"To his credit, President Obama has taken important steps to increase transparency in the White House."
"The committee should not be holding hearings without essential witnesses. It's not a good use of the committee's time."
"I can't take this hearing seriously. I don't think the Republicans want open government."
"the administration should be ready to show up when we want them to."
"The President said on C-SPAN he wanted to have the negotiations televised."
"The President hoped the Republicans would have worked for the national interest in trying to work out a health-care bill."
"If we have a right to know about people in the executive branch, why don't we have a right to know about the people here in the legislative branch?"
"I think that openness in government is important, but I don't think this hearing is really about openness in government."
"this hearing is what it is, and I think it is pretty clear it is not about open government, it is about politics."
"I am beginning to see a pattern in my short period of time here, and it is very concerning, that has the administration not sending people to hearings to answer questions of Congress."
"I am very concerned about that."
"I want to see some sunlight on that conversation."