Thomas R. Carper: “We want them to feel like they have been listened to.”

Public engagement can build trust, it can increase public buy-in, can help resolve issues, can help prevent litigation, and ultimately it can save time and money.

I think that's really disgraceful, and it's unacceptable that the local DC courts have vacancies that last years because the Senate fails to act in a timely way.

Last year, the Environment and Public Works Committee held, I think, not one, but a couple of hearings on permitting, common theme at our hearings, on the importance of public engagement.

People ask me what I am proudest of in my life, and I always say, raising three boys, with a big assist from their mom.