Nothing in that bill tightens them.

I certainly agree with those. It seems like we ought to move off center and get to going.

However, because many of the NextGen programs are dependent on one or more systems, delays in one program mean delays in other programs.

Going forward, I believe that it is important for us to have an open dialogue with labor and industry stakeholders as well as the FAA and other Federal agencies.

I want to be clear that simply providing more funding is not the entire solution to successful NextGen implementation.

And I commend the FAA under the leadership of Randy Babbitt and others for making progress in several key areas of NextGen.

If we are committed to our shared goal of spending taxpayer dollars wisely and efficiently, I am concerned that significantly cutting funding levels for NextGen will move implementation dates back even further.

I think we ought to stop and think, who is creating the uncertainty, and be honest about it.

the future is too important for us to play partisan politics here and for us to talk about how much we have to save and not spend.

The victims of the Madoff scheme deserve to know that the SEC's decision in this case was not tainted by conflicts of interest.

I actually commend you, Madam Chairwoman, for accepting the fact that you made mistakes.