"I do not like anybody's reputation and integrity being done on hearsay."
"I do not think that is true. Is it not true that you have issued a rule? Can you talk about that?"
"I do think that the Inspector General, it is my hope and intent I've been told, has an ongoing investigation where all of the questions that you have asked should be answered;"
"This common-sense principle says that if you cause environmental harm, you are responsible for cleaning it up."
"Congressional oversight is clearly needed in this area. We must ensure taxpayer dollars are not needlessly put at risk to cover cleanup costs when this could be avoided."
"I think there are bigger fish to fry here."
"So, can I just be clear for the record? It sounds to me like you were following very closely the recommendations that the external reviews have given you."
"I think it is very clear we have to tighten; but I do not want rumors to start off that are not true either."
"none of us wants to see things and we need to tighten the process."
"I want to applaud the Chairman's focus on whether energy developers on Bureau of Land Management land are adhering to the polluter pays principle."
"When that happens and there is no bond or other financial assurance, the taxpayer is stuck with the bill to clean up the pollution."