Press Releases
March 22, 2012
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is on the front lines of bringing trust back into the market. Every day it is working to assure that the futures and swaps market operates with integrity, and away from the darkness which it operated in for years. With the hundreds of trillions of dollars that make up the swaps market, I strongly believe that this is not an area we want to leave to chance. This is an area that needs to be watched. Recent history has taught us that. That means that we need to fund the CFTC at a level that allows this agency to do its critical work.
Issues:Agriculture
March 21, 2012
Worker health and safety is one of the most important elements in meeting the Department's mission. In particular, given the materials and facilities under EM's charge, the potential human and financial losses that can come from having an unsafe worksite are mindboggling. I appreciate that you take seriously your charge to ensure the safety of the Department's projects and look forward to discussing in detail your office's progress on this front.
Issues:Energy and Water
March 21, 2012
I understand that none of this easy, but I think we can agree that research is an area that we cannot afford to lose ground on for the sake of our economy and the safety of the food we consume.
Issues:Agriculture
March 21, 2012
I was extremely disappointed with the final fiscal year 2012 funding level for the IRS. The funding cuts for the IRS in fiscal year 2012 resulted in a significant drop in IRS enforcement personnel. Because of the cuts, you now have 5,000 fewer employees. As a result, I have no doubt that there is likely to be billions of dollars in lost revenue, and I look forward to discussing this with you further.
Issues:Financial Services
March 21, 2012
Clearly, for this Department to operate effectively, DHS and the Congress needed to invest in upgrading its infrastructure.
Issues:Homeland Security
March 20, 2012
In many cases, these food programs serve as the face of the United States in foreign countries and subsequently they help set long lasting views of our country. With that in mind, I look forward to an honest discussion on how we can improve efficiencies that reduce costs and increase the positive impacts on the ground.
Issues:Agriculture
March 20, 2012
As we meet here to discuss the National Institutes of Health, the House is preparing to debate a budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year. The House majority is renewing its demands for more and more drastic cuts that will harm medical research and many other priorities vital to our well-being and our future.
March 20, 2012
Given the constrained fiscal environment, it is particularly important that we strategically plan each major program area to ensure we are proceeding in a deliberate and thoughtful manner, increasing or maintaining our lead in the areas where we can and limiting our investment where we cannot.
Issues:Energy and Water
March 19, 2012
As improvements in technology give more people access they also mean that resources move online, and therefore internet access has become vital to being able to get a good education, find a job, or simply to connect with family around the world. Therefore, I am interested in the steps you are taking to broaden access and make sure that everyone who wants access can get it.
Issues:Financial Services
March 8, 2012
Overall, your budget request provides the structural outlines for a robust six year, $476 billion surface transportation proposal. It reflects a growing consensus among nonpartisan academics that an increased public investment in our transportation system is needed to maintain an efficient foundation for our economy.
Issues:Transportation, HUD