That obviously is a significant breach in the security system of our country.

The passport is the gold standard for identification in this country.

We do require a Social Security number, but we cannot refuse to adjudicate a passport if someone does not provide a Social Security number.

And that could lead to prosecution or----

I am still not comfortable that we have a system in place that will stop the issuance of a passport, checks have been made as to whether this person has a valid Social Security number or not.

It should never have been issued, but we have taken additional steps to ensure that the 'No record found' will, in fact, stop the adjudication.

Because how do we know that that will not happen--that is not happening right now?

If there is a need for us to strengthen the laws on passport issuance, we want to hear from you.

There has got to be some really good reason for issuing a passport if you have not gotten the information back.

I appreciate that. I think there are two separate issues here.

we have an obligation to make sure that our system is done in an adequate way.

If you believe that the law is inadequate as it relates to those people who have Social Security numbers and providing information for you to do an adequate check, then let us know.

I know that you have the capacity at GSA to do not just the job creation that we envisioned under the Recovery and Reinvestment Act, but also to make sure that we are building buildings for the future and that we are transforming buildings…

Mr. Guerin, if you have any concerns about this, I would appreciate it if you would put those on the record now for this Subcommittee, because the last thing that we want is to be accused of mismanaging quadruple the amount of money that…

And so do you have the assurances that you are going to be able to function in a way that works for the taxpayers, given the resource limitations.

Government workers cannot be building roads and buildings, but government workers should surely be able to oversee how taxpayer dollars are being spent.

I would say in conclusion that while there may not be direct oversight authority as we move forward with looking at the expenditure in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Congress always has broad authority to look at the way…

I just look forward to working with you and the Ranking Member so that we can make certain that with the quadrupling of the money that has gone out to GSA that we make sure that it is spent in the most efficient and effective way.