction and some accountability, NASA's endeavors can be successful and inspire future generations.