it angers me when I see schemes and scams that seem almost exclusively geared towards unfairly stripping money out of the pockets of working families.

I am hopeful that we will see the creation of a strong Consumer Financial Protection Agency to police some of these products.

So now in December of 2009, I asked you whether the economy was recovering, and you answered, 'It is growing.'

But, there is a difference between a guess and what actually is a reserve, is it not?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the hearing.

I appreciate it. I've asked Secretary Salazar to look into exactly that.

If we assume, however, that 'energy security' means a stable energy supply that promotes and fuels a healthy economy, then there can be no doubt that increasing domestic production will contribute to domestic energy security.

We have concerns for any threat or risk to our shore. That is taken as seriously as the desire to produce energy.

The total unfettered drilling that some would seek on the Outer Continental Shelf would have no significant impact on domestic oil and natural gas production or prices.

production would be unaffected by increased domestic offshore drilling.

I am deeply honored that President Obama has nominated me to serve on the Board of Amtrak.

One of my major initiatives has been to strengthen the agency's governance principles.