After last year's significant increase in the National Institutes of Health, it's time to again make research funding a national priority.

The Committee will come to order.

Because of the Bureau's structure and the means by which it is financed, it remains one of least accountable agencies in the Federal Government.

This Thursday, we will hear from Director Richard Cordray.

We respectfully request that you make it a funding priority to include $8,000,000 for the NOAA Marine Debris Program.

I believe enforcing the law is important to maintain confidence in our markets and to deter misconduct.

I hope that the President will follow the law, the Dodd-Frank Act, which Senator Warren had a lot of influence in.

The simple fact, I believe, is this: that the administration prioritized funding elsewhere in the Government's budget.

I find it disturbing that NASA's true priorities are not better reflected in an honest budget.

You have consistently challenged NASA to be better, and because of your leadership, NASA has better served America's drive for exploring space and making new discoveries.

It is my belief in my 44 years of experience that public housing is itself a failed business model.

Without these funds, I believe NASA's ability to reach far beyond Earth's orbit is at risk of delay and cost escalation.