Everything is unusual.

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

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.

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

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.

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…

Appreciate you responding to that.

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

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

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.

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

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

How difficult do you imagine it will be?

The bill before us would place that responsibility squarely on the shoulders of the Federal Government for a number of demonstration projects.

We've authorized many programs at DOE to advance carbon sequestration technologies between FutureGen, the Clean Coal Power Initiative, the Regional Partnerships.

I think we all recognize that the advancement of carbon sequestration technology is a very important task.

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?

Well, I am pleased to see that there is a greater level of communication.

the community's concerns about how these dollars are going to be spent are good and fair and legitimate.

The Alaska Legislature recently authorized Governor Palin to seek VA funding to establish Alaska's first State Veterans Cemetery.

I believe that this legislation will provide flexibility as well as certainty that heating oil currently sitting in New England will be used when it is most essential to the region's population.

we don't have a policy, a stated policy, as to when the SPR, when there should be a drawdown.

I appreciate that, not only your comments but, Mr.

Mr. Book, any comment on cost?

We want to work with you on that. I would extend the offer again to come up to Alaska and see for yourselves.