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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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