Just over a half-century ago, President John F. Kennedy laid down a marker in my hometown of Houston, Texas, and made a commitment that, like the great pioneers that came before us, we too would set sail on a new sea and send man to the…

It would seem that over time it would make sense to work to transition away from dependence on the Russians.

I would welcome the views of the witnesses on this panel as to what the top priorities of NASA should be.

We must ensure that America remains the leader in space exploration.

But you have to have the will to keep going.

I find it completely unacceptable that we have to depend on the Russians to launch U.S. astronauts to the International Space Station.

What do you see right now as the greatest impediments to the continued development and expansion of our commercial crew and commercial cargo capacity?

if things escalate with Mr. Putin, that he decides to use access to space as a weapon.

We cannot abdicate our place in human spaceflight to other countries that ARE willing to step up.

I cannot think of a more distinguished, a more experienced, a more respected panel than the three witnesses who are with us today.

I have for some time been critical of the Obama administration's foreign policy, that it has lacked a steady mooring and a focus on the very real national security threats facing the country.

To inflict a lasting defeat upon ISIL.