In light of the urgent need to reduce the Federal budget deficit, the Committee is recommending funding reductions for many programs within its jurisdiction.

Some may say, well, maybe we shouldn't hold this, the hearing, and I said, 'No.'

What I would suggest we do as a followup is let's convene a roundtable with the Coast Guard and others, and then let's get their recommendations.

I don't know if it needs to be in law, but maybe in regulation.

I am incredibly saddened to hear of your loss, and our prayers and thoughts are with the families.

I must first also identify my remarks with others today who have expressed their sympathy to and condolences to the United States Coast Guard.

Let me speak to transportation and what we're doing in Congress on the Republican side. The other side of the aisle, the Democrat majority, had responsibility over transportation, and huge majorities for 4 years and control for 2 years of…

I don't know if you read the CQ one on the TSA hearing, where they Googled the--instructed the TSA administrator on 'let Mica ask one question and then take all the time so that he couldn't have another opportunity.'

I want to know how much it is going to take to get this done.

I returned $2 million to the taxpayers for operation from my committee this past month.

We are going to get that done, and it is going to be one way or the other.

There is nothing like a hearing to motivate action.