If we move forward and repeal, or substantially change, the Magnuson-Moss safeguards, what's it going to hurt?

Might it be that, if we provided the FTC with more resources, this 7-year average proceedings could be shortened?

I know Senator Pryor's prior record in enforcement, and he would've done the rules a lot faster.

You have the record--the letter in the record, but let me note some of those signatories here in order to exemplify the breadth of the industry concern over these proposals.

Magnuson-Moss did not kill FTC rulemaking. A change in enforcement philosophy killed FTC rulemaking.

Whenever and however the Senate addresses financial regulatory reform and consumer protection in the coming weeks and months, I believe this well-established authority must be kept firmly intact.

So, actually, Magnuson-Moss was a mistake from the get-go.

Absolutely, Senator. And I'm a Republican, I should add. But, that was my view then, and it is my view now.

We want to ensure the FTC has the capabilities and resources necessary to keep our consumers safe.

I think many Americans might think that, 'Well, in the case of an agency with powers like this, we should keep that.'

We can bring much-needed transparency to financial services by fully preserving the FTC's enormously important role in protecting consumers from unfair or deceptive practices and strengthening that authority through legislative reforms.

The FTC plays a key role in ensuring the safety of American consumers and financial services.

I think that would be useful, Senator.

I would support a prevalence requirement that meant something.

Consumer advocates believe we need to liberate the FTC from statutory limitations that have shackled the Commission from aggressively and effectively addressing abusive commercial practices.

my first choice is that the FTC be given all of the authority over consumer protection law enforcement

So more local programming, quicker access to On Demand, and more content over the Internet.

If I can interject, I think that was a very telling remark from the Speaker of the House yesterday, and if someone didn't catch that, she said we need to pass the bill so we can then find out what is in it. The comments are out there on…

The people back home want health care reform, but they certainly want the kind that is going to lower health care costs and lower health care premiums. The actuaries at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are called on to tell…

I think there is also a sort of big-picture aspect to this. There are a lot of Americans out there who may not have read the details... States will be told that the magnificent Federal Government has increased coverage, and now, Mr. State…

I understand what Senator Kaufman and you are saying about expanding the budget. I also worry about the national debt.

It's my hope that this hearing will allow us to identify some of the challenges faced by previous under secretaries.

Public diplomacy represents an indispensable component of any viable foreign policy.

Did we make a mistake by changing the focus and accessibility of American Centers and what is the future there?

Our ranking member on the full committee, Senator Lugar, has championed reversing this retrenchment of the American Centers.