The stakes are high. We want to get this money out. Inflation is eating into what we are going to be able to build.

But it is a record amount of long overdue investment, and we aren't just, as I said before--and, please, we are not just trying to do Eisenhower 8.0.

this committee has truly been one that has been bipartisan in nature.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill--while a historic, once in a generation investment--is only a dent in what needs to be an ongoing investment in our nation's airports.

We must continue to invest in much needed infrastructure that will allow for this sector of the aviation industry to continue operating safely.

It is an extraordinary system which would help dramatically for GA and allow us to have a lot more airports that could have systems like that.

Thank you, Chair DeFazio, thanks for being a friend to general aviation businesses. You will be missed.

Out of the IIJA, we allocated $2.5 billion to nonprimary commercial service in GA airports.

thank you for your lifelong commitment and career-long commitment to aviation.

Most people don't know how important general aviation is to the economy and the people of the United States.

Over the course of my time in Congress, safety has been the cornerstone of my tenure.

Safety overall is better over the last 20 years, but we are not there yet.

That is why I introduced the House companion to the BRIGHT Act, H.R. 7636, which would direct the GSA to install cost-effective and energy-efficient lighting in public buildings.

Thank you for your help, Mr. Webster, ranking member.

I am aware of GSA's frustrations with Congress preventing full access to the revenues collected in the Federal Buildings Fund.

Compounding troubles in the rail industry is the fact that train lengths are growing and so are the number of major derailments.

Employees fortunate enough to have not been affected by the cuts are now voluntarily walking away from what was once the premier blue-collar job in the Nation.

The safety implications of this practice are, of course, considerable.

It appears that the major railroads are willing to undertake operations that they know to be unnecessarily problematic for short-term gain.

The Nation needs the railroads to grow markets, not shed traffic or 'collar' cars.

Operation Lifesaver, which this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding in 1972, is a non-profit public safety education and awareness organization dedicated to reducing collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail…

the short line freight industry is safe, and getting safer.

Make no mistake, it is railroad greed that I believe has caused this committee to call us here today.

With so much change happening in this industry, this hearing provides an opportunity to examine the current state of freight rail safety and discuss the challenges of the day.

This is evidenced by multiple amputations and crushing injuries recently occurring to newly promoted conductors.