Jay Rockefeller

it's unacceptable to me at any time, but especially at a time when our economy could benefit so much by passing this bill.

The growth of Dulles has benefited my constituents.

I am proud to have played a central role in the development of Dulles.

Our bill includes a number of vital safety provisions.

I do think that this hearing also suggests some other issues for Senator Rockefeller and the full Committee.

this is an industry whose only constant is change.

No one understands or appreciates these issues better than I do.

The U.S. must maintain the safest and most efficient aviation system in the world.

the West needs to be served.

John Thune feels exactly the same way, as Byron Dorgan does and I do.

they want to stretch this whole process out through the elections, hoping that they will gain advantage.

Thanks to Senator Lautenberg's leadership, Amtrak was reauthorized with $1.5 billion over a 5-year period for 11 high-speed rail corridors.

I commend the Department and the Federal Railroad Administration for its good work on this issue.

for the first time in 30 years, this committee reported out a bill, in a bipartisan manner, that would update our rail regulations.

we tend to operate in a bipartisan fashion.

I'm going to be here; I'm going to be Chairman for a long time. Either Congress will do it or we will do it through regulation.

While today's hearing is about progress, in many ways it's more about lack of progress over the last several decades.

It's about leveling the playing field. And it's about how when we do that, America is stronger in the global marketplace and that means jobs and economic security.

we need a rail system that works, not just for the freight railroads, but for all shippers, all passengers, and all consumers.

It's about progress. It's about what's required to modernize our transportation system so our businesses and workers can stay competitive in the 21st century.

We have a $2.2-trillion infrastructure deficit in this country.

I'm open. Whoever serves the customers the best.

A comprehensive long-term plan for our rail system is long overdue.

I believe the development of high-speed rail in the years ahead is going to be just as important as the development of rail was in the 1800s and the early 1900s.

this was a bipartisan bill that we passed.