Transcripts For CSPAN Secretary Chao Testifies On FY 2018 Budget 20170621

The subcommittee drugs the subcommittee will come to order. I know a lot of our minds are elsewhere because of the incident yesterday at the base of field. All of us are praying for obviously the whip mr. Scalise, the two brave officers that were ofured along with the member the staff, and a former member of the staff who were injured so do not forget them and we do not forget them and we wish their full recoveries. With that, this morning we welcome secretary chao to testify for the fiscal year 2018 department of transportation. I dont have to tell it have you that secretary chao comes to this edition with one of the most impressive records of Public Service that anyone will ever seen. Having served as chair of the maritime commission, the deputy secretary of the department of transportation, director of the peace corps, secretary of the department of labor, not to leadershipumber of positions in the private and and notforprofit sector. Complex led large and organizations. All of us think we are fortunate does someone of your expertise and experience and knowledge as the dot had as we face some challenges. Of course we always face challenges but nobody is more prepared than you so we are grateful you have agreed to once again, again come back to Public Service as you always have. Thank you for your service to our nation. I look forward to work with you to improve a maintain the safety of our Public Transportation is all the wild and sharing our Infrastructure Investments improve the daytoday lives of the American People which is really what we are talking about. 16. 3dget request was billion in Discretionary Authority for a total of 75 resources total including obligation a limitations for Public Service transportation and aviation services. Public transportation is the top priority with dot and im glad and programscurity consistent with the fast act continuing with many of the safety priorities in the , as i thinkbills that is frankly very good news. In addition to focusing on safety of our transportation network, we must make sure we grow our economy. And be fiscally responsible with transportation and vestments. We must make sure we do not leave Rural America in economically distressed areas behind. As we make tough decisions that es for the 2018 and beyond 2018 budget and beyond. I want to to know i want to work with you. We want to work with you to make sure we continue to give service to small towns and remote communities and i want to make sure we address the Passenger Rail needs for our Nations Community and take a look at transit as an important component of our transportation network, it just is. We must make obviously tough choices and spending. We all have to do that. We all have to be willing to do that. I have some concerns about the administrations determination to terminate work on several different transit projects but i look forward to working with you and through all of those very difficult issues. I look forward to a spirited discussion about the administrations proposal to transfer Traffic Control operations and facilities to a corporate, nongovernmental entity. Monopoly,ling with a whether it is a monopoly controlled by the government or the monopoly controlled by somebody else. It will still be a monopoly. I have not been shy saying i believe we should maintain air Traffic Control system that is accountable to the public. It is on by the public and should be accountable to the public and i do not see any other way to achieve this and to continue our congressional oversight role and i believe that preserving the public voice, frankly, is the only way airspace as a National Asset and protect access to all users. General aviation, commercial aviation and new entrants such as drones and commercial Space Operators that frankly in many cases we do not even know what they are but it is happening now, it is starting to happen now so we must do the maximin extent possible protect the right of the traveling public as well. It is not super hard. Complexpace is the most in the world with an unmatched safety record. We can continue to build on that safety record. I look forward to it. And open the airspace to more and more users. Not limited but open it to work more users as technology ranges, some of which are beyond our current imagination but starting to happen right now. Secretary, just know i look forward to discussing this with you not only today but continuing these discussions in the weeks and months ahead. I appreciate your attention. And, the attention me president has given to infrastructure last week. Improving our nations infrastructure is an area where we can find Common Ground and make real improvements to the daily lives of the American People. Not only the ability to get around but also frankly to help our economy. So i really really look forward to working with you and my colleagues of the subcommittee to make smart investments, to go after waste, to go after red tape, and to protect the expat. So again thank you for your service to the nation, thank you for appearing before today, and with that, would like to yield now to my Ranking Member mr. Price. Youre recognized, sir. Mr. Price thank you mr. Chairman, thank you madam secretary, we are glad to have you here this morning. I want to associate myself with the chairmans remarks about yesterdays tragedy and the concern we all have for our colleagues, Steve Scalise of course and in particular i want to knowledge david bailey, one of the Police Officers who was injured and we are very proud of him. He is a North Carolina Central University graduate and we have followed his progress over the years and we really have come together as we must come together, as an institution, and as a country i believe in facing good will hope some come of it but in the meantime we are dealing with real personal difficulties, tragedies that command our attention and our good wishes. Toare