Sam Graves

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

The Gateway Program is the most urgent infrastructure project in the entire country.

The Committee will continue to closely follow the Service's efforts to fulfill its commitments.

I don't have any more speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

I have long been concerned that the current river management incorrectly prioritizes fish and wildlife over the protection of people and property.

Ensuring effective and reliable water infrastructure is vital to American families, to our businesses, to farms, and the economic development of our country.

Slow execution of contracts and confusing guidance documents have the very real risk of delaying critical transportation projects

The Administration's focus should be on enacting the legislation as written, not on pushing progressive policy proposals

There is simply no Congressional mandate or provided authority to take this action

I appreciate the words of the gentleman from Tennessee. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins), a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

But, seriously, I want to thank my friend, Jared Huffman, for the work that we did on a bipartisan basis in the NDAA to help improve IUU enforcement actions.

I need to give a shout out to my friend Jared Huffman, which I rarely do, but I want to take this opportunity.

I am grateful to the Committee and the sponsor of this legislation, Congressman Sam Graves.

Thank you for holding this hearing and allowing me to speak today.

The cement industry supports Congress addressing the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund.

Thank you for today's hearing examining the financial solvency of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) and potential solutions.

How is your Department working with State agencies and stakeholders in noncontiguous jurisdictions?

I would like to request that you or your staff work with us while retaining proper oversight of the use of the funds.

I remain focused on making sure these funds are out of the door as soon as possible.

I would like to put a stop to that.

This, Mr. Secretary, is a useless project, and it is in the way of us widening our highways.

Effectively, this rising debt of the Federal Government will put increased pressure on Congress and this committee to fund infrastructure improvements through the general fund.

When you look at everything that has been done under this administration... it became way too expensive and ancillary things added to it.

I am concerned that there have been new criteria that have been introduced that is outside the confines of the law that I think distorts the awarding of grants.

If project costs are tripling... I can go through and find probably 10 transportation projects that have more than doubled.