Mike Johanns

I would like to see whatever charts or analysis you have available of what happened over the last 2, 3 years relative to lending.

But that kind of describes what small businesses are struggling with.

If there had been better oversight, a lot of these problems would not have occurred.

I think this is going to be a weaker committee, this is going to be a weaker Senate, without Byron Dorgan.

That's what this place should be about, somebody who loves public policy, and that's Byron.

He cares about these things, good wages, good benefits. He even wrote a book about it.

If I might take my minute to explain what is happening tonight, the first amendment we will vote on is the Johanns' amendment. It repeals the 1099 requirement in the health care law. This came before us in September. Many colleagues came…

That seems to be a significant problem to me.

I am always going to be willing to support efforts to streamline that process and I commend all those with the VA who have spent countless hours attempting to solve this backlog issue.

I am sure all of us would agree it is important to make the process by which our servicemembers access the benefits they deserve as straightforward as we can.

It is my hope that DOD and VA are working hard to implement some of the lessons learned from the pilot program so we can provide our veterans with benefits quickly and efficiently.

I'm wondering why I got both, a few weeks ago.

I also find unacceptable.

Does that worry you--that maybe we're at a point here where this is not a vocal minority--that people just think you've overstepped?

I find completely unacceptable.

Let me say again, that is not right.

I find that troubling that there would be people out there foreclosing when the homeowner is not in default.

I do not think there is anybody in the room, probably anybody in the country, that would try to claim that that is right. It is not right.

If people are doing things that are not right, we should stop those things.

I represented in court hundreds of homeowners. Every single one of those cases, I believed there was a strong defense that would defeat the foreclosure.

This is enormously expensive. Projects get abandoned. Huge costs to the taxpayers. Nothing to show for it while this debate goes on.

One of the things that really, really came home to me when I was in your position--and you are serving this role now--is you need strong central management.

The other thing I wanted to ask you about--it is great to go home and tell people how we improved benefits.

Independence is important to the functioning of our financial system.

I see conflict as somewhat of a positive thing.