Right now, the biggest challenge for America is to fix what we have.

I appreciate that EPA is continuing its investigations of hydraulic fracturing. I think that the EPA's investigations are really critical to the Federal Government's responsibility to ensure that drinking water and groundwater across the…

I think we also should be thinking about public/private partnerships both on a project level.

It is clear that this problem that we have is a multi-dimensional problem.

The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that we have almost a $4 trillion infrastructure hole as a country.

Making sure we have an adequate, modern, and forward-looking infrastructure that's done in a smart way that allows U.S. corporations to compete is one of our central and, in my judgment, our most important domestic economic priority.

My first suggestion is: Deal with it and find ways to reduce spending and increase revenue to fund something that is essential to this country's competitiveness going forward.

If we can in fact put in place smart infrastructure policy and design a prudent and efficient and effective way of funding the infrastructure in this country, we not only have an opportunity to put Americans to work in the short term…

If we want to continue to be a first-rate economic power, if we want to protect our public, if we want to improve the quality of life of our citizens and our environment, if we want to create good, well-paying jobs that cannot be…

I happen to be from the great State of Maryland, which I think did something both spectacular and really politically difficult over this last session of our general assembly in terms of spending.

I think, Mr. Chairman--Chairman Shuster, Mr. Chairman, it is really incumbent on us to figure this out.

People want to make sure that, when they turn on their tap at home, the water that they get is safe for them to drink.

They expect that when they breathe the air, that the air will be safe.

I repeat our thanks for your patience and your willingness to put your names forward to serve our Country in a very important agency, the Environmental Protection Agency.

Chairman Boxer and Ranking Member Vitter, your recent work on the Water Resources Development Act of 2013 is a tangible demonstration of working together for a common goal.

On navigable waters, put me down for the Senator who believes that traditional understanding is what should be done.

I think some of the proudest moments in the history of America is that the Democrats and Republicans, working together to pass the Clean Water Act, to pass the Clean Air Act.

And they expect that our toxics and our chemicals are handled in a safe manner in order to protect the welfare of our community.