let us look at the efficiency of the appropriations and what it is--how it is measuring across the board.

Has the Department finalized the design and cost estimate for the New Orleans VA Hospital?

I want to keep this as convenient and as easy, informative, because taxpayers do have a right to know of every dollar we are investing in these programs, what is the return, and if we can't justify it, we are going to end the program.

Trade and export promotion is really an important piece of this.

I do not think people realize, like Senator Graham just said, how many people live near this coast.

So what is your explanation today of that?

I will continue to make my voice heard to the President and to the leadership.

The Calling for 2-1-1 Act, Senator, is critical.

Thank you very much.

I think that your urgency to continue this funding and this legislation speaks to the need of American people.

I think it speaks to the urgency of this Calling for 2-1-1 Act that you are supporting.

That hold is going to remain until this issue gets resolved in a way that I believe.

If you are not willing to invest in those things, you have lost a community.

I want the public to understand the significance of this issue.

I want to make sure that we have that rational approach.

The documented difference in the response in that very urbanized region of our country was vivid.

I am going to call a hearing for earthquakes particularly.

we are in desperate need of the Congress' help to ensure both a reliable response to disaster and to everyday needs.

How viable a community can you remain without a fire station, without a police station, without a library?

we have got to address the broader issue of what are we going to do if, God forbid, we have 200,000 Americans that are homeless again?

So it would be helpful to have these Federal assets available to conduct this evacuation.

Now, I am going to ask my staff for the next hearing to design a chart along the Coast from Texas to New York, and indicate how many nursing home patients live within 30 miles of the coast, and I am going to provide those numbers for you.

It becomes a very significant issue for any country, whether it is China or India or other countries that we have seen go through some horrific catastrophic disasters.

Whatever we decide it is, at least it gives us a goal that we all know we are working toward.

we are extremely grateful to you for your steadfast support of this legislation, for your co-sponsorship of the bill, and your ability to deliver on dedicated Federal funding for Louisiana 2-1-1 this year.