Tom Udall

I think it is very important that we see it be reopened safely, and I underline the 'safely.'

Broadband is a critical challenge. Those without Internet access are missing out on more than video streaming and e-mail.

High-speed broadband access is an essential component for economic growth in rural areas in states such as New Mexico.

On behalf of the March of Dimes, I thank you, Mr. Chairman, as well as Senators Udall and Vitter, for our hard work, reaching across the aisle and working to address the needs and concerns of many stakeholders.

Udall-Vitter does much, much, much better.

To me, it is like part of Frank is still here in the U.S. Senate, to make this bill a reality.

It is about who you protect. And it is shocking to me to see who is behind this bill.

He spoke so often about his children and his grandchildren and the need to do something about this broken law.

We also can't let the interests of a few States undermine the rest of the Country.

He actually wanted to protect children, to protect the most vulnerable, and to reform a broken law.

We need a Federal program that protects every person in this Country.

The TSCA bill that passed in 1976 has been a shameful failure.

And you really hit it on the head.

I want a good bill. I don't want a perfect bill. And we don't have it here.

Thank you, Senator Vitter.

We actually have a constitutional requirement in New Mexico for bilingual materials at the State level, to show how much that Spanish history is reflected in our constitution.

That is why I led with the fire cap situation, because I think we need to work with you on that, so the other good programs that are going on in the Forest Service budget, that they are able to be funded.

I think it is very important, I hope you pass the message back to Secretary Vilsack and Secretary Jewell, that they work with the new budget chairs for the House and the Senate.

Will you commit to work with the land grant heirs in New Mexico to provide reasonable access and consultation on land management decisions?

We really appreciate the Forest Service and the National Park Service working together to make sure that there is a seamless transition there.

We can't keep borrowing, though, on this Forest Service situation, borrowing from Peter to pay Paul.

I commend the Forest Service for their efforts to fight these fires and to repair the damage.

The disaster cap proposal included in the budget is an opportunity to both stop the borrowing and, at the same time, dedicate funding to restore our forests.

Full support for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is as important as ever.

Firefighting now takes 47 percent of its budget, compared to just 13 percent in the early 1990s, and that is clearly, Chief, as you know, not sustainable.