James Oberstar

Sustainability is the important element of the surface transportation program and I don't expect there will be another Recovery Act.

We are going to advance this process and cut from 14 years to 3 years the time it takes to do a transit project.

In our authorization bill, we listened to the various transit agencies across the Country who are concerned about their operating expense and their capital account.

we require in the law that priority be given to highway and transit projects and wastewater treatment projects, to areas of highest unemployment.

I think there is a lesson here. It is going to take much longer for the private sector to enjoy recovery.

The only thing that is up is the stimulus money, and all of the funds are going out according to plan.

The need is great and I appreciate again your support for the six-year bill.

I have been to 30 States; I have talked to a lot of these governors and DOT folks.

The USDOT does not make those decisions of which projects.

All this stuff that we are reading about is either misrepresentation, deliberately or through lack of knowledge...

The State DOTs select the projects.

This is the vision of President Obama and Vice President Biden to get America into the high speed passenger rail business.

Just get them out fast, put people to work.

A concern that has come up is that States and cities, because of drop-off in revenue, have not been able to provide the matching funds for the transit projects.

I would point out, and I appreciate the gentleman raising that, in our surface transportation authorization bill we restructure the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration to include within them an Office of…

I think the CARS program, which was wildly successful, and the Recovery Act clearly demonstrate that when the Federal Government, State and local leaders, and the private sector team up to take bold actions, the American public wins.

Our Nation's transportation infrastructure must be a top priority, with all the stakeholders working together to build a transportation network of the 21st century.

I said this stimulus program is going to pass, it has the support of the President Elect and we intend to move it.

thanks to you and the Congress, I am working.

The Recovery Act is accounting for callbacks, restoring jobs for contractors.

The ARRA is doing what Congress intended: Federal funds are being obligated at a rapid pace.

I do want to raise the issue that was highlighted in a USA Today news story that I already commented on.

You have done a superb job as Secretary.

I don't know who it was, but all it takes is one to object in that body.

We look forward to that miracle happening.