I just want to emphasize that I share the Chairman's view that this is extremely troubling because this speaks to the credibility of the budget requests.

That those basic requirements were not identified before a single dollar was spent is something that I just cannot understand.

This is a problem that seems to permeate several agencies within DHS acquisitions.

That is so troubling to me given what is at stake.

Given the unwavering ambitions of America's enemies, our Nation cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past.

It is inconceivable to me that the Department is still putting plans and money into its budget justifications for a program that it had decided to abandon in December 2007.

Given our Nation's significant investment in this critical area, it is disappointing that DNDO has not made more progress.

It is very difficult to have a successful acquisition if you start the acquisition before you establish the requirements.

And it also ensures that resources are going to be allocated appropriately.

I think the problem is that this position has not been filled.

The Department must complete this plan now.

That is just extraordinary.

Safeguarding our Nation against the threat of nuclear terrorism is one of the most important responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security.

It is, therefore, troubling that the Department's efforts to develop a next-generation technology for scanning cargo for nuclear materials at ports of entry have been less than successful.

I actually think that the failure of DHS in this area is even more acute than the Chairman put forth.

There is no more alarming prospect than that of a nuclear September 11, 2001.

The answer, unfortunately, is: Not enough . . . not nearly enough.

The need for this plan has been evident for 8 years, and in the meantime, the Department either has to freeze all of its technology acquisitions, because it does not really know what it needs--and that puts us at risk--or it has to proceed…

I guess what is so troubling to me is here the Department was prepared to invest $2 billion in one kind of technology when, in fact, it had never worked out a plan for railroads or for other means of smuggling nuclear materials into the…

There's great potential, particularly since so many of these young troops have access to computers in their own homes, because the stigma still is there.

I have been contacted by officials from the Maine Office of Substance Abuse regarding their concern that the VA is preventing VA hospitals, such as Togus Medical Center, from participating in the State's Prescription Monitoring Program.

A related problem, at least in a rural State like mine, is an absence of mental health professionals in those rural communities.

But bottom line, Mr. Pistole, you have been a superb public servant, in my opinion, and while others have left for the private sector, you continue to devote your career to keeping our country safe.

Our passenger checkpoint screening technology needs to constantly be improved to thwart terrorists' latest tactics.

TSA should be directly responsible for comparing passenger names against the No-Fly List.