mr. cooper said in his original presentation. by analyzing primarily a 20-year period, if you concentrate construction impacts, whether it's dust or whether it's whatever in a more limited period, you're essentially focusing the impacts in a more concentrated way. if we did 30 years, we'd say, there's a little bit here and it's spread over 30 years and we do 20 years, we're basically saying on all the aspects of construction, this is the worst it could get and that's basically the approach that's been taken here to the extent the construction takes longer, the severity of the impacts will be less because it will be less concentrated. so that's the basic approach taken here and it's reflecting we're not -- this is not a city project. this is being built over time as part of a private development and not in a position to say with certainty it will 20b years, it will 30b years. we're saying because of that uncertainty, we're going to look at the impacts in their most concentrated, most acute way on each topic so that we're not under

mr. cooper said, the analysis in this e.i.r. as a very extensive range of alternatives. i would argue that it's far more extensive than you would typically see in an e.i.r. document there are five amount analyst, including a no-project alternative, a preservation alternatives, when maintenance a lot of the -- maintains a lot of the central part of the document. there's a partial preservation alternative that was also fully analyzed. all three of those were fully analyzed. nice, there were two other alternatives considered but rejected, including an infiltration alternative, which intersperses spaces and a partial west side preservation alternative that pushes all of the development to the west side. the document both in the e.i.r. itself and in the response to comments and in the technical memory randa goes to extensive analysis as to why those were not considered. as mr. cooper stated, ceqa requires a reasonable range of alternatives and those alternatives need to address a substantial number of the front's objectives and also met gate adverse effects. with respect to t

mr. cooper spoke about the traffic impacts and the mitigations and where they are not mitigateable, i think the benefits that are gained outweigh the circumstances that will occur but i think we can direct people in methods other than driving in their commutes to san francisco and elsewhere that might tend to make these impacts less. also, i think there was some concern about changes that occurred to the environmental impact report that came fairly recently. there were only really two significant ones. one was reducing the maximum height of the taller buildings, which of course is a lesser impact than one would assume than the taller buildings and also lessening the amount of hotel spaces from .8 spaces per room to .4 spaces per room and to lessen the number of spaces needed for retail from one for every 25 spaces for every 1,000 square feet to 15 spaces for every 1,000 feet of retail. i quickly saw what the changes were and in my mind those would not require any further analysis because they are lesser and finally, the issue was brought up about the affordable housing, which is not necessa

mr. cooper. i learned both of them were granted the request and one went on to win a revocation. i thought that i could do the same thing. i speak today for my neighbors who have all seen this filing and agree with our comments. i will put up on the screen -- it is on page 5 of your presentation that i handed out. in my opinion, the planning department is supposed to deny a permit if there is any diminishment of view or obstruction of view. i show here at the top of the steps, the box that nextg -- there is clear -- it is clear to me there is a did it -- a diminishment of the view. i have some other comments about nextg's reply. i don't think i have enough time, so be happy to answer the questions. >> you saw a copy of the permit- holders's brief? >> i did see it. yes. >> they refer to a number of instances where they met with you. do you dispute any of those? >> they did meet with me. they led me to believe they would move the box to a different place, which is why i withheld from investigating. the combination of them assuring me they would ameliorate the situation with my inst

mr. cooper spoke to a lot of those but comments were made to the effect that you know, a lot of this is landfill as is most of downtown san francisco, which did quite well in the earthquake of 1989. i think it is not the

mr. cooper and the entire staff on what they have done. it was an amazing job under very unusual circumstances. this project is not perfect. it is probably never going to be perfect. it is good. it is excellent, as far as i am concerned. if we look for perfect, we will never get out of here this evening or any other. i do not believe that this eir has to be recirculated. i believe it is adequate, it is accurate, and it is complete. commissioner elberling: [inaudible] about the seismic risk of the existing island -- i have been involved in this project from the very beginning. my greatest concern is that it has taken us 15 years to get to this point. if there is any emergency, the urgency is the existing seismic hazard of the island, and its exposure to eight -- its exposure to a tsunami in the bay. it is not as scary as the common to presented, but it is a serious matter. the longer we wait -- every year we wait to raise the berm around the island is one more year of that existing hazard to continue for those that are there today. i think

mr. cooper for his remarks. mr. cooper? >> thank you, mr. chairman. in the interest of time, i'd like to insert written statement in the record. i commend you for holding this hearing. i'm sorry we have to have it, but i'm dedicated to working with you to make sure we solve these problems. >> thank you, mr. cooper. i appreciate that. with that, we are going to begin our first panel of witnesses. before hearing from our army representatives we're going to go to colonel koch. he has taken time out of his busy schedule to travel from his home in north carolina to be with us and share his experiencement i can't think of a better way to start a discussion about accountability than to hear from colonel koch. i appreciate him taking the time. we had a few minutes before the hearing to meet and talk and learn more about him and his commitment to our nation and his family. with that, i'll turn it over to you, colonel, and ask you to give us your thoughts, concerns and ideas about the current state of affairs there at arlington. i know you have some personal in

