I understand why one might design a system with a lot of flexibility, you know, that you don't just stand behind somebody putting out a fire and try to micro-manage how that happens.

If Treasury will be in the business of trying to explain in a clear way what it is trying to accomplish...

I think it is worse than just that there has been change.

I am very pleased to be here because of the important responsibility on this subcommittee and to try to help in any way that we can.

We were very pleased to hear the President announce the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan last week principally because it shows the importance of dealing with the mortgage foreclosure problem as a central element in trying to pull this economy out of the ditch and get it back in an operational mode.

We support the bill and think it is important to move it quickly.

This suggests a lack of forthcomingness on the part of Treasury.

If this is about putting money into the hands of small businesses that have done most of the job creation outside the public sector, then you make that part of the terms of taking the money.

I would say only two things that you just should be aware of.

And I would only add to that, since we have made the same point in our reports, it may be more than just reporting.

if we don't ask, we can't know.