here this morning examine the 2018 budget request for the department of transportation. The system that we are funding facilitates the flow of commerce, in impacts every american and we know investing in transportation infrastructure keep the same, improves our economy, facilitates jobs. We also know we are not doing so objective ofg to servers such as the American Society of civil engineers, whose 2017 report card gives americas infrastructure a grade of only d plus. The report indicates we need to bring our infrastructure from poor to good condition. We learned a lot recently about the need to reduce your category tape, encourage more investment in transportation projects. These are laudable goals but they will not deliver the transformative results we need without a core of robust federal funding to maintain and modernize and improve our nations transportation system. We must take bold steps to reduce the backlog of deferred maintenance, move our transportation of rejection back to good repair. We must make transportation safer and more efficient. The challenge is clear. It will probably get worse part ofaction on the congress and this administration. I have to say think his Budget Proposal falls short of that mark. The result largely adheres to the funding levels agreed upon in the fast act for programs that in dollars. Trust fund to move forward with construction, and dooming many to failure. Eliminating the federal matching dollars. It would have exactly the that effect. Equally concerning is the proposal to zero out tiger funding. Youre too, i can point to successful projects in my district and state that leveraged funding from other sources. This is a very successful Grant Program. Supports innovative projects. Multiregional projects of significance. They are difficult to fund programs. Deral tiger grants are awarded on a federal process and everybody here knows how competitive the processes, how far the demand exceeds the supply. Congress approved 5 million for another round of funding and it is zeroed out in this budget. The department ceased to end it routes for more than 50 and the request cut,ses a 20 print 28 incredibly, for the heavily traveled northeast quarter. Meanwhile amtrak is breaking records and more americans are looking to rail for transportation. Demand has been affirmed by members of both parties, including the most recent longterm transportation reauthorization bill and we have strong validation from North Carolina where traveling from charlotte to raleigh or the other way has become a model of a petition, wasnt, transportation of efficient, pleasant transportation. You said transportation must remain a minority, yet this will type in several important areas. Operations, research, safety and operations of the federal Railroad Administration, the Pipeline Safety account of the Pipeline Safety and Material Information and safety activities within the faa operation accounts. I am puzzled by these cuts and i hope they do not represent a lack of commitment to key safety options. We need to know how the department claims it will maintain safety with fewer resources at its disposal. Quickly now, air Traffic Control. The administration has endorsed the outlines of chairman schusters privatization proposal. Concerns about this, ive said that repeatedly. This would sever faa aviation controlnd coach of a components. The governmentsponsored Corporation Model envisioned by president schuster and trump would reduce oversight while allowing for fee increases. Anwould represent unprecedented evil way of assets to an untested entity and it would threaten progress we are making, threaten efforts to modernize under next gen. It has accelerated over the years, and so the budget request not only unrealistically assumes a quick transition to a private entity, it also defers investments into infrastructure for the upcoming this goal year. That seems to be directly at. Dds with the notion there is a much discussed Infrastructure Initiative that has potential. We do not have enough to work with. It is a sixpage document. Rather vague. Federal and nonfederal investment. Evened more detail to assesses. Before we close, we need to knowledge we still have no budget resolution, no topline spending number, no midi locations. There is talk of assembling a republican hope in a. Epublicanonly even if we reject the ricardian thehe appropriations joy akoni and cuts, and the talks are at a risk of completely breaking down. We have seen this happen in past years when we lacked bipartisan budget agreements. By patterson legit agreements are required given the agreement. If we are going to have workable cooperation so we can write transportation hud and other appropriation bills, we want to work in this cooperative fashion but we also know what must happen to enable us to do that. I look forward to your testimony today, and working with you to make sure vital programs are adequately funded. Thanks thank you mr. Price. I am particularly honored to welcome one of the most busy members of the program. Thank you very much. It is a pleasure to welcome back secretary to another stint serving our public so well. Thank you so much being here madam secretary, we look forward to your testimony. Let me add on to what dr. Price and mr. Ds said. Many of us were shocked to the core yesterday. Recoveryor the quick for those who were badly wounded and may i say, we raised the profile of our important capital police. May i say, a lot of what you do secretary, is you have within your and your review and outside the men in women who protect our harbors, our trains, our airports, our stations. Sometimes we pass by them and we acknowledge them but sometimes we do not expect at some point they might have to put their lives on the line. I would like to take his opportunity to recognize their profile. Raise their todays hearing is an important part of our oversight duties to the committee. After all, the power of the purse lies here on capitol