The national park system as now constituted should not be lowered in standard, dignity, and prestige by the inclusion of areas which express in less than the highest terms the particular class or kind of exhibit which they represent.

Congress and multiple administrations have recognized the deferred maintenance problem for years.

So I think it has to be balanced.

But remember, this is a compounding, growing problem.

The National Park Service has $3 billion, a little bit less than $3 billion budget.

There's $370 million bucks a year we're falling behind.

I love Yellowstone. I love Rocky Mountain National Park. I love the Grand Tetons.

I appreciate the service that you have given our country, and we had nobody to compare you to because we have never been in the situation we were in before.

We have let you down. The kindergarten of Congress has let you down by not doing the things to create the confidence.

Open enrollment begins in less than 80 days. Yet, OPM has not issued regulations implementing this provision of the law.

Do you think that it is a reasonable requirement that Members of Congress might want to see that ruling before they vote on your nomination?