The bottom line is we have an opportunity to fix our broken-down infrastructure to get millions of workers back on the job.

It is a short-sighted view in my estimation. It ignores past achievements like the George Washington Bridge, which was built during the Depression.

I am particularly concerned by the $50 billion up-front transportation infrastructure plan for 2012 that sounds very much like another stimulus program.

I have great reservations about this type of fund which I believe would principally benefit large metropolitan areas and ignore the needs of rural states like my own.

Mr. President, today I submitted a resolution with my friend, Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi, to recognize and celebrate the importance of cooperatives to our economy, and our rural communities in particular. In 2009, the United…

Mr. President, today I recognize Youth Art Month and congratulate Samantha Kenaston of Mitchell, SD, on designing the winning State entry for the national student flag design program. Each March, the Council for Art Education sponsors…

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I have been appalled to see thousands of dollars of grants go toward studying things such as the California adult tiger salamander.

I have seen how critical infrastructure such as rural water projects can benefit and develop rural communities.

Mr. Chair, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson). The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Idaho is recognized for 15 seconds.

Mr. Chairman, I offer this amendment because I'm concerned about an EPA rule on the National Primary or Secondary Ambient Air Quality Standards that would make the standard for the amount of coarse particulate matter in the air more…

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Crawford). {time} 0040

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Hastings of Washington). The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the…

Mr. President, today the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs adopted rules of procedure for the 112th Congress. I ask unanimous consent that the rules of procedure be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the…

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the formation of the Dakota Territory. It was on February 26, 1861, that the Senate passed the legislation creating the territory. In the year of the 150th anniversary, I would like to honor the…

Thank you for your service and appreciate you being before the Committee today.

I am a believer that the answer to feeding a growing global population sort of involves expanding biotechnology and modern farming practices beyond our borders.

Mr. Hanna, I appreciate the ongoing debate about auctioning versus allocating the D Block to first responders.