Richard Shelby

What we can do with the ARRA money is now begin to accelerate our translational research program.

I believe we must work toward the goal of increasing the overall Federal investment in basic research and development, and I applaud Senator Harkin in his work in this regard.

NASA's committed to Ares-V.

Because some of the people on our staff are concerned about this.

If constellation is moving forward, then why is Ares-V, the heavy-lift rocket, that is essential to landing a man on the Moon, being delayed?

The reality is that rocket science is hard. It is not a cheap venture, and it is not without risk.

The proposed budget, while addressing issues of climate change, unmanned exploration, and aeronautics research, shortchanges our most visible and inspiring space program, manned space flight.

This is a sizeable sum considering the funding constraints that the Federal Government faces, yet it still does not begin to provide enough for NASA to do all of the critical missions it has been asked to do.

The proposed budget--while addressing issues of climate change, unmanned exploration and aeronautics research--shortchanges, I believe, our most viable and visible and inspiring manned space flight program.

Don't you think you need--if section 505 of the omnibus prohibits funding for new activities, did you consider that?

The Congress explicitly provided $400 million to the exploration program in 2009 economic stimulus bill to close the gap between the Shuttle and constellation programs, as I understand it.

A fictional space program will always be faster, better, and cheaper than a real space program, but it won't be one.

Rather than rush such a monumental decision, any suggested changes should inform the development of the 2011 budget.

It's my understanding that section 505 of the omnibus clearly prohibits funding for new activities.

I would have trouble supporting a budget that is poised to eliminate a real manned space program and instead maintains the fantasy of one.

Without even a nominee for Administrator, this administration has chosen to let their budget proposal be the face of NASA until a successful nominee is confirmed.

You've got to have it, hadn't you?

This is a sizable sum with our budget, considering the funding constraints that the Federal Government faces.

The proposed budget has welcome increases in the areas of science and exploration, and maintains aeronautics funding at an acceptable level.

I understand that, but the Congress makes mistakes.

But when banks have a role in selecting who their regulator is going to be, that seems a problem in the making.

Do you believe that is a fair system in today's 21st century considering all the conflicts?

In light of the Fed's--and you played a role in it--the Fed's track record, don't you think there is a significant risk that in the name of systemic risk regulation the Fed would subordinate its bank regulatory and monetary policy…

I hope we will have another round, but the Fed's role, in your last job before you became Secretary of the Treasury, as President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, you had bank examination and enforcement responsibilities and…

How are you going to liquidate or sell parts or all of AIG and quit using the taxpayers' money?