hill. Responsible for maintaining our nations infrastructure and protecting it as we pursue policies and programs to grow our economy. So too must we grow our infrastructure to support it. In that context i would like to bring up a critical project for our national economy. The gateway project and the hudson tunnel project. As you may know, the northeast corridor encompasses over 50 Million People between the District Of Columbia and boston. Over 3 trillion in output equal to 20 of our Gross National product. Railand reliable Passenger Service is essential to that Economic Opportunity whether it be the east coast, all west coast, or somewhere in between. The hudson tunnel is of vital importance. Given the clear benefits of these projects and the consequences of the action, i am concerned about the budget provisions limiting funding for Capital Investment grants, commonly referred to as new starts. Thise eager to hear in setting or outside this room how the Department Plans to support this vital infrastructure proposal for the new yorknew jersey region. I have also taken note of the Administration Proposal to take money on targeted federal investments to leverage resources so the and result is 1 trillion in infrastructure spending. I would like to hear more about this proposal on how it will improve our infrastructure planning. Above all, we welcome you madam secretary and we thank you, mr. Chairman, for your time. Thank you. Obviously your full written testimony will be submitted. Your recognize now for five minutes. Thank you so much. Elaine chao now im transportation we share the same goal, to ensure our transportation is safe, dependable, and ready to adapt to new innovations. A bold infrastructure. Administration has carefully studied our current spending pattern and taken a closer look at programs that might not be meeting their intended purposes, have outlasted their usefulness, or might be replaced with new initiatives that might better address future infrastructure needs. The request fully funds surface transportation programs including the fast act and provides a steady state funding for the majority of other transportation programs. The budget provides new policy areas. On in several key our transportation infrastructure is crumbling and in need of attention. To address this concern the president has proposed longterm reform to change the way Infrastructure Projects are regulated, funded, deliver, and maintain. The plan will create incentives for additional state, local, and funding. It will make sure it is leverage to maximize investment. The president has identified a total commitment of 200 billion Infrastructure Improvement of which a portion will be directed toward world america. The 2018 budget also includes a proposal that represents a major faa. For the despite spending billions of taxpayer dollars over decades of effort, the government has not been able to fully implement stateoftheart air Traffic Control technology. Air Traffic Controllers still use paper strips to keep track of flights and pilots. Guided by using 1960s radar technology, for example. Congestion and delays cost more than 25 been dollars annually. Higher fuel costs, lower productivity, lower quality of life. Control willraffic be over 1 billion annually. It are for a expected to double of the next three decades. Drones and Unmanned Systems will have to be integrated into the air space without change, the current air Traffic Control system will be unable to keep up. Administration has proposed moving operations to a nonprofit, nongovernment, independent cooperative. The safety Regulatory Oversight functions will remain at faa. This would also involve and solve a longstanding conflict of interest issue with the operating entity airTraffic Control regulating its own safety. More than 50 Countries Worldwide currently have this structure of separating out airTraffic Control and air safety regulations. Finally, the president calls for reforming some of our other thesportation programs like Capital Investment Grant Program, discretionary portion of the essential air service and amtrak longdistance routes. The president also recommends we revisit the tiger Grant Programs, the infrastructure programs outlined by the president will highlight alternative ways to find worthy projects using a different funding moving forward. It will also recognize the Administration Commitment to revitalizeca as we our transportation infrastructure. Thank you very much for the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss the president ial budget. I am actually 20 seconds ahead of time. More than glad to answer your questions. Thank you madam secretary. With the rounds alternating sides. I want to thank the subcommittee. We are pretty strict here to keep the timeline and i get a lot of help from the subcommittee chairman in doing so. With that, madam secretary, as i mentioned in my opening remarks, i have drawn a very bright line to my opposition to the airTraffic Control system to what is in essence a corporate monopoly. It is same in a play that will remain a monopoly come the question is, who will run it. I am open to other ways of investmentsions and and i welcome your suggestions on how i could do my job or our job better. We are always subject to doing a better job the problem though is that i am concerned that the proposal would reduce or eliminate, frankly, the publics voice and something as critical as our national air Traffic Control. While i am open and i have for decades been open to privatization in competition, this is not privatization. It is a monopoly that will remain a monopoly except that all of the assets that have been paid for by the taxpayer will be transferred over to this other group. I think a potentially could brinkley create risk could frankly create risk if we were to hand the decisions over to an unaccountable Corporate Board and so that is the only level of accountability i am hearing in this bill through this board of directors