Richard Shelby

I think it's critical that Inspectors General have that ability to make the decision for themselves, and legislation obviously would clear it up entirely.

I think that we need to make sure, under all circumstances, that you and your fellow Inspector Generals have unfettered access to documents that could root out wrongdoing in any Department.

If you have to go to the head of the Department... to approve what you're seeking, it seems that could be... an impediment to doing your job.

We want to make sure you have the tools to do your job, because the Inspector General... we created that position for a reason.

Thank you, Mr. Inspector General. We appreciate the work you're doing, your dedication.

We want to protect the Constitution, we want to protect the people against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

But, the Inspector General at the Department of Justice couldn't do his job unless they had unfettered access to stuff he was seeking.

I think Congress has been clear, as has this committee, that the Inspector General must have unfettered access to any and all documents necessary to carry out his duties.

And if there's any change in the laws on sentencing, it came from Congress--it had come from Congress to modify, repeal, or enact something to supersede it, is that correct?

I'm talking about after they're sentenced, they're sentenced on--based on a statute, are they not?

Do you believe it's the--when you make priorities, as a prosecutor, that you should look at violent crime and get people off the street, get them out of doing harm to other people in institutions first?

Do you believe that a lot of our prisons are overcrowded, State and Federal?

About a third, more or less----

The 2015 budget requires cuts totaling more than $500 million.

I'm concerned that, while the Department's 2015 budget purports to recognize the multifaceted nature of the Department's work, it fails to truly prioritize anything but the administration's pet projects.

When the history is written of the NIH, there will be a chapter that is entitled 'The Porter-Harkin-Specter' chapter

Of all of your accomplishments, you probably created more good for the world with that undertaking

How important is that in the research field, whatever it might be, immunization, or neurological, cancer, you name it.

Because it is a human being which you are working on ultimately to help save, right?

But is there a real substitute--none of us want to be cruel and inhumane to animals.

This reduction could result in fewer people receiving treatment during an influenza pandemic and fewer people receiving post-exposure treatment following exposure to anthrax.

Why is the Children's GME program targeted for such a significant reduction?

It is entirely reasonable to expect the Secretary to explain how she spent money previously allocated to her Department.

We have to make tough decisions. I hope we make some wise ones.

If American students are going to compete in a global economy, they must succeed in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.