Thad Cochran: “I notice that the request is that we fund the program at $30 million. What is the current level of funding, do you…”

Mr. Chairman, let me join you in congratulating our panel here and the participation you're bringing to this challenge.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

And I plan to use my best efforts to identify the areas that we can make improvements in, and take a hard look, but at the same time realize we need to get a bill.

I wish to honor former Senator Pete V. Domenici of New Mexico, who passed away September 13 in Albuquerque. It was a privilege to call Pete a friend and to work with him as a Senate colleague and member of the Appropriations Committee…