"I think that is the principal thing that has led the Administration to propose an 18-month extension."
"the NCA II respectfully requests that Congress move forward with the reauthorization of the Nation's surface transportation law as soon as possible."
"An 18-month extension in practice indefinitely postpones reauthorizing the law."
"The NCA II fears that the short-term injection of resources into the Nation's transportation system... will not have the intended result unless a longer range commitment to infrastructure spending thr..."
"America urgently needs a robust transportation bill along the lines of what you passed on May 24th."
"I have proposed taxing oil by the barrel, with the idea that some of that tax could flow upstream to the OPEC cartel."
"I have proposed the idea of just taxing oil speculators."
"How much more flexible can you get? Give me another idea?"
"Or is that just a code word for we don't want to address revenues and increase investment in the Trust Fund until after 18 months?"
"My State enacted a gas tax increase. We have the highest unemployment in America."
"I think that the Administration is being unnecessarily averse in underestimating the capability of the American public."
"I agree with Chairman Oberstar. I read all the way through your testimony and I said this is really good."