Kit Bond

The rules become effective April 14th. They require CAFOs have to develop nutrient management plans.

Thank you very much, Senator Leahy. We have got some questions on mercury as well, on a different problem.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

What steps is EPA taking to make sure that communities with water that exceeds the current standards for arsenic will be able to convert or rebuild the water systems to meet the----

We need to do something more than just continue.

We oppose the reduction in the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

I do not agree with.

I applaud you and EPA for your commitment to this responsibility.

I hate to use the word fiefdoms, but that seems to come to mind.

I thought the policy of decentralization was great, and I think maybe you have hit the right note on that.

I hope, as you do, that this is an isolated problem, but it has got to end.

With respect to the waiting lists, some advocates have said that we need more staff for the VA.

There have been some questions about raising the co-pay from $7 to $15.

Any company that has an opportunity to lessen health care costs, if it is within the law--I may not agree with it from a policy standpoint, but the law provides it.

As my colleague from Maryland indicated, we obviously want to work with you. These are uncharted territories.

I think it is absolutely essential that we build into the law some protections for the core constituencies, those that do not have other prescription drug options.

I believe they are coming because of the failure in public policy.

We do have some questions about them and some skepticism on a few of them.

We appreciate your willingness to work on these legislative proposals.

Mr. Secretary, you soon will be coming to the end of your term as Chairman of the Interagency Council on Homelessness.

I think is really being successful and is, in fact, fulfilling the promise of what it was intended to do.

I think that is going to strengthen the communities, as Senator Mikulski stressed in her opening remarks, by keeping stability, keeping people in their homes.

In last year's appropriations bill, we directed HUD to enter into contracts and agreements under the Asset Control Area demonstration program to design and promote home ownership.

Why did it take so long?

I think it is important to steer that path very carefully, and I certainly endorse wholeheartedly the President's initiative.