No, nobody wants to cut corners, but--on the environment, on protecting the environment--but nobody wants 15 years for a permitting process.

I rise in support of amendment No. 279, the Mann Act cooperation amendment. This is a simple amendment with strong bipartisan support. I appreciate the cosponsors, Senators Murkowski, Ayotte, Heitkamp, and Gillibrand. What this amendment…

I think it's an enormous issue, and we always--we just add more.

In parts of Alaska, 41 below zero is just another day.

What do you see as kind of the key top challenges that are inhibiting your ability to do your job better?

Are there specific challenges that actually relate to states like South Dakota or Alaska that are very big and yet have highly sparsely populated parts of the state?

These veterans should be viewed as some of the top candidates for jobs, as you well know--motivation, discipline, they have it all, right? This is a win-win for corporate America, for anyone who hires a veteran.

So you think that's striking the balance between, again, unique needs of states like Alaska and our economy, the issue of safety that you mentioned, and the environmental issues?

I appreciate your knowledge on that issue and my office will be following up with you for a little bit more detail on those matters.

I think that is a great goal. I think that is something we should all be rallying around.

This is a really important issue for my state.

I wish to say a few words on the nuclear agreement that is being negotiated with Iran. I will start by commending the members of the Foreign Relations Committee, particularly Senator Corker, the chairman of that committee. They moved the…

I think sometimes people forget that word 'independent' and what it means and how important it is.

I want to talk just a little bit about the budget.

With policy direction ultimately from the Congress in the form of legislation?

Not the White House or the Executive branch?

I think finding that right balance between the needs of rural communities and the needs of the aviation system in its entirety is really a central theme that Congress needs to grapple with as we look at reauthorization.

There were a lot of concerns that this was not done in a transparent manner, that this could increase cost to the FAA, this could, obviously, in my view, undermine safety.

the general aviation industry contributes over a billion dollars to our state's economy, as well as supports close to 50,000 jobs in the state

Throughout this Congress, we will be focusing chiefly on good governance and making certain the agencies are operating transparently.

More than ever, we are seeing agency regulatory regimes expanding Federal jurisdiction beyond their statutory limits.

I can't imagine why we would not be encouraging this kind of training versus, with the stroke of a pen, not encouraging those students who have put literally years into training to get careers.

I am honored to be chairing this subcommittee in the 114th Congress with my friend from Massachusetts, Senator Ed Markey, as Ranking Member.

I would like to get you up to Alaska, and soon, if you can.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.