I think at least the Subcommittee would like to understand what the priorities are on various rulemakings

If confirmed as Commandant, will you commit to embracing and enforcing the acquisition principles in reform legislation S. 1194 that is passed out of this committee?

I am a strong believer in finding the ways of making that work.

I believe the NTSB's challenge will be to become more assertive in communicating to Congress if government entities continue to be downright dismissive of the Board's efforts.

Will you commit that, if confirmed, the acquisitions that happen under your tenure as Commandant will follow the Coast Guard's Major Systems Acquisition Manual?

We have to find a way of getting both running and cooperating.

Would you say that the conditions are continuing to change in the Arctic, and there is a need for a larger Coast Guard presence in the region?

I am committed to giving that leadership, and I have taken a personal interest in the offshore patrol cutter.

I have spent a lot of time getting up to speed and understanding what the oversight and regulation has been and trying to improve the safety of the Air Medical Service.

We certainly appreciate the investment in high-speed rail capacity.

we have to have a balance of managing our resources and addressing economic needs of the communities that we serve.

Funding was never the problem. In fact, the fact was that we had a blank check given to the Coast Guard.

Can you commit to me and others that you will work with this committee on the future of the Coast Guard's polar icebreaker fleet?

The nominees before this committee today represent a number of agencies that are crucial to our Nation, our environment, and our economy.

While I remain a serious supporter of passenger rail, and was particularly gratified that my home state of Maine received a High Speed Rail grant of $35 million to extend our Downeaster service north to Brunswick, Maine, I am not entirely…

Are you committed to maintaining the Coast Guard's capacity for oil spill response?

I think it is something like between 1995 and 2008, basic services increased 122 percent, which is--you know, CPI only grew by 38 percent.

I can't support this merger.

I want to recognize your long leadership in media consolidation issues and the importance of that.

I think this just begs the question for us to review a la carte because I just think we can't hold consumers hostage because we are building a vertical integration.

I think it is probably far from perfect, and I think really the issue, from my perspective, is that you are taking this revenue that you are making off of this consumer base and trying to consolidate in a more vertical way, which is going…

So, it sounds as if you've reached a conclusion and it sounds like you are moving ahead.

We also learned that morning that the earthquake generated a tsunami. And we were lucky that this time--because the tsunamis were minimal.

we're going to be concerned, as I said, and asking for an Inspector General investigation of this process.

What is the root of this, you know, perception?