the American taxpayers want to be out of these companies as soon as possible, 'as soon as practicable' is the language that you have used

Congressman Perlmutter in particular has been indispensable in getting this critically important project off the ground.

If confirmed, Jeff will coordinate the President's efforts to make our government more efficient and accountable by identifying wasteful spending and eliminating initiatives that do not provide sufficient benefit to the American taxpayer…

I ask on behalf of Colorado's veterans, that you preserve the $119 million the Administration has requested for this important project.

I want to start by thanking Senator Udall for his hard work on the Denver VA Hospital.

Secretary Shinseki told us he supported a standalone facility, and as you know, he and President Obama have included $119 million in funding for it in their request for the upcoming fiscal year.

But I commend the President for prioritizing better governance and I fully agree that somebody needs to be tasked with performing this role.

But it also takes leadership in government to make important things happen.

Colorado families deserve better than this from their Government.

If TARP cannot work for communities like this one, then what good is it?

TARP should also be about rural America and working families, community banks, and average taxpayers, not just about big New York banks.

The TARP does need oversight. These Coloradans can tell you firsthand what is broken now.

I have taken many actions to try to help the people of northeastern Colorado who have been hit hard by the agricultural and credit crisis.

I look forward to reviewing the Panel's report that will result from this hearing.

I welcome you and the Congressional Oversight Panel to Greeley.

I think all of us on this committee, regardless of ideology, wish that there was a single silver bullet...

The beauty of a public charter school lies in its great autonomy and self-determination--this is what drew me to charter schools in the first place.

Thank you Chairman Miller and I applaud you holding a hearing on such an important issue as charter schools, to which I have devoted much of my policy and philanthropic efforts.