Amy Klobuchar

How do we restore the confidence in the market, when we know that some of these major banks, many out of Wall Street, are in such trouble, when others aren't?

I think the answer is probably yes. Do we want to facilitate more credit rating agencies of a different type, that are paid by the lenders, rather than the borrowers?

But one of the issues that I confront, is that our financial institutions, the confidence issue and the trust in them, is eroding.

We can sort of set some sanity in the market.

I was listening with great interest yesterday when the President outlined his principles and what he wants to get done.

That's not in the Federal law right now?

I'm actually considering amending the D.C. Voting Rights bill to give me two votes.

I haven't seen that much of that.

Thank you to all of you.

During his speech to the Country last night, President Obama talked about this issue and the challenge.

Thank you again for making this such a prominent issue and having a review of the science, which I think we need to have.

How do you think these small venues are going to continue to attract artists to their sites if the venue is not owned by or affiliated with your large combined company if the merger is approved?

So why do you think other people would want to come in?

Didn't you say for a time you were going to be a competitor to Ticketmaster and many industry observers thought you could siphon off something like 15 percent of the market?

But did there used to be more competition in this market?

Well, that Ticketmaster has made. Because the numbers I look at show that tickets have been going up.

So do you think the merger will bring the prices down for the tickets?

I would like to hear from our witnesses whether the proposed merger will make it more or less likely that this and similar anti-consumer practices will go unchecked and unaddressed to the detriment of consumers.

The outcry even led to the passage of a State law in my home State called 'The Hannah Montana Law,' which bans the use of automated software designed to quickly purchase numerous tickets in a matter of seconds.

I would like to know whether this merger will raise ticket prices and whether the proposed merger will make it harder for independent concert agents to market and promote lesser known artists at smaller venues.

Thank you very much, Chairman. Thank you for holding this important hearing.

So that is your core concern here?

I believe the work of NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory is essential to properly sustain the Great Lakes' ecosystems.

I look forward to working hard on the issues before this committee facing this Congress.

You also indicated your support for the creation of a National Climate Service within NOAA.