What we have heard from the local officials here today, that the information flow is not there in which a commander can make that decision.

We have people in charge that do not know what they are doing.

Oil is now entering Florida waters.

You know, that's exactly right. If we need to know for trying to clean up the gulf and protect marine life, how much oil is in there, then we need the clear pictures, and we need all the streaming video in order to let the scientists…

They're certainly not in charge when the communication is not going to our emergency operations center in Pensacola, when oil is coming into Florida waters. They're certainly not in control when I ask a week ago, how many boats are out…

The Coast Guard has part of control of the operation, but BP has a part of the control of the operation, and therein the two do not talk.

The value that the Chairman and the Ranking Member have brought to the table today is to get you all to understand the lack of communication.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I, too, am way overdue for another meeting, so I am going to slip out as well.

The finest command-and-control capability in the world is the U.S. military.

I would hope that someone would be listening to the pleas of these local officials and the pleas of the local officials through their Senators to change this command structure.

Right now, it took the President of the United States to come down to approve a Jack Up Boat to put in the mouth of the river.