Barbara Mikulski actually said...

"the fact is, is that helps maintain the status quo in good operating order."

"I believe rail, whether it is heavy rail to move cargo in our corridors, whether it is--I will call it heavy rail, to move people in the Northeast Corridor, whether it is our MARC trains or the Virgin..."

"So do you have thoughts or recommendations you would like to make to us?"

"This is a national issue, and it is a mandate."