But, again, was there any data that was different this go-around in this tabletop exercise than what we saw back in 2005?

Have we identified how much will actually be saved, where that comes from, whether it's in personnel reductions or from infrastructure cost reductions?

Can you think of any reason why you should not be able to accommodate that meeting?

Thank you, Mr. President. This is a good discussion on the floor today. I join with my colleague from California in urging that the House move to the Transportation bill. But that is not why I rise this afternoon. I wish to speak on the…

I also recognize that our wing commanders are there for very brief periods and then they move on.

What is the business justification for moving the Aggressor squadron from Eielson Air Force Base to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson?

I don't see anyone in the queue, if I may have another minute to wrap up. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

If there is any way to include a meeting with the mayor of the Fairbanks North Star Borough...

If we are really serious in the Senate about what we are doing in terms of increasing our long-overdue requirement to up our oil resources, our oil production and supply, we know how. We have opportunities from our neighbors to the north…

these are news stories, not editorials. One is from Platts Energy; the other is from the Wall Street Journal. Both detail an announcement from the British Government that it is going to reverse its own taxes on the oil companies. Last…

I would appreciate that a great deal.

But with this somewhat ad hoc realignment proposal that is now out there on the table for Eielson, it doesn't bring any of that assistance to the communities.

I'm concerned that what it looks like is we're trying to break Eielson down in small pieces to put it in a situation where it really doesn't stand on its own.

I appreciate that the Budget Control Act puts us in a very difficult spot.

There is an obligation for consultation. There is an obligation for that information.

Many up north feel that the Air Force, since it was not able to get this proposal through the BRAC Commission, is simply trying to accomplish this through a different means.

It seems to me that the Air Force is taking the position that it can avoid the intent of either of these two statutes.

I write in strong support of the nomination of Chairman Tony Clark from the North Dakota Public Service Commission to be a Commissioner to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (``FERC'').

I'm going to talk about fish. When we talked prior to your nomination, I told you that this was my priority within the Commerce Department, and I wanted to make it your priority.

Now is not the time to be putting new programs onto the books, when we're effectively shortchanging the very, very important efforts.

this DEIS could significantly alter the framework of what is, hopefully, anticipated there in the Arctic.

I appreciate your statement and the reassurance that we're not going to see a downgrade in these very important stock assessments.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for scheduling this hearing today and for an opportunity to bring up a bill that I have introduced, S. 1898.

Okay. I would appreciate a very prompt response and would look forward to that.

This legislation is vital for the future of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo.