Tom Udall

As a result of these resource reductions, the IRS's ability to meet the service needs of the taxpaying public has been severely impaired.

As you know, the IRS's budget has been cut substantially since fiscal year 2010, and because of sequestration, the cuts last year were the most substantial to date.

Congress probably exercises its most effective oversight of agencies and programs through the appropriations process.

I welcome the opportunity today to conduct critical oversight of the Treasury Department and its programs.

Sanctions against North Korea have not been successful at preventing proliferation and other activities that threaten our national security.

What we are going to continue to do is to implement the sanctions programs that we have in place.

The problem we have in North Korea is China, which--that's my sense.

We know--need to know the resources you need in order to do your very important job, and it's just--you need to let us know and be in touch with us as we move down the road and we get into these crisis situations, where we're trying to…

I think we should try to focus on his duties and responsibilities.

I think it's only with a credible threat of... coming down on folks who violate sanctions like a ton of bricks, that we can keep moving forward.

I just want to suggest to you that it's at least this Senator's desire to give you an abundance of the resources to support the skills, the talent, and the ability in your workforce.

I welcome the President's efforts to impose targeted sanctions against Russia.

I think there are real opportunities for the President to step forward and unite European countries to push back using economic force.

The Russian incursion into the Crimean region of Ukraine requires an unequivocal response that sends a clear message that Russia cannot interfere in the sovereignty of other countries.

I think it is important for the United States and its European allies to impose economic sanctions in response to Russia's armed incursion into Ukraine.

We must continue to send a firm message to Iran that its nuclear program must end.

The trust responsibility is one that is there, Federal Government with the tribal communities, and needs to be one that is respected and worked with and understood.

As you know, Senator Nelson and I wrote to you before the hearing to ask that the Commission implement an online consumer complaints database.

Thank you, and thank you both, Senator Johanns and Senator Moran, for participating today.

I just want to add to the earlier comments about the impact on small rural telephone cooperatives of a potential new increase in terms of the local service rate floor.

The trust responsibility is one that is there, Federal Government with the tribal communities, and needs to be one that is respected and worked with and understood.

We welcomed your plan to scrap that.

My State of New Mexico ranks 44th among 50 States when it comes to broadband access, and over 14 percent of New Mexicans do not have access to broadband.

The thing that is striking to me from your 2012 Broadband Progress Report is 19 million Americans lack access to broadband.

In my second question, I wanted to focus on rural broadband. And as you are well aware, this is a really, really critical challenge.