Barbara Mikulski

This year the budget request is for $628 million to keep it on track for launch by 2018.

We want to hear from Administrator Bolden on how a cut like that will impact NASA's ability to carry out its mission.

We continue our rigorous oversight and accountability to make sure taxpayers' dollars are spent wisely and to acknowledge the fact that we need to focus on a more frugal Government.

As chairwoman, I have three priorities for NASA.

First of all, we need to compliment NASA for achieving for the first time since 2002 a clean financial audit.

NASA has to do better.

I am troubled that the budget does not invest adequately in future missions.

I'm troubled that the budget does not invest adequately in future missions, the highest science priorities that are identified by the National Academies in their decadal surveys.

As chairwoman, I have three priorities for NASA: make sure we have a balanced space program that will make NASA move forward with the programs that the Congress has authorized and funded.

I think we need to stop this bashing of our Federal employees, and, like you said, take note of what we ask them to do.

To have that kind of dedication characterized in the way that seems to be done in a sweeping way by people talking about Federal employees as if they are somehow a parasite upon the public is really deeply hurtful.

The prevention money has been used as a bank to fund other things

But why gang up on them? Why try to single them out?

So my colleague from the other side asked excellent questions about, you know, the issues about the availability of scientists, are they going elsewhere to do research, should we change our immigration policy, give every new Ph.D. a green…

It would be a sad day in our country where one important need and one important paradigm shift and focus is pitted against each other.

I feel the pressures of time, Doctor. And I don't mean to be interruptive or whatever.

I was stymied in this institution, okay? I was stymied in this institution on taking a look at this.

I've now heard about promising science, and I'm going to continue to support it, but the promise of science needs to have deliverables.

And also how to accelerate?

Thank you. It was moving from the bagel line to the broccoli line.

We came together, and we really moved on a national agenda

We are deeply troubled that, as Federal employees are under attack, they seem to forget that you are the Federal employees we need

This ongoing hazing, harassment, snarky comments, throwaway one-liners, and so on.

Military family members already make incredible sacrifices to support both the soldier deployed and the wounded warrior at home.

I want to be sure that we have the right resources for you to be able to do the right things, with the consequences of war.