Donald Payne Jr.

It makes no sense for the job that the front line is asked to do, that they are undercompensated.

The Biden administration has taken many steps in order to secure the equipment that we need at home.

It is critical for us to create new guidelines to fortify our ports and maritime security framework.

I am very happy to see the President's effort in bringing a lot of this manufacturing back home.

We need to manufacture here at home.

As we think about that increased activities, just making sure that we are prepared to hold both nations accountable should a catastrophe happen in the Arctic.

There are Americans on a terror watch list as well. So, you know, I would suggest we take in all the information with respect to that.

Unfortunately, the demand for these human beings is very concerning for me in this country.

We really need to look at what's going on in those countries as well that makes people that desperate.

The law required all components of DHS to incorporate the needs of children in its planning and mission execution.

There are millions of people every day that depend on railroads and trains and Amtrak and local train systems to get back and forth to work.

It is time for Congress to require that freight railroads participate in the Confidential Close Call Reporting System.

I know one of the reasons they are still missing, because nobody took the time to make sure they took an accounting of where these children were.

I could not imagine my children being separated from me and I hope the former President and my colleagues realize that fact.

The $100 billion in funding for rail projects included in this monumental law is a game changer for communities nationwide.

Thank you. I appreciate both of you gentlemen staying here and--well, Chairman, as I look at both sides of the aisle, it looks like it is just you and me.

And we have heard a lot about Amtrak not turning a profit today.

So, the railroad entities around the world have the same challenges as Amtrak does?

I celebrate the return of the service and note, though, that it took 3 years to restore.

That is why I introduced the One-Seat-Ride Act, to direct the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of a one-seat-ride trip versus a transfer trip option during peak hours on New Jersey Transit's Raritan Valley…

Amtrak must work to attract customers and revenue and operate as a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.

This mode of transportation has guaranteed funding for multiple years. The value of this certainty is not to be understated.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden in November 2021, provides $22 billion in funding to Amtrak through Fiscal Year 2026.

All of this funding, all of these projects, and all the benefits that future generations will enjoy would not be possible without our efforts in the 117th Congress when it passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in this Chamber and sent…