Lisa Murkowski

Yet for purposes of a renewable electricity standard, you know, we're putting all kinds of barriers in front of hydro itself.

I was born in a rain forest. I was born in the Tongass National Forest in the Ketchikan General Hospital.

Nuclear is absolutely carbon free in terms of its emissions, so why we aren't seeing more support from the administration on it?

We'd welcome that opportunity.

If we don't have the science, we're not doing right by our initiatives.

I think as we talk about how we create all these wonderful jobs and the opportunities and build out the green technologies, we've got to be very cognizant of this issue.

Oil and coal companies and interests have spent hundreds of millions of dollars in an effort to convince the American people that they are focused on solving our energy and climate crisis.

I have always believed and I continue to believe the President deserves to have the people of his choice to fill the key positions in the administration.

I first learned of this project on Friday, May 22, after I expressed concern that none of the $215 million in Office of Rural Health Projects announced that week would have any significant effect on Alaska's access problems.

I just want to understand because $18.5 million is not unreasonable in terms of a technology request.

We have been pushing--we share a border with Canada, and we have been urging Alaskans for the past 18 months to aggressively get your passport now.

You have mentioned a couple of different times the collaboration between GPO and the State Department as it relates to the passports with the electronic chip.

Appreciate you responding to that.

Is 1,200 requests from Congress about average? Are we seeing an ever-increasing number of requests?

The individuals that you have indicated that you are going to be bringing on to be responsive to oversight with the Reinvestment Act, how many of the 109 additional staff that you are looking for in this budget are actually going to be…

I feel my job, as a legislator, now that that money is either out on the street or getting out there, we are charged with making sure that there is that level of accountability.

Which I think is appropriate, and you should be doing.

Everything is unusual.

I would agree with you, Mr. Chairman, that I am skeptical about the need for large increases for the legislative branch.

I don't like the mean part, but nothing wrong with a little leanness here.

I appreciate your comments, Mr. Tapella, about kind of where or how the GPO is actually changing in terms of what it is dealing with and basically staying current and looking for those business opportunities.

Well, I appreciate the explanation that you have given, Dr. Elmendorf.

It seemed, as you were going through earlier, you mentioned that it would be to help monitor and follow and produce the reports that are requested under TARP, auditors for Fannie and Freddie for the Bank Insurance Fund, and then the…

I do recognize, fully recognize that these three agencies perform very important functions, serve the entire Federal Government, not just the legislative branch.

Is this about the right number? Is it too high or is it too low in terms of the number of demonstration projects that will be necessary to prove out the viability of carbon capture and sequestration?