Bill Nelson

And it must be addressed, and it must be addressed immediately.

This could be a problem of gargantuan proportions that is going to need the aggressiveness of the Federal regulator to try to protect the public.

Consumers need to know there is a risk in Chrysler vehicles because of these airbags.

Let me be clear to you, Mr. Chairman, and to the Committee and the American people.

I am going to request of him that he impose the maximum penalty allowed by law, even if that is a million dollars a day.

Thank you for making it so direct, yes or no, just like Senator Heller did, as well.

Thank you, Senator Ayotte, for underscoring that point.

We have to get out of this defensive crouch about liability litigation and get into an offensive position about making sure drivers are safe.

Every one of us at this hearing table have had constituents affected by this.

So a dealer in Senator Thune's state of South Dakota or Senator Markey's state or Senator Klobuchar's state--but we are a mobile society, and there are people in Massachusetts and Minnesota and South Dakota that drive south and come to…

Especially January, but when the kids are out of school, they come also in the heat of the summer to Disney World.

In Florida, right in central Florida, we have had one death.

And, therefore, of those that are in your vehicles, are you providing loaners and rental cars until they can get it fixed?

I agree with you that you don't have the resources that your little agency needs.

Well, if somebody is driving around in a lethal deathtrap, isn't that enough evidence...?

And you will acknowledge, because you heard the testimony today, that each of these automobile manufacturers are handling the recalls in a different way, which is all the more adding confusion.

Thank you for making that clear.

I agree with you, Mr. Friedman. You do need more resources.

So do they get loaners and rental cars in the next 3 weeks?

If that is the case, then I certainly want to congratulate you, for the obvious reasons.

I think it is absolutely imperative, in view of the fear that has gripped the public by virtue of what has already been said and what will be stated in this hearing today, that a loaner or a rental car would be provided for someone if they…

And that is why we had this hearing today. And we want to thank you for the courage of you stepping forward to come and tell your story.

I would suggest that the next 3 weeks might be critical and that you all need to be forward-leaning on that.

Of course, you will have that assistance.

We will do that, Lieutenant.