retail sales surged up 6 percent in November for the most promising start of the holiday season in three years.

No one is pleased when we have this unemployment rate.

we have seen some improvements with, for instance, consumer confidence.

I hope we can come up with the policies that can get us not just 130,000 each month, but, you know, a more robust 200,000 and above in order to get these 15 million people back to work.

the people of this country have understood that we could not dig ourselves out of this hole in one month.

I just want to point out that... people who have to be 28 years or younger to have that recommendation affect in any kind of increase in the age at which you could get Social Security.

I always think it is important to get the facts straight, and it is worth looking at that recommendation.

I really believe that the way we are going to get out of this is by making things again, by exporting to the world in any big way.

there are some glimmers of hope here: the 39,000 jobs that were added in November to the economy.

I want to thank you for your service on this Committee. It has really been an honor.

we are now one month shy of one year straight of employment gains in the private sector.

I really appreciate Representative Cummings's focus on some of these deficit issues and the Social Security.

Regrettably, recent terror attempts against the U.S. have once again highlighted both the risks that we face through our aviation system and also our dependency on our international partners.

I was supportive of this bill, in general.

I just remember, back in the early days, when I got here, which is not that long ago, and the issues, as I know Chairman Pryor remembers, with the CPSC, and our frustrations with a lot of the toys that were coming in from China.

I wanted to thank the Commission for its work on the Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, something I worked very hard on.

I discussed this with Secretary Napolitano--of the rescreening for passengers arriving from Canada.

I just want to pass on the good work that they do.