Barbara Mikulski

I think the threat to the industrial base casts doubt upon your ability to do something in 2015 if the President decides, or whatever President it is decides they want to go back to solid rocket motors.

I am puzzled by this. How have you been reminding contractors of their obligation to have reserve funds?

We need to find the will and the commitment as a Congress, and as a nation, to 'Go for launch.'

I believe if we all focus on where we want America to be in space, and how we protect Americans who we ask to do things we will be able to find solutions to how we work through these complex challenges.

When she said it, actually, I thought, 'Oh, my gosh, she is so right.'

We cannot reinvent NASA every 4 years. Every new President can't have a new NASA agenda.

It is time to retire the space shuttle, and the President provides for that at the end of calendar 2010.

We need a destination. NASA has been a mission-driven agency since its creation.

We also want to be sure that we do not lose our technology, no matter what the cancellation or transition is.

The 2011 NASA budget is $19 billion, $276 million more than 2010.

What is your plan for the contractors who will be forced to terminate your work if this proposal is accepted?

First of all, no matter what we do, my No. 1 priority is astronaut safety.

I take my advice and consent responsibilities very seriously and the opportunity to recommend to a President of the United States a nominee for the Federal bench is indeed a great honor, but it is a great responsibility.

I hope that the Committee unanimously reports them out, and I hope that we can confirm them expeditiously.

My criteria are that any nominee must have absolute integrity, judicial competence and temperament, a commitment to core constitutional principles, and a history of civic engagement in our own State of Maryland.

I want to also bring to the Committee's attention that it is not just my opinion or even your opinion, Mr. Chair, but the opinion of the American Bar Association.

When you use that phrase, they hold their sides and laugh. They don't think that we really mean it.

I believe that there is a real commitment on this subcommittee, and people like Senator Tom Coburn had excellent ideas.

Does the administration now have a sense of real urgency to pursue this?

Do you feel that you have enough resources to be dealing with this magnitude of caseload and also with the fact that this is now involved with international activity?

Well, I am going to back you 100 percent on this because I want to say promises made, promises kept. We are really going to go after that fraud and abuse.

Do you believe that the contractor has had a sufficient wake-up call and is ready and cooperating with you?

I am cautiously optimistic that we are on the path to get that accomplished.

I like the tough talk. We have to ask some tough questions, though, about another aspect.

And I know Senator Shelby feels the same passion I do.