The Department of Defense is the largest consumer of energy in America and I believe in the entire world with a fuel bill for petroleum alone of over $17 billion in 2011.

I would appreciate maybe when I ask my questions, if I could use a couple minutes before I ask questions to do that.

We reduced our petroleum consumption last year by 8 percent in 1 year, and we are on track to meet or exceed all Federal mandates for petroleum reduction, alternative fuel use, and alternate vehicle use.

A question, if I could, for Mr. Hicks.

As we say in the Navy, Bravo Zulu, go get 'em.

One of my top priorities this year, which I share with President Obama and many of our colleagues, is to continue to support initiatives that spur job growth, initiatives that help create what I call a nurturing environment where…

I believe this legislation will help the Federal Government lead by example and demonstrate to the American people that energy efficiency efforts are a gateway to job growth and can pay real dividends in saving both money and our…

The Federal Government can lead by example by embracing new clean energy technologies.

One of my top priorities this year--which I share with President Obama--is to continue to support initiatives that spur job growth and create a nurturing environment where communities in Delaware and beyond can create a solid foundation…

I believe, for the most part, the President's budget is a responsible solution to ensure our continued economic recovery and long-term economic growth, providing for a brighter future for Delaware families.

I wish to follow my colleague from Alabama and speak for just a few minutes about our friend and colleague, Senator Mikulski, who celebrates her milestone through her public service to the people of Maryland. I asked my staff to go to the…

However, I am concerned that President Obama's budget makes cuts to very effective programs within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that not only clean our environment and protect our health but also spur economic growth.

How do we get a better result for less money about almost everything that we do?

They cannot be that smart; we cannot be that dumb.

Find out what works. Do more of that.

We have worked on to try to move away from a culture of spendthrift, more toward a culture of thrift.

if we do not have good financial controls, if we do not have the ability to actually track money, I mean, we are doomed.

Thanks again for your leadership, for being here today, and for the spirit that you bring to your job.

I just want to commend you and the folks who work for you who have taken your Department to this point in time.

I believe that your Department budget takes really a giant step in this direction, cutting, I am told, more than $850 million in administrative costs and duplicative programs for fiscal year 2013.

the Department of Homeland Security has announced that they are going to be audit ready this year.

If we do not do something about reining those in, we are doomed, on Medicare and Medicaid and so forth.

I think we can be smart, to avert the hammer on our heads.

We have models in our country of communities working together to meet these challenges.

We should be a little harder.