"The House proposal was a highly politicized, slash-and-burn budget that would have eliminated the high-speed rail and Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants programs."
"Keeping enough balances in HTF has been an ongoing problem now for 3 years."
"We need to ensure that funding is available for smaller communities and rural communities where there is local support and committed funding for meeting these needs."
"Transportation is central to so much of the way our lives are organized."
"The Congress is continuing to debate that budget as millions of families and communities across the country wait anxiously to learn the fate of programs they depend upon."
"Senator Leahy joined me in this effort to help provide a level playing field for our States."
"I was deeply concerned that the House Republican budget would eliminate funding for the highly competitive TIGER Discretionary Grant program."
"We need to tackle the deficit and make sure our children and grandchildren aren't forced to bear the burden of overwhelming debt."
"It is deeply concerning to all of us--families, businesses."
"This shouldn't take more than 60 days. It really is unacceptable."
"In a competitive program, I would add."