Even despite this incredible amount of self-help, third highest gas tax in the country, moving to a percent basis, up a dime, you still need the Federal program.

I am going to be looking for some very specific assurances when I find some critical deficiencies.

I have concerns that these people don't undergo background checks, but also at least minimally drug and alcohol testing.

I am very, very concerned. To me, it is a nightmare scenario.

I don't think it is optimal because I think the industry is always evolving.

I believe so firmly that we have got to do something different.

Doesn't that raise concerns?

Are you concerned about those staffing levels? Are you looking at augmenting those staffing levels?

I have put my remarks regarding the reauthorization in the record. I share many of the concerns and objectives that have been raised.

I associate myself with the chairman's remarks about the President's budget as it relates to the Coast Guard.

I would think the chairman might be interested in us doing a little rifle-shot suspension bill that might deal with some of these issues.

I am going to do what I can to find a way to not let that happen.

I would want to include, you know, your basic function of, you know, safety of life at sea.

I wasn't aware that you couldn't do the contract under the continuing resolution, and that should be something we could fix.

we aren't going to see mandatory repatriation, probably, out of this Congress; the Republicans don't support it.

I have taken to calling us fourth world.

the additional funding you are proposing would put us right at the point--if the gas tax had been indexed over time for construction cost inflation, that is about the amount of money we would collect this year.

I have got to tell you, I am afraid is a nonstarter with this Congress.

The May 31st deadline really is of concern to me. We have already had States--for instance, Tennessee and Arkansas--say that they are going to either postpone or cancel projects for this construction season.

I feel a tremendous sense of urgency. I know we are working toward a long-term authorization, and we have substantial goals in common there.

Fifty-two percent of the total outlays in States are due to Federal contributions, and in 11 States it is 70 percent or more.

We need massive investment there.

So if we have a--if we had a known design, and a time period in which to phase it in, you know, people could figure out, you know, how they're going to amortize that investment, what the investment is, and decide whether or not…

We need a new standard for railcars, so we can move ahead with production.

The safe transport of oil and gas from the production sites, which are becoming more and more dispersed in the U.S. with fracking technology, both to refineries and to consumers, is critical.