I don't see, on the grassroots level, the benefits of putting billions of dollars into financial institutions.

The Special Inspector General for TARP criticized the Treasury for not adopting recommendations to require that all TARP recipients account for the use of the funds.

I think that the whole issue of leveraging preparers is going to be part of our tax gap strategy.

I introduced a bill in March to create a council of regulators to act as a systemic risk monitor.

Ordinary Americans need to know that... they are not going to get a free pass while firemen and teachers are paying their fair share of taxes.

It is disturbing to me that we really cannot assess what impact TARP funds has had on recipients, and whether TARP has truly increased lending.

I just want to associate myself with the chairman's last question to express concern about the need for more enforcement and education to deal with these scams.

I don't think that it's a coincidence that AIG bought a small federally chartered thrift, or established a small federally chartered thrift, in order to get under the regulation of the Office of Thrift Supervision, OTS, which is generally…

The Fed frankly has its hands full.

I remain very concerned, as I indicated to you in our conversation yesterday, about the management accountability and transparency of the troubled asset relief program (TARP) fund.

I think not only about the dollars that we're going to bring in directly, but also about the deterrent effect.

While I supported the short-term fiscal stimulus as necessary to get our economy back on track, I am troubled that the President's budget proposes to double the debt in 5 years and triple it in 10.

It troubles me that banks have received billions of dollars without having to demonstrate that they've increased lending.

This decision has been perplexing to many of the automobile dealers in my State.

I appreciate the chairman bringing about the CADE strategy because that has been of concern to me.

I hope, as you look at this issue, that we're going to be establishing safety and soundness requirements regardless of the type of institution.

The Obama budget will produce a deficit level averaging 5.3 percent of GDP across the 10-year budget window.

I just want to express some concern also about the President's budget in the area of the zeroing out of the rural empowerment zones and Enterprise Communities Grants Program.

Our Nation must work together on comprehensive, long-term actions that will stabilize gas and oil prices, prevent energy shortages, and achieve national energy independence.

I am a strong supporter of the National Park Service Centennial Initiative.

The Federal Government must invest significantly in its acquisition workforce.

As President Obama's nominee to lead the General Services Administration, Martha Johnson comes to this Committee with significant experience in both the private sector and the Federal Government.

There has been progress, but there is a long way to go.

I, too, am concerned about the explosive growth in government-wide acquisition contracts and multi-agency contracts because I believe the prevalence of those vehicles for purchasing demonstrates a lack of confidence in GSA.

Senator Lieberman and I have authored contracting reforms that are now law.