Amy Klobuchar

I have long held the view that the competiveness of our economy is directly tied to the strength of our infrastructure.

You just can't mess around with rural areas by not completing calls. This is not going to work, so there must be a better solution.

I'm a strong believer in unlocking. I think it'll lead to more competition.

I think people, in this day and age, would be shocked that we can't have high enough quality service.

I truly believe people that grow up, kids that grow up, in rural Minnesota should be able to stay in rural Minnesota.

This just can't be how business works in America, 'Sorry, you have a small carrier, so you don't get service,' even though it's not their fault.

If the Senator would like to speak for a minute or so, if he has something he would like to say.

The Joint Economic Committee has 30 minutes on our side, and I do not know on the Republican side. I think we are about halfway or more into it.

I have introduced legislation to help prevent the spread of Asian Carp further into Minnesota.

We think it will be important to look at it not just in the context, as Dr. Moss pointed out, in one merger, but also in the context of the entire industry.

I want to thank my staff, Caroline Holland, who previously worked with Senator Kohl.

But it is true that since 2000, there has only been one new carrier, I think, in our country--Virgin America--that has entered.

I have long been concerned about the consolidation in the airline industry.

A strong and vibrant airline industry is critical to our country.

We need to be vigilant in examining any potential challenges this merger might create.

I note that Jet Blue is only 5 percent of the market, though, and we have now these three major carriers.

Senator Lee and I are asking for the GAO to do a study of the entire industry beyond just this merger.

The combined airline would have up to 67 percent or 70 percent of the slots.

I think those similarities really need to be duly noted and investigated by the DOJ when they look into this merger.

Thank you very much, Senator Cruz.

Most of the talk about immigration has centered on the plight of the undocumented, border security, and economic motivations for changing our laws. But family concerns are just as important, and we must ensure that our policies reflect…

I think things have greatly improved in the last year in terms of getting some of the mid-sized bills through the Senate.

We should be doing something to keep Social Security solvent.

We simply cannot afford to have a repeat of what happened last December with the brinkmanship.

It appears as though all of our witnesses agree that sequestration is not the best solution right now.