How does such a loosely worded, broadly defined definition of a credit hour, how can it reasonably be determined as stifling innovation?

The Water Resources Development Act can create jobs and can provide critical protection and support for our communities, our businesses and our future.

we have met the enemy, and it is us

In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, it seems that we are at a crossroads on finding the proper balance in protecting the health of our communities, our environment, and our local economies.

I have long made the case that you do not have to choose between economic growth and protection of public health and the environment.

One path would place fiscal austerity over all other priorities and would have a significant and adverse impact on our communities, our local economies, and our industries.

Whoever created the mess is going to walk away--well, has already walked away.

The other path would call for tough choices but would recognize that wise investments in our Nation's infrastructure and our communities will have lasting rewards.

the cost of college is crushing them.

the debt burden is staggering. The cost is far too high.

I think probably the acting commissioner of the IRS has a better shot of being named Government Man of the Year than we have getting that program through.

What we are dealing with here is we are proposing a solution that not only does not solve the problem, it exacerbates the problem.

At the risk of being irreverent, my summary of both this hearing and the current state of affairs with respect to the Corps is we have met the enemy and it is us.

I think it is just important because it is skewing the conversation, and I think if we all start the conversation with the same set of facts...

We can push around numbers, but all we are doing is pushing around a problem.

In my view, and I think it is one that is backed up by lessons learned from the Recovery Act of 2009, Federal investments in our Nation's infrastructure systems, our highways, bridges, airports, sewers, and other water related…

Chief among these is the issue of jobs and how we can harness the power of this committee to help create hard working jobs for American families.

We are going to discriminate against employees who want what they have earned. They want cash.

I worry about something that would undermine a practice that is, was vital not just to my family but to tens of thousands of families in terms of getting ahead in providing a decent life.

I am very concerned about the looming possibility of something that none of us ever thought would be this real a possibility, and that is the sequestration that exists in current law that will go into effect on January 2nd if we do not…

We need to be honest with our witnesses and explain how, even if we agree with the States' concerns, many of their recommendations are unlikely to find support with the current House leadership.

I have to question how today's hearing will help address the issues that this subcommittee should be focusing on, which is creating jobs for American families.

Clean water infrastructure is not, nor should it be, a partisan issue.

So while EPA has done its job in responding to the needs of our States and local communities, this Congress and this majority has not been as responsive and is ignoring an opportunity to create jobs and improve water quality.

I think there is near unanimity among the panel, not perhaps total unanimity, that the EPA guidelines set forth in the memorandum of June 5 represents a very good step in the right direction.