Supported by Betty McCollum here in the House and Mark Kirk in the Senate, the measure passed unanimously.

We need to ensure that our retirement system is secure and sustainable for future generations.

my constituents want to know why they can only get news about what is happening in Minnesota's government rather than about the laws and budget of Wisconsin.

Believe me, it will not go over well at my next town hall meeting during football season in northwestern Wisconsin.

Yes, just a word or two.

I do not think anyone should have that power.

Taking away competition in the long run almost never makes things more efficient.

it is critical that we have this kind of oversight, and regulatory oversight, it was the lack of it that created the mess that we are in right now?

I have been concerned about concentration and various anti-competitive practices.

Critics of this merger allege the deal will combine two competitors in the evolving entertainment business.

This local business was happy to compete in the free marketplace, but was at a severe disadvantage when cross-ownership was used in an anti-competitive manner.

And back to Mr. Mickelson and Mr. Hurwitz. This proposed merger, would it be in an order of magnitude worse than what was going on with Clear Channel in 2002? How would you compare it?

All right. Mr. Hurwitz, do you have a comment?

I am, I must say, disturbed by your unwillingness to discuss the main reason for the merger.

We urge the Justice Department to review it closely.

This merger will combine two entertainment powerhouses: Ticketmaster, the Nation's leading ticketing company, and Live Nation, the world's largest concert promoter.

So that problem would exist in both contexts?

I come to this hearing with a healthy dose of skepticism about this proposal.