Cory Booker: “Senator Menendez is absolutely correct. When I was mayor of New Jersey's largest city, we sat upon a critical…”

“Senator Menendez is absolutely correct. When I was mayor of New Jersey's largest city, we sat upon a critical transportation superstructure--a key node in the larger region. I wish to thank my senior Senator, whom I relied upon then for being the champion he is for infrastructure investment, for the critical nature of the rail lines that crisscross our region, and really being a promoter of jobs, of business growth, of security, and of the health of this critical system. It is very good to have my senior Senator make such important remarks. I wish to pick up from there. It is a little uncomfortable not having the Presiding Officer on the floor with me, but I will continue nonetheless. I wish to thank all of my colleagues who have already spoken from neighboring States about this absolutely vital transportation corridor. If this were a country of its own, this corridor, from Washington to Boston--this area--we would be the fifth largest economy in the world. This region continues to grow, with more than 12 million residents projected by 2040. In New Jersey, our tracks and tunnels are simply no longer able to meet the growing demand of our Amtrak and commuter rail lines. New Jersey commuters--passengers up and down the Northeast corridor--are profoundly frustrated by overcrowded trains and by delay after delay after delay. It inhibits their transportation. It inhibits their productivity. It inhibits their ability to be successful because of those delays.…”