Kit Bond

But you can handle--not just coastal, but you can handle the inland disasters that might strike the Dakotas, Utah, and Montana?

If it's a flood, we're allowed to flood fight that with the local community.

Thank you very much, General. We appreciate the good work you do. You're a vitally important partner and we're grateful for it.

But moving onto the Highway Trust Fund, if there's a fix are you--do you agree with the current Highway Transit split, 80/20?

Yes. Could we get information on that, because it is not just limited to the major cities?

I have long warned about the no-down-payment option.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

The city council members, the mayors are saying what am I going to do with this community that has got 20 percent foreclosed?

Senator Murray and I are sponsoring an Education Begins at Home Act to promote home visitation and the Ready to Learn Act.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I have been wondering. After we agreed to the TARP program to buy troubled assets, I have seen us buying a lot of troubled banks, troubled auto companies, and if you are finally buying down some troubled assets, it is about time.

Expanding the benefits of HOPE VI beyond public housing has merit and deserves serious consideration.

Well, I agree with that. But is there any wisdom in limiting it to foreclosed homes to try to save communities?

The chair and I have worked on that in the past. We think it is very important.

That is critical from what we have seen. From my own personal experience, I could have signed up for so many 1 percent no-down-payment loans if I had just responded.

I want to ask a specific question. Mortgage issues I hope will be considered as a part of regulatory reform.

The President's budget does not include additional HUD-VASH vouchers while the President said he wants to have homelessness among veterans--

How confident are you that you will not have to raise premiums or come to the taxpayer for assistance?

if you are lending out money at 1 percent and the Federal Government is borrowing everything that is going out the door now, there is a hidden subsidy

It is a real pleasure to work with you and to work with the Secretary.

I do not always trust regulators to avoid problems.

It is not just for veterans. It is across the whole area of homelessness.

There are some bad apples that really need to be put out of the business and in my view put out of circulation.

We are trying to get some numbers here, and it looks like our 302(b) allocation, which has just come down today, is not going to support the HUD request.

I can only say amen and thank you. It is a long time coming, and we are looking forward to it.