Richard Shelby

It is imperative, for economic reasons, that in the U.S.--not only deepen the port I am bringing up in Mobile, but others and widening them, whatever we have to do--to be in the 21st century of commerce?

In any given year, millions of tons of cargo move through the Port of Mobile and that number is continuing to grow.

Its activities, as you probably well know, employ over 150,000 people in my State and generate over $23.4 billion direct and indirect in economic value.

The Port of Mobile in my State of Alabama is currently the tenth largest U.S. seaport by total volume.

We have dire needs everywhere, everybody here today has a need for infrastructure.

There is a lot of potential in the Port of Mobile, without a doubt.

One of the main tenets all of you know of the recently released Treasury Department report regarding core principles for financial regulation is calling for Federal financial regulators to conduct cost-benefit analysis for all economically…

An overriding question probably in America right now, one of them: Are we going to be able to pass a healthcare bill?

Thank you, sir, for appearing here today.

That was the purpose of the fund, wasn't it?

This is a problem, though, in the country, is it not?

We are going to have to work on that. We will try to work with you.

I believe it is critical that we target our finite law enforcement resources towards the worst criminals in our society.

I believe when you have one or two companies, big companies in America that can have their own bank, using it, is not for mostly small businesses and medium-sized businesses.

Mr. Secretary, would you work with us on the subcommittee to see that we fully staff the National Water Center, which is so important, I think, to allow the safety and could be a money-saving investment?

We think that is very important.

I have particular concerns that many of the key contracts are on a time and material basis, and that is a very dangerous way to do contracting.

I am troubled by some of the proposed cuts to other core programs.

Creating a budget is not easy, but it is a first step toward achieving fiscal responsibility.

Secretary Carson, after your nomination hearing in the Senate Banking Committee, I asked how manufactured housing can play a role in bringing individuals and families out of poverty.

We know that Russia and China continue to work in this area, and some of our soldiers have told us that they have expressed a real need for a faster missile than we currently have, a supersonic missile.

Do you agree that protecting our missiles, sensors, and our command and control systems must be of highest priority for our research and development investments?

It would bring more fire power.

I would think if I lived in the Republic of Korea, I would want every missile defense system available to protect the people of the Republic of Korea, as well as the forces of the United States that are there in their defense.

I commend you for calling this hearing. This is a very important hearing and what we are going to learn today, I believe.