I think it really doubles down on the weaponization of our tax code against industries that are out of disfavor by this Administration, and it weakens us as a Nation.

We need to be in the game, we need to be looking at the basic needs. That is what I am encouraging you to do.

And massively increases taxes at a time when we are trying to recover our economy.

It damages the confidence of taxpayers in America.

I think it is also important that our allies do the same.

That is why I was proud to contribute to and vote for the Taiwan Enhancement Resilience Act, TERA.

It has become--beyond comprehension that they could have allowed the Chief Risk Officer position to remain vacant for 8 months during the period leading up to this collapse.

I think that modernization of the Department will help us address those challenges.

I could not agree with you more about the criticality of telecommunications infrastructure, particularly given the difficulties that we have had with Huawei, ZTE, and others that are trying to invade the entire 5G infrastructure system.

I will continue to stand up for small business owners with an aim to put an end to this egregious and unwanted overreach.

Anything that increases the cost of producing energy right now... is putting our Nation at a point of weaker, weaker economic security, weaker national security.

I think we will look forward to working with you on taking a more strategic view, as opposed to sort of a dogmatic income approach.

I feel like the vetting process remains seriously flawed.

The budget is far short of what you have been authorized.

I encourage, and look forward to working with you to do everything we can in that regard.

Time is not on our side, Secretary, especially when we have a $19 billion arms backlog to Taiwan.

I think more clarity here would be appreciated.

We need to make sure that the equipment market is more diverse, and more competitive, and less costly.

I hope you can address these concerns today in both your testimony and during the period of questions.

USAID has awarded a grant to a Palestinian group, whose leaders have attended an anniversary event celebrating the founding of a terrorist group.

The decision made by the FDIC, the Federal Reserve Board, and by yourself to guarantee all deposits of both banks... sets a dangerous and uncertain precedent.

I would like to just start out with a point of concern that I have regarding USAID funding to Palestinian organizations that foment hate, that celebrate terrorism.

We are facing an unprecedented spending epidemic. We are in a deficit spending situation.

It is clear to me that it is not going to get any less complicated. It is going to be more complicated considerably by the way it is moving.

I think the even deeper shock though, is the concern that a Chinese company is involved in building a section of the railway nearby.