clearly south Florida particularly is dealing today with sea level rise as it impacts both saltwater intrusion on our coastal areas, impacts our drinking water, draining systems that are critical to the overall well being of many of the…

We cut the size of government. I think we ended up in 2000 with fewer Federal employees than we had had in a long time. I think that was a goal.

The inventory was not good. It has significant limitations as a tool for decisionmakers.

My recollection is this is something that Senator Akaka was very much interested in and focused on when he was with us.

I am proud that our landmark environmental laws were created with an overwhelming bipartisan consensus, and it saddens me that protecting the environment at the Federal level has become a partisan issue.

The American people understand the threats posed by climate change, and they want action.

We should all know we must take action to reduce harmful carbon pollution, which 97 percent of scientists agree is leading to dangerous climate change that threatens our families.

It is in America's DNA to turn a problem into an opportunity, and that is what we have done by being a pioneer in the green technology industry.

To me, it sounds like a lot of money, but that is not enough of a deterrent for a company with over $150 billion in revenue.

Do you think this is a wise thing that we do, or implement?

And I had to remind people we're a constitutional republic where the minority is protected by rule of law.

I, as a grateful citizen of this great nation and a Member of Congress am appreciative every day of the liberties and freedoms that we get to experience because of the willingness of people to serve, commit, and dedicate to this country.

As a longtime supporter of public transportation... I am also interested in hearing about the Department's innovative transit research.

Continuing investments in transportation research and development will be critical to the future viability of this thriving city and the cities across the nation.

Good morning, I would like to thank the Chairman for holding today's hearing to examine the impact of research and technology on the future of transportation.

The ideas that our witnesses will share today... have the potential to help reduce American's commute times, reduce accidents on our highways and railroads, and reduce emissions.

Our economy depends on our ability to move people and goods efficiently from one point to another.

I'm very troubled with the administration's insistence that the deal made to free five Taliban leaders in exchange for Sergeant Bergdahl was the best deal we could get.