mr. cooper for h remarks. mr. cooper? >> thank you, mr. chairman. in the interest of time, i'd like to insert written statement in the record. i commend you for holding this hearing. i'm sorry we have to have it, but i'm dedicated to working with you to make sure we solve these problems. >> thank you, mr. cooper. i appreciate that. with that, we are going to begin our first panel of witnesses. before hearing from our army representatives we're going to go to colonel koch. he has taken time out of his busy schedule to travel from his home in north carolina to be with us and share his experiencement i can't think of a better way to start a discussion about accountability than to hear from colonel koch. i appreciate him taking the time. we had a few minutes before the hearing to meet and talk and learn more about him and his commitment to our nation and his family. with that, i'll turn it over to you, colonel, and ask you to give us your thoughts, concerns and ideas about the current state of affairs the at arlington. i know you have some personal info

mr. cooper said earlier, if in fact it was found that the contract was not binding for whatever reason, then the issue of displacement would be reopened and i don't think, president chiu it is too late because at that point the e.i.r. is no longer valid in terms of the displacement issue so the element of the project would be reopened and wherever the project was at that state, they'd have to address that issue based on changed circumstances. supervisor campos: i think that's the point i'm making here which is that you are -- your analysis is based on this assumption that in fact you have a legally binding agreement, and to the extent that that may not be the case, in my view, you're talking about a speculative analysis because that's the assumption you're making. whether or not that's the case of something remains to be seen. but that's a real concern that i have about the analysis that you're following here. >> to restate, i think it expects a normal contractual range between the city and another party. and i want to further emphasize if it were found not to be valid, restating for the thi

mr. cooper made, one thing that moved it up on the food chain was a unanimous resolution in the united states senate on march 1st, bipartisan sponsorship, calling for us to execute a no-fly zone. so in addition to all the other voices from the u.n. and the arab league, congress actually was joining in in terms of calling on the executive branch to act. you know, andyou can get whiplash. >> i would just add, mr. courtney, including both republicans and democrats in the house calling for a no-fly zone as well. >> thank you. i mean, when -- this hearing should be happening and there should be questions asked that, you know, something this big deserves all the scrutiny that we can give it. but you can get sort of whiplash around here trying to keep up with the positions of some people on it. one thing i think we could do that is very useful is to pass a defense budget for the rest of 2011. and, again, i think you were a little gentle, mr. secretary, in terms of saying the impact on the defense department in terms of this operation is not going to be that large because this morning, secretary mafs

mr. cooper? >> thank you, mr. chairman, secretary gates, admiral mullen, thank you for your service and above all, thanks to the troops. i have more of a statement than a question, because my remarks have to deal with the congressional role in this process. i don't think it's been mentioned so far today that the senate, u.s. senate, on march 1, unanimously called for a no-fly zone over libya. the house did not have a similar action. that's at least some sign of congressional involvement early on in this process. it's no secret this is a period of domestic tension in this country, politically, but it makes me yearn for the day that politics stopped at the water's edge and we could gather behind the commander in chief. there's a lot of discussion about the war powers act, from some members here. they're still unfamiliar with it. as you pointed out, mr. secretary, every single president, democrat or republican, has questioned the constitutionality of that act. if we had wanted to repair it, we've had years to do so,

mr. cooper? >> thank you, mr. chairman, secretary gates, admiral mullen, thank you for your service and above all, thanks to the troops. i have more of statement than a question, because my remarks have to deal with the congressional role in this process. i don't think it's been mentioned so far today that the senate, u.s. senate, on march 1, unanimously called for a no-fly zone over libya. the house di not have a similar action. that's at least some sign of congressional involvement early on in this process. it's no secret this is a period of domestic tension in this country, politically, but it makes me yearn for the day that politics stopped at the water's edge and we could gather behind the commander in chief. there's a lot of discussion about the war powers act, from some members here. they're still unfamiliar with it. as you pointed out, mr. secretary, every single president, democrat or republican, has questioned the constitutionality of that act. if we d wanted to repair it, we've had years do so, but cong

