Contentious litigation-style appeals are no substitute for the cooperation that FEMA should be fostering.

If you are confirmed, will you commit to establishing a more collaborative process when FEMA is updating its flood maps?

Fraud in FEMA programs has been a problem. We saw rampant fraud in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

the president's top aides are still very deep into the negotiations with Senator Olympia Snowe.

More importantly, after I qualified for clean elections, I could spend the majority of my time talking to my constituents.

But again, you have to be--become a qualifying candidate. So you still have to find people to write you a $5 check.

As the Speaker of the House, I am engaged in recruiting candidates to run for the legislature.

Whether it was a senior citizen or a hardworking lobsterman, they could participate in my campaign.

The idea of raising funds, even the small amount necessary for a state house campaign, is daunting for many people.

And I would just add, if I may, part of the design of this system is to address one of your concerns.

These are basically the same kind of system. They are voluntary systems.

I think you and others portrayed this accurately in the sense that we have gotten into an arms race here.

Overall, the Maine Clean Elections Act has been a tremendous success.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. This is a rare honor.

I hope never runs against me in a primary.

She serves as the speaker of the house.

I would say these are basically the same kind of system. They are voluntary systems.

My experiences in Maine really brought me to understand how much this can change a legislative body and how much it can change all of the members of that body.