but i do not see how a board of directors made up of good people, but from different industries, are going to do anything other than support the ofues of their industries, their special interest. So, yes, i agree our Current System is not perfect at it does give a guaranteed voice to the Public Interest so that is one of the issues come about in secretary, want to continue to talk to you about under this condition of basic accountability to the public of want to make sure we preserve our national air spaces in place of innovation. An explosion of new entrances into the space. Drones, commercial Space Operators. New general aviation technologies. Willis next generation, we be moving people and businesses through the air in ways that are today. What we see that is why we see, again, handing that decision to abort controlled by special interest, im sure they will be good men and women, to me would be like hitting the streets over to the taxicab commissions red at the time when uber and left were entering into the marketplace. Say, here is to where one of my greatest concerns. The faa has extensive engagement with communities. One new airline routes are planned, they could bring for example higher level of noise aberrant neighborhoods. We hear that in the subcommittee of the time. Right now the committee can go to congress if the faa is unresponsive. Would haveporation no such obligation when they create new routes. When they change the frequency of routes. So this goes to the health, the home values, the basic quality of life. So, how do we address this issue with a board that has no direct nonec accountability . Whatsoever . So again, i have other concerns and so we will talk about those at a future time, madam, i just wanted to start that conversation. We will have many more but this is some of the issues that are concerning to me. So, i would like to ask a couple questions about it. I dont have a lot of time but so with the traveling public have any say on new feature by this newrged entity . I know it is a nearly stages i do not know of it is even fair to thread the things i you right now, but any idea . With the public have any say into the input into any new fees being charged . Chow the public would have the same recourse to appeal and to appeal to their congressmen and senators like they do now. That part would be the same. What we are seeing now is a very congestedairspace airspace. Our airspace is the safest in the world but delays plague the air. With increased traffic, new entrants like johns and Unmanned Aircraft having to be integrated into the airspace, we need to upgrade the technology to ensure that new entrants and that there is a system that can respond to all of this new traffic and congestion and delay. Idea. S not a new it was proposed decades ago at the clinton administration. Were trying to bring the airTraffic Control system to be able to have the latest technology with which to manage airspace. For example for noise, noise would remain at the faa. What were doing is addressing one of the major issues which has been longstanding. A conflict of interest with the airTraffic Control system maintaining its own safety. There will be a safety component been saved with faa. On noise, that stays with faa. In the new airTraffic Control system will have to respond to the same regulations. Noise regulations and if people are unsatisfied they would have the same recourse. They can go to their congressmen or senators as well. Keepam, i am trying to ontime two. We will continue this later. Mr. Rice. Madam secretary want to first ask for your insurance on a matter that includes the entire appropriations process and it has to do with the reports that the white house has ordered agencies to ignore democratic oversight requests. The administration seems to be saying that democratic oversight has no legitimacy. That oversight is the prerogative of the majority party. That is a new level of partisanship that is unprecedented, and except a bull, will only worsen gridlock and washington. So i went to ask for your assurance on this. What is your policy . What is the policy of your department . Let matthew a couple of related questions about your policy and your department. Is there any policy or guidance that you know of that would prohibit or delay responses to drinking members of congressional committees . Is there any policy or guidance that would prohibit or delay responses to democratic members of congress . And if such policies are in place to prohibit or delay responses to Ranking Members or any other democratic members, was that developed in consultation with the white house or the omb . Sec. Chao or are a lot of questions. It has been my policy to work on a bipartisan basis with members of congress. Having said that, it is worthwhile clarifying that in the past, the executive branches longstanding policy has always been to work with the majority and i will quote from doj opinion. The executive branchs longstanding policy is been to engage in the established processes for accommodating congressional requests for informationonly when those committee,me from a subcommittee, or chairman authorized to conduct oversight. This assessment is also with regard to responding to requests from individual members who are not Committee Chairs. The executive branch has historically exercised its discretion in determining whether and how to respond following a general policy providing only documents and information that are already public or would be available to the public through the freedom of information act. Requestings of members who are not Committee Chairs, regardless of party, the drg opinion makes clear in its final paragraph that the response depends upon the circumstances. So, i am reading obviously from the recent opinion that has been made public. It probably puts into writing what has always been the. Stablished precedent i am not here to anger anybody and i will say that from my point of view to the extent