Sam Graves: “The President has repeatedly stated that small businesses will lead our economic recovery.”

We are here today to discuss discretionary grant programs at the Department of Transportation (DOT) and to hear firsthand from stakeholders about their experiences with the Department's grant processes.

I urge the Committee to take long overdue action on rail safety so that passengers and communities with rail in their backyards have a level of safety oversight and protection afforded to other modes of transportation.

Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, I appreciate very much the gentleman from Oklahoma and his willingness to work with me on that. As he pointed out, we will have ample opportunity in conference to work these issues out. I give the gentleman…

I missed a series of votes. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 484, YEA on Roll Call No. 485, YEA on Roll Call No. 486, NAY on Roll Call No. 487, NAY on Roll Call No. 488, YEA on Roll Call No. 489, YEA on Roll Call…