Frank Lautenberg

Shouldn't we require criminal background checks for all gun purchases at all gun shows?

I don't want you to argue both sides. You're a man of honesty and good judgment.

With 9/11, we learned that we have to be on guard constantly and, I might say, deeply with threats that come to our country.

I've been a long-time supporter of closing the gun show loophole, which permits unlicensed dealers to operate without any responsibilities.

You know what kind of fight there was here about that?

I frankly think that a soft landing is wishful thinking at this point.

How can you assure us with a degree of reasonableness that you will be able to make these more fuel efficient cars and trucks?

The leadership showed that it didn't understand what it was going to take to be competitive.

Forgive me, but a soft landing ultimately is like a parachute with holes and maybe it will slow down the trip, but the end is going to be terrible.

The burden that you are passing on to the dealer network is absolutely unconscionable.

Must have a terrible conscience right now when you think about what's being done to dealers, small businesses, typically family business, businesses that have been endured for years.

Federal receipts at the U.S. Treasury have declined nearly 19 percent for the first 7 months of fiscal year 2009 as compared to the same period in fiscal year 2008.

Who, for instance, would vote the shares? Would the Government be, the American Government, be likely to appoint the board of directors and have them make a decision?

Should executive compensation be tied to the long term health of the company?

The financial crisis that we're seeing was, in my view, due in significant part to the poor management of these companies

I think shareholders did not do a good job in terms of disciplining compensation practices.

We've got to give the regulators the tools that they need to predict and prevent financial crisis.

The pity of it is, we have neglected putting money into the transportation systems in our Country that are so much in demand.

I recently introduced legislation that would establish a national transportation policy, a national transportation surface policy.

If confirmed, I look forward to working with you, Mr. Mendez, to accomplish these and other goals.

My view is that adding bigger trucks to our roads is a recipe for disaster.

I will give you my assurance that we're going to look at training facilities and mechanisms, centers of excellence, and the like, to get controllers.

Unfortunately, the FAA has not adequately included the front-line air traffic controllers in the FAA's plan, in my view.

Trenton Makes, The World Takes, is etched in my mind.

I think we have the crown, unfortunately, for being the most belated airport.