Mario Díaz-Balart

But we also need to make sure it is protected, because it is hard-earned taxpayer money.

I also want to thank our witnesses. We had a very productive meeting before.

I think there is some pros and some cons, but it is just another interesting approach which I had not thought about.

And thank you for being here, but more importantly, thanks for what you do.

Clearly it is understandable why, and you hear it, and we hear it, and our constituents--it is understandable why we want those that deserve it to get the relief as soon as possible.

It cheapens the issue when you throw racism out there for political reasons, because racism does exist, but it cheapens it when you just throw it out there.

it doesn't necessarily require legislation. It could be codified by rule.

is there a way to kind of codify that and to make sure that mitigation programs actually are going to be saving money as opposed to just feel good.

Look, Chairman Price and I have worked for over 4 years very closely now to make aviation safety a top priority within the THUD bill.

And I think it is important for us to understand just the enormous challenge faced by Puerto Rico.

The reality of the Maduro's dictatorship is that you have, you know, Cuban intel and military folks there; you have got Russian presence; you have got Chinese presence; you have got Iranian presence; you have got terrorist organizations…

I have been saying that, to me, that is a national security threat to the United States. Am I wrong?

Because we want to get to 80 percent fifth gen and 20 percent fourth gen, but the F-15C is not going to make it.

They cannot have the F-35 in the same...

The problems that--when I have looked at the numbers, they don't seem to add up.

I think this is a potential serious national security threat right here in this hemisphere.

if there is a tougher, a smarter, a person with more integrity anywhere in this planet, frankly, I haven't met her.

I think that the threat that we are facing right now in this hemisphere... is, frankly, equivalent to... anything that we are seeing anywhere around the world right now.

I love being on this subcommittee, and as I think a lot of folks saw today, these issues are a lot more complex than people think, right.

When I think of, you know, obviously the issue of discrimination, which is such an important issue, you know, I always think back about how fortunate we are to have a Secretary of HUD, somebody who's history and life is an example to all…

The research, I believe, leads to improved policies. Frankly, there are few areas as important as our common goal of eliminating discrimination and expand opportunities.

There is always a lot more requests than funding.

I would like to work with you on that.

There is no better subcommittee, there is no better committee to serve on in Congress than this one here.

Mr. Chairman, Mr. Price, again, thank you for calling this hearing and giving our members a chance to discuss passenger rail, which is so critical to our Nation's economy, and to the wellbeing of our citizens.