I have known and worked with Cynthia for many years and have seen first-hand her leadership in the Ocean State on many critical environmental issues.

Thank you for holding this important hearing today to consider the nomination of these three very well qualified individuals to fill key positions over at EPA.

Her broad experience and success in protecting human health, the environment and effective environmental enforcement is evident.

I want to thank you for your not only interest but your effective support because you ensured there were $10 million in the last budget for New England ground fisheries.

Without your leadership, it would not have happened, and I thank you.

When you are talking about the waste associated with water use, it is hard to overlook the extraordinary waste of energy and oil and everything associated with bottle water.

The United States, the water quality here, is the envy of the world.

I would ask your assurance to all of us that in that balance you will be pressing your organization to push upward as far as the facts and the law will drive.

I can think of no one more qualified for this important job.

The standard credit card agreement gives the lender the power to bleed their customers through evolving and ever more crafty tricks and traps.

We have lots of disclosure, but we really have obfuscation by disclosure.

The hearing will come to order.

This makes me think that we need to really look at substantive regulation.

High-interest-rate debt is financial quicksand for consumers.

American consumers are relying more than ever on credit cards to just make ends meet from month to month.

Having listened to that, it is, I think, very insightful, and it seems to be a great approach.

But, you know, it goes back to the question I raised before, to which I think you affirmatively responded, that in terms of overall risk mechanisms or risk compliance, that it was clear that the umbrella regulator had that responsibility.

This is not a war that we are going to win just by military might alone.