I also think it speaks to a real problem within the Department that one agency is flagging so much fraud, and yet the agency that has to carry out the enforcement is only accepting 26 percent of the cases.

ICE plays a vital role in coordinating interior enforcement to detain and remove those who have violated our immigration laws.

This Committee's comprehensive investigation into the flawed response to Hurricane Katrina revealed fundamental problems with our nation's preparedness for catastrophic disasters.

this should not be a political post. It should be a nonpartisan post that is filled by the most experienced individuals that we can find.

I think we need to strike the right balance.

I just want to wish our nominee well. I, too, am impressed with his background and responses this morning, and I look forward to working with him.

Our Representatives in Congress need our help in resisting the financial and political power of the insurance lobby.

I intend to support the nominee.

You have ably described what an important role this is, as well as the impressive background of Mr. Morton.

The logical combination of all-hazards prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery underscores the need to keep FEMA within DHS.

I want to acknowledge that he was the first person to come to me when I was Chairman to point out problems with FEMA.

This tension, however, is not unique to a large hurricane like Hurricane Katrina.

I would hope that your role is not just as the operational manager, but I would hope that you are the primary adviser to the Secretary in this area.

By leveraging the expertise and independence of Inspectors General and their staffs, Congress has been able to identify, and take action to stop, wasteful spending.

It doesn't make sense to carve out investigators and auditors.

The Inspectors General are vital partners in Congress's effort to identify inefficient, ineffective, and improper government programs.

There is no one in the Congress who has a better understanding of Federal contracting of auditing issues than you do.

The Inspectors General are vital partners in our effort to identify inefficient, ineffective, and improper government programs.