Thank you, Chairman Boxer, for holding today's hearing about efforts to modernize our nation's chemical safety laws.

I think it is probably the best effort that I have ever seen and has the most bipartisan support for and effort to fix this.

We rely on the Federal Government to take some of the bigger steps when it comes to epidemiology, chemical safety, things along those lines, to help us protect our citizens.

With a national debt of $16.8 trillion and growing every day, adding even more debt to fund infrastructure is not a viable option.

However, just 14 months from now--at the end of September 2014, the Federal highway program will, yet again, face expiration.

Good morning, thank you Chairman Boxer and Ranking Member Vitter for holding today's hearing about innovative financing for transportation infrastructure under MAP-21.

I was just reminded at the time you were appointed to the Sixth Circuit, eight of the 16 seats were unfilled due to basically a systematic filibuster by Democratic colleagues.

there has been progress over the last decade or so to update our system.

I think that you have every right to come to Congress and express concerns if you think the level of support is so low.

Why is that? Senator Sessions asked about why we are being hit so hard, and the answer to that is, first, that we are a constitutional mandate.

It is just one of the many inefficiencies sometimes that occur in our Government, and it makes it harder for us to reach the level of efficiency the taxpayers are entitled to.

We need a balanced approach in reduction of spending and tightening of our belt.

I think the title of this--what is it?--'Sequestering Justice,' is a bit over the top from my perspective.

I do believe that the Chief Justice and most of our judiciary do believe in efficiencies and are working in that regard.

Mr. Chairman, thank you for your courtesy and your excellent leadership.

I do not think you should have to lay off that many.

I think they were exactly correct. We were able to maintain that, and there was no doubt that every judge was absolutely confident it saved money and things ran better.

I do not know where the cases are nationwide. In recent weeks we looked at gun prosecutions. They have been dropping.

Everything we do is constitutionally and statutorily mandated.

The people instituted a Federal system that has three coordinate branches of Government.

Why did they wait--like they did the Defense Department.

I am hearing from some of my friends in Alabama that they think cuts of public defenders and all are more than they should be.

One of the best ways to do that would be simply to have the House and the Senate appoint conferees on the budgets.

justice delayed is indeed justice denied.

We do not have the money to run the Government. And we are not going to just keep raising taxes every time.