So this committee is working on a new NASA authorization bill. We passed one last year, the first one that had passed in 7 years, and we are working on yet another one that I hope we will pass this year.

U.S. should be leading the world in addressing these big questions.

And I want to thank each of the witnesses for being here, for your testimony. I think this hearing was helpful and productive, and your expertise is what made it so.

What do you see as the greatest challenges that our nation faces as it pertains to planetary defense from asteroids?

The James Webb Space Telescope... is meant to revolutionize the world's understanding of planets and star formation.

We must ensure that our space program continues to lead the world in innovation and exploration.

The search for life is not just a question of casual interest. It is an integral part of NASA's core mission.

Can and should NASA be doing more to utilize commercial partners and utilize private capital as it pertains to the agency's science priorities?

Governments should not be running the telecommunications network.

I and many members of the Senate consider that to be a profoundly bad idea.

That's why, this week, Senator Cortez Masto and I introduced the E-Frontier Act, which will prohibit the Federal Government from nationalizing our Nation's telecommunications network without explicit authorization from Congress.

I'm not sure why we would nationalize it. It's the wrong direction.