Lisa Murkowski

Well, Mr. Chairman, I know that the GAO has been closely involved in reviewing these administrative-- not only the administrative problems, but some of the staffing issues.

And in what areas would those be, these new ones that you are announcing?

Let me ask one more question before I turn it back to my colleagues here, and this is on the civilian staffing.

Do you think you are going to have a clean report again this year?

I also understand that there were problems with the payroll processing, the need to make sure that we have got timekeeping records that are adequate.

I know that the inspector general has recently reported that you didn't have adequate spending controls on travel.

How are we going to ensure that we will have proper management of the procurement to ensure that once we identify what that cost is that we stay on budget and on time?

So it is getting worse.

I would agree it seems extraordinarily high, and I think it is important that we fully understand and appreciate all that is going into this.

Mr. Chairman, I have other questions for Chief Morse, but in deference to my colleagues, I will yield to them at this time.

I think that would be important to take a look at those and determine if we need more folks now in the IT and tech support.

You think that if we have got the smart technology, you don't need to have as many human beings behind it.

I think it is important that we exercise fiscal discipline and that we lead by example.

Interior must make advancing a responsible and efficient program for our OCS resources in Alaska and elsewhere a priority.

I tell you this is not a job that I envy.

I am gratified that the log jam of seems to have broken on the nominees at the Department of the Interior and Energy as well.

We look forward to working with you.

I just wanted to mention we all recognize, as we are talking about climate change, what we are seeing with the ocean acidification as one of the greatest threats to climate change.

If NMFS is unable to do the survey because they do not have adequate funding, the implications on a huge industry can be quite sizable.

We want to keep it that way.

I believe it has become a prime example of how Government should operate.

It is a privilege to have another westerner sitting in this very important seat as Secretary of Commerce.

Just go to Alaska and walk around and see what's happening to the permafrost there.

We recognize that the Native people who are asking for recognition via S. 784 have long histories and traditions in this region.

We must vigorously oppose proposals which attack the Tongass as a result.