that i can, it is my intent to work fully on a bipartisan basis with the sides of the aisle. That statement of intent that you just appended to the other things you said is the kind of assurance that i have gotten and other drinking members have gotten an asking your counterpart is across government so for you to revert to some kind of suppose it precedent that there is some kind of unique channel to the chairs who represent the majority party, that the way asked the question represents my historical understanding and my experience in numerous committees and in numerous administrations. I have never heard what you articulated made explicit or for it just, as just does not reflect my experience and so there is something new sure assurance . What does it mean . You say where possible you will respond. What kind of mr. Chairman, i do not want to get into an argument and im not being disrespectful but i have been in the government before and this has been the president before but having the precedent before but i will work with both sides of the aisle to the best i can and there will be some issues on oversight that it must come from the majority whether it is democrat or republican, that has been a longstanding practice end i have been in government in the executive ranch when the majority was democrat. I must say it is not been my experience and the kind of stuff the german just raised, the daytoday grist for the mill. Airport noise. Bureaucratic snafus. With somebody things we need to bring up with you in these hearings and questions for the record. Is sec. Chao the issue oversight. This is not a blanket answer of not answering. It is an issue specifically related to oversight. We of course will help members on both sides of the aisle with technical assistance, information, constituent services. Youll find in my record, you know, we are always very, very response. I think in this particular case it refers to oversight. Oversight is about oversight of the executive performance. Agency performance. The Appropriations Committee is the academy of congressional oversight and it has historically been nonpartisan. Bipartisan. The administration is called to account number out of a deep president is. No matter what the Party Division is. The administration is called to account by the committee. That is the power of the purse. The notion that bad and somehow your mind would be segmented. Exit is not in my mind, sir. Will it looks like it. Accidents public. That is right. You have made it much more explicit than other secretaries have the and we will certainly need to ask why this further. They can mr. Price. Thank you mr. Chairman. Appreciate your service and can confirm that was indeed the policy under president obama when he was first elected in the four years when the democrats were in the majority. The administration followed the exact same policy you read so you are exactly right. We all work together. I know mr. Price works well. The oversight concerns mr. Reiser the minority have, i know our chairman would work with him are not to make sure the appropriate oversight is conducted. I want to focus on a superb trump gave atnt the department of transportation where he pointed out it only took four years to build the Golden Gate Bridge and only five years to build the old gate the hoover dam. And now can take five years just to get the permits to build a major infrastructure project. He pointed out highway permitting include 16 different permitting including endocrine agencies governed by 26 different statutes. In the case of an 18 mile road in maryland, they had to build excuse me, get approval or and permitting 29 million for an environmental report weighing per page. Ting 24,000 President Trump quite correctly said at the speech and he is absolutely right, i was not elected to continue a failed system. I was elected to change it. All of us in Government Service were elected to solve the problems that have affected our nation. We are here to think boldly, think big, and rise above petty squabbling. It is time to take action. He is right. I am tremendously proud of the bold and legitimate actions he is taken to cut through the red tape on it comes to transportation that i want to ask specifically, much of this lies in your authority. Can you talk is about what you have done, what you can do with the authority you already have as secretary to combine the process to let them make sure they go in parallel to accomplish with the president has asked. This committee is better equipped than any other to help the president achieve his agenda with our authority over the power of the purse. This as James Madison said is the single most powerful check and balance on the executive branch. What can you do and have been done to speed up the permitting process and what can the subcommittee,is working arm in arm in a bipartisan way, due to up simplify the permitting process for the radically needed Infrastructure Projects that President Trump is so correctly august on . The administration issued an executive order early coming on in the administration and this executive order takes a look at the regulatory aspects that delay Infrastructure Projects. You set up a council that was designed by the president . Sec. Chao do regular counsel as well. Coming up with regular recommendations . Sec. Chao right. It talks about ways in which permitting can be the permitting process can be streamlined if there are concurrent if there are sequential processes, whether they can be made to occur concurrently if there are duplicative regulatory processes, whether that can be collapsed or consolidated and this is also an effort throughout the government. Taskn the infrastructure force, there are about 16 different federal agencies and said the department of transportation is also working with epa and with department of defense, army corps of engineers, fish and wildlife, and many other departments in an effort to see how we can work Better Together to facilitate