As the Administration's voice on economic policy, would you tell the committee whether the Administration believes that it is important to provide support to our manufacturing businesses through this key initiative?

I compliment you on being the new Secretary. You follow a line that goes back to the very beginning of the Republic.

No, I won't. I have talked with Mark about this.

If we are looking for the best value for the American taxpayer, why should the Administration be advocating a proposal that costs more and does less to protect the privacy rights of taxpayers?

I believe that the Department of Transportation should be more careful about handing these important functions over to the private sector.

With all respect, you are the Administration's point man on economic and fiscal policy.

Playing a bureaucratic shell game is simply unacceptable.

If the Administration's position is that the Byrd amendment should not be repealed, why has the Administration not submitted a budget amendment?

The Administration has sought to eliminate the steel loan guarantee program, rescinding $97 million in available fund from fiscal year 2003 and requesting zero dollars for fiscal year 2004.

And helped to lead to gargantuan deficits.

I do not think it is in the people's interest of this country to rush this bill as it is being rushed.

If it is for support of the troops, and for their safety, I do not think there will be any delay in that respect.