is it possible to have economic growth and job creation and still protect the environment?

I think when you look at how much money we invest, the Federal dollars that we invest in protecting the Delaware River Estuary, I think it is pretty modest by Federal standards, by like $1 million.

We really appreciate your giving us a chance to talk a little bit about the legislation some of us have introduced.

NFWF is a true--not rhetorical--investment in that $1 of Federal expense returns multiple dollars back from the private sector.

What do you want to accomplish, and how would you go about measuring progress?

We continue to work on it because everything we do we know we could do better.

Active conservation comes down to someone who must do the work, and often that is the landowner.

Despite being a major economic, environmental, and recreational asset, the Delaware River Basin watershed region does not have a Federal program charged with leading conservation and restoration efforts in the region.

Last week Senator Lautenberg and I were sitting here and we were having a hearing on mercury.

I think we are.

The programs you consider today show that responsibilities are being shared in a way resembling infrastructure policy.

Part of what we are trying to do is to make sure that the names of beneficiaries stay out of the hands of the bad guys.

NAWCA is a cost share arrangement between private and State partners that raise money for wetland conservation.

I just look forward to working with you. And Senator Grassley and I have put a lot of years into this.

He has been on the vanguard of senior rights for a lot of years.

Senator Grassley and I have proposed an effort to open up the Medicare database.

the fact that you are constantly looking for ways to beef up the fight against fraud and these kinds of rip-offs is really appreciated.

The technology is remarkable. The innovation is amazing, and, you know, we here in Congress are just trying to keep up with what's going on out there.