We're very fortunate, indeed, to have two people of extreme ability and talent joining this administration.

Thank you, Madam President. In about an hour or so we will be voting on this matter. I know there are several other Members who want to be heard on this discussion, although there has been a lot said about this matter since the problem…

So this is a tough vote to cast, as it was in September, in October. I listened that night as the majority leader asked every single Member to vote from their desk, something we do not do with great frequency. I listened to several of our…

halting this program would, in my view, be the height of irresponsibility.

I appreciate Senator Shelby has shared his thoughts with me, as well--that we tried 2 years ago to raise the issue, the closure issue, on numerous occasions in this very room, and had very little response to it.

I think we really do need to think about it.

We need to do it soon, in my view.

We have to go with full force and fervor against anyone who violates investors' trust.

The choice of Dr. Rice for this elevated position is further evidence of the Obama's administration commitment to a renewed diplomatic and multilateral presence on the world stage.

President Bush has made the request. President-elect Obama has endorsed the request, and said that this is a tool that he needs as the President-elect coming in.

I want to hear from you that you are willing to take no prisoners and question everything about the way the industry does business.

I would like to create an entirely new process within the Commission so that these matters are centralized.

The United States Ambassador to the United Nations is, without question, one of the most important national security and diplomatic posts in the administration.

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

We are going to be watching very carefully the TARP program.

Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. I'll be very, very brief.

The SEC is supposed to be the cop on the beat, but it seems to have been off duty for the past few years.

The SEC is in dire need of a strong leader who is not afraid to make drastic changes and tough decisions.

The SEC should be, and it used to be, about providing protections for our investors and our markets.

I commend the President for suggesting your nomination to us, and we all look forward to working with you.

This is a huge set of issues with a lot of work to do.

regulatory modernization will be a priority in the 111th Congress and I look forward to joining them in this important debate.

I value his friendship, and the country will come to value the wisdom and strength which he brings to the vice-presidency.

Your neighbor's house is on fire, you have a hose, you lend it to them.

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