Although issues surrounding standards do not often get attention in Congress, they have an incredibly significant impact on the ability of U.S. companies to innovate and compete in the global market.

the first requirement in siting is to--obviously to demonstrate adequate protection for public health, safety, and environment.

Thank you, Mr. Howard, and you can count on me and I am sure others of our colleagues taking notes about those particular of the milestones that you have outlined for this next year and asking you about them, keeping track of them, and I…

I am sure you have pointed out in your testimony and response to questions that other than about 100 of those, they are private-sector jobs.

I think it means for us, as taxpayers--that we also share a responsibility for what happens along that river.

I am just a little confused as to why, over this long period of years...there isn't some more comprehensive single point of authority.

What we don't know is whether or how that story of success will continue, and especially whether the U.S. will retain its leadership role.

I certainly want to make sure that NASA works vigorously to make sure that costs are kept under control as the agency embarks on the joint Mars program.

the publicly-available budget guidelines that have been provided to NASA by the Office of Management and Budget are sufficient to allow the Agency to carry out the Mars sample return collection and caching mission.

Over the past 15 years, NASA has carried out a systematic exploration of Mars using orbiting spacecraft, landers, and rovers.

But not because you have gotten an explicit commitment from the Administration?

when I hear your testimony and I see you, what I see is a person of science who has real enthusiasm for the work that you are doing.