Richard Blumenthal

Well, it strikes me--and I'm out of time, so we can pursue this in another channel--that, yes, money is diverted to deficit reduction when perhaps it should go to security.

Isn't the vast majority of the dollars that passengers pay going into security and only a small proportion going to deficit reduction?

As you know, in 2013, Congress passed a measure reducing the deficit as part of a major budget compromise.

Some of them may have the resources or access to the funds to implement Positive Train Control, but still have not implemented this life-saving technology.

Would you agree with me that increasing the reliability and capacity of our ports is essential to delivering more freight?

I hope that that process can be expedited and that any sort of bureaucratic delay can be avoided.

I'm excited about this Congress. I'm excited about under the leadership of my Chairman that we've put forth a trillion dollar proposal for improving our infrastructure.

We can and must do better to elevate human life.

We are a nation that can and must do better, and there is bipartisan space for us to work together.

There is a tremendous opportunity here to help infuse our economy with strength.

Nothing about our country should be a D-plus. We should lead the globe in infrastructure.

I introduced a bill called the 'Robert Matava Criminal Victim Abuse Prevention and Restitution Act.'

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

I want to suggest that every Inspector General ought to be assured and given a commitment in writing that they will continue in office unless the President decides, for some reason relating to misconduct of that Inspector General, that he…

Has anyone on this panel received anything in writing providing you with assurance that you will remain in your present position?

And in your case, Mr. Roth?

Have you received anything in writing?

Wouldn't it be helpful to have a clear pledge from the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice as to the provisions of these court orders and a clear commitment to respect and abide by these rulings of the courts?

My office has received reports that numerous law enforcement officers at the Customs and Border Protection reportedly have been illegally arresting, detaining, and intimidating innocent individuals arriving in the United States.

A court order is binding on all employees of the Department of Homeland Security, is it not?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you very much.

Would you agree with me that the protections for whistleblowers ought to be strengthened?

I'm very concerned by the fact of the President's announcement about your tenure and its potentially inhibiting effect on the work that you do and, especially, on whistleblowers.

You are ultimately the source of vigilance and enforcement against corruption and wrongdoing in our Federal Government without regard to partisan advantage and without respect to fear or favor from the President.