If we could do one thing at the federal level, forgetting the states right now, but just one thing at the federal level, FVAP, what would you have us do to make it easier for our soldiers overseas to vote?

I want to thank Senator Bennett for being here and apologize for showing up late.

I cannot imagine what it was like for millions of voters, some of whom attempting to vote for the first time last year, were told they were not registered correctly and could not cast a ballot.

We need numbers to judge what kind of success we are having.

I met you in the Eugene McCarthy campaign in 1968, when I was a freshman.

But you would agree there is not a grand conspiracy on either side.

Our power over the states on local electoral matters is rather limited.

I have run this one by Doris Meissner, who sort of likes it for the immigration purposes.

Voting assistance will always be a secondary duty. Senior leadership can expect significant improvement only if a radically different approach is applied.

We do not have--every state, am I correct, does not allow people to decide to vote absentee within a week or two.

Both are problems, and I think we have to address both.

I think that is counterintuitive to most of us here in this country.

It showed me the power of elections and--it was very interesting.

The original resolution is approved and reported.

This is undemocratic, unacceptable.

I believe that this Committee has a responsibility to take the time to fully consider, Mr. Secretary, your plan, including hearing alternative views.

I still fail to see how we can get a real handle on the foreclosure situation with sticks as well as carrots.

It is better to get it right than get it quick.

The original TARP legislation I believe was not well thought out and was not properly considered by Congress.

This Committee is going to play a very important role in addressing this crisis.

Put simply, our economy is withering, and the confidence of the American people is at a record low.

We should come first because the taxpayers laid it out.

I believe the Committee should be careful not to repeat our mistakes with TARP, not to believe everything blindly.

What about protecting the taxpayers? Just give us your broad thoughts on this since we are leveraging up to $350 billion of taxpayer money.

This moment is unlike any other that we have experienced in decades.