Frank Lautenberg

Yes, Israel plays an important and positive role in our national security and is one of our strongest regional partners.

I am glad to see that there is some fire in the belly over there.

To me, a year-end--a termination bonus, what not to be the mark--a mark based on the stock price, but based on what good the individual did for the company.

I see that your budget request clearly identifies enforcement as SEC's top priority, and obviously, it is brought about by the years of neglect that preceded this.

Congratulations on the earnestness with which you have taken over this assignment. That was desperately needed because not only did people lose lots of money, but they lost faith in Government at the same time.

What is the FTC doing to police health claims made in e-cigarette advertisements?

The President's budget request cuts funding for Coast Guard operations by $75 million.

The good news is that things have turned around with Administrator Lisa Jackson at the helm of EPA.

Unfortunately, the progress made to safeguard children's health ground to a halt during the Bush administration.

That is why in 1997 President Clinton issued an Executive Order to protect infants and children from environmental health risks.

Each of us who has a grandchild is immediately an expert on children's health, and the concerns that we have for them rise to the top of our agenda.

Given the substantial backlog of capital needs--estimated by your own agency to be as high as $24 billion--what is the justification for cutting funding that is so critical for the long-term sustainability of public housing?

The question is, who is in charge? Are the people who use TV as a commodity in their lives today...

But you will have a significant increase in the number of channels that are available.

This was a series of embarrassments, a feeling that too much muscle was being exercised over the viewing audience, and it was disturbing.

Thanks, Mr. Chairman, and welcome all of you. While I wasn't in the room, I was able to listen to your testimony, all of it was very helpful.

When will the FCC be in a position to act on WWOR's renewal application and concerns about its local news coverage?

Might you suggest a change in the rules for retransmission consent and negotiation so that consumers are not constantly caught in the middle?

I am asking for some degree of comfort to be offered in terms of making sure that New Jersey, 9 million people, 9th largest state in the country, can get the attention it rightfully deserves.

It is really important. It is very important to the future of our country right now.

There has to be some prioritization here. You can't do it all; there are only so many assets.

We may not have anything else we can do this year on a bipartisan basis; the health thing is blown.

I think that this hearing suggests ways of getting things done, including not only regional organizations, but the private sector as well.

Shouldn't the development of high speed rail receive dedicated Federal funding just like our interstate highway system does?

It is hard to imagine a more ready environment than investments in transportation for jobs.