Mary Landrieu

The South is emerging as quite a powerhouse in the automobile, and we'd like to make sure that that remains.

I think that we need to not only have this program supporting companies that have long been in this industry, but companies that are emerging and have real potential to create more competition and more robust competition around the country.

I just wanted to get that off my chest this morning, and our efforts for fair revenue sharing for coastal States that are at least equivalent to what interior States receive now will go on with some renewed energy.

The thought that this will generate $4 billion when it's up and producing annually for the Federal Government, and not a penny will go to these Gulf Coast States that served as a platform now for this industry for the last 60 to 70 years…

I strongly disagreed with and continue to.

I think the answer is clearly yes.

I think we have had a very good and thorough hearing.

I am going to ask each one of you what would you say to people that say that this particular program needs another 20- or 30-percent reduction.

The Federal grant program has been effective and useful and essential for building the operations that you currently have.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

The quicker we can get the answers to that, the better we will be able to build a bill to actually meet the needs of our country and our locals.

The President has put forth a budget that combines some of these programs and reduces slightly some of the funding.

The President has requested $1.8 billion in the baseline for 2012, but your estimate, your low estimate, is $3.8 billion and your high estimate is $6.6 billion.

In the United States, emergency management--be it preparedness, response, or recovery--starts at the level of government closest to the people.

So you like the money being sent down in a broader range with locals being able to make more choices.

It would be very troublesome and very disappointing to have spent the money that we are investing in communications systems that do not talk to each other

This requires advanced coordination and communication to save lives and property and to recover and rebuild smartly and quickly.

The ability of emergency response personnel to communicate in real time prior to, during, and immediately after a disaster is critical.

It is more important than ever to allocate dollars carefully and wisely.

Keeping up with this evolution is a challenge to the emergency management community.

It makes no sense to cut funding from the agencies that must prepare for and respond to future disasters, to use that money to pay for the cost of past disasters.

It is a good line of questioning.

I certainly join Mary in being extremely, not just supportive, but enthusiastic about our nominees.

I don't believe I could have found, if I had looked, anyone more qualified.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I really appreciate the opportunity to present such outstanding candidates to you and to the Committee for your consideration today.