Well, I'm sorry, I think that this is really rife with problems, and we want small business, but you've got to really look at competency.

How are you really standing sentry and ensuring that these REAC teams... are really doing their job?

I really want to support the momentum for reform that you have here, and oversight vigor and independence.

I really want to thank you for our tremendous inroads against predatory lending.

I am very concerned in the area of shortages, I know that one of our outpatient clinics in the Glen Burnie area is full.

I believe that they are going to turn more and more to VA because of the failure of health care in other areas.

This program has attracted a large number of applicants.

I am so pleased that you are going to allow $2 million to upgrade some of the facilities at the NCCC Training programs.

We understand, in the Challenge Grants--then I want to get to the Next Generation Grants--that you received about $36 million worth of requests.

I want to begin by thanking the Chairman Christopher Bond and Ranking Minority Member Barbara Mikulski

Is the $36 million you have gotten in requests, are these real organizations that could use real help for which we have modest resources?

We believe in the State programs. We believe that ultimately while we look at these wonderful new programs, the large ones, that ultimately the heart and soul of AmeriCorps is what goes on at the local level.

I was really pleased to see that you want to spend an additional $5 million on training and technical assistance to recruit the volunteers and money.

Instead of a great feeling of joy and relief, senior citizens are now facing anxiety and also disappointment. Disappointment at how skimpy, and anxiety about what they could lose, rather than what they could gain.

I think the investments do need to be sustained over time, because it is not a one-shot fix.

But would you be looking at, say, extra money for people who have been serving more than 200 days, more than 400 days?

Be careful with contracting out, Mr. Secretary.

Could you tell me why HUD should determine minimum rents and not the local public housing authorities?