I believe that President-elect Obama has made an outstanding choice in Dr. Susan Rice.

I don't think it's overstating the case to say that you will be inheriting some of the largest and most difficult international challenges the United States has faced in over half a century.

Today, we all recognize that if our children fall behind for a decade, America falls behind for a century.

This committee and the Congress in its role in foreign policy has been at its strongest when we've been bipartisan.

The world is now, as Senator Dodd said, in the crosscurrents of the most severe global economic contraction since the Great Depression.

What you saw in HOPE for Homeowners was sort of a creation created by a Committee, which is not always the best way to operate, but trying to fashion something that would gather 60 votes in the U.S. Senate to get us through.

In my view, the Secretary of State's leadership is key, and a well-coordinated strategy including aggressive diplomatic initiatives... is absolutely essential.

grave questions remain as to whether or not we have chosen our battles correctly, pursued the right strategy, defined the right goals.

This crisis has inflicted serious and wide-reaching damage from which no nation is immune.

Opening statement of Senator Dodd

I commend him for his willingness to take this tremendous responsibility of serving as the Secretary of HUD.

I think Senator Lugar, again, spoke for the committee in expressing our desire to have a Secretary of State in place and ready to go as rapidly as possible.