the leadership involvement and emphasis is so critical.

I can remember a day not that long ago when someone would accuse you of being transparent, it was not a compliment.

Well, good. It sounds like this is a problem that could take years to finish out, so it looks like we will have you around for a little while.

The plan totaled some $787 billion over a couple of years, much of it in the form of tax cuts for working Americans.

I have heard estimates for improper payments for Medicare and Medicaid combined on an annual basis, estimates that go up as high as $60 billion a year, maybe even more.

I thank the Senator from Colorado, Mr. Udall, and his staff for arranging this opportunity for us to speak on what is a far more important issue than I would have imagined, oh, 20 years ago. Before I came to the Senate, in 2001, I was…

I had the privilege of visiting, almost a year ago, the Cleveland Clinic. The Cleveland Clinic is one of a number of well-known, highly respected health delivery systems in this country... They have demonstrated the ability to provide…

What does the Congress need to do?

Work with the Army, support this initiative financially, and help us, help the Army to get this system back off of rain delay and get it completed, sir.

As Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, I have been to the Gulf and seen first-hand the environmental and economic impacts of the BP oil disaster.

Obviously, we need to do everything we can to help the people of the region, and we need to make sure that we do everything we can to get a restoration plan that repairs the damage that has been done.

Maybe we can hammer something out here before you are ready to ride off into the sunrise.

When you state that the EPA plans to move forward on an additional Transport Rule next year to help States meet the new ozone standards that will be finalized, I think, in August, are you saying that EPA will be looking to tighten the…

Let me follow up with this, if I could.

Is that an area where perhaps that could be brought to bear?

I believe this Congress needs to pass bipartisan legislation that I co-authored along with Senator Alexander and 14 others of our colleagues, Democrats and Republicans.

And you suggest that the health and welfare benefits could be quantified. And you put a range on it, $120 billion to $290 billion annually.

Air pollution causes serious health effects, including asthma, cancer, brain damage--even death.

I am anxious to hear the testimony of each of our witnesses.

My concerns lead me to believe that this EPA action is even more reason for Congress to pass the Carper-Alexander legislation that would establish a national program with stronger permanent reductions in SO2 and NOx emissions and eliminate…

The bipartisan Clean Air Act Amendments of 2010 is cosponsored by 6 Republicans, 8 Democrats, and an Independent Senator.

Air pollution knows no State boundaries.

We very much appreciate your being here today. Thanks for your work. Our best to Ohio.

On page 2 of your testimony you talk about how the proposed Transport Rule would prevent 14,000 to 36,000 premature deaths annually.

We are looking at a budget deficit; we basically doubled our Nation's debt from 2001 to 2008.