Mike Johanns

What metrics is FSOC using to determine which nonbank companies are designated systemically risky?

We have to reduce the deficit and forge a path to a balanced budget.

My hope is that the President's recognition of the unsustainable path of our entitlements is only a first step.

But as a former Cabinet member myself who regulated industries, it seems to me extremely important that you be able to say to the industry: This is what qualified you to be regulated, this is what excludes you from that regulation.

If the President really wants to stimulate the economy, I would recommend he reverse his record of increased spending and taxes.

I am disappointed this budget does not make the necessary strides to addressing our Nation's debt.

This really is a program about saving lives, good will for the United States.

It's not the cuts so much as the forced way of implementing them.

I have always preached that we should work with people.

But this is so indiscriminate. When you are out there just flying eastern Nebraska, this is so indiscriminate.

This sounds kind of wacky.

But it can lead to compliance, and enforcement, and fines, and penalties.

I certainly could not recall that EPA had made me aware of that.

It kind of sounds like this is a Federal Agency that is completely and totally out of control.

You are checking on everybody and it feels terrible. It feels like there is a Federal agency out there spying on American citizens.

I put in an amendment that basically would have said, 'Hey, you cannot use any funding we give you for these kinds of aerial surveillance missions.'

Why is it so hard for EPA to just write me a letter, write my colleagues a letter, and say, 'This is what we're doing'? Why is that so difficult that my letter would be ignored for a year?

I think I am a pretty well known person out here. Why, I can't imagine why you would do this?

I cannot emphasize enough, Madam Secretary, how much I disagree with what you just said.

The Bureau may not use its authorities under this paragraph to obtain records from covered persons and service providers participating in consumer financial services markets for purposes of gathering or analyzing the personally…

To many people, this is going to sound downright creepy, to be honest with you.

I fully support this request and ask my colleagues to do the same.

The amount of debt that we are loading on them is frightening.

Believe me, Mr. Secretary, this isn't going to improve. I don't care who supports the healthcare act. The reality is it's going to get worse and worse and worse.

I think that part of the budget gets worse and worse.