Tom Carper

The hearing will come to order.

As we say in political campaigns, I am Tom Carper. I approve that message.

When I was Chairman of this Committee, one person I remember working with was H. Dale Hall, who served as President Bush's Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Because the Democrats have taken away the super majority, our ability to exercise effective oversight--either in the majority or minority--is gone.

In 2007, Congress took a number of steps, along with the Bush administration, to try to change our energy future.

I believe the Renewable Fuel Standard is a crucial policy tool to keep these investments flowing.

I am very proud of this achievement. I know that our efforts laid the groundwork for future efficiency increases by the current Administration.

Today, for the first time in two decades, we are producing more oil than we are importing.

To keep us on the path toward a brighter, greener energy future, I believe it is important for this country to continue to invest in biofuels.

While we don't have any evidence that this is more than an isolated case, one example of inappropriate action of this nature is one too many.

In adversity lies opportunity.

But this country, like all countries, has an interest not only in protecting our financial system from money laundering and terrorist finance, but also protecting consumers from fraud, collecting taxes, protecting investors, ensuring…

Let me just follow that up, and you have partly answered this question, but I want to ask it anyway.

When I think about the new types of currencies, I wonder how they fit into the tax system here in our country.

I would like to say that number is going down, but, unfortunately, to my knowledge, it is not, at least not yet.

Our government needs to pay attention to this technology and to understand and, where appropriate, address these implications.

I always like to say we do not have to make false choices, and say: We have to choose between a stronger economy and a clean environment.

Every now and then I talk to constituents, and we talk about what we are doing to try to reduce the budget deficit.

I will be the first to admit that, like most Americans, I am no technical expert in virtual currencies.

In anticipation of this hearing, a week or two ago I was trying to get my head around this subject.

I think that might be of great value to you and the folks you lead in our country.

Let me just give a shout out to TSA. I know they take criticism from a lot of folks. It is a hard job.

I think we can all agree on that. We need to do a better job on background checks and get the correct answer, fast answer, but the right answer.

I hope that we will move promptly to confirm you and then I hope we will move promptly to making sure you have the team around you that you need.

There is too much at stake for us not to work together to fix the Department of Homeland Security.