Jim Inhofe

I think we all agree that that is necessary.

Yes, but of course, if you are in a period, as we have been, of starving the military, the first thing that goes is maintenance and then modernization because that is less visible out there.

He said at the very bottom what we called the hollow force of the 1970s, pilots were flying 15 sorties a month, about 20 hours. Today we are flying less hours, less sorties than we did in the 1970s.

I think it is important just to get in the record because of this very distinguished panel that we are in a threatened position today in this country and times have changed from the past.

We have the same problem with our military. That's right.

It's always a good idea to look to someone else who is doing something better before you start making a lot of changes.

All of the stakeholders agree.

Would you recommend a 5-year term, like the FAA Administrator?

I guess I don't understand, being new on this committee, what the problem is.

I didn't know that anyone had a dog therapy program, so I've learned something here.

I'm looking forward to this.

I get no net loss. That makes sense. It is a Federal resource; you want to protect it.

Our Oklahoma farmers and ranchers are just now learning about a petition to list the monarch butterfly under the Endangered Species Act.

It seems the information relied on for the listing was based on anecdotal historical evidence and poorly performed surveys.

The problem I have with it is that they are judge and jury and at the same time they want to be a cooperator.

That listing was so wrong that the courts reversed it.

We talk about it, and it never comes about.

It is easy to sit in Washington and talk about how everything is working well, but when you are out in the States is where you really have problems.

Freight is a vital link to our Nation's economy.

I just want to get into the record that it's something that is really desired, something that's helpful.

I successfully pushed in the FAA bill when we had the language--and I was actually aiming at pipelines, an obvious exception that should have been made.

It's a little strange, yes.

I was here in 1994 when we established the Federal standards for prices, routes, and services of motor carriers.

A patchwork of State-level laws negatively impacts what you're able to do.

I thank the Senator from Pennsylvania, and the answer is, yes, I am prepared.