Our Nation is facing one of the worst economic downturns in decades.

It is absolutely vital. You know, you mention some of these new formations. The oil is not connected.

Upgrade of existing drain to address continue [sic] lake rise.

work together to identify means of removing additional water from Devils Lake to reduced flood damages.

I argued strenuously for $200 billion of infrastructure.

There is an economic cost to that.

North Dakota benefited greatly from the last highway bill, which was completed in 2005.

We would have been better off putting more money into infrastructure.

Highway 85, as I indicated earlier, is a key lifeline, not just for this community, but, really, for the national effort to reduce our dependence on foreign energy.

I intend to continue to work at the Federal level to bring resources to address the needs here in North Dakota.

The debt has already doubled over the previous 8 years. It is scheduled to double again, rising to more than 100 percent of the gross domestic product of the United States.