mr. cooper, the democratic substitute all considered and we are going to have a free flowing debate today and tomorrow on that. mr. speaker, let me just say that yesterday i stood here at 1:30 just as the president was getting ready to deliver his speech and i indicated some real hope and optimism by virtue of the fact that early indications were the president would be talking about the need for entitlement reform. i had have to say i was more than disappointed in the fact that the speech was a little more political than i thought it could have been, and it was at best a very first step, but a little too modest for my taste. mr. speaker, it is essential that we work in a bipartisan way to take on, to take on the burden and the cost of medicare, especially, and social security as well. why? so that we can save not abolish medicare and social security. the american people have been compelled throughout their entire lifetimes to pay the fica tax. they in fact should have an opportunity to have what is much needed health care and retirement benefits. and the course we are on right now, the co

mr. robert de niro in the movie. cooperevolve, i'm going to have to move on. >> that you would even think that would only show me how unprepared you are to be on your own. i mean, you do know you're a freak? your deductive powers are a gift from god or chance, or a stray shot of sperm, or whatever or whoever the hell wrote your life script. it's a gift, not earned. you do not know what i know because you have not earned those powers. you're careless with those powers. you flaunt them, and you throw them around like a brat with his trust fund. you haven't had to climb up all the greasy little rungs. you haven't been bored blind at a fundraiser. you haven't done the time in that first marriage with the girl with the right father. you think you can leap over all in a single bound. you haven't had the bribe or charm or threat your way to a seat at that table. you don't know how to assess your competition, because you haven't competed. don't make me your competition. now, i'll open up a line of credit for you. you'll be wanting

mr. chairman for your cooperation. >> i think you. and at this point i request unanimous consent to enroll into the record a letter from aarp, from the chief operating officer, tom nelson, which states that less than $31 million out of the $650 million in aarp insurance revenue went to aarp foundation in 2008. >> mr. chairman, preserving the right to object. has that document been provided to the members of this committee? >> this is a letter that is posted on aarp website. >> i understand that, and i certainly have no reason to disbelieve the chairman in what he is saying that the letter depicts. none of us have seen this and you're asking it to be part of the official record of this hearing. and typically what happens is the chairman will make available to every member in a document that is going to be part of the record. i'd like to share this report was never provided. i would just want to make sure that members are provided with the information that will be part of this record. >> i mentioned that, the minority has entered alread

mr. administrator, we appreciate your cooperation with our committee in your presentation today. despite some uncertainties about the fiscal year 2011 budget, i am hopeful that we can stay on track to meet the goal of developing the heavy lift capacity for operation by 2016. i am hopeful that is a 130 ton capacity. i know that your advice is important in keeping us on track in terms of taking the right steps with the funding of those activities that will help us reach that goal. we would to be sure we have ample rocket testing results and an infrastructure to support this capability. we know that safety, confidence , natural interests -- national interests are all goals that we share. we know you are on the same team and we appreciate your leadership. you mention in your written testimony about the investment importance for a 21st century launch complex. this strikes me as a way to describe what we have in the nasa facilities in mississippi- louisiana area which have become so important to the launch infrastructure. do you have enough funding requested in this budget request to e

mr. administrator, we appreciate your cooperation with our committee in your presentation today. despite some uncertainties about the fiscal year 2011 budget, i am hopeful that we can stay on track to meet the goal of developing the heavy lift capacity for operation by 2016. i am hopeful that is a 130 ton capacity. i know that your advice is important in keeping us on track in terms of taking the right steps with the funding of those activities that will help us reach that goal. we would to be sure we have ample rocket testing results and an infrastructure to suppo this capability. we know that safety, confidence , natural interests -- national interests are all goals that we share. we know you are on the same team and we appreciate your leadership you mention in your written testimony about the investment importance for a 21st century launch complex. thistrikes me as a way to describe what we have in the nasa facilities in mississippi- louisiana area which have become so important to the launch infrastructure. do you have enough funding requested in this budget request to ensure

he said he hoped the groundwork was laid for future cooperation in congress. today mr. obama welcomed about 50 eighth graders from colorado to the white house. he excited them friday about how a shutdown would affect their trip with. those fears quieted, it's on to two new fiscal fights with trillions, not billions at stake. raising the federal debt ceiling and passing a budget for the next fiscal year at a fund-raising dinner in connecticut saturday, speaker boehner said there is a moral obligation to raise the debt ceiling so the government can legally borrow what it needs to operate. but he said republicans would demand concessions. >> how can you raise the debt limit without dealing with the problem that's causing us is to have to increase the debt limit. there is no plan to deal with the debt that we're facing. and i can just tell you this. that there will not be an increase in the debt limit without something really, really big attached to it. >> reporter: this afternoon white house press secretary jay carny warned the consequences of not raising the debt ceiling