and speed along some of these Infrastructure Projects. I guess when im driving at, does have to be carefully examined but the present is right, he was elected to think big, act boldly. What can be done to speed that up. What can we do to help speed that up to act quickly and boldly . Sec. Chao the president has made it very clear he would like to reduce the infrastructure regulatory process from 10 years to two years. He is very resultsoriented and we are looking at that. Thanks i look forward to working with you, i know the chairman and mr. Price are as well. Please come to us with specific suggestions that we can help the process along. Thank you very much. I asked you why. We are honored to have the Ranking Member of the full committee. You have been running route between hearings. I am sorry but we have a defensive hearing, epa hearing, i have the privilege and pleasure of attending them all. Madame secretary we have had the opportunity to meet before and i congratulate you on taking this position. But, i am truly shocked with the report i just received while i was in another committee. I understand there was a question from mr. Price that you have referred to the department of justice guidelines about responding to oversight requests , and that you stated you would respond to Committee Chairs and work with the minority when possible. Ive known you i long time. I have been in this congress for 28 years. I cannot believe that this is true. Does this mean if i ever request and i send you an assessment to request you may or may not or your department may or may not respond . You could not have said that. Sec. Chao i have always worked across the aisle and yet i want to reassure the members on the on that i will. T ifh theree are specific instances, let me know i want to saidsure todais but you that as Ranking Member of the minority as well as to the distinguished chair with him i work very closely and no and respect, i want to make this clear that on appropriations, we always say there are democrats, republicans, and appropriate ors. I just want to requests whether we are a democrat or republican. You do not have to agree with me but i think each of us, democrat, republicans, deserve a response. Could you respond again . Sec. Chao i will try my best. My best. Will try i will take that as yes you will respond to i dont understand when you say you are try your best. Sec. Chao i will try my best, and you know me. I do. You do. O then just say yes, of course i will respond. Sec. Chao i cannot say that. Think about it while i ask another question because i am really surprised that you would not say, of course congresswoman. You know me. I will respond whether it is a democrat or a republican. One more chance. Has always been my history. I have always done it that way. That the is precedent administration has oversight. The administration does have the conductingactice of answers to certain oversight questions in a certain way. For me just say this and i will get onto another substantive question. The chairman is being very generous with me. You dont have to agree with me are my distinguished colleagues. We could have healthy debates because others were congress is about. But, i am really shocked that you would not just say, of course i would respond whether it is a democratic or republican, or a citizen. I will go on to the next question and i would like to followup on mr. Prices infrastructure plan question. I am concerned that the residents plan lacks actual funding. And instead would put a burden on state and local taxpayers to pay for those programs. This would be particularly catastrophic in a state like new york, which gives more in federal tax dollars than it receives from the federal government. You remember hearing that from senator morning and who documented that many years ago. Thatynahan who documented many years ago. So new york is getting less in tax dollars and giving more. Already pays some of the highest taxes in the country. Mywould be unfair in judgment to force new yorkers to pay for even more, particularly when many infrastructure developments and infrastructure gains benefit the entire nation. Do you have any details about how President Trump lands to pay for his Infrastructure Finance and how do you ensure this infrastructure plan does not cause states to raise taxes for federally directed projects. Ask the president has always emphasized the need for new infrastructure and has talked about a trillion dollars. 200 billions of that would be government funding. Someone come from sale of public assets and the remainder would be a combination of partnerships cooperationsve between the public and private sector and through leveraging up the federalof dollars, which would be used like capital that will allow more innovative, more creative financing and that leveraging through Publicprivate Partnership is actually very often seen. Right now, we have certain states that do not allow the private sector to find Public Infrastructure and so we want to be able to let the private sector come in and if they want to find Public Sector ifrastructure projects and there are ways in which they can participate that will help alleviate the burden on taxpayers, i think that is something we should welcome. Thank you for your generosity of time, mr. Chairman, let me conclude by saying i am a strong supporter of privatepublic partnerships but i am strongly opposed to a proposal when President Trump has emphasized infrastructure and without help from the world government or the new bridge as you know that is going up and without redevelopment of laguardia airport, a kennedy of these infrastructure programs create real jobs. And if the private sector wants to contribute, that is great but i know and you know the town of harrison. Constituentsat my would be very upset if their taxes are going up to pay for responsibilities of the federal government. It just does not make sense to me on so i would like to continue this