the United States is going to have to take a bigger role, that the United States is going to have to take a stronger leadership position

That is the most powerful component in this bill to create jobs.

That is the most powerful component in this bill, to create jobs.

If the bill comes back from the conference committee with a lot of wasteful spending reinserted or if it comes back in excess of the $800 billion, it will not have my support.

Some of these programs, while they're worthy of an increase in funding, simply do not belong in an economic stimulus bill.

I certainly want to commend you. And you're obviously assuming the helm of this agency at a very critical time in its history.

I think we need to know more, for example, with regards to the current economic crisis that's not only impacting this country but impacting the world.

The question is, does this pass the straight-face test? Can I vote for things with this kind of spending that really doesn't stimulate the economy?

I am very disappointed to hear you come before us today and advocate as a potential solution to this economic crisis the elimination of the requirement for 6-day-a-week delivery.

We worked to strengthen the funding for health insurance for postal workers and retirees.

the decision to further reduce postal services would cause an even bigger drop in mail volume that could lead to a death spiral for the USPS.

What we basically need is a general understanding that the Postal Service is challenged and is going to have to make these changes.

It took, as you know, Senator Collins and me some 5 years or so to get postal reform legislation enacted.

I do not know how you can ask for relief from your financial obligations and at the same time propose cutbacks in service.

I am also very concerned about the lack of financial transparency, which was a key goal of the 2006 legislation that we authored.

It is absolutely unacceptable for you to come to Congress and say that you need relief from financial obligations, and then we hear from the GAO and from the Commission, from our own experience, that you are going backwards when it comes…

Congress has been known in the past to put up road blocks that prevent you from operating in the most efficient manner possible.

Our purpose was straightforward. We wanted to help ensure the continuation of affordable universal service.