Thank you very much. You know, I really think we should add to our congratulations to both of you.

I look forward to examining these issues today along with the Subcommittee's new Chair, Senator Bill Nelson.

We cannot achieve our plans for exploration of the Solar System if we go it alone, and our performance today will impact our ability to recruit partners for the future.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's missions are vital and important to our understanding of the Universe and to improving our existence on Earth.

Ultimately, the Nation and this Congress choose to invest in a space program not because we dream of far off planets but because we want to leave Earth a better place to live.

I am dismayed that the request significantly cuts NASA's investment in the interagency Climate Change Science Program.

we have to balance those sorts of assessments, which I think have some credibility, with a gross adjustment in the other direction, which might feature leaving Iraq to al Qaeda.

My reasons are much more personal.

AQI would attempt to use parts of the country--particularly al Anbar province--to plan increased attacks in and outside of Iraq.

Al Qaeda will portray any failure by the United States in Iraq as a significant victory that will be featured prominently as they recruit for their cause in the region and around the world.

the best way to prevent a terrorist safe haven in Iraq is to help the democratically elected Iraqi Government establish an Iraq that can sustain, govern, and secure itself.