Bob Casey

Thank you very much. I want to thank all of our witnesses for your testimony.

I want to thank you for your continued interest and support of our public safety mission.

People shall have a right to clean air, pure water and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and aesthetic values of the environment.

I know we have to wrap up, and I hate to cut everyone off. The record will be open.

Level three meaning greater severity?

If I had to guess, I would say that if you did that assessment, we would find a deficiency somewhere along the line.

Well, certainly I think OSHA would have to provide a number of definitions that are highlighted, whether it's that definition or others. That would be part of the regulatory process.

Are you aware of modifications to the blowout preventer that were done in 2005, any modification, anywhere?

As Senator Franken and others, I know, have noted, we share a broad sense of condolence as it relates to the families who lost loved ones, and we appreciate any expression of that sorrow and condolence.

I would ask you, because we have limited time and just in order to make the record complete, if you would go back and check whether or not you have any other information in written form that relates to these questions and make that…

From your understanding of the contractual relationship between BP and Deepwater Horizon, would BP have the authority to order that that type of work be done in China or anywhere else?

According to recent estimates, international financing for health-related R&D exceeds $160 billion and includes a diversity of sources: 51 percent private for-profit, 41 percent public, and 8 percent private not-for-profit.

Without a statement of policy on rare diseases and orphan products, it is not possible [for the FDA] to ensure consistency in that process.

The NIH spends a substantial amount on research on various rare diseases, including those affecting children, but with over 6,000 known rare diseases, not every one has been fully addressed.

Increasing understanding of the role of genetics in rare diseases will unquestionably have a considerable impact on their diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.

The Agency strongly urges Congress to ensure that, if a change is made, the population limit is clearly defined, not variable.

This startling and disturbing fact should evoke not just concern, but action.

I would like to start off by thanking my colleague and friend Senator Brown for calling this hearing today to draw attention to rare and neglected diseases in children.

But new investments are needed here?

Senator Specter and I introduced Senate bill 406, which would deal with that kind of gap that a lot of families and children have to deal with everyday.

For me and for, I think, a lot of Members of Congress, we can't go through a week, or sometimes even a day, without being both informed and inspired by constituents who come to us with a problem, or sometimes more than one problem, and…

I highlighted that fact in a letter to Secretary Clinton last week, and urged the completion of those reports.

I remain deeply concerned. I agree that you cannot talk about Afghanistan without talking about Pakistan.

I and others have been very critical of his leadership, or sometimes what can only be described as lack of leadership.

We've all been concerned about this issue, as you have, and I know the administration, at all levels, has.