Drastically cutting NIH, as the House budget would force us to do, would be a classic case of penny wise and pound foolish thinking.

The objective is not to spend all that money; that is not the objective. The objective is to get the capability for the Nation.

The answer is, yes, it is safe to use.

When do we get 90 percent design on those two projects?

It is to define the points where we get a real cost estimate and a real design.

What do we need to be doing?

I am a little puzzled by your single-mindedness on consolidating the contracts that--at Y-12 and Pantex.

Most of NNSA's responsibility are in support of the U.S. military, and this appropriation ought to be treated in part like Defense spending.

But would not the first thing to do to be--to get a design and a cost estimate that you can live with?

I have the highest respect for him. He has always been an absolute straight shooter, and I really, really prize that.

I mean, you have got a former mayor here and a former Governor here, so we are frustrated by the lack of executive opportunities we have in the U.S. Senate.

So by the end of next year there is a design and a cost estimate.

We do not want our nuclear weapons to begin to resemble a collection of wet matches.

How soon before we get--is the policy set on those two projects?

Thank you for the meeting and underscore the importance of that.

I think we should talk about all subsidies.

It seems to me that to continue to subsidize over a long term a mature technology is not appropriate.

It looks like it could be an opportunity for the United States, given our experience with small reactors with the Navy.

whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting in the West, and all across our country, I think all of us are here today because we know that inland waterways and locks are for creating private sector jobs.

I want to focus on some of the things that Senator Feinstein talked about.

There was a plan that the commercial users of the Inland Waterway Trust Fund worked on...

Yes. I mean, well, there is nothing inherently--I mean, the problem is, as long as you have electricity and water, your spent-fuel pool should be perfectly safe, should they not?

Have you considered asking the Tennessee Valley Authority to contribute funds to the replacement of the lock?

I deal with long term. Short-term, I support jump starting electric cars.

The answer is, yes, it is safe to use.