I think it is exceedingly important that we do our very best to stay on target, stay on focus.

It is our responsibility, our duty, to balance the needs and the rights, the rights of consumers and the needs of those in the financial services community.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I commend you for holding this hearing on this very important topic.

I visited New York last week with Chairman Carter of our subcommittee.

I wish you could elaborate. I would appreciate your elaborating what the mix of funding, the mix of efforts has been here.

I want to assure all that I take this opportunity seriously.

I want to commend you. I don't remember an Administrator of your agency that has had a more hands-on approach than you have had.

But the longer-term rebuilding is where the CBDG comes in and fills the gap?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Greetings, Administrator, glad to have you here.

The intent of sequestration was to make deep and indiscriminate cuts and to be unacceptable and to force everybody to the table to conclude a broader, longer term budget agreement.

The last thing we would want to happen is for States to be forced to reduce service come October 1 because the new cost discrepancies are not resolved.

I want to thank you for your commitment to developing a 21st-century rail system.

But they have agreed to pay for the expenses directly associated with operating their routes, a percentage of overhead costs for supporting services, and capital fees to help keep trains and infrastructure in good repair.

There is no way this would have happened without the funds provided through the Recovery Act.

We hope we can avoid another year where this investment gets completely shut out.

Because of the current system that allows for self-attestation regarding efforts to recruit U.S. workers...

the Department of Labor's 2012 final rule to protect workers in the H-2B program. This is being challenged...

I appreciate Congressman Young and Stewart for leading.