discussion, because most people today who responded to President Trump were people who said, i am tired of paying taxes that keep going up and up and President Trump was very forceful about infrastructure. Creating jobs. So i do not think they knew when they responded to his comments that they were going to pay for those. Sec. Chao they are going to pay either way. It is a train dollars in direct government running. That is taxes. That is taxes but it is the federal responsibility and when you see all of these cuts that we have in the must excited the budget, there is a real concern. Sec. Chao that is why we need the private sector to be involved so we can leverage their input and participation as well. I am delighted to have the private sector involved but i frankly do not want the responsibility to these major infrastructure programs that the president talked about and how he was going to create jobs, fall on the tax base of our local citizens. Thank you. To why mr. Chairman for your generosity. Thank you gentle lady. The Ranking Committee will always have some leeway but i will ask the members now to please adhere as much as possible to the fiveminute rule. Thank you for your generosity. You madam. Mr. Young. Thank you. You will have to be a less lenient than we were with the chairman. You just took five seconds. [laughter] i have not started the clock yet. I will add five seconds, hows that . Chairman. Ou mr. Sec. Chao q for being here today. Thank you for what you are doing. I have always admired your bipartisan, fair approach to your role in leadership and administration. I want to ask about, talk about infrastructure. You talked about in your statement you said, our transportation infrastructure is aging. I think we can all agree with that. And we need a focused address to this problem. I think we also need a focused approach to address new advancements and transportation. New technologies, new vehicles when it comes to taking a look at what an infrastructure looks like when you have a thomas vehicles. When you have artificial intelligence. Should we be looking at a different approach or different way to ensure that the next transportation grid is ready to go for the 22nd century and not be stuck in kind of an analog approach as we have in the past . Do we need different services, different tracks within roads . Do we need sensors out there where all the vehicles will be talking to each other . I just want to make sure were all thinking about this as we go century. New hand, the future is here. It really is. How do you see these new technologies influencing and infrastructure wreckage . Sec. Chao all that you are discussing is currently being examined and reviewed in various aspects of the transportation infrastructure proposal. The infrastructure proposal does not just have transportation. Departments. Ther other areas. For example, energy, water, Veterans Affairs, and possibly broadband get to be determined. But what you say about a thomas vehicles Autonomous Vehicles on the ground and in the air is partly a reason why the air Traffic Control system is being considered in terms of the need for upgrade and the need to be stateoftheart technology and on the roads, we are obviously thinking more about how do we accommodate the concerns with a thomas vehicles Autonomous Vehicles on the ground in terms of traffic and in terms of safety, security, and privacy. Issues are part of the National Dialogue that needs to occur as we talk about this infrastructure roger proposal. There will actually probably be three different faces. Shortterm, mediumterm, longterm. Right now were talking about short term which is a trillion dollars over 10 years cannot be as our friends on the other side of the aisle would like by direct federal funding. That would create a tremendous impact adverse impact on our visit and also create havoc. Introduce potential havoc with the private sector markets. Such a large injection of federal funding. So there are states, as i mentioned, the duke prohibit partnerships. While that is not to lose solution, Publicprivate Partnership should not be discriminated against and deep private sector is capable, should be allowed to invest in Public Infrastructure. So all of that is going on and there is a shortterm and a longterm consideration of all of these issues. Very have had some interesting hearings already with the private sector on new technology, Autonomous Vehicles, how we can adapt to it. We need to keep being a gauged on this issue but more partly for us and for you i think it is imperative that we are really engaging every day the private sector. Because they are driving this. With consumer demand as well. I have about 35 seconds. Trust fund, you know, it has not been so since about 2007. Because of advancements in technology, innovation, new vehicles out there, new fields and power vehicles. How do we ensure those using our roads and bridges are paying their fair share . You know . Kind of pay to play on our roads. And are not heading way with knocked into bidding to making sure that we have an uptodate Transportation Infrastructure Program for our roads and bridges. Because there could be disparity out there. More and more youre going to people out there not paying into the Highway Trust Fund but using the system. What lands does the dot had that we should all consider . If you can name many, give me some sense of confidence that you are thinking of this because we need to think about it. Sec. Chao there are various ways to find it and infrastructure proposal. Up the stop of my head i can list 1017. None of them are tracked them. We all want the benefits but there are some groups that will not like some solutions. I think the longstanding problem of the surface trust fund, the Highway Trust Fund, has been resolved until 2020. But as we prepare for fiscal year 2019 budget which will be coming up this summer, and as we talk about the infrastructure proposal, we have to and im underscoring your point