David Minge: “I would like to also point out, complimenting the gentleman on his remarks, that we have remarkably capable committee…”

“I would like to also point out, complimenting the gentleman on his remarks, that we have remarkably capable committee leadership in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and many other committees in this Congress. I submit that if some States are not responsibly allocating the Federal funds that come through, that our committees have oversight jurisdiction. It provides us with an opportunity to watch what the States are doing, to correct it with legislative response immediately, if that is what is necessary. But this is a function that we can play very well, oversight. We have a national vision. But it is very difficult for us to provide the local supervision and the local decisionmaking that is so important in allocating funds between communities, even within our respective districts. I would also point out that I, and I expect almost every other Member, have from time to time requested a project. I and many other Members have had communities in our districts request support for specific projects. As long as the game plan in Congress is to have demonstration projects or earmarks, it is very difficult to represent an area without playing the game. I am not here to say that the gentleman from West Virginia or the gentleman from Pennsylvania or my colleague from Minnesota has done anything untoward. I am simply saying, let us engage in the oversight function.”