It seems as though the Department is making this a little bit more difficult. We have some specific examples. I would just like to work with you and the agency to try to iron these differences out.

At the same time, I think they are very achievable, and some of it is just kind of foot dragging or it seems the process becomes very, very slow.

You are obviously brushed up on it and I am going to talk about it too from a small State.

Is that a declining number or is it going up? Is it more solvent? I mean we have had to infuse some monies over the last several years into that to keep it going.

Well, let me say this--that, if it would be the desire of the Chairman and Vice Chairman, if we could, since we have a classified hearing scheduled for 2:00 this afternoon, would you all make yourselves available, since it doesn't linger…

Manufactured housing is a critical source of unsubsidized, affordable housing in America and a critical component of housing in rural America.

I think that has great promise as my understanding is we are not producing those special metals, even though we know they exist in our country and we are importing at great cost.

I just would hope that you all, with your expertise and all of your knowledge, would help us put closure to this sooner or later.

I think you could really help an awful lot of us clear the day up, if you will.

I think we need you in the SCIF sooner than later.

I do not accept that you cannot relook at something.

I understand that you feel very strongly about school choice, but as we discussed months ago, 'choice' simply doesn't make sense in rural West Virginia.

As the Secretary of Education, it is your job to put the needs of students above bureaucratic red tape.

Well, they do not have the money to do it. That is the problem when you cut it.

One thing that keeps us bipartisan here in the Senate is veterans and children.

Given the challenges that students, local businesses, and communities are facing, how can the Department justify cutting investments in programs that help students get good paying jobs that strengthen local economies?

I am very concerned about the proposed cuts to Career and Technical Education (CTE) State Grants.

We are going to hope that maybe somebody from your department would come to West Virginia and go through our department with them and explain that.