David Vitter

Highway infrastructure is a critical component of our Nation's economy and our quality of life.

A bipartisan solution to this problem is the only way forward.

The policy questions and potential solutions related to Conowingo Dam, environmental concerns, and energy production are important and deserve the subcommittee's attention.

The Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) represents a dramatic expansion of the Environmental Protection Agency's authority under the Clean Water Act and threatens State and local land use authority throughout the country.

At the same time, we must recognize that environmental policies and programs related to the Chesapeake Bay and elsewhere must be based on sound science and law and accomplished in a manner which does not jeopardize the livelihoods of hard…

If I could address the Chair, I am happy to answer the question. As Senator Sanders knows, I have serious concerns with his much broader bill. So I am not agreeing to his far broader bill. He knows that. We have talked about that. We have…

Reclaiming the floor and reclaiming my time, that is very significant information that can guide us with regard to any path forward. So I would like to know from the Senator whether he would or would not object to a UC to pass the bill…

To suggest that somehow that is the same as smog and particulate matter and we are trying to repeal the Clean Air Act is just completely cartoonish.

I think to hold up the poster from China and suggest that result is a Republican agenda is absurd and it is completely irresponsible.

We are trying to understand this process which has been quite hidden, quite frankly.

Finally, on social cost of carbon, as you know we discovered last November that your office provided technical assistance for modeling on this ongoing effort.

Why wouldn't that be appropriate given what I talked about, given the shift toward much more land intensive energy sources and wind which has consequences on birds?

I want to move to the Endangered Species Act. EPA's proposed NSPS rule will likely force a shift away from coal-fired energy toward many things that are much more land intensive sources of energy.

First of all, the report she highlighted, I just want to point out, that half the time period covered by that report covers EPA under Republican leadership.

Thank you, Chairman Boxer, for convening today's hearing, and welcome to our three nominees.

I think it is time to stop just talking about that and shed some much greater light on agency processes.

I just wanted to point that out.

I am going to repeat my request, because apparently the majority leader, based on his comments, didn't understand it. I have an amendment that is about unemployment insurance. I have an amendment that is germane to the bill. It is not…

This money is not just for this area of activity, but these projects?

We cannot in this day wait on the Federal and State government to be the solve all, end all.

This is really important to get the local and State perspective on our transportation infrastructure.

In order to have a healthy and efficient network, all of those pieces need to remain strong.

We are not sending transportation money to local Catholic churches.

Collectively, you bring a diverse set of perspectives, but a common goal of developing a first-class, comprehensive transportation network.

What we should be discussing is what are the best ways to manage our air and water while trying to get our economy moving again.