I was serving in the State senate at the time, and voted in favor of this proposition because of the guarantee to taxpayers it would be fiscally responsible, and not need an ongoing subsidy.

California's taxpayers simply cannot support a multibillion-dollar boondoggle.

I thank the gentleman from California. I, as many other Californians at one time, supported the California high-speed rail project. It was initially supposed to be a $33 billion project with equal amounts coming not only from the…

This is not just an endless pot of money, this is not just free money.

We are not investing any money. Eight billion dollars, not a dime--and proud of it--not a dime for high-speed rail.

So, given the November ruling, does the FRA have the right, under the grant agreement, to suspend payment?

We expect answers. This committee expects the cooperation to have those invoices presented to it.

Florida is not a third-world country. Texas is not a third-world country. They are just doing high-speed rail much cheaper, and with private investors.

When California voters approved the project in 2008, they were told the project would cost $33 billion.

I have consistently called for the California High-Speed Rail Authority to develop a viable plan that accepts economic and budgetary realities.

What I am concerned about is an agency that is hiding information from Congress.

This is the most transparent administration in the history of our country.