Chris Van Hollen

I have my own suspicions about why the President may seek cuts to FBI operations and personnel, but I wanted the Attorney General to come here and talk about it.

I would point out that the budget includes a very large tax cut that goes to mostly wealthy people.

But my view is that cutting these programs actually undermines the goal you are talking about.

I think we all want to grow the economy. I think we all would like to grow it in a way with more shared prosperity.

The budget includes about a $17 million cut for Chesapeake Bay activities.

This budget cuts that in half. And my question is how do you expect your scientists, and you have a really good team there, to do their job and help protect the Bay with half the money?

I have to say I have been appalled in preparing for this hearing and reading the articles that Senator Murkowski referenced.

I think our mission is to try to make sure we get the information necessary so we can make reasonable judgments about resources.

I agree with Senator Murkowski, I think the 'Wall Street Journal' decided to look at three particular facilities...

Could you give us that information and that analysis?

I would appreciate that.

I think what this committee needs is information from all of you, facts, so we can evaluate the impact.

We recognize that the findings of the Chesapeake Bay Program have shown an historical decline in the living resources of the Chesapeake Bay and that a cooperative approach is needed.

I can assure you we'll work very hard to restore that.

I really want to emphasize to you that process represents what should occur for States to join together and enter into an agreement to address water quality issues, and then involve the EPA to serve the role it is supposed to serve is…

But you agree it's really important that EPA provide accurate information to the Congress.

Could you tell this subcommittee--could you get back to this subcommittee and tell us what you found inaccurate about that website?

The EPA cut to the Chesapeake Bay is the one thing that has united everybody in the State of Maryland across party lines.

The Department of the Interior funding to the health of the Bay.

90 percent of the jobs there were as a result of tourism.

Thank you, Madame Chair and Ranking Member.

The Obama administration concluded it would be too great a risk to the livelihood of this area to open up that area for drilling.

Not a single public hearing is scheduled as part of the effort to engage in seismic testing.

Clearly, your answer is no, too.

Are you willing to eliminate any of those tax breaks for the purpose of reducing the deficit and debt?