Dick Durbin

There are parts of Illinois, downstate, that look an awful lot like Kansas.

For too long, consumers have struggled to navigate financial products fraught with hidden fees, bait-and-switch terms, and other complex features that even experts have difficulty understanding.

We want to delay this--for 1 year, 18 months, maybe longer.

In those cases, when you detect them, is there follow-up in terms of penalties, fines, prosecution?

Are we prosecuting those who file false returns?

It is almost a shock to know that 1 out of 4 people in America are unbanked; they have no access to banking services.

There are a variety of rites of spring in America--the opening of the baseball season; Seder dinners... and an obscene run-up in gasoline prices.

I happen to think we're seeing some changing weather patterns. That turns out to be a pretty hot political debate in Washington.

So we're in this debate here about our deficit and how we can come up with a savings of $4 trillion over 10 years.

It appears to me, we need to increase the number of microlending partners, which mean that more small businesses will have access.

It is clear that both Chairman Gensler and Chairman Schapiro, their fellow Commissioners, and their respective staff have invested inestimable hours in paving the way toward a more reliable regulatory foundation.

I don't think it's any surprise that the tables have turned politically here on Capitol Hill since the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act.

My last question goes right to that point. The problem I've run into in the foreclosure situation is figuring out who makes the decision.

And the difference in wages is incredible.

I'm concerned, here, that your request for next year's budget dramatically cuts, by 55 percent, the amount of money available to counsel microloan borrowers.

I fear what's going to happen in the Chicagoland area, because I can see the same story playing out.

The Congress probably exercises its most effective oversight of agencies and programs through the appropriations process.

I agree with your premise--that the recession that we're still living through can be traced to many sources, and one of those was an unregulated derivatives market.

Can you point out any bank, or banks, or credit unions, that you think are making an extra effort to address this problem?

The Dodd-Frank Act gives you more tools to deal with market speculation and manipulation, as it relates to oil prices.

I'm just questioning about whether or not we have thought about the next year and the year after, and what it means, in terms of our thinking ahead, preparing resources for the eventuality.

So, I think you answered--I was going to ask a question, if other countries do it more effectively than we do...

It's terrific to hear, firsthand, your experience with these Federal agencies, and demystify some of this regulatory gobbledygook.

I understand, when we talk about the futures markets and the oil prices, that speculation is not illegal.

It's a great, great story.