Jon Tester

You cannot have economic development without a smart, effective transportation system.

I look forward to working with the new Secretary of Transportation, Secretary LaHood, the Chairman and this Committee.

I'd like to see--in the very least--students and elderly folks have access to a safe transit option.

It is critical that we maintain this important funding that has helped safely connect folks in isolated areas.

I think that is what Congress should look at, then I think you have to at least consider splitting them back out.

I know the Head Start program is vital in Indian Country, with over 23,000 children participating in the program.

we need to prioritize.

Indian health care is a disaster right now, from my perspective. It is in dire need of some serious attention.

a big part of the problem is the lack of funding for the justice systems.

there is a public safety crisis on many reservations.

I appreciate your commitment to them. I agree with you wholeheartedly.

I want to publicly reaffirm my support and confidence in your leadership.

That would be good. I am sure, as well as Montana, other rural States including Alaska would love to know that.

More needs to be done to ensure the care of our veterans and their families.

We have to improve the way we administer and deliver VA services in rural areas.

OK. Have we fully funded the mental health diagnosis and treatment to this point to your knowledge?

Our decisions directly impact the lives of veterans and their families.

It really does help folks that serve that could, quite honestly, get screwed up and helps get them treatment when they need it early and saves money over the long haul.

I get a lot of positive comments from the veterans back in Montana about the health care that they receive.

Our unemployment rate there is approaching 16 percent, very serious because of the wood products industries is in the tank.

the Recovery Act's transparency provisions build on efforts that I have been doing, going back to 2007, to bring more accountability and transparency to government.

It is critically important. In these tough economic conditions, the Recovery Act in Montana is already working to rebuild the economy from the ground up with infrastructure projects.

How are you going to know if the States are doing their job?

Oversight of money is critically important.

I pushed your agency to get some money out to some water projects along the Northern Tier.