So I want to hear specifically from the Secretary on the administration's position on nuclear. Are you for it or are you against it?

If you look at the recent stimulus bill that was passed, stripped from that bill was $50 billion of loan guarantees which would have helped us fund an expansion of nuclear power.

I am also concerned about climate change, and I think we should try to move away from carbon-based production of energy.

I think the fact that the administration has not taken that off the table probably undermines the ability to draw in people like Senator Alexander and myself.

We've got to talk to the [Congressional Budget Office] about scoring on [additional funding provided to IRS]. Clearly there's a return on that money.

Well, we were just all wanted to gather in the garage for an evening of bonding and we did that very effectively.

Even senators can be lucky.

Well, I certainly agree that this is a core issue for the vitality of our economy and our competitiveness as a Nation, protection of intellectual property which energizes the creation of intellectual property, which is where we as a Nation…

So this is at the essence of us as a culture.

the Commission report is actually an outgrowth of very much needed legislation which was introduced and championed by my ranking member, Senator Fritz Hollings from South Carolina.

And I now turn to our very own Senator Judd Gregg to begin the official U.S. Senate hearing.