I know personally how valuable those centers can be in providing advice and guidance, which can be at least as important--well, maybe not as important, but almost as important as money to a new business or a business that is thinking of…

The administration did not follow the priorities set forth in the judiciary's 5-year courthouse project plan.

Ordinary Americans need to know that, if they are wealthy and have a lot of assets... they are not going to get a free pass.

I am convinced that we not only need to make sure these two agencies have the resources necessary but that we need to proceed with regulatory reform.

As a result of the hearings that we held, Senator Lieberman and I introduced a bill that directed the CFTC to establish position limits.

What I'm thinking of is there is a problem with foreign exchanges and what rules they're going to play by.

I think it's a brilliant idea and needs to be done.

I personally don't think this makes any sense at all because to me, the whole reason we have an SEC is to act to protect consumer investors.

I think there's widespread consensus that we do need to have a systemic risk monitor.

I am troubled that the President's budget proposes to double the debt in 5 years and triple it in 10.

Which is why we need this council of regulators approach because the problem now is the marketplace is always going to be innovating.

How is the SBA going to ensure, when you have over 5,000 lenders and 270 certified development companies that are making loans, how are you going to ensure the integrity of that process when your nondisaster staff is shrinking?

So clearly, we need to resolve that.

Another reform that we need is the ability to identify and prevent what I refer to as regulatory black holes.

We want to have a level playing field, more conservatively set, more evenly enforced across the U.S. financial system.

GSA is asking the American manufacturing community to help meet its goal of 'on time, on budget, on green.'

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

I cannot imagine a federally or State-chartered bank being allowed to have a leverage ratio of 30:1.

What are your plans to reach out to investors, particularly small investors or senior citizens?

Do you need new positions for the upcoming fiscal year?

Aggressive enforcement is absolutely critical, but there's another way that's important for protecting investors.

I want to salute you for your leadership in securing significant increases for both these agencies during your chairmanship of this subcommittee.

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...

Can you assure us that you will work with the Maine Congressional Delegation to ensure that these facilities are constructed making the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars?

We need more emphasis on military construction to properly modernize and maintain the industrial infrastructure to support our military in the 21st century.