I commend Congresswoman Torres, who introduced this timely and bipartisan piece of legislation.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for that very thoughtful opening statement.

A $400,000 video was not well timed.

This is very relevant to us, as the chairman knows, because we are, as we speak, looking at additional sanctions legislation.

I get more complaints about WMATA in--here in the District than anything else.

I always worry with respect to sanctions about efficacy.

I next want to thank Representative Cicilline for introducing House Resolution 137.

Apparently Iran perceived that a nuclear agreement was in its interests.

I thank my friend, Mr. Meadows, the chairman of our subcommittee, for his support on exploring this issue.

There are many of us up here who support the JCPOA, who believe fervently the JCPOA is working.

We don't want to descend to that level.

I also want to recognize Representative Torres for her work to advance House Resolution 145.

I'm willing to help in a bipartisan way.

Iran is very clear that if the sanctions that were lifted are reimposed under other justifications, Iran is going to walk away from the deal.

I think his questions are quite pertinent on personnel, but I also want to say Mr. Wiedefeld is the first general manager, in my memory, who has had the intentional fortitude to impose discipline.

I was pleased, recently, to be the coauthor of the letter reaffirming that as the basis for U.S.-Middle East negotiations.

The sanctions drove them into what we here, if it had done that much damage to our economy, it was on the line of the Great Depression here.

I want to thank Representative Bass for House Resolution 187, highlighting the deadly famine underway in South Sudan.

I've got to give Mr. Wiedefeld credit. He's the first general manager, in living memory, to have the willingness to expend political capital to address those issues.

Today, we'll examine the shortcomings and benefits of the yearlong WMATA rehabilitation program known as SafeTrack.

I think that this committee needs to be heard from on this subject.

We feel, I think on a bipartisan basis, people need to be held accountable.

I think it is vital that this committee speak out and that the Congress be heard.

Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 1644 offered by the Honorable Gerald E. Connolly, a Representative in Congress from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

No good deed goes unpunished in this city, you know?