I am more convinced than ever that the process was truly flawed.

That it involves potential unknown threats against a large number of potential vulnerabilities, that language is very troubling to me.

A simple 30-day cooling off period without the full 45-day review that should have been done from the beginning is not adequate. If the president were to voluntarily institute the review and delay the contract, that would obviate the need…

You're fired, fired, fired.

His sister, Mary Landrieu, is a U.S. Senator from Louisiana.

The VA had made management efficiency claims which make up over $1 billion in this year's budget, but the [Government Accountability Office (GAO)], at least, says haven't been and can't be proven.

We can't keep them honest enough.

Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, told Chertoff, his agency's efforts were an alarming and unacceptable failure.

I don't see, Madam Secretary, how things are getting better. I think things are getting worse.

It does not surprise me that FEMA would waste $300 million. So, again, that picture of those trailers and that whole story is just another evidence that the old kind of contracts are not working for this new desperate situation.

Well, it's another example, Susan, of the mismatch in planning that has gone on. And it really is, again, to the point, that, even on FEMA's best day, they're not suited to manage this catastrophe.

That's a colossal waste of taxpayer money and a colossal failure to help the people who really need the housing.

What was going on with FEMA? This is another in some ways, yet more outrageous example of what happens when your Federal Emergency Management Agency doesn't prepare.

People who do this, with all respect, they have to be held accountable.

Short-term, there must have been -- first up, they shouldn't have bought these things if they had looked at their own regulations.

I think we are better prepared because of the powerful lessons and embarrassment that the federal government suffered. Are we totally prepared? Or are we as prepared as we should be? I regret to say, the answer is no. And I don't want to…

Do you swear that the testimony you are about to...

There was no excuse for it in the first place. Not having a procedure in place for the massive expenditures of money that was spent.