I find it inexcusable that when we had a growing economy, we still allowed the debt to increase.

I think we are all saying the same thing, but----

We also know that we need consumer confidence for people to spend.

If we can help businesses hire more employees, that obviously is going to help us on the forecast.

I hope that what will clearly be nonnegotiable is that health care reform has got to bring down the growth rate of health care costs.

How do we structure our foreign assistance budget that does not become a tool for anti-American intervention in the country?

Those who assert none of this is working are to me detached from reality.

Sometimes it is easier when you have a budget surplus to spend recklessly.

They do not have a good history of loaning moneys to small businesses.

Historically most job growth has occurred with small businesses.

The question really is how we can have a fiscally sustainable budget, so let me stay on health care for one more moment...

I wish today to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I would like to take this opportunity not only to talk about the man but also the movement. During a time of segregation, violence, unnecessary bloodshed, and ignorant bigotry…

So in this particular case, we do not know what would have happened if you made that inquiry.

I would just make the observation there was information that was put into the data bank, and it appears like before Christmas Day no one acted on that.

I guess my concern is that it is not clear as to whose responsibility it was to take that information and to develop it.

But whose responsibility was it to look into that information and determine as to whether he was actively involved in al Qaeda in Yemen?

But it never gave you the information at the time that a visa was outstanding.

Well, first let me thank all of our witnesses for the work that you do for our National security.

I can assure you that our intention is to be forthcoming, honest in our evaluation, to be inclusive in the approach.

I am sure I can get an extra----

I just really want to put a spotlight on that because you and I have talked about this.

The safe operation of Metro, and any transit system must not just be promised but also delivered.

We have worked together. We have gotten them the money. We have helped get them a dedicated revenue stream.

What we need to see are results and accountability for when the safety of costumers and employees is compromised.

I share Senator Mikulski's frustration with WMATA's record on improved safety measures.