I think it is absolutely critical that we deal with both of those issues if we are actually going to begin to see lending occurring, as we all want to see it.

Michigan started a successful program in 2009 that targets businesses that may be good credit risks, but have collateral or cash flow shortfalls.

We have got a 15-percent unemployment rate, and there is a connection between those two figures.

the real lifeblood of many local economies--local banks--don't have it nearly so good.

I think it can be used for that purpose as well.

Thank you for inviting me to speak to you this morning about the important issue of ensuring that small businesses have access to the credit they need.

What we need to do is find ways to support the collateral of the borrower as well as to infuse more capital into the banks.

Unemployment in my State is almost 15 percent, and it is unacceptably high in most States.

If we are going to create jobs, we need to let those small businesses grow.

You have touched on a very, very significant problem in our country...

I would suggest to you the theory of 'too big to fail' now means that many of our businesses are too small to grow.

We have got to have the courage to attack the most popular programs in American history.

This was not a bailout. This was money that would come back to the Treasury.

We have to overcome that. We gradually are. Our whole strategy is to protect the public, to show them that we are not there to dominate.

If we fail to make sure that contractors like Blackwater play by the rules and live up to their commitments, we will be doing a disservice to our troops by making their already difficult and dangerous job even more so.

A primary objective of our effort in Afghanistan is to strengthen Afghanistan's government and security forces.

Despite early success in improving conditions in the Great Lakes Basin, significant environmental challenges remain.

The Great Lakes are vital not only to Michigan but to the Nation.

Asian carp represents a massive threat, and a number of important actions are required to deal with it.

I think it's really important to everybody.

I think it was the first time he had ever been asked, yes.

I've had some conversations where I've suggested we add the word 'transfer.'

I just hope that when you talk to our NATO allies and when we have these discussions that you can report two things, at least.

This operation is being conducted by combined International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Afghan forces totaling around 15,000.

the idea that NATO has not carried out their commitments and they've only fulfilled 10 percent of their commitment as of the time we were there is, frankly, startling, shocking, and unacceptable to me.