Let me ask you, has the Pentagon identified which branch of the Armed Services should take the lead on this effort?

I know the primary debate, and it is an important debate, is how this is coordinated between agencies and who might take the lead role, but you have been very clear that there will be many agencies involved.

Is there any role for the National Guard that any of you could foresee in this?

And that is----

It is gone.

I would hope that you could come forward with actual tracking for this and also bring it back to Treasury and OMB.

I think it's very important to have this initial discussion about how this program is working in its early stages.

President Obama has said repeatedly, as has Secretary Geithner and Budget Director Orszag, that the stimulus bill will save or create 3.5 million jobs over the next 2 years.

Clearly, some of the Governors around the country have raised legitimate concerns about the increased burden in the form of taxes on employers.

John Boehner said water-boarding was torture.

If the information was available somewhere else, you did irreparable harm to the reputation of the United States.

If laws were broken, of course there should be.

Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

As I traveled around the district last two weeks--I live down in Southwest Louisiana--we have a lot of oil and gas production, and a lot of jobs related to this industry, the refining industry. There's a great deal of concern right now…

I am urging this Committee to understand that in a major catastrophic disaster, the current amounts on the books are wholly inadequate to maintain basic operations.

I am convinced that you are the right person for this job.

His is a wonderful face to see, and we in Louisiana so appreciate his voice at probably the most difficult time our State has ever faced.

This nominee will have my support, but I want you and the Ranking Member to know that I am going to be working weekly, as we rebuild our region in the Gulf Coast.