Jim Inhofe

We need to continue investments in rural roads.

We need action. We need a bill.

Safety is the No. 1 concern.

I am going to come back at 4 o'clock today because there is something going on. With all the people talking about the atrocities in Libya and throughout the Middle East, there is one more atrocity that is taking place right now in a…

I suspect strongly, Madam Secretary, it is not going to be adequate. So you still have to prioritize.

If you did it that way, I can assure you if we had done it that way up in Skiatook, it still wouldn't be done today.

I contend it would be the same planning as has already taken place down in Texas.

The problem we are having right now, and this is always a frustration, we are sitting around waiting until, the planning can't be completed until 2016.

Let me mention a couple of issues that we talked about before, but I think it is significant.

These don't cost any money. These are demonstration projects that were there because they don't cost money.

I have to say that I was disappointed to see that this request was not only a decrease from fiscal year enacted levels, but that it was even a decrease from the fiscal year budget request.

We need to be doing a better job. Not your fault, but our fault, not being able to prioritize where the funds are coming from.

I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my support for doing so.

We aren't dedicating the necessary funds. If you look at the navigation infrastructure, which is essential to ensuring our movement of goods, more than 50 percent of the locks and dams operated by the Corps are over 50 years old.

As a fiscal conservative, I strongly support the overall goal of cutting government spending, but I firmly believe that two areas worthy of spending taxpayer dollars are defense and infrastructure.

I would say I am not too unlike a lot of other people. I have had the ranking of being the most conservative member.

Yes. Now, let me ask you a question. I have been on this committee, well, actually, before coming here in 1994 I was on the same committee in the House, and I can remember so many different times you had to make these decisions as to are…

Given the current state of the economy, people and businesses around the country continue to tighten their belts and look for ways to save money.

I also continue to be concerned with GSA's exclusive use of the LEED standard in certifying green buildings.

Where is global warming when you need it?

I am the last one to advocate a new board for anything around here, but I do know this, that it is even for your own protection because there are always accusations that certain groups are getting benefits.

Will you commit to a deadline of that 2012, as the regulations require, so that we can really get a chance to have a robust study of this system as opposed to others that are available and all that?

I have been concerned about the rating systems that are out there.

I am extremely concerned about how GSA will cope with the added costs and burdens from the expansion of the EPA lead based paint removal to commercial buildings.

We need to be doing the same thing.