We're falling well short, already.

The 5-year budget proposal submitted by NNSA is, 'fragile, and any funding reductions at this point could pose unacceptable risk to the health of the nuclear enterprise.'

It means a real impact and delay in five areas.

Our relationship and trust level with the Russians has taken a nose dive. I just think all of that should add up to extreme caution about further nuclear reductions.

We're falling far behind.

Don't you think we're sacrificing something there?

New START was premised on that. We are not keeping those promises for whatever reason.

To me, this is really important.

A lot of us have a concern about the squeeze that community banks are getting in the financial sector.

I do not think it is supposed to be.

I would just encourage a strong final set of proposed--or set of rules as strong or stronger than the draft.

the basic analysis, the basic metrics, the basic tests you used the first time, will continue?

I would encourage you to not weaken any elements of your draft.

It is my understanding that they are not clear 20-year projections.

You do agree that that is the legal requirement?

Is that in some meaningful form not required by law, a 20-year outlook?

Thank you, Madam Chair, and thanks to all of our witnesses.

I am real concerned, as are many of my Republican colleagues about the EPA and a new proposed rule.

The idea would be to deal with those issues under our jurisdiction in an aggressive way, in a way that helps rebuild trust in the trust fund.

I certainly agree and will continue to push that.

AASHTO was one of the first organizations out with your reauthorization priorities. I thank you for that.

I certainly want to commend Senator Manchin, Representatives Capito and Rahall, and all those who have worked tirelessly in the wake of this unfortunate spill.

I am certainly proud to have introduced the first ever bipartisan TSCA reform bill with the late Senator Lautenberg.

I fully support that process, but I also want to encourage more of that, more markups where there is significant bipartisan work going on.

It is unfortunate that any bill which has significant support throughout the Senate would not move expeditiously.