Bill Nelson

Ms. Chaplain, do you think there is a gap?

The structure on NPOESS between the Air Force and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA has not worked.

Once Senator Vitter and I get through with our questions, we are going to adjourn to the Office of Senate Security for a discussion on classified matters.

Senator Bill Nelson of Florida has been the champion of this goal in your chamber.

Our greatest heroes are America's most precious resource--our soldiers.

Your continued support of our personnel initiatives provides the tools we need to ensure the growth, sustainment, and well-being of our All-Volunteer Force.

But if you are not well defended, the butter problems are not nearly as important.

If you don't increase the overall pie, there is going to be less money to modernize our weapons and do the things that give us an edge in battle.

I think that is woefully inadequate.

The intelligence reports we receive, Mr. Chairman, show a growing threat from Iran, a tougher fight in Afghanistan.

I think most Americans are pretty upset with us at times about the way we spend our money, but very few have any problem helping the men and women who serve and making sure they are well taken care of.

The Economics and Statistics Administration has been charged with tracking new residential construction and sales.

I believe strongly that the amount cited within the Act should be viewed as a floor.

One out of every 10 American jobs depends on exports, which in 2008 generated $1.8 trillion in U.S. business revenue.

Frank Sanchez has been a personal friend of mine for a number of years, and he is up for something that he is uniquely qualified, which is the Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade.

It would be a very powerful statement to Iran if Russia joined with us or with NATO in a missile defense program.

Cooperative missile defense efforts with allies should be strengthened and opportunities for missile defense cooperation with Russia should be further explored.

May I say, Mr. Chairman, just in conclusion--and thank you, again, for being visionary yourself in holding a hearing like this--I, as an observer, to see this thing fast changing in front of our eyes on a daily basis, I get so concerned…

I particularly think that what is in the public interest is to have unfettered freedom of the press and all that that brings to a democracy.

And if you had that local model dedicated to the news, then presumably you would have the resources to do investigative journalism at the local level.

The fact that bomber aircraft are the only recallable nuclear capability.

The bombers, long-range strike aircraft, fall within the jurisdiction of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, which I have the privilege of chairing.

I think it's a little more serious than that, because what we do know is our opponents do try to target us for intelligence purposes through some of this contract activity.

We obviously need to have better DOD oversight and responsibility and referring these cases to the Department of Justice for prosecution.

I agree, and we have to make those tough decisions.