Giving them the ability to determine their local priorities is what this partnership should be all about.

My goal, and I know that Senator Vitter shares this goal, is to move swiftly this spring to pass a long-term reauthorization bill.

Ex-Im Bank pledged support of up to $5 billion over the next 5 years in support of the President's Power Africa Initiative.

The money that you are talking about, Senator, and that you have been so helpful on, has been absolutely critical to the growth of our city.

It is such a challenge to be able to fund all the priorities they have at the State level.

People recognize that we have to do a better job of accommodating what people want today, and that is to live in our urban centers.

I take great pride in the transportation alternative program which is included in MAP-21.

I particularly want to thank you for today's panel, because I look forward to the record being established by our local officials as to the importance of local input in determining priorities for transportation in our Nation.

One program that I am very proud to hear that is working well for many communities across the country are the reforms we made in the Transportation Alternatives Program.

Make no mistake, I think we all know we are running out of time.

Madam Chair, thank you very much for having this hearing. And to Senator Boxer and Senator Vitter, thank you for the manner in which you conduct this committee on the infrastructure advancements.

I strongly support the improvements to our bridges, our roads, our transit systems. They are all critically important to America's economy.

We need to make sure the highway system, the transportation system, surface transportation, accommodates local input.

I appreciate the exchange you had with Mayor Ballard and the kind comments that were expressed.

It really did not do anything other than raise asset prices.

I actually think the Fed's actions around the crisis were heroic, which I think both of you have acknowledged.

The probability of them shrinking the balance sheet to me is almost nonexistent.

I was of a view that QE-3 was unnecessary, and we were at a point of diminishing returns.