Tom Harkin actually said...

I'm glad we could get this hearing in early, because we need someone to hit the ground running at the Department of Labor from day one.

I look forward to working with you and to, hopefully, making the Department of Labor a true department of labor.

Working men and women in this country are facing tougher economic times than we've seen in our lifetimes.

We're now the second highest in new unemployment claims, and paid $60 million in claims last month--compared to $27 million in December 2007...