"I just want to note for the record that for the last 2 years the House passed Coast Guard authorization bill did include stronger cargo preference enforcement provisions that were ultimately rejected by the other body."
"Without the Federal program, rural States would not fund highway and bridge projects that are important to the Nation."
"And my great hope is, as we are trying to solve a problem, we don't try to solve the 'How do we pump more Federal dollars into a system that we know is not squeezing the maximum value out of those dol..."
"Safety is a significant problem on rural roads, where over half of our fatalities occur."
"I think our rural roads and bridges demonstrate why we need a strong Federal highways program."
"There is a lack of connectivity here. You are being tasked with missions--we described you as a Swiss Army knife at the HASC hearing in regard to all the missions that are being heaped upon you."
"I am confident, if given the proper resources, they could hit the targets that you put in place."
"I think we have got some priorities that need to be addressed."
"I can answer that. No. You still have the ability to review the credit that the State submits to determine if it is actually integral to the project or not."
"These lives, this loss of lives, first of all, they matter. And second of all, every single one of them was preventable."
"I think the Congress has some culpability in this flawed process."