Susan Collins

And I want to report to you that it is going extremely well, that shipments are up, the track is being repaired so the service is so much better.

If safety is our number one priority, which it is, then it has to be safety in all modes including trucking and busing.

Let me just end my comments today by thanking you and the Department for your commitment, which helped us save freight rail----

I would rather see that money spent on traditional mass transit, and roads, and bridges.

I worry that smaller community airports will simply not have the funds to contribute more than the current 20 percent, and could potentially be forced to shut down operations.

There are unscrupulous motor carriers that reregistered themselves under new identities in an effort to evade accountability.

Short-term extensions drive up the cost because contractors cannot plan.

Are you concerned that using the General Fund in this matter undermines the whole concept of the Highway Trust Fund?

I think that kind of technical assistance and helping to share best practices that the Department has found is very helpful.

In fact, I read one newspaper story that said you have been known to drive around Washington honking at drivers who are using their portable devices when they should be paying attention to the road ahead and behind them.

And I think that is directly due to the fact that you have personally made it a priority, and put a real spotlight on it.

It is equally important to our economic future that we rein in Federal spending and keep our national debt under control.

I am very pleased to see that the President's budget proposes $500 million for this vital program.

I appreciate your strong leadership at the Department of Transportation (DOT) and look forward to continuing to work together to promote fiscally responsible investments in our Nation's transportation infrastructure.

I appreciate the inclusion of reform proposals designed to simplify the program structure and improve upon project delivery to bring the benefits of these investments to the public sooner.

Transportation investments create jobs and establish the foundation for future economic growth, but it is equally important to our economic future that we rein in Federal spending and keep our national debt under control.

That's the kind of innovation in infrastructure finance that we need to produce a greater return for taxpayers.

I was, and am, disappointed to see that the budget continues to request a substantial investment for high-speed rail at a time when too many of our roadways and bridges are crumbling.

I am pleased to see the $500 million request for this vital program.

The Corps has required up to 25 acres to be permanently protected.

The implications of this new approach by the New England district is bringing to a halt a lot of very important economic development projects.

The Corps has permitting responsibilities under section 404 of the Clean Water Act for development activities that may occur in wetlands.

They do work extraordinarily well together and they're truly a model for how the Senate should work.

This change of course in the investment in the safety, security, and reliability of our nuclear stockpile raises doubts and concerns about the administration's commitments.

The budget request for fiscal year 2013 for Weapons Activities is $372 million less than was projected in the President's Section 1251 Plan.