Our No. 1 concern is the safety of the American people, safety of the air they breathe, and the food they eat.

We need to know that seafood is safe, and the American public needs to know that seafood is safe for the simple reason that we want them to continue to feel comfortable buying gulf products.

I believe that we must--that we're the research and the funding for research, because whatever we do, I'm going to be sure it's independent.

It's unfortunately a great scientific experiment, but we're part of it.

There's a continuum of actions here. One is an outright ban. That, I think, has to be well founded on solid research.

I'm not being critical of you and I'm not--we're looking at public policy areas where we need to really tighten up so we don't screw up.

And, again, we're not bashing anybody, but here, as I understand it, EPA had concerns about the amount of dispersants being used.

And then who certifies the States in terms of a level of competency to test for this?

We are the United States of America. There's nobody with our size and our scope.

I appreciate that clarification.

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There is a report that came out this month, written by Elana Schor, that said that 20 percent of the BP oil-spill workers have been exposed to 2-Butoxyethenol, which is a chemical known to have made Exxon Valdez workers sick.

That was very powerful, and it goes to what I asked our executive branch, more of a sense of urgency here. Pick it up.

That which is measured gets done.

I believe it is in the best interest of the functionality of the system that labor and management have a regular systematic way of communicating.

This is a national issue, and it is a mandate.

we have got to be able to get together, put it out on the table, speak uncensored and unfettered, and let us solve some of these problems.

I am really committed to them having that service.

I don't think that is an appropriate congressional role.

If the Federal Government increases its investment in the system, it should also increase its oversight of operations and capital projects, so as to ensure that tax dollars are being well spent.