we are patently vulnerable at the moment.

the next Pearl Harbor may well be a cyber attack.

They paid a price, a reputational price, as well as enormous costs to their business.

I want to begin by thanking Chairman Isakson for giving the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act the priority it needs and deserves. I know the Presiding Officer, as a veteran, understands and supports the vital mission…

the President's executive order will be a nullity unless the Congress acts.

Congress has to take the lead. Congress has to legislate.

Thank you, Chair Collins, and thanks to you and Senator McCaskill for having this hearing and beginning on such a profoundly important note.

I do not mean in any way to cast aspersions on them, but there is a lot of potential here for making a difference by mandating reporting.

Twenty-two veterans every day in this country, the strongest, best country in the history of the world, commit suicide.

I would like your commitment that enabling better transition will be a commitment of yours.

I begin by thanking the chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senator Isakson, and really giving him immeasurable credit for his courage and his fortitude in addressing this bill that he could have allowed to languish on the agenda…

The failure of those agencies to properly oversee what is happening on the rails and roads is, itself, a jeopardy to safety and reliability.

It is investment--it is not spending. It really is investment that is vitally important to making sure that trust and confidence is restored and sustained.

Part of our task on this subcommittee will be to make sure that we oversee and scrutinize what those critical government agencies do to make sure that trust and confidence is sustained and enhanced.

I would really value an opportunity to pursue some of these issues, and, Governor Rendell, particularly the infrastructure bank idea.

I would invite you, since our time is limited here, to come and meet with us and share perhaps in greater depth that experience, which I think would be enormously valuable in helping to shape this committee's perspective on the safety…

Rebuilding those bridges and our roads and other critical infrastructure is absolutely critical.

I want to shift to Governor Rendell.

The fact of the matter is that passenger rail is a vital lifeline for this country, as is freight, in delivering people and goods and services.

None of the challenges faced by our Nation today are more important, long term, than the need to rebuild our critical infrastructure.

I am very pleased to be here today to speak to my colleagues about funding for the Department of Homeland Security and to be followed by one of my most valued colleagues, Senator Menendez, whose leadership on this issue has been…

I applaud your meteoric rise--within limits.

I would hope that you will continue to focus on those issues relating to post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury.

the President's exercise of discretion does not permit case-by-case decision-making.

Thank you for your courtesy and your deference.