«The question Congress and the administration will still have to grapple with most is not the nature or desirability of the exploration architecture, but rather its timing,»

«Your husband was a hometown hero, ... And all the people identified with this island are hometown heroes for the good work they've been doing that will benefit everyone. This is what makes us one of the greatest areas in the country.»

«In such a budget, should NASA receive almost a 6 percent increase? Is it the highest domestic spending priority? I don't think so, and I doubt my colleagues will either,»

«The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy just this week recommended a partial transfer, and the president's commission on space exploration, headed by former Air Force Secretary Pete Aldridge, is also reportedly considering such an idea, ... I'm skeptical of such moves for a number of reasons, but, in any event, such a move wouldn't necessarily free up funds for space exploration. The assumption behind such recommendations is always that the money should be transferred along with the program, so NASA would actually have less of a 'piggy bank' for exploration after such a transfer occurred.»

«What we couldn't accept was the new mandatory spending under this bill, which would open the federal purse to developers, ... Reforming the law should not be a euphemism for gutting the law, and that's exactly what the bill would do.»

«Perhaps worst of all, the bill still does virtually nothing to limit the nation's growing demand for oil: the core cause of price spikes.»

«We are extremely pleased that the President has nominated Mike Griffin to be NASA Administrator ... Dr. Griffin has long been a resource to the Science Committee, both as a public witness and in providing private counsel. He has broad expertise, knows NASA inside and out, and is an imaginative and creative thinker and leader. He is also known for his candor and directness. We look very forward to working with Dr. Griffin at this critical time for NASA.»

«We need to put together a full picture of the actual risks and costs of the space shuttle before deciding whether and how the program should be run.»

«The decisions we make in the next few months will affect the future of the space program for decades to come, ... They need to be made deliberately. That's the proper way to honor the memories of the Columbia crew.»

«The bill weakens state and federal environmental standards ... and gives a break to wealthy oil companies while doing little or nothing to affect oil prices,»