Congress should appropriate funding for the Council at the President's request of $10 million.

The passage of FAST-41 was a bipartisan achievement, led by Senators Portman and McCaskill.

Chairman Portman, your work and leadership along with Senator McCaskill on the Federal Permitting Improvement Act demonstrated a steadfast commitment to cutting red tape in order to get much needed infrastructure projects moving forward.

This law says the Permitting Council at that moment steps in and says, 'No, you are not going to take your football and go home.'

The goal of this hearing is to determine how we can stretch that Federal dollar to get the most bang for the buck.

Independent agencies are expected to fully comply with this law.

I think a lot of people do not realize that.

I think that is a good point.

We applaud Senator Portman and Senator McCaskill's letter urging the President to quickly appoint an Executive Director.

I believe that should be repealed.

Continuing this bipartisan support for FAST-41, President Trump's budget sought $10 million for the program.