Tom O'Halleran

Our country can't afford to go down this path any further, and I am glad we had this hearing today.

the exorbitant cost of healthcare, particularly prescription drugs, is the number one issue I hear about from constituents.

Working together, I know this committee can right this wrong.

I just don't understand how we are going to balance this concern about healthcare and then, obviously, experts around the country are also concerned about the carbon emissions.

Is it your intention to finalize a rule that will weaken Tribal authority to improve air quality and reduce carbon pollution on Tribal lands?

I am disappointed by the lack of consultation. It appears, at least from my perspective, from the start, EPA and NHTSA have shut Tribal Governments and communities out of discussions about this rule.

Uranium mining has a toxic legacy in northern Arizona. My constituents still suffer from the effects of the mining that occurred during the cold war over 70 years ago, and still an impact.

The people of Arizona know the facts. Uranium mining is a threat to our precious water resources, to our tribal communities, and to one of our greatest national treasures.

the EPA, on all those 500 or some odd mines has indicated that none of them are safe. Not one of them is safe.

it has been over 70 years that these uranium mines have been exposed to our citizens, and yet nothing has been cleaned up.

Madam Chair, it is extremely important to enact H.R. 1373 to permanently protect these lands and water.

We cannot allow this to become normal.

I am proud to be a champion of the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act, because it will ensure the canyon remains safe and vibrant, protect northern Arizona's economy, and protect the water supply of the Southwest.

Water is essential to communities of all sizes around the Southwest. This is especially true for communities like Havasupai, where there is a single water supply, and uranium contamination would be disastrous.

Water in Arizona is our most precious resource. It is life.

These services are vital for rural and medically underserved areas including the 1st District of Arizona.

I just can't believe our Federal Government at this stage of our existence cannot understand the need for agencies to communicate with one another.

I applaud the LIFT America Act for including robust funding for high-speed broadband and clean drinking water programs.

Rural America cannot be left behind. In fact, I don't know that it can survive without getting in this process moving forward.

Americans deserve access to reliable and efficient energy resources.

Its closure would simply devastate the Navajo and Hopi Tribes.

We can't get the elderly folks to hospitals without helicopters.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention broadband, and the need for that, and the continuing lack of broadband throughout rural America.

Second, I strongly support this committee providing a multiyear reauthorization bill that addresses the pending insolvency with the Highway Trust Fund.

I ask this committee, as part of the transportation reauthorization bill, to reauthorize the Indian School Bus Route Maintenance Program, and help to get Native American children back to school.