Jack Reed

I am particularly pleased that the report focuses on achieving a better balance in the U.S. housing market to provide for a wider range of housing choices.

Many people, the best form of housing for them is affordable, decent rental housing.

I think it is important to note that there is bipartisan agreement that we need to restructure Fannie and Freddie.

How central and critical is this funding to your overall strategy and your assessment of ultimate success in Afghanistan?

We have tried in several different years to alter the composition, and we will try again.

Rhode Island lands more fish than any other State except New Jersey, and we don't have representation on there.

I would urge you to relook at those numbers.

I mean you are absolutely right about the initial regulatory authority.

I would ask if you would work with NOAA to start thinking in terms of more creative management of the species...

But one of the descriptions of what has taken place, particularly in 2008, was a system of privatized profits and socialized losses.

And my sense is the SEC and CFTC and other agencies are those critical agents that ensure private profits, but also ensure that when things go bad, it is not going to be the citizen or the taxpayer that picks up the losses, either--a…

I urge the Senate to try again this Congress to enact a legislative fix to address the harmful effects of the U.S. Supreme Court decision, Carcieri v. Salazar.

Can I ask a final question before I recognize the ranking member, and that is, it's called the Priority Watershed and Job Stabilization program.

Well, obviously, we look forward to working with you.

Both Senator Murkowski and I have indicated the challenge this poses to our budget.

Not just in Alaska, but around. We have many things in common. And our concern for infrastructure is a common passion amongst us.

I think we all recognize that one of the ways to deal with this energy crisis is simply demand reduction.

The State revolving loan-fund cuts.

Will the BLM consider rescheduling this gather for the fall of 2011? If not, why not?

I also note that the National Estuary Program has been cut by about 17 percent, for a total of a cut, about $27 million.

Can you share with us, or confirm the savings that seem to be inherent in these proposed investments of, relatively, a small amount of money?

But, can you sort of help us understand how--if H.R. 1 or something like it was passed, how it would impact the ability of the States and the EPA to issue permits?

This money seems to be essential to benefit these companies and the American public by allowing you to be more thorough in your inspections.

I am concerned that a lot of the attention is being focused on the leasing and enforcement side of the ledger, not enough attention on the revenue collection side.

For the first time, the Great Depression, 25 percent of children in this country are living in poverty.