"Let us not be afraid to look at alternative ways that can save money, create jobs, and then have more dollars available for the expensive projects that we know we need to build, such as high speed rail."
"This must be a top priority for EPW, Senate Banking and Commerce Committees, and for Congress on the whole."
"Improving the overall functionality of our complete transportation system is what it means to improve the 'livability' of our communities."
"I strongly agree with the consensus here that we need to get a surface transportation reauthorization enacted, it needs to be long-term, it needs to speak to the investments that are necessary and it ..."
"Fast and efficient intermodal transportation systems, both figuratively and literally, drive our nation's economy."
"I think every dollar that we authorize has to be spent efficiently and appropriately for transportation in this Country."
"Secretary Gates shares the importance and the attention that is needed for gender equality."
"The argument I hear the most against consumption taxes is progressivity, but we can make a consumption tax progressive, and we have ways of doing it."
"We are certainly realistic to know that your proposals are going to be politically controversial wherever you went."
"I think you have the right formula, and each element will be controversial."
"My concern is that if we were to pass the recommendations of the Commission, it is unlikely that that would stand for very long before Congress would once again, for reasons of political expediency, u..."