Michael Fitzpatrick

The United States Government went from being a facilitator to now backing over 90 percent of all the loans in the United States.

I believe the government has a role to play in encouraging homeownership, but this laudable goal has led to interference in the market, and now the taxpayers are writing checks to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars.

It is my hope that the $600 billion QE2 will promote lending and stimulate growth.

I am not concerned about what the Chinese, the Brazilians, or the Europeans think about our monetary policy.

While we strive to restore our economic security, fear of future inflation is not today's most important problem.

I am thankful that the President, along with our congressional leadership and in coordination with the Federal Reserve, acted courageously to prevent a second Great Depression and to preserve the American middle class.

It is entirely fitting and appropriate that at our first hearing we discuss job creation and economic recovery, and I appreciate the chairman's leadership on these issues.