Ben Cardin

But I think we need to make sure that what we do in the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act is consistent with our overall responsibility to balance the Federal budget.

It has been estimated that we spend 4.2 billion hours a year stuck in traffic.

Americans spend 4.2 billion hours a year stuck in traffic, at a cost of $78 billion a year to the economy.

So yes, it is critically important that we make the right investments.

I think the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was a good first start.

Less than three-tenths of 1 percent of our GDP is being invested in our non-defense public structures and buildings.

Total current spending is well below what is needed to improve the condition of our national transportation infrastructure.

I think our challenge, Madam Chair, is to craft the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, that you referred to as MAP, that will meet our investment needs in a fiscally responsible way.

I think these are important points and need to be part of the policies that we look forward to in our next effort on reauthorization.

There is no question that our national transportation system is in dire need of repairs and investments.

Let's take a look at the overall problems that we have in America in dealing with quality of life and our commitment to our environment.

I would just stress I would hope that we will have the opportunity to return to the issues of the PATRIOT Act far in advance of the deadline for the end of this year where we have to act.

I think most of us believe these tools are extremely important, and we want to make sure that you have the tools that you need.

There are three major provisions that will sunset during 2009 that will need to be taken up by Congress.

Let me thank you, Director Mueller, for your service and thank you for being here today.

I do hope that we can engage, and not be worried about an engagement here.

I think it's a very valid point. And no one here will weaken our involvement in NATO.

There are many concerns. A lot of them have been brought out. We have human rights concerns, from how they treat their journalists to the right dissent.

I just want to agree with our leaders on this committee about the importance of improving our relationship with the--with Russia.

I must tell you, there is skepticism by my colleagues in Russia as to the sincerity of our reaching out, at this point.

I am hopeful that we can move legislation, and I hope that we get it right.

I deeply respect his intellect, his integrity, his financial knowledge, and his commitment to public service.

If the United States does not lead, it won't get done. That is the responsibility that we hold.

As President Obama said last night, this is America, we lead. And it is time that we led on this critically important issue.

The Chesapeake Bay is experiencing radical changes. And it is related to global climate change.