I believe, as a lot of people believe, we must stay the course, and we cannot, I believe we must not, cut and run.

Accountability is critical, and we all have to be held accountable.

I trust it's why we will continue to support him and you and our military.

It certainly appears that that is happening and that we're falling a bit of a victim to some of that at the moment.

I am skeptical that consolidation of programs and distribution by formula of transit dollars will improve the delivery of transit services.

In the omnibus we again set aside funds and directed NHTSA to continue to fund click-it-or-ticket.

Mr. Secretary, infrastructure performance and maintenance initiative. Do you envision this program as a new apportionment program for the States or as a new discretionary program administered by FHWA?

It has taken a downturn. Since 2000, the program has paid out almost $500 million in defaulted loans.

What plans, if any, do you have to help assist the shipping industry in securing financing?

It is so important; competition.

If this is a discretionary program, what criteria would you propose to evaluate project eligibility? Give us some examples.