I do think, though, that the American people are all in a place where they understand it took us a while to get into this mess. It's going to take a while for us to get out of it. And if they have confidence that I'm making steps to deal…

We've got to have a certain amount of capital in the bank and they haven't started lending it yet.

I'm disappointed, frankly, that those who requested this kind of a change didn't have the courage to stand up a couple of days ago and admit that they were the ones that asked for it.

If everybody was at home, doing their job and focusing entirely on the economy is that something that somebody would have read.

I'm contemplating having these sacks under my eyes removed. And I guess then the doctor would lift my face up and help remove this chin that I have.

Absolutely.

I want to caution both departments that if they don't reach an agreement as they've pledged to that some of us, certainly, I may very well decide the conflict for them.

the Federal Reserve, you know, is at the forefront of what needed to be done because they had the ability to set the standard.

I think you were ahead of the curve when others were not and really applaud you for that.

The five largest U.S. banks in 2005 were all national banks and too big to fail.

I look forward, Mr. Chairman, to working with you to try to make this happen, because these community banks are the ones that are actually out there still lending in communities at a time in which we generally don't see much credit…

It is hard to make the case that we had an adequate job of oversight given those results.

Well, I will submit the question for the record because the Chairman has been very generous with my time, but one of the things I would ask you is: What are you doing in comparison to State regulators who, in fact-- regulators of State…

unless, as Senator Shelby suggests, we all concentrate on it and reflect on it without defensiveness, we are not going to learn the lessons that need to be learned.

We are in the midst of an unprecedented financial crisis. I believe the challenge before us involves three tasks: First, we must work to stabilize the system. Second, we must understand the origins of the current crisis. And, third, we…

Thank you. I have one last question and one follow up and then we'll, unless a member appears we'll close the hearing.

Can't regulate if you don't have the authority, so I assume that you're taking the position that you have the authority.

I just look at the fact that the DOE has, as far as I can see, has never issued a single fine for failure to comply with efficiency standards.