The majority's premise for today's hearing is that we need to conduct aggressive oversight to prevent unions from using the dues of their members to fund political activities.

If you read today's hearing title, you would think that it is about protecting union workers. Unfortunately, the real purpose of today's hearing is to continue the majority's unprecedented year-long attack against millions of middle-class…

the intention of this committee is to concentrate on legislation after effective hearings that mandate in law greater transparency.

Let's start with the facts. First, Federal law already makes it clear that employment may not be conditioned on an employee's willingness to fund a union's political activities.

And to hamper the weaker party in this debate, but not to require reasonable notice and reasonable chance to opt out from corporations is just not fair and it is not good for our democracy.

I particularly mention Estonia, because Estonia has been a successful country in using the OSCE format in dealing with its Russian-speaking minority.

If I am confirmed, the issue of human rights and promotion of democracy will be a critical element of my mission.

The situation of the Roma may present the most serious human rights issues in Bulgaria.

This issue is very important to me and it's a very personal issue to me.

We have now over the first half of this year admitted more SIV cases into the United States than we did all of last year.

I would just underscore the issue of qualification of opposition candidates. That has been used in too many European countries as a way of trying to block opposition opportunities.

The Cardin-Lugar amendment to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act set a new standard for transparency in extractive industries.

If confirmed as Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources, I pledge to make the pursuit of good governance and transparency in the energy sector a central theme for the Energy Resources Bureau.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. What I will do is I will pose a question to all five that I will ask be answered for the record.

There appears to be a willingness to talk more openly about these issues, and Serbia is trying to become the leader; chair an office in the OSCE.

I have known Iraqis who have worked with us and lost their lives.

Is there a better way to assess regulatory outcomes to maximize what are finite EPA resources?

the arrogance of some of the science within or in policymaking I know better what is best for the country.