John Mica

I mean, there was a collective gasp when you said Government maybe really doesn't know what it has.

We may be calling her back. But this is an ongoing process.

What's going on here? We have reports from our constituents of this.

I find that offensive, because, whether they targeted conservative or progressive groups, it's our responsibility to get to the truth and find out what happened.

I'm disappointed that the ranking member and the other side of the aisle have chosen to continuously try to close down this process of discovery to get to the bottom of what took place.

When they couldn't do that, they tried to discredit the chairman.

From my standpoint, they have tried to undermine my chairman. They've tried to close down the investigation.

I would like to open it up for free competition.

What if we opened up for savings purposes the postal employees to join--well, actually just put them on Obamacare?

The report I got says about $100 billion in unfunded liabilities. Is that correct?

I support the 5-day service.

It is an astounding number. And again, we have no means of bringing these agencies under control.

It is my guess that we have probably done overpayments in the billions, multi-billion dollar area because of this.

It is surprising, too, with the military, usually the military works on commands, and they are usually one of the most responsive.

The problem you have, though, is you don't get these agencies to respond.

Oh, it is not a false choice. These are choices I have to make.

I mean, this just the other day. I am telling you, we have a Soviet style train operation.

When are we prepared to open up the Amtrak monopoly on passenger rail service and let the private sector compete?

If Amtrak continues its Soviet-style operations, whether it is to Meridian, Mississippi, or to New York, Boston, and Washington, you will continue to lose money.

That is my statement.

The Northeast Corridor, too--if the gentleman would yield--you could take an operation like the route in England that Branson picked up.

The Northeast Corridor... has incredible potential... they should be getting about a billion dollars a year return.

That is not true. Again, I beg to differ with you, and I can cite you examples.

I think some of these routes do need to be opened, if the administration was willing or Congress was willing, to give some private opportunity for private-sector competition.

Mica: TSA `Cooked the Books' To Inflate Screening Costs