Local governments rely on these money market mutual funds as a cash management tool.

I believe it is my responsibility to the hard-working and honest people of New Mexico and to all Americans who suffered as a result of this crisis to ensure that we work to fully implement Dodd-Frank.

In a couple of months, we will mark the fourth anniversary of the enactment of comprehensive Wall Street reforms aimed at strengthening the oversight in the wake of the financial crisis of 2008.

Do you feel you have the necessary expertise on staff to adequately issue and enforce the rules required by Dodd-Frank?

Chair Wetjen, how are you coming on the rules that you are promulgating, the ones that are in the pipeline?

I keep hearing from folks back home about this issue.

This information will be instructive as we further consider the budget proposals and develop our fiscal year 2015 bill during the coming weeks.

Do you believe there are additional reporting requirements or controls necessary to prevent another crisis?

As we all know water is a defining issue of today's American West. We're in the midst of a historic drought, the worst drought in half a century in my State.

I look forward to continuing to work with Estevan on the challenges facing our State and the entire West.

Failure is not an option because it means that our communities may run out of safe drinking water.

In fact, while the drought has been occurring for decades, we are in the 4th consecutive year of the most severe drought we have ever experienced.

I would really appreciate if you would think about that, respond to me and the Committee.

It is also clear to me that the natural gas revolution has national security implications.

I certainly can appreciate that and recognize, given that we have our own natural gas exploration issues in New Mexico.

In my State, I am from New Mexico, the energy industry is certainly critical to our economic success.

. . . if you will simply state and affirm that you are not going to spend more than 40 percent of your resources and revenues on political activities, you could, in fact, pass through.

Madam President, I rise to join my colleagues to urge support for increasing the Federal minimum wage. Today's minimum wage of $7.25 falls short and working families are falling behind. It hasn't kept up with the rising cost of everyday…