John Barrasso

Senator Barrasso talked about the value of making sure we are making the taxpayers' dollars go a little bit further.

Dams and levees across the Country need to be modernized and maintained if we are to prevent future disasters.

This Committee has a long history of working together in a bipartisan way on infrastructure issues.

Infrastructure is critical to our Nation's prosperity.

President Trump has made improving our Nation's infrastructure a top priority, and this Committee is continuing its effort to highlight our Nation's infrastructure needs.

This is a very highly politicized situation. It is not my intention in any way to impugn any of the motives of any of the Members of this body. I yield back my time. Regular order.

Responding to the Senator from Minnesota, I think he may be referring to a part where I say: The delays by Democrats have never actually been about Mr. Pruitt's answers to questions or about his qualifications. These delays, I say, are all…

I was pleased to reintroduce the Johnson-Barrasso legislation, S. 164, this year with the welcome addition of bipartisan support.

To the degree this committee can work with the appropriators to adequately fund, I think you will see a lot of this frustration begin to erode.

I believe the American public enjoys and supports this law.

The ESA is not broken. It does not need to be fixed.

I do not think a debate, the starting point of debate should be that the law is broken.

I think the resolution is a great place to begin a dialogue.

I come to the floor to, one, thank my friend and colleague, the Senator from Georgia, for making his comments about Tom Price, President Trump's nominee to be Secretary of Health and Human Services. I have known Tom for over 20 years. We…

Federal investment in transportation projects in rural States also can benefit urban States.

Before Congress increases funding, I think it is critical that we show the American people we are actually being efficient with the current levels of funding.

From a Colorado and Wyoming standpoint, the testimony mentions the need for direct Federal investment in highways.

On this matter I ask for a recorded vote.

It is disappointing that our Democrat colleagues are not here today doing their job, and that job is to be able to debate with us.

It is disappointing that they chose that course of action, but we will not allow it to obstruct.

I don't believe that Americans want to see this from their representatives. Americans want all of us to be able to have respectful conversations.

The minority has put us in this uncharted waters. Never before in the history of the EPA has a new President's incoming Administration's nominee been boycotted.

This Committee has conducted an extremely thorough and fair process of reviewing Attorney General Pruitt's nomination.

Elections have consequences, and a new President is entitled to put in place people who will advance his agenda.

I have been informed that no Democrats will be in attendance this morning, in an effort to intentionally delay and obstruct the nomination of Attorney General Scott Pruitt to be the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.