Bill Nelson

So, with regard to the first part of the instrument, as long as the two up there are going, you can keep that data coming.

If not more, with flat line funding, you all are going to have to make these choices.

America's preeminence in space is more than a source of national pride. It is a source of strategic advantage.

NASA has some extraordinary, unique facilities, but a number of these facilities are not being utilized very heavily.

A flat-line budget is what we looking like, over the next several years, realistically, given this financial environment.

Well, with the new heavy-lift capability, you're the expert, tell us: What about the new destinations that are enabled by the evolvable new heavy-lift capability?

I don't want to see another year pass, where we don't have the focus that Congress passed and the President signed.

You've got a pretty robust budget in this NASA authorization law as well as the President's proposal, for aeronautics.

Senator, those were excellent questions.

Well, it's been reported to have been said by the agency Chief Technologist, Bobby Braun, that the development of a heavy-lift capability will not be available for a decade.

What is it that you understand the NASA authorization law to require?

I want to start with you, Dr. Whitlow. I want you to tell us if a budget or continuing resolution were to be passed with the $298 million cut that would come off of a cross-agency support account, which is what passed the House of…

It is a categorical imperative that we are facing right now, based on the threat that debt and the growing deficit is to our future.

I am hopeful that you will be able to take a look at that budget in light of where we are today, recognizing that we have to do more with less.

What is the biggest threat to America? It wasn't Iran. It wasn't North Korea. It wasn't even the border.

Ending overfishing, maintaining reasonable access and sustaining economic activity are not mutually exclusive.

I think this is essential to obtaining an accurate count of the recreational catch.

I'm concerned that we're not following the intent of Congress.

I'm distressed at the fact that we don't have updated data in which to make our assessments.

How are we going to do it if we don't have the scientific data?

It's essential that we balance economic interests with environmental protection.

I think that your organization is interpreting the Act in a way that it was not intended.

I would agree. And I'm looking at perhaps sponsoring that legislation, myself.

I think we can reconvene, here.

It would be helpful to develop a scorecard because I suspect that as you went back and looked at other reports, some of the things that were suggested in the past were still not done and questions still not answered.