The nominee is charged with restoring the role good science must play in making good public policy.

I would hope that the strategy that you come out with within the Department of Interior will be mindful that you can play a dual role in educating the public to take action to help the future.

One of the problems we have is that many Americans have yet to really understand the day to day risks associated with global climate change.

we are currently losing about 150 acres a year because of sea level change

I certainly hope that the Committee can complete its review quickly and that your nomination can go to the floor for action.

I think most people agree that the Endangered Species Act is one of the most important safeguards that was enacted by Congress in order to preserve diversity in our wildlife, and that decisions should be based upon good science, good information, and should not be based upon political considerations.

The backlog of deferred maintenance is overwhelming.

I think the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was a good first start.

The funding we provided merely put a dent in the enormous backlog of transportation needs in this country.

Less than three-tenths of 1 percent of our GDP is being invested in our non-defense public structures and buildings.

There is no question that our national transportation system is in dire need of repairs and investments.