The programs to upgrade our military financial system so that we can track our dollars and ensure we spend money effectively are themselves behind schedule and over budget.

I do not think we wish to imply that no progress has been made, obviously, there are some pockets of encouraging progress and that is welcomed and hopefully we will see a good deal more.

It is a real frustration, just getting something done.

I also understand the importance of ensuring that our Federal dollars are well spent, especially during a time of record budget deficits.

We are going to have hearings. We are not going to have them every day or every week or every month on this subject, but we will have them at least every year if I get to be the Chairman of this Committee or Subcommittee for a little bit…

I want us to focus more on the need to stop doing that.

today, as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, I offer a piece of legislation, along with my distinguished colleagues Senators Warner, Akaka…

We are a country trying to get out of a recession.

We need to go after all kinds of waste, fraud, abuse, improper spending, and all that.

I thought it went way overboard.

It was declared unconstitutional by the courts.

I am not sure if we will have a chance to vote on this proposal this year.

We need this freeze on overall domestic discretionary spending.

Our legislation is more measured.

A couple of us on this Committee, Senator McCain, Senator Russell Feingold, who is not on this Committee...

I would just note, Mr. Chairman, for the record that this is not a Democratic or a Republican idea.

I was pleased to hear that some of the folks are going back to work building cars, trucks, and vans, and very good ones as well.

Without dreams, there is no reason to work. Without work, there is no reason to dream.

The White House recently announced an initiative to establish a nationwide Do Not Pay List.

We are trying to create almost... a culture of thrift, the idea that we have these huge deficits and we have to look in every nook and cranny.

I understand that the Inspector General noted that we could easily avoid billions in overpayments with a fairly small increase in oversight investment.

The importance of data sharing in the government. We are one government, but we are thousands of stovepipes.

The legislation the President signed last month says not only do we want some Federal agencies, we want all Federal agencies to identify improper payments.

Second question, what steps can the Federal Government take to ensure that the next generation of dispersants in the Gulf are greener and maybe even more environmentally friendly than the ones we are already using?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My thanks to both you and Senator Boxer for holding the hearing.