Frank Lautenberg

I urge the Senate to take a different path, one that marries our need to address climate change with our economic realities.

This is a major issue for the nearly nine million residents of New Jersey, who are stuck between the media markets of New York and Philadelphia.

I take it that if you are confirmed, I can get a commitment from you that you look thoroughly at this case very quickly in your ascension to your seats?

The Internet which is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity, and people need it to communicate to government and to the people at large.

That's why we included more than $7 billion in the Recovery Act to bring broadband to every community in the country.

Every day, computers and televisions become more important tools in our homes and in our lives.

One of the FCC's top priorities over the next year is to develop a National Broadband Plan that sets the stage for ensuring that all Americans have access to high-speed, affordable broadband.

We know the Internet is no longer a luxury. It is a necessity.

If Mignon Clyburn and Meredith Baker are confirmed, we expect them to continue these national transformations.

Increasing broadband availability and adoption is essential if we are going to help people continue to learn, get new or better jobs and keep America competitive.

I think there is general consensus that universal service does need reform.

I want to personally thank Senator Nelson, his staff and the Florida delegation helped us a lot with that effort.

If you cannot breathe, you cannot work.

The predictions of gloom and doom... exactly the same kind of predictions that were made in the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendment fight.

There is $700 billion a year leaving from the pockets of our citizens to go to countries that do not like us.

The purpose of the Waxman-Markey bill is to get us off foreign oil so that we are energy independent, to create millions of jobs as we move toward other technologies, and to protect our children from harmful pollution.

This is, in my view, a national priority.

I have introduced a bill to encourage more freight to be carried by barges and ships.

Runway safety and aircraft overruns continue to be significant problems.

It was said earlier by a colleague, Senator Mikulski from Maryland, when going over a list of nominees, she said even though I do not know Polly Trottenberg, I am for her anyway.

I really felt the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey a very important agency and demonstrates that bi-state arrangements can be made and function efficiently.

It is going to create jobs, shorten commutes, reduce emissions and when complete, it will take 22,000 cars off the roads daily.

I want to focus my remarks on the nominees, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Department of Transportation and the Federal Maritime Commission.

I have a couple of questions that I would like to review but I just want to say to you each, thank you for your past service to our country and for agreeing to serve once again.

Ms. Trottenberg is nominated to be the Assistant Secretary of Transportation Policy at DOT and, if confirmed, you will play an integral role in fashioning the next surface transportation bill.