Jim Inhofe

Had we not done that, where would we be today? I would argue that we have received a tremendous return on that investment.

We have an opportunity to work together to create jobs TODAY--and build a better way for our kids and grandkids to navigate the Nation for tomorrow.

There should be no dispute that the money we spend to maintain and grow our infrastructure is an investment.

One of my major efforts is to try to explain to people how this over-regulation stuff is costing.

I have always said that government has three spending responsibilities: defense, infrastructure, and unfunded mandates.

Our problem in getting the bill that we need to get is really not as much the Democrats as it is the Republicans.

This is the year to pass a Highway Bill. Our economy needs it.

If we can get our economy back on track, believe me, we are going to have a lot more opportunities to build the infrastructure we need for the future.

I think President Obama talked about this last night, I think he was right on target with regard to investing in our infrastructure.

That is 3 percent, it doesn't make any difference, people think it is 90 percent.

As I think Senator Boxer suggested, ARPA has some facts around that subject, 78 million jobs are dependent on transportation.

This should have been done a month ago.

I was ranked, currently ranked No. 1 by the National Journal as the most conservative member of the U.S. Senate.

I believe strongly that there are very few forms of government spending that are beneficial to our citizens and the economy. Infrastructure spending is one of them.

I am going to do everything I can to make sure that that wall is not torn down.

I hope he actually follows through. If he is serious this time, I am committed to working with him and Senator Boxer.

I really do want to have a robust bill.

It disturbs a lot of people that Barbara Boxer and Jim Inhofe are good friends.

A rulemaking consistent with the Clean Water Act and the Supreme Court decisions was critical.

I have to always be a little suspect of what comes out of the N.I.E. I think all of us are. We don't take it as gospel. This is actually a true story. Back in the Clinton administration, it was August 24, 1998, I asked the question: How…

We have a constitutional responsibility. We take an oath of office to support the Constitution, and one of the things it is up to us--not to anybody but us--to provide for common defense. Article II, section 2 of the Constitution…

It is my opinion that this created a perception that the decision had been made from the President on down.

I am not confident that we actually know what the impact on recruiting will be but any decrease will compound our ability to sustain the force.

A retention drop of 23 percent would be significant.

As I see it now, the policy approved in 1993 has worked and I do not see a need to change something that is not impacting our force.