Our free market economy, while strong and durable, only functions properly when profit doesn't give way to greed and when corporate responsibility means responsibility to ALL stakeholders, not just a few. Sadly, recent events have shown that greed has caused some investors and corporate officers to break the rules and deceive the American people. We must have a strong leader to head up the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) to catch and prosecute these offenders to the fullest extent of the law.

President Bush has made restoring confidence in America's financial institutions a top priority and he now has the responsibility of nominating a new head of the SEC who can restore investor confidence. The President is demanding accountability in our markets and I believe that he will choose a qualified and honorable candidate to fill this job.

As a Member of the House and the Appropriations Committee that provides oversight and funds the SEC, I will make sure that it has the necessary tools and resources it needs to enforce the law and protect America's financial markets.