I feel strongly that we should be doing that--we should be going to conference committee in regular order with these two budgets.

Actually, the former advisor to Mitt Romney, who spoke here, who did a very good job, talked about that as a scar on these workers.

While Senator Boxer and Senator Inhofe did an amazing job getting that bill done, and Senator Rockefeller and this committee had a lot to do with that as well, there is more to be done.

I truly think it is great to have a mayor in this role. I think mayors have a sense of knowing on the front line what is going on.

This is probably one of the most pleasant hearings on the Hill today, and you have clearly done your homework, so thank you for your good work.

I worked hard with several of my colleagues to ensure that the Recreational Trails Program was maintained in MAP-21.

I am introducing a bill with Senator Murkowski of Alaska to push this effort forward at the Federal Aviation Administration.

I hope that you will bring that forward from your work as a mayor and never let that go.

Just remember the numbers 63 and 4. We used to have 63 rail carriers; we now have only 4 major rail carriers.

You have warned, Chairman Bernanke, that cutting too much too soon could lead to a sharp contraction on our economy.

Well thank you very much, Chairman Brady. Thank you for putting together this hearing.

The economy has added private sector jobs for 38 straight months. During that time, 6.8 million private sector jobs have been created.

I look forward to your testimony.

We are out of intensive care, thanks in part to the Fed's actions.

I would note again that there are many of us here in the Senate, including now Senator McCain and Senator Collins, that would like to see a budget conference committee.

Key economic indicators are also showing some strength. The housing market is recovering.

Credit conditions are improving, but we all know--as Chairman Brady has pointed out, that there is a lot more work to do.

I believe that the budget the Senate passed, which I voted for, is a good approach.