Thank you.

I am very concerned about recent reports on inadequate supplies of the vaccine.

I would appreciate your responding to for the record.

I am heartened by the coordinated response.

I just do not understand why the Federal Government did not then instruct States and local public health officials to concentrate on this priority group.

DHS in general has a responsibility for assisting State and local governments in their preparedness and response capabilities.

It should be prioritized.

Such extreme measures should not be required. And it raises troubling questions: How many others, just like Brendon, are still waiting for their vaccination?

That to me is an appalling answer to someone who has a child who is at high risk and needs the vaccine.

I believe the Federal Government should have stepped in and set the priorities.

I do believe that we need a thorough evaluation of the preparedness at the State and local levels.

There are huge variations in the capabilities at the State and local level.

I found very compelling the story that you told of a Federal official essentially begging the head of Microsoft to provide a more secure configuration.

And, of course, it never ends because the criminals become more innovative and defeat the security software.

So what does that tell us about the standards?

So is the problem in this case the lack of encryption between the retailer and the processing entity or the processing entity and the ultimate credit card company?

So to agree on standards?

Along with Senator Lieberman, I am the author of the law that created that center, so I know very well what the NCTC's responsibilities are.