Kit Bond

You gave us some money, and we'll spend it.

We need to see how the process works. And I'll be damned if I can figure out how that process worked.

Well, I think that is very important that you have a right to ask of the local communities or regional areas what their plans are, and that is something I have worked on for about 40 years.

In my way of thinking, ensuring America has an updated transportation infrastructure is a key responsibility of government.

In the Heartland, highways don't work unless you have a bridge across the river.

Good, good. And I--and I--those are--that's what I'm asking...

Do you agree it's time for the administration to have the same kind of transparency?

So, we should absolutely ignore the $446 million request for Amtrak.

Sometimes those numbers are pretty scary, because it's the taxpayer dollar that we're putting at risk.

I know that the idea of an infrastructure bank... has been kicked around Congress for a long time.

I assure you, Mr. Administrator, we will have to do that.

It's a question of priorities.

I have some concerns about if there is a cutback in the 2012 budget based on problems with the deficit.

I am still waiting for real transparency in the current administration grant making process.

Are there any dedicated sources of funding that you're looking at, outside of putting Acela-type trains on, that generate a profit?

What an economic engine the interstate system has been for places all over America.

I know this: Americans want high-speed passenger rail.

Now, while we are asking easy questions, as you have indicated and the chair has indicated, as you know, we are debating a financial regulation bill on the floor.

Are there--is there tie-in between pay, or--is there any performance bonus for those who meet it or penalties for those who don't?

I want to make sure we're spending it properly. That's the big concern I have.

But, when did it become the responsibility of the Federal Department of Transportation to build sidewalks?

I strongly encourage... that without question, no one is carving out the products that you address.

I am concerned that we are looking to the Federal Government to be involved in the decisionmaking.

And because we were not a good wind market until recently, until the last 5 years, the turbines were developed and manufactured abroad.

I think when TRA was promised, was proposed--the legislation was promised this month--it is clearly a big and controversial effort, had lots of questions with it.