The Fed's current policy of extremely low, near-zero interest rates is certainly helping banks recover in certain ways.

Ultimately, we want the Afghan people to win.

President Obama's plan has provided you with 'a clear military mission.'

I would hope we can focus on real problems and real abuses and close those without that massive cost shifting and without closing the door of certain opportunity and service to consumers who may want them.

I am very concerned, however, as Congress often does, that we are going to push the pendulum to another extreme and create problems--perhaps as we are solving others, but create other problems.

I would like to thank you for the opportunity to discuss legislation before this committee on America's great water bodies, in particular the Gulf of Mexico.

This legislation would authorize $10 million for fiscal year 2010, $15 million for fiscal year 2011, and $25 million for fiscal years 2012-2014.

I am a cosponsor of this legislation and am hopeful for its successful implementation.

I am also cognizant that the EPA should not be under the impression that this legislation expands EPA authority over Gulf of Mexico resources.

Cap-and-trade is potentially a new stealth tax in the order of magnitude of more than $1,700 per American household annually.

Economic costs will likely be on the order of 1 percent of GDP, making them equal in scale to all existing environmental regulation.

But, if those funding gaps can be filled, in recognition of the role that agency and program plays in this broader national agenda, then I think we create something which is capable of serving the national need.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Thanks for calling this important hearing, and I certainly join you and Senator Hutchison in welcoming our very, very distinguished panel.

But, if you say, 'Who has the mandate in this?' it's probably the President's science advisor and the national security advisor.

What happens in space doesn't stay in space.

But, you have to do it differently than it was done before if you do that, because before, it was viewed by many of the participants as more impediment than help.

Do we need humans in space to do these types of experiments?, yes we do.

I doubt whether very many of them--or many of us in the Congress--could provide a detailed answer to the question of why they feel it is important.

I believe this is an important discussion we are having today, and one that needs to be held over and over again.

Whatever those numbers are, they clearly are going to be very significant. What is the taxpayer exit strategy from that type of liability?

I thought the Administration was virtually always for comprehensive reform. I guess that breaks down when it comes to Fannie and Freddie in terms of doing it together with these other pieces.

But beyond that, shouldn't there be a strategy for exiting out of that type of liability for the taxpayer in the future?

I hope as the Committee works hopefully in a bipartisan way on this, we sort of use as a starting point what the real problems were that developed over the last several years.

Just in your business, what percentage of the 504 activity do you think is 'rural'?

Why don't you finish the discussion? Then I will jump in.