"we need to have the nice to and the need to, the absolute have to have, versus what we would--you and us, you and I and perhaps the other members of this committee, would like to have."
"would you please be very specific in writing to the committee as to exactly what you need, when you need it, in order to get these things up and operational?"
"I personally thank you for your efforts to clarify a longstanding controversial issue that has been with this country for well over 40 years now, and that is the application of the Clean Water Act."
"Apparently, that has not yet been achieved, at least among the members of this committee and a good portion of the public."
"When my constituents come to you with--asking for clarification, will you listen to them and will you take that under advice and, if appropriate, make modifications?"
"Is it the final rule?"
"I have a large agricultural district. I have got plenty of water, like 200 miles of the Sacramento River Valley, including the river, and a lot of questions."
"You have proposed a rule. Is it the final rule?"
"I believe the Arctic represents--and Mr. Garamendi does, as well--an opportunity for us to think outside the box."
"From my perspective, however, two questions are the most pertinent to ask. First, is the United States aggressively maintaining its competitive edge in both basic and applied ocean research?"
"The fact that I am even raising these questions should be alarming."
"The science--the Federal funding for science programs in this particular area, in the oceans and ocean observation, often wind up at research facilities like Hoover or Scripps."