Patty Murray

Thank you very much.

We want to make sure, as we finalize this rule, that we have this full and open debate.

But to date we still don't have or see a way that FAA is placing these air traffic controllers based on an objective test.

I really worry that we're putting home ownership out of the ability of many middle-class Americans today with that.

This is going to affect a lot of people. If you're hoping to sell your home because you're buying another one--it could impact you, too, obviously, if you are purchasing a home.

Madam Chairman, if my colleague, Senator Pryor, would indulge, just one last thing here.

We can't overcorrect and create a situation that makes it impossible for people to purchase homes.

I look forward to hearing your plans to keep FHA solvent and off of the backs of the taxpayers.

I think we need to understand what the consequences of this are, and that's been very helpful.

It is deeply concerning to all of us--families, businesses.

This shouldn't take more than 60 days. It really is unacceptable.

At some point, we've got to come to grips with that.

FHA--an institution born out of the Great Depression--has assisted millions of Americans in attaining home ownership.

We can't keep saying that we can cut deficits and these projects will happen.

I have serious concerns about the current vacancies in both the FHA Commissioner and the Federal Housing Finance Agency Director positions.

For any of us who have been there--known we have to move out by a certain date, and we're waiting for a closing to occur--this is a very, very stressful moment for many families. So, I'm very concerned about that.

FHA has never received an appropriation to support its Insurance Fund, and I'm committed to making sure that it never does.

The consequences are too great for too many Americans and the Nation's economy to refuse to come to an agreement because of political agendas or pressure.

I support the development of high-speed rail, and the benefits for both the movement of passengers and freight.

In the aftermath of the housing crisis, FHA has played a central role in ensuring that the Nation had a functioning mortgage market when the private market failed.

The elephant in the room of the Congress today is how we are going to come to agreement and avoid a shutdown.

I want to see what those other ideas are.

The pivotal role that FHA is currently playing in the fragile housing market is important to keep in mind as the threat of a Government shutdown looms.

I think we all know we need to invest in our infrastructure, but we've got to find a way to pay for them.

This is less a debate about taming the deficit, which we all agree we need to be doing, but it really is a question of priorities.