As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former Secretary of Defense Bob Gates have both noted, our rising debt has implications for both our influence around the world and our ability to project strength.

We should take bipartisan pride in its great success.

The City of Lowell remains tremendously grateful for the contributions that the Federal Government and U.S. Congress have made to the renaissance of our city through the National Park Service.

Thank you, Chairman Bishop and thank you, Ranking Member Grijalva, for holding this hearing today.

It really is moving in the directions that will be helpful.

I represent a district in which many members of the Guard and Reserve have gone to serve in Afghanistan and Iraq.

As I am listening to the debate, it is bringing back a lot of memories.

I am so pleased that the Subcommittee is having this hearing to consider draft legislation, which is a step forward toward codifying important commission recommendations regarding the reorganization of the former Minerals Management…

The choices that lie ahead of us are not easy. They require a more honest assessment of the challenges that face our country than the House has engaged in thus far this year.

I believe the commission's approach should serve as a model as the Committee crafts its budget: everything must be on the table.

We cannot afford to turn our backs on hard-working Americans and those who want to work during these difficult economic times.