Olympia Snowe

Well, I just hope that we can find some agreement and move forward because, obviously, this is languishing in terms of improper payments, collection, corrective action, enforcement action, and so on.

I think we need to have a response to this Committee, in writing or whatever, to understand fully how this is going to be administered.

Just on that last issue on the improper payments, is it difficult to define what an improper payment is?

So what is the problem here?

I think we have to send a very strong message, and there has to be a clear and delineated process by which this all occurs.

Are you satisfied with those procedures?

I would welcome some ideas on that question if we have to change it through legislation.

Do you have enough people to do what you need to do to provide the oversight of these contracting activities?

I guess on a lot of these issues, Administrator Mills and Ms. Gustafson, what is in place, what is actually operational and implemented, because I think that that is still not clear on some of the enforcement mechanisms.

We cannot and must not finance operating expenses with perpetual deficits.

We have to do something to either clarify that to make sure that this is a primary obligation obviously with the agency.

The Federal Acquisition Regulations require that the SBA be the oversight agency.

Our national debt will reach 100 percent of GDP by the end of 2011.

Clearly more can and must be done to eliminate these obstacles that prevent the agency from reaching its full potential.

Reserving the right to object, the Senator from California has been addressing the Senate, so wouldn't it be appropriate for the Senator from South Dakota to speak?

I certainly want to say at the outset congratulations to you for being the first woman to chair the Committee of Veteran's Affairs.

Those who fight and die serving our country... deserve our deference, our reverence, and eternal gratitude.

This bill now has 25 cosponsors, equally divided between Democrats and Republicans.

Zach arranged a public seminar that drew 400 individuals on a cold Maine night and garnered broad attention not just in Maine but nationwide.

We would welcome the opportunity to brief the subcommittee on the results of this review once completed.

We would welcome the opportunity to brief the subcommittee on the results of this review once completed.

We share your concerns about ensuring that every investment made in an institution is done so in an institution that is healthy.

The Administration opposed direct lending as well. It essentially did not want the government to become a bank.

From what I understand, it is not exactly happening with the maximum effect.

The objective is not to assist the TARP recipients, but the net effect is that it is happening.