Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for yielding the time. But more than that, thank you for persistent, vigorous and insightful and creative leadership you've given to the entire reauthorization of FAA, but especially to this particular safety…

I would just conclude that it's inappropriate for us to impose this penalty on the FAA through the appropriation process. A much more appropriate way would be to deal with it through our committee. I commit to the gentleman that we will…

I rise with a very heavy heart to join fellow cyclists throughout Minnesota in mourning the untimely loss of Terry McGhauhey, father, founder, godfather, midwife, impresario of the Paul Bunyan Bicycle Trail. It was Terry McGhauhey who, 22…

I would like to make the observation, Madam Speaker, that the gentleman took the lead in our Public Buildings Subcommittee many years ago, during his first term in Congress, on courthouses. The gentleman has saved the taxpayers of this…

Yes, indeed I will say, first of all to compliment the gentleman from New Jersey on his leadership on the issue of vessel discharge. He has been a champion on this subject. We have heard his strong appeal, his reasoned approach to the…

In House floor consideration of the railroad retirement program, it was made very clear time and again by both sides of the aisle that this plan for railroad retirement was not a formula for Social Security. Both sides were at pains to say…

I rise in support of H.R. 5301. This bill extends a provision prohibiting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and States from requiring permits under Section 402 of the Clean Water Act for certain discharges that are incidental to…

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and her strong, stout defense of the Railroad Retirement program; Mr. Perriello for his leadership and advocacy for the bill supporting the goals and ideals of Railroad Retirement Day; and for the…

I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership on this issue. The gentleman from Virginia has been very diligent and vigilant on deficit reduction and on careful investment of the public resources, as has the gentleman from…

I thank the gentlewoman for her courageous lead on this issue. This $35 billion for Afghanistan is roughly equivalent to the amount in the Recovery Act for highways and transit. If instead of Afghanistan these funds were invested at home…

We are going to hold them accountable. The Coast Guard will hold them accountable. I do want to point out that the emergency fund is an account within the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. It is not a separate fund of its own. Further, as…

In the hearing yesterday, I made it very clear that the committee would move forward with the broader changes that the gentleman just discussed, Madam Speaker, so that the Coast Guard will have authority to draw larger sums, in…

It is better for us to pass this bill now to address the substantive issue, release of funds from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, and not delay progress in cleanup.

I completely agree with the gentleman. As the gentleman from Florida and I discussed in our hearing yesterday, the purpose of the trust fund is not to relieve anyone of responsibility. I was part of crafting that legislation in 1990 and…

An orphan site is one of the issues to be addressed, as we do under the Superfund Act. Yet the order of priority for response under the law, its first responsibility, is for the responsible party to act to the limit of its liability under…

First, I am grateful for the indulgence of our colleague on the committee, our ranking member and senior Republican, Mr. Mica, for responding so quickly to the action of the other body. We are unaccustomed to such prompt unanimous action…

I strongly support this legislation extending Build America bonds and marketable distribution of highway funding. Build America bonds allow taxable bond access for State and local governments, create new types of investors, and attract…

I tip my hat also to the Member of Congress whom I call ``Ms. Amtrak,'' ``Ms. Passenger Rail,'' whose passion is evident; who works tirelessly day and night, week after week, to advance the cause of passenger rail in this country, and has…

This merger will move the country far down the path of an airline system dominated by three mega-carriers . . . If United and Continental merge, another domino in a chain of mergers will fall, and there will be strong pressure for further…

The gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. LoBiondo) deserve very special recognition and appreciation for their collaborative work taking the lead on this legislation to bring new focus and new energy…

I thank the distinguished gentleman for this amendment, a very thoughtful, well-crafted amendment to resolve conflicts. That is really what the Congress should be doing, resolving conflicts and creating structures within our programs…

While I respect the remarks of the gentleman from Arkansas, we specify in this amendment, Mr. Schauer does, that the meeting place of the rivers and the lakes is not a traditional estuary, is not a meeting place of fresh and saltwater, but…

This is a jobs bill. Go ahead and laugh. Go ahead and laugh. It shows you don't understand much, Mr. Speaker, those who are laughing. Twenty-eight million jobs depend on coastal areas of the United States, $185 billion in commercial and…

Does it help that the Merchant Marine Act of 1970 designates the Great Lakes as the fourth seacoast?

But if we don't raise that level from time to time to keep pace with inflation, keep a target out there, then they will continue to be underfunded. At least they can go in and compete and advocate with other Federal Government programs for…