Bill Nelson

Would the Senator believe that in the Gulf of Mexico, of all the production there, the percentage is even worse in all those acres that are under lease, which is 32 million acres.

But I always worry about a study that's not done, in anticipation we're going to authorize and/or appropriate money on the assumption of what the study's going to say before we have the actual conclusions of the study, if you follow my…

One of the things we always want to pursue is reassessment of our needs as circumstances change.

A lot of the progress made is fragile, and I am very concerned about it being reversible as well.

Wouldn't it make most sense to look at our bases globally first, not just here at home?

I hope we can continue to work toward funding at that level.

Well, I know. But if you can realign there without the legislation in place, because it does not affect the same group of constituents that it affects here at home--it is in lieu of politics, in place of politics or because of politics…

Well, it does have a certain amount of politics in it, or it would not be applied just in U.S. facilities and not applied to overseas facilities.

I think there is an expectation that you expect savings as a consequence of closing and realignment.

Well, it is very difficult to realign, to transition in the midst of war.

If it is going to be about realignment, it ought to be, I think, done internally with expertise.

What seems to be the thought of some folks is, I will sacrifice until your last base.

What we have done with this process is injected politics into it in a way that I think is very difficult.

Repealing Jackson-Vanik takes away this tool and opens Russia to U.S. competition, to ideas, and to transparency.

Repealing Jackson-Vanik weakens the ability of the hard-liners in Russia to rally anti-American forces.

The United States should repeal Jackson-Vanik and pass Russia PNTR.

Well, thank you, Madam Chairwoman. Before I begin, I would request unanimous consent that my introductory remarks for Ruth Gerdes be entered into the record as well.

A continued acceleration of the construction of the new headquarters is in the best interest of our national security.

The mission of USSTRATCOM is at the forefront of our national security.

I certainly appreciate and applaud the work that you're doing.

I'm glad you are, because, obviously, when it comes to processing claims, there are private sector examples that are investing considerable amounts of money on new technology.

But sometimes if we have some focus on when there might be an ending point to where you see integration at least beginning--

I know my veterans back home are very interested, because they ask me when they come in to see me, 'Where is it going to be?'

The rule of law is upheld. And that is what makes our country so much different from so many other countries on the face of Planet Earth.

We have a process in Florida that is not only bipartisan, it is nonpartisan.