members have children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren and we all want intergenerational cooperation. mr. chairman, i have read it. i think it's a little bit goofy. with all due respect, the notion somehow that they focus on medicare advantage that is rocky and his nature conan cut. medicare advantage means that 75% of your members who are senior citizens have see first papers pay $90 a year more. so maybe trying to reform medicare and kitsch speaks to the 75% of your members and 75% of american seniors who are paying more because the system got out of hand. >> you've expressed her rationale. >> i just think i'm glad it's in the record. i hope people look at it. witchhunt is such a nasty turn. i look forward to bringing before s. people who have really crossed the line, people that call mingle fun and push the limits are crossed over them in terms of irs regulations. but i think any fair reading is that your work on preexisting conditions, children's health, end-of-life, medicare reform speaks to what we need to be doing as a country and as a congress. sadly, this morning's exercise move

mr. dicks:bsolutely. we will work hard to cooperate noord to -- in orr to do that. we'll try to keep a reasonable number of amendments on our side. i hope you can do that on your side. at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. eastern, here on c-span. why is the education issue a finding important to you? >> i think education funding is important, particularly in the 21st century because we have technology is increasing so rapidly and new jobs are being created. we need to keep up with these advancements. we can learn to use technology. as it comes out, we can not fall behind. >> what is race to the top? >> this is a plan to initiate education reform across the country. what it does it sets out criteria for states to follow and then evaluates how each state has modified their education policies to comply with those roles. the focus on things like they have great teachers, do they have low-achieving schools? >> what is the education reform act of 2010? >> after race to the top was announced, martin o'malley introduced the education reform act which briefly outlined the policy whic

members have children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren and we all want intergenerational cooperation. mr. chairman, i have read it. i think it's a little bit goofy. with all due respect, the notion somehow that they focus on medicare advantage that is rocky and his nature conan cut. medicare advantage means that 75% of your members who are senior citizens have see first papers pay $90 a year more. so maybe trying to reform medicare and kitsch speaks to the 75% of your members and 75% of american seniors who are paying more because the system got out of hand. >> you've expressed her rationale. >> i just think i'm glad it's in the record. i hope people look at it. witchhunt is such a nasty turn. i look forward to bringing before s. people who have really crossed the line, people that call mingle fun and push the limits are crossed over them in terms of irs regulations. but i think any fair reading is that your work on preexisting conditions, children's health, end-of-life, medicare reform speaks to what we need to be doing as a country and as a congress. sadly, this morning's exercise move

mr. administrator, we appreciate your cooperation with our committee in your presentation today. despite some uncertainties about the fiscal year 2011 budget, i am hopeful that we can stay on track to meet the goal of developing the heavy lift capacity for operation by 2016. i am hopeful that is a 130 ton capacity. i know that your advice is important in keeping us on track in terms of taking the right steps with the funding of those activities that will help us reach that goal. we would to be sure we have ample rocket testing results and an infrastructure to support this capability. we know that safety, confidence , natural interests -- national interests are all goals that we share. we know you are on the same team and we appreciate your leadership. you mention in your written testimony about the investment importance for a 21st century launch complex. this strikes me as a way to describe what we have in the nasa facilities in mississippi- louisiana area which have become so important to the launch infrastructure. do you have enough funding requested in this budget request to e

members have children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren and we all want intergenerational cooperation. mr. chairman, i have read it. i think it's a little bit goofy. with all due respect, the notion somehow that they focus on medicare advantage that is rocky and his nature conan cut. medicare advantage means that 75% of your members who are senior citizens have see first papers pay $90 a year more. so may ting to reform medicare and kitsch speaks to the 75% of your members and 75% of american seniors who are paying more because the system got out of hand. >> you've expressed her rationale. >> i just think i'm glad it's in the record. i hope pple look at it. witchhunt is such a nasty turn. i look forward to bringing before s. people who have really crossed the line, people that call mingle fun and push the limits are crossed over them in terms of irs regulatns. but i think any fair reading is that your work on preexisting conditions, children's health, end-of-life, medicare reform speaks to what we need to be doing as a country and as a congress. sadly, this morning's exercise moves us no

we receive today, the restrictions posed a low burden that's been managed through interagency cooperation. mr, this is not to say there's incursions on the border. we know human traffickers continue to use federal lands to perpetrate their illegal activities. nonetheless, while the lands are used to commit illegal activity, most are honed to environmental resources, cultural heritage sites, and endangered species. the border believes they cannot achieve the mission and be responsible steward of the environment at the same time. the department of the interior and department of agriculture agree through the general accountability office studied the issue extensively concurs. this committee is no stranger to the challenged posed at the border and op going violence in mexico. the committee held several hearings examining the threats posed by drug cartels in mexico and federal strategies to confront the challenges. trammingically, over 30,000 citizens in mexico were killed there in the last 0 years. there's real challenges there, but almost by all accounts today environmental restrictions are not