That perhaps is certainly an appropriate response for those areas that are under our direct influence, such as military assistance, direct military assistance and training. But in terms of a robust diplomatic push at the highest levels, what are we doing?

Thank you, Chairman Smith, for convening this very important hearing, and I think it is important to note that it is especially poignant that today is International Women's Day.

I think it's important for the United States to belong to multi-lateral institutions.

But if we had time to do that, and we did not have time to answer the questions that are in the minds and the hearts of these American families, who have opened their homes to these Haitian orphans, to me, that's just bad process.

It's just inexplicable -- inexplicable. And if it is the result of partisan politics -- politics, these children are being used as partisan pawns for more controversial immigration measures, we suspect, and that's simply wrong.

That's correct. And you -- or -- or we could bypass this process and some -- if somebody wants to introduce the DREAM Act on their own, and have a debate about it, and let the legislative body work its process separate from this, fine. But this bill should be released. You heard Mrs. Williams. And, in my mind, she's an American hero. And her daughter deserves better than what they're getting now. This bill has been tied up for months and months. There's no reason it shouldn't go through now.

It's just inexplicable. And if it is the result of partisan politics, these children are being used as partisan pawns for more controversial immigration measures we suspect and that's simply wrong.

It's unconscionable.

Well, I think Mrs. Williams said it perfectly, it's unconscionable. This is a very simple bill that would help the Haitian orphans who were caught up in the tragic aftermath of the earthquake who had to be evacuated quickly to the United States.

But if we had time to do that and we didn't have time to answer the questions that are in the minds and the hearts of these American families who have opened their homes to these Haitian orphans, to me, that's just bad process.

This bill should be released. You heard Mrs. Williams. In my mind she's an American hero and her daughter deserves better than what they're getting now.

A National Infrastructure Bank will build on our Nation's legacy of bold, innovative investments in public infrastructure.

the lobbyists and operators would run wild.

would debase the system, so we would get to the point where we couldn't govern ourselves.

be an astounding blow against good government, responsible government.

I think many of the institutions that we have deemed too big to fail are actually too big to succeed.

Advancing our nation's biofuels industry will have significant environmental benefits, promote energy independence, create jobs, and stimulate local economies across the nation at a time when our country needs it most.

In 2008, I supported a farm bill which promoted the critical, timely development of our nation's biofuels industry and confirmed Congress is serious about decreasing our dependence on foreign oil.