Political Quotes

“I rise today to introduce, at the request of the administration and on behalf of my fellow original cosponsors Senator Menendez, Senator Mikulski, and Senator Cardin, the Public Transportation Safety Program Act of 2010. This legislation is designed to provide the Federal Transit Administration with the proper funding and rulemaking, examination, and enforcement authority to improve the safety of our nation's transit systems. The issue of improving transit safety is a bipartisan issue, on which I think all Members can come to agreement. While this proposal from the administration is a good and appropriate first step in the Federal Government's efforts to improve transit safety, I look forward to working with my cosponsors and all of my colleagues on the Senate Banking Committee to make the final bill, which will emerge from the Senate Banking Committee, the strongest legislation possible for ensuring the safety of our nation's transit systems. Transit is among the safest modes of transportation. Between 1998 and 2007, incidents on public transportation rail systems fell by half. But in light of a recent series of high-profile accidents, Americans have grown concerned, and rightfully so. As our Nation's transit systems age, it is becoming increasingly clear that it is time for the Federal government to take a more direct role in their oversight.”