Senator Mikulski and I have some very strong views, and we are united in those views.

I am so pleased that you are going to allow $2 million to upgrade some of the facilities at the NCCC Training programs.

I am concerned that this budget falls short on these principles.

What a great social invention.

I support that while you have a CFO and a COO, we believe in today's modern world you do particularly when you are also managing such a diverse set of grantees.

Count me as a skeptic.

But, roughly, it's about $375 million to $400 million.

What about the recommendations on this? There are also those that believe that because HUD has contracted out property disposition, that debt has become more expensive and fraught, rife with waste.

We understand, in the Challenge Grants--then I want to get to the Next Generation Grants--that you received about $36 million worth of requests.

Well, I'm going to----

One of the things that I think we both admire about NASA is not only the exploration of what's out there, but the invention of technology, the new ideas that then lead to new products, that also benefit the larger American community.

What we're seeing, though, is that these FHA-insured apartment buildings, in many instances, have taken on all the characteristics of slums.

Mr. Leavitt, I welcome you to your first VA-HUD hearing, but this is a pretty big deal question.

We don't need cuts in these areas.

No. 1, the promises we made to our veterans need to be promises kept, while also making the best use of the taxpayers' dollars.

The budget request cuts over $800 million in water and sewer project funding.

If you could furnish to the committee essentially a sequencing of the calendar if you will, so that we can get a sense of time frame.

What we've seen is a pattern, particularly the closer you are into a city, is that apartment buildings or complexes have all become Section 8.

We are concerned that this is a good intention that might not have the result.

I really want to support the momentum for reform that you have here, and oversight vigor and independence.

And No. 2, how much will you need for fiscal year 2005 to continue to make, to implement the $15 million we need to Return to Flight, but then the other $14 million----

Supporting NSF supports NIH.

So you have a pharmacy benefit management. Second, you use generic drugs. You also use mail-out pharmacies...

We're going to have to look at the consequences of deferring new space and earth science missions.

Now, let us go to the bulk purchasing. Essentially when I go to the Price Club or Sam's Club...