I think the experience of the last 8 years is a significant one. It was particularly bad, particularly unique.

More generally, we had a wonderful speech delivered by our President in Normandy. He talked about why the soldiers return to Normandy and tell their stories.

You must feel considerable satisfaction in seeing such swift results under this Administration of the recommendations that GAO offered in the past.

I think as you said, there is the risk that if industry itself won't stand up to these abusive practices and distinguish its science from them, that they will then suffer some of that taint, which I think is unnecessary.

I think you and I share the belief that the better we remember this, the less likely it is to be repeated.

I am confident that the reassertion of science will bring about the policy reforms necessary for the Environmental Protection Agency to get back to the work of protecting the environment.

Polluters' interests came before protecting public health.

That may need further investigation.

Thank you very much, Senator Carper.

Under the previous Administration, as this Committee witnessed, EPA's integrity was compromised.

Science took a back seat to politics.

The people can handle the truth in a democracy.

I will certainly look at that, and I would be happy to meet with you or your staff on that question.

I urge you to use that flexibility wisely.

I think he did a very good job in laying out some of the problems of transparency and oversight.

As credit markets begin to thaw and the recession slows, the infusion of more than $1 trillion dollars into our economy could present another significant challenge--ensuring the strong value of the dollar by guarding against inflation.

One of the goals of TALF is to free up lending for small businesses and consumers; however, many small businesses in my home state of Rhode Island are still unable to access and maintain adequate lines of credit.

So if you could consider that, I would really appreciate it, Mr. Secretary.