I thank Senator Mikulski.

Maryland has had a great tradition since the early--even before the early days of the Republic--in colonial times, of having a very distinguished bar.

the very substantial, positive contribution that Gary Gensler has made in the Baltimore community through his civic involvement.

I think it provides a disturbing insight into how predatory lenders target military personnel.

In my view, it portrays clearly unacceptable practices on the part of a number of short-term lenders.

I don't think there is sufficient protection for service members.

These men and women play an important role in our defense, obviously, and the view that a number of these practices are directed at them in a whole range of ways, I think is a matter for the considerable concern.

Warren Buffett has warned us that derivatives are time bombs, both for the parties that deal in them and the economic system.

In my view, a Secretary who forges meaningful partnerships to foster peace or reduce global poverty and hunger, promote democratic values, and address emerging threats can set our country on a course to greater security and prosperity.

There has been an incredible deterioration in recent years in the U.S. trade deficit.

I would very much hope the administration would listen to that.

I mean, something's wrong with the set of policies we're pursuing, it seems to me, if we're going to have the kind of erosion in the trade balance that we have seen.