Right now, we are on a course, frankly, that nobody wants.

The longer we wait, the harder it will be to fix the problem.

Some of the cuts we have made, particularly through sequestration, will hurt a broad array of important programs that help grow our economy in the long term.

A strong diplomatic presence is essential to preserving the United States' positive influence and leadership.

The idea that if we short-circuit the recovery now then that is going to have that negative impact on the long-term.

I appreciate your expertise. I have just a few questions, if I may.

We are nearly a week into the sequester that went into effect on March 1st.

Do you believe as I do that health care costs are the primary driver of our outyear deficits?

You have consistently said that we need to be careful in the short term, do no harm in the short term, if I may, and address our long-term imbalances, fiscal imbalances in the outyears.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Chairman Bernanke, for your testimony today, for your report, and really for your great leadership on monetary policy for our country over the last several years.

One of the specific ideas that have been floated is to increase the age for Medicare eligibility.

We recognize that there was an important role in the marketplace. We want to make it stronger; we want to protect the taxpayers.

I have found in the 2-plus years that I have been sitting on this committee that the most challenging thing is to seek some light with all the heat that has been going on.

disagree[s] strongly

We should address the drivers of the deficit, and Social Security currently is not a driver of the deficit.

I am saying based on information that we--our initial information that includes all information--we saw no evidence to back up claims by others that this was a preplanned or premeditated attack.

During rollcall vote No. 587 on Previous Question H. Res. 788, I mistakenly recorded my vote as ``yea'' when I should have voted ``nay.'' I ask unanimous consent that my statement appear in the Record following rollcall vote No. 587.

To have a credit bureau using inaccurate information to affect your credit rating, it is just, I think, completely unacceptable.

It is really a function of your insurance coverage, your employment status, and all of that than it is a function of your ability to pay.

The medical bills in particular are a problem because of--I don't know if you know much about the medical billing system, but it is incomprehensible.

I was honored to pick up where my predecessor, Congressman Mike Castle, left off.

Though Delaware was the first State to sign the Constitution and join the Union, she is the only State that does not have a national park.

I am delighted that you are holding the hearing this morning. I thank you for the opportunity to share a few thoughts with you.

Delaware may be small, but our little State was crucial to the birth of this great Nation.

One of the biggest threats that we face in the world right now is the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran.