Bob Casey

I don't think there's a better investment that we could think of in this part of the Federal budget because of the dire need that we have for more Foreign Service officers.

I wanted to raise one other related issue, and that's the question with regard to funding for the Pakistani Atomic Energy Commission and their nuclear security efforts.

We want to especially thank you for the great leadership you've provided at a time of real danger and uncertainty around the world.

We all recognize the potential for alienation and extremism that can arise when refugee populations endure for extended time periods.

The effects of the crisis are somewhat mitigated as families in Mardan and surrounding area take in some of the refugees into their homes and guesthouses.

As civilians flee the Pakistani Army offensive in the Swat Valley against Taliban extremists, the seeds of a future crisis are being planted.

I was struck by a line from your written testimony, when discussing the overarching priorities of the Kerry-Lugar bill.

What I'm looking for is a sense--a certainty of a strategy that will take this money and put it to good use.

I do believe that the past is prologue, unless we change it.

After 6 years of efforts by the United States and Pakistani Governments, al-Qaeda had regenerated its ability to attack the United States.

It's those concerns that led Senator Harkin and myself to ask for a Government Accountability report.

I'll tell you, that's a great candy-coated way of describing a terrible economy.

That alone is disturbing, because we keep hearing these commentators talking about the fact that there may be parts of the economy that are improving.

Dr. Hamburg, thank you very much for your willingness to serve. I want to commend you and your family for taking on this responsibility.

Well, in my judgment, they're not doing enough. So, we'll keep after them.

I don't understand why it's apparently such a big problem to have the GAO--or, to have the Consumer Product Safety Commission do at least one or more of the following:

Children may be more susceptible than adults to the respiratory effects of formaldehyde.

I respectfully recommend the following: One, that Congress make sure that its recent legislation calling for a formaldehyde study in textiles and apparel be conducted in a timely fashion.

We're not asking them to do something which is unreasonable, we're just saying to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 'Don't wait for GAO; update your research, give some guidance, set forth some basic standards that might even not…

Let me say, in conclusion, two things--one is, this committee--I'm not a member, but I know something about what this committee's been doing--has been trying to give the Commission a lot more resources, a lot more help.

I hope that our efforts today will change this fact and that in the end this hearing will result in stronger protections for children and families.

I would like to commend Senator Pryor for his efforts at oversight and for bringing attention to this issue.

I have expressed my strong concern over the excessive use of PSCs, especially in Iraq.

I have worked with Chairman Kerry in encouraging the State Department to reduce the role of PSCs.

The U.S. target in 1990 levels is not going to cut it.