This has been an unusual debate in Congress over an extremely important matter. What we have witnessed and listened to today for the 31st time is something that I would like to spare our conservative friends the heavy responsibility of…

If there is somebody he thinks we ought to talk to, we should talk to them.

Thank you very much, Chairman Sensenbrenner.

I think we can start off there as a beginning point.

We must react to concerns about leaks in ways that do not undermine the openness and transparency of government.

Market concentration in the financial sector limits consumer choice, lowers quality, and raises prices.

This evening, I was called away on personal business. I regret that I was not present to vote on H.R. 4155, H.R. 4367, and H.R. 5892. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on these bills. Personal Explanation Mr. DesJARLAIS. Mr…

We need to do more to protect consumers and competition.

I don't think it is yet. But we needed the Wall Street reform act because 'too big to fail' policies foreclose competition.

I commend and support the Dodd-Frank bill--law.

I want to associate myself with the remarks of the Ranking Member of this Committee, the parts that I understood, because this is a very complex subject.

On June 29, 2012, I regret that I was not present to vote on the Motion to Table the Jackson Lee Privileged Resolution and H. Res. 717. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on both bills. ____________________

Well, that is not enough. I mean, I am going to take it back to them. You don't have to worry about you taking it back to them because I want this--I want to get this accomplished.

I got two officials from IRS here and a classic victim. Can't we do something with Robinson immediately?

Identity theft and income tax preparation fraud are serious problems.

Mandatory minimum sentences, based merely on the name of a crime, remove sentencing discretion from the judge.

I cannot support an effort that seeks to stop one injustice by applying another.

I know three people on this Committee, and the Chairman from Pennsylvania may make the fourth, we are all against mandatory minimums for the reasons that Ranking Member Scott just went through.

we are trying to increase the penalties so that that will be a larger deterrent, but we will be transferring that judgment to the courts and not to Members of Congress.

Identity fraud is a costly problem that affects many Americans.

This is the third mandatory minimum we have considered in a month.

We are talking about lengthening the time, the sentencing, increasing the period of incarceration when you are caught as a replacement to mandatory minimums.

I think the beginning of this discussion on the part of the Subcommittee on Crime can be one of the most important contributions that the House Judiciary Committee can make on the subject of the American criminal justice system.

I appreciate your announcing that there will be continued hearings about DEA and its role.

We spend huge amounts of resources, and the rate of illegal drug activity continues at about the same pace.