I appreciate TWU's, as well as ALPA and APFA's, support of this bill...

The TWU supports H.R. 3632, the Fair and Open Skies Act, which was introduced last week by Representatives Peter DeFazio, Rick Larsen, Rodney Davis, Sharice Davids, and Drew Ferguson.

We cannot afford to wait for accidents to occur to make travel and our transportation system safer.

I said then, and I will say it now, that the FAA's primary mission must be to ensure the safety of aviation--our skies, planes, crews and the flying public.

It is a mature industry, I would say, and I think that there is a conflict.

I will always remain vigilant and make certain the Committee conducts vigorous oversight of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Our safety regulators must do a better job on all fronts.

I have got to say I find it nonsensical to say well, it is the first 2 years of this administration and of course things--

I remain hopeful that this is still possible. I stand ready to work with anyone who is serious about investing in our infrastructure.

Unfortunately, that is not true.

Do you believe FTA truly understands that by dragging their feet on project approvals, they are wasting money, forgoing good jobs, and delaying economic benefits to communities across the country?

Are you willing to look at and approve projects over 40 percent?

Ideology does not supersede the law.

the assertion by DOT was that this was administration policy. Now everybody knows that Presidents' budgets are not policy, they are merely a suggestion to the United States Congress.

I hope these findings, and the discussion today, mark the beginning of a new page, where FTA, the Department of Transportation, and the White House drop their hostility towards transit and follow the law.

A President's annual budget request is nothing more than a request for Congress to consider. It cannot supersede the law or the congressional power of the purse.

I am ready to work with my colleagues in fulfilling our oversight responsibilities and ensuring FTA's implementation of this program is complying with statutory requirements.

I look forward to hearing your testimony and solutions from stakeholders to improve FTA's implementation of the Capital Investment Grant Program.

I intend to fully utilize the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for its intended lawful purpose.

We have less than 40 percent utilization to authorized depths at the 50 largest harbors in America.

I fully intend to continue in that tradition.

If this bill was enacted into law tomorrow--and the Corps receives the funding, does the Corps have the capability to meet this goal?

Rising tides raise all ships--and enactment of this legislation will pave the way for further adjustments in WRDA.

I want to reiterate the need for the administration to request funding for authorized projects.

The Corps functions are so critical to many parts of the Nation.