We spent $173 billion in Afghanistan since 2001.

I want these findings to be made public so that every rate payer and lawmaker alike can take part in our effort to ensure that this never happens again.

I voted against the war in Iraq from the very beginning, because I thought it was a terrible mistake and I still think it is a terrible mistake.

I expect two things of TVA. First, TVA must continue working closely with the Corps of Engineers, the EPA, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, and the local community to ensure that TVA is in compliance with all…

We just can't go along with the kooks and the extremists in these situations.

If TVA cannot fulfill their duty to make my constituents whole, I am fully prepared as a Member of Congress to call upon our current Administration to name the EPA as the lead agency in charge of the cleanup and to appoint a czar that will…

I do think that TVA has among the finest leadership that the agency has ever had, contrary to the impression I think some people have tried to leave.

I want to make sure that everybody who is directly affected is treated fairly, compensated, and made whole as much as possible.

What we need in this whole situation is a little balance and common sense and fairness.

My constituents and the land they live on must be made whole again.

I want to say a word about the constitutional soundness of the DOT DBE programs.

Our Nation suffers when those who are talented, who have new ideas, and who want to work hard are denied the opportunity to compete because of their ethnic background, race, or gender.

The fact remains that Afghanistan is a critical front in what will continue to be a global war on terror.

the program has stood up in court over and over again

there needs to be more specific language in the RFPs issued by Federal grantees

there needs to be more aggressive and consistent compliance monitoring of the DBE program

I am very honored and pleased to appear before you today.

We will never stop talking about race.