Paul Tonko

We've had a wonderful hour of discussion, and I give thanks for the wonderful investments that have made us this strong Nation. In conclusion, if we invest in the middle class of this Nation, our greatest days lie ahead of us. We have a…

You're absolutely right. And I believe, as you just indicated, our history, our American history is replete with the soundness of government planning and policies that incorporated investments from the public sector. And it made us strong…

Absolutely. Let me just, if you'll suffer an interruption, or yield, please, Representative Garamendi, I absolutely endorse what you just said. They are devoted. They are an essential part of this body to introduce all of the statements…

Absolutely. I hear in your statement the wisdom of sound planning. We need that for a government to be smart and efficient, which is the call by the general public. We want smart investment from our government. Ask any competitor out there…

Absolutely. Let me just respond to the absolute clear focus of our friend, the gentlewoman from Texas, and for the strength of Texas. Representative Jackson Lee is constantly talking about the opportunities to make it in America, but she…

Thank you, Representative Garamendi, and thank you for leading us in an hour of discussion, of dialogue, that is most critical to the economic viability, to the economic comeback of America's middle class. You talk about some of these…

Let me congratulate all of you for the work that you have done to enhance the public's ability to see where its money goes.

Representative Garamendi, as you talk about the loss in any given year where a student may lose the opportunity in the classroom because of these cuts that are significant to education, that is one measurement; but let me suggest another…

I think you highlight some of the major differences and disagreements that have highlighted the debate on the Hill here in Washington between the two parties. And I would suggest it's probably some of the reasons that the supercommittee…

I hope that the Department is taking steps to reevaluate the size of its commitments in the Loan Guarantee Program and the challenges that face those investments.

If we can build on the best of the Recovery Act's lessons, it would make our government more accountable and transparent to the public.

While the Solyndra story has preoccupied many, the real story on DOE's Loan Guarantee Program is not about one company going under but about the Department holding tens of billions of dollars in loans, all of which carry risk.

It is imperative that Recovery Act dollars be spent efficiently and effectively.

Without the Recovery Act, millions more Americans would be facing unemployment and we would indeed be months further behind in the admittedly sluggish economic recovery.

Public investment in innovative technologies and infrastructure not only creates jobs; it lays the foundation for further private sector job creation.

However, it should be stated that we don't want it to see--to have it serve as an unnecessary burden onto agencies or small businesses and universities.

The transparency of ARRA is wonderful, but it does come at a cost.

America's middle class, her determined, hardworking middle class, is challenging Congress. Will Congress respond to our middle class? We in the middle class are growing increasingly aware of the statistics that the wealth concentrated in…

EPA is not the demonic agency that the Republican Majority has made it out to be this Congress.

I hope that my Republican counterparts are really interested in reform that will lead to better research.

when concerns are raised to this Congress and Congress urges the EPA to undertake a study, we take that seriously

Science activities at EPA comprise only a fraction of the agency's overall budget, but their importance and impact on jobs and the economy are enormous.

you can't find what you are not looking for

Let me be clear. There may be some legitimate concerns related to EPA's research enterprise, but EPA is not the demonic agency that our Republican majority has made it out to be this Congress.

It is an opportunity for Congress to be productive and objective.