I think it's difficult for any Member of Congress to get it right when we're talking about something that has been collectively bargained for 100 years.

Without rail access, the expense to raise a crop would increase significantly.

An important consideration for any new Federal transportation financing mechanisms like an infrastructure bank is to ensure all areas of the country, both rural and urban, are not only eligible, but can compete on a level playing field.

Thank you, Larry, very much.

I'd like to see the processes streamlined so that you can deliver projects more efficiently.

Now, what makes us competitive is getting our product to market, but the manufacture of the imports is all going over overseas.

Well, let me just, in closing, say there's no question this is a hugely important issue to South Dakota.

If South Dakota didn't have rail, South Dakota industries wouldn't be competitive in grain production.

I've joined with Senator Ron Wyden in introducing the Build American Bonds Act, which enjoys bipartisan support.

No industry is more dependent on a good viable transportation infrastructure than agriculture.

My question is, how is your industry going to meet the challenge of doubling the amount of freight that it carries?

On that point, Ms. Richardson, have you ever, sort of, quantified or been able to figure out, when you talk about some of the inefficiencies and what that costs South Dakota agricultural shippers on an annual basis?