Ray LaHood

These are commitments that have been made.

There are going to be a lot of people who aren't going to go to work as a result if these monies are rescinded.

America is at a transportation crossroads.

We're going to be able to deal with the deficits and the debt, and also have a good, strong transportation program.

It's up to us whether we do big things or whether we do nothing.

These projects were not earmarked. They weren't sweetheart deals or boondoggles.

This idea that you should cut something that is successful is just, to me, not realistic.

He is a very strong advocate of high-speed rail. He asked for our cooperation and we are going to work with him on that.

I have talked to Governor Brown twice about high-speed rail, Governor Jerry Brown of California. They are going to move ahead with their project.

What we are pleased about, Senator Sessions, is that 33 States and the District of Columbia have accepted more than $11 billion because they believe in high-speed inner-city rail.

I think they have good management. We think they have a board that is paying attention.

Cutting their funding will not be helpful. It will be hurtful.

I would recommend that the Senate not do what the House did.

I will work very hard within the Administration to make the strongest case that I possibly can that this ought to be dedicated to transportation.

Nobody has a bigger, bolder vision of this than President Obama does.

There can be no dispute about the fact this is a big, bold plan.

He and Senator Warner have the privilege of representing what I believe is, if not the best, one of the best transit systems in America.

I told Senator Bond that the most common complaint that I heard at the beginning of my tenure was, why does it take 10 or 12 years to get a New Starts program going?

Absolutely, small towns and the connectivity that can be created around the metropolitan areas.

We have a state-of-the-art interstate system in America. We have very good roads.

We think that the collaboration that we are doing will enable people to have affordable housing and affordable transportation.

I think people recognize that we have a pretty good system of highways and roads around the country.

I said that it was, and that people already dread getting stuck in their cars in traffic for hours.

I have been all over the country. I have been to 80 cities. I have been to 35 States.

These MPOs have to be very inclusive. They have to include the rural areas.