Jon Tester

The question is, do you think that's an appropriate use of TARP monies?

We need to make sure that TARP does what it needs to do and then wind it down and get the taxpayers' money back as soon as possible.

We need to be mindful that the successes of this economic turnaround will be driven by small business and middle-class families.

I think consolidation and making sure that we get the most bang for the buck and making sure the money gets to the ground, that effort is a noble effort and needs to be done.

If we continue to give advantages to the big guys, we are going to have a lot of businesses that are too big to fail.

I certainly do not want to be restricted by poor planning at this point in time.

I think it represents backwards, 'business as usual' thinking to give the contracts away to the big boys.

Our border is only as strong as the weakest link.

The AML monies, and Montana has accounts set up for it. If it goes in, it is used for mine clean-up.

I would hope that we do not take our eye off the ball.

Would you be willing to come to Montana to host a workshop for interested small businesses to hear from GSA and CBP directly about how to pursue some of the work?

I think that small business is critically important to this country, and we need to support them when the opportunity arises.

Small businesses are the backbone of the economy. They are the ones that we are going to be riding to get out of this recession.

You come into an agency, the SEC, that has been around about 75 years and to be honest, from my perspective, probably come into it at a time when it's hit an all-time low as far as both morale and effectiveness.

Consumer confidence is one of the things that everybody's concerned about. Nobody--you know, we've lost a bunch of money.

I think it's critically important that we have good, solid, reasonable enforcement and I think both of you are up to that challenge.

Is there enough transparency now that they are using the TARP funds for you to know that?

I guess the question is out of $700 billion, $250 million, even though it's a ton of money, is like spitting in the ocean.

The question is, do you think that's an appropriate use of TARP monies?

we need to quit thinking in Government in silos, we need to start thinking about the consumer

If you ask for an extension, I assume it applies to all the money and not just a portion? Is that correct?

Do you anticipate that that trigger will be asked for?

There's an overwhelming attitude in this country that bigger is better.

I look forward to further communication, either in committee or outside the committee, on that issue because I think it's really important.

The Congressional Oversight Board issued a report this morning stating that additional stress tests may be necessary due to uncertain economic conditions.