Kit Bond

If we get in a position of monetizing our debt, we will face an unprecedented disaster and go the way perhaps of Argentina.

Economic recovery cannot occur or be sustained until we address the root cause, the credit crisis.

The Federal Government has responded to the economic crisis with aggressive and unprecedented, but unfortunately, I believe, ad hoc actions through taxpayer-funded bailouts of too-big-to-fail private corporations.

These are tough times. You have got a really tough battle ahead.

It is a pleasure to welcome Mr. Mendez and to join with the hallelujah and amen chorus in applauding your nomination.

I think both men come to this hearing with impressive credentials, considerable experience and a modest recognition that they still have to learn much about national security law.

I do want to mention one area that I think is of overall concern.

First, thank you, Chairman Boxer and Ranking Member Inhofe. I am pleased to be here to discuss a subject vital to the State of Missouri and the Country, the reauthorization and oversight of the Economic Development Administration.

I hope if you need additional powers to expand beyond that, there has to be greater coordination among our agencies.

If something goes wrong, admit it, tell it, apologize, tell what we're doing to solve it.

We're winning the war on the ground, and we're absolutely losing it in the media.

America must renew its efforts to stay engaged in the region, or run the risk of ceding influence to China.

I applaud your leadership of the State Department and for embracing the concept of 'smart power.'

We really believe this will advance our values.

We're now a full partner in the P5-plus-1 talks.

We cannot send a special envoy to negotiate with a pandemic or call a summit with carbon dioxide.

We're working with Israel and the Palestinian authority to advance our goal of a two-state solution.

As we move forward with the responsible redeployment of our combat forces from Iraq, this budget provides the tools we need to facilitate the transition to a stable, sovereign, and self-reliant Iraq.

We are being out-communicated by the Taliban and Al Qaeda. That is absolutely unacceptable.

We happen to be the battery capital in Missouri so if you want to work with us we would be happy to do that.

I believe that energy conservation is one that reduces costs.

I think we all need it. Not only leadership.

The Mississippi River barge and lock system has got to be upgraded because barge transportation in that part of the Country is by far the lowest cost and mode of transportation

The red tape and the environmental restrictions have cut down significantly on our river transportation.

A unilateral carbon tax puts us further at disadvantage.