I ask unanimous consent that I be given an additional 10 minutes. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Surface transportation improvements create jobs in the construction industry, which has been especially hard hit by the economic downturn.

We will have a whole section just dedicated to rural because we know that we need to take care of rural.

Our goal is to get a draft that we can share with Members on both sides so that we can move forward.

Economic recovery and job creation are top priorities for this Congress, and investing in transportation is essential to that effort.

Thank you very much.

One of the most effective, far-reaching ways to create jobs and get the economy back on track is to fix the nation's outdated infrastructure.

I am going to put my opening statement in the record and hope that each Senator who arrives will do the same because we really want to get to talk to you and get some of your ideas.

I don't understand that. You use bond authority. What do you mean by that? Don't you borrow with the bond authority that you have?

It is alarming to me that the House Members... have proposed and they already passed legislation that says the Highway Trust Fund can be used for other things.

I see a big change there.

what is the order? The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senate is in morning business.

I rise today--and I am staying close to the floor today--because I am very concerned that the Senate is going to vote on some very detrimental proposals for the American people which have to do with, for the first time that I can tell in…

we call on him and say: It has been 30 days, let's get our act together. We need to feel the pain ourselves just as all the others will feel the pain. ____________________

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be authorized to meet, during the session of the Senate, to conduct a hearing entitled ``A Tragic Anniversary: Improving Safety at Dangerous Mines One…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on March 31, 2011, at 10 a.m., in SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct an executive business meeting…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 31, 2011, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``President's FY2012 Budget Request for…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 31, 2011, at 10 a.m., to hold a Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Global Narcotics subcommittee hearing…

I ask unanimous consent that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery and Intergovernmental Affairs of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 31…

I also wish to take some time to talk about a real crisis looming in front of us, which is the possibility of a Federal Government shutdown. I have lived through a Federal Government shutdown, and I can tell you, whether you are someone…

the reason I am staying close to the floor today, more than any other reason, is the fact that, for the first time in history, Congress is going to play scientist, Congress is going to play doctor, Congress is going to decide what to do in…

I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 31, 2011, at 2:30 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. subcommittee on…

I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the Committee on Environment and Public Works be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 31, 2011, at 2:30 p.m. in Dirksen 406. The…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 31, 2011. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Committee on Armed…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 31, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Committee on Armed Services