with vehicle miles being the formula ask. It will the sustainable. We have to take a look at. We have not made any decision or conclusion among ourselves as to how to do that. Say, nothing is off the table. Thank you for being here. You look at a aging infrastructure but what . The Chicago Transit Authority carries more people than amtrak. Inland and when you combine the state of repair there and the metro, the numbers are staggering. Tose are not conducive Publicprivate Partnership. I am all for those. But to say we have a bold new millennials are not buying cars. They are doing red chairs they are doing right chairs and aning bikes that i have integrated rickety Transit System that is carrying were people all the time. Would be saying. We have a new idea to carry people the way we did 50 years ago . There is the boldest previously boldness . How can you provide positive train control in all of the light real systems in and around the United States as a whole . The infrastructure proposal will address for prince of those. Thatthe certificate investments punters forwarded projects. Two is to encourage states and localities. Three was a management thats. We give the states a great deal of flexibility. And there will be a lot of saying as to how this is spent. Metro isnt worried about permitting. They are not worried about the state getting in their way. They are worried about the theincreasing demand and fact that Publicprivate Partnerships are not going to help them at all. Some of this just takes federal dollars. You have out right for things that do nothing for those two entities. Take away half of the funding to make them continue to have rolling stock. Let me tell you. These folks are democrats and republicans. Mature teens my metro democrats and applicants. My metro trains come through my district but they go out to senator russell. The backlash on repairs is extraordinary. So i went for things that help private sector entities or states move forward with them. Ted Means Nothing to transportation dollars come from the state and local. Not saying that we will participate but under the infrastructure proposal, state and localities will have great freedom. Lets just say you put more money into a trillion dollar infrastructure package. You just took away half their funding for the direct Grant Program. And the state would match those dollars so you have done nothing. Right now, youve cut them in half. This is vital. So whats to say that you come back with a trillion dollars package when you have just taken put it one spigot to into another, assuming you even do this. We disagree with some of the priorities and purposes. E are repurpose it say you are taking money from mass transit and you putting it where . It will be in the details of the infrastructure proposal. You have to give us some inclination. Youve given us the lead that you dont care as much about Public Transportation. You cut it in half. It will be repurposed in the infrastructure basel, for the details of what you. It isntou send it if Public Transportation . That decision has not been made yet . Thrilled made yet. Mr. Chairman. I apologize. Laughter] take you. You are doing great job. I am good im glad i had the wisdom to be named to this post. Welcome to the new. To see outside of kentucky although we did love you back there. Infrastructure is the name of the game this year. Of traveling on streets and bridges that are following. Beingays that are not covered properly. Something bigger protector improvement. I noticed on page two of your statement that you listed key of your plan involving 13 federal departments and agencies. The first principle that you list is that the money would be made would be spent on the most transformative projects. Tell me what that means . I think the president would like something that his bold, innovative. Something that will really speak to the future and address the concerns of the future. Americaconcerned about about the railamerica. I come from a state that is very is verystate that rural. Understand Rural America being part of the dream as well. There will be a step title that will address Rural America. We are very cognizant of the needs of Rural America. Where is the center of the effort to finance . The study for how to finance . Wheres the Research Going on . In your department . I think you asked, how will this all be pay for . Im asking, who is studying that portion of that problem . Sec. Chao the white house. All of us. Differentabout the ways there is a plethora of different ways to pay for infrastructure. Yet, no decision has been made. None of the payment forms are ideal. This point, suffice it to say that nothing is off the table. As you mentioned, 16 different Government Agencies around the restrictor task force have grappling with how to pay for all of this. Given the financial situation of the country and states, it is plain to see that the money to do whatever we are going to do has got to come from somewhere else. I. E. Private sector. Do you agree with that . Yes. Chao and in an effort to be bipartisan, i understand that our friend on the other side federal spending. But that would increase our deficit and it would create havoc within the private markets because it would be such a large presence of the federal dollars. So the president is looking towards using 200 billion in money. Federal using that as seed money. And using the federal amount to partner more with the private as we have seen in the past. Yes, there is examples of this. For example, indiana, 10 years road for, so the toll billions of dollars. Used those proceeds to build roads around the rest of the state. Is that a possible way to go here . Toll roads are an increasingly popular way to finance infrastructure. I am also cognizant understand both sides. People may not like tollbooths but it is a very newctive way to finance roads. All of us dont like toll roads but some of them but some of us may tolerate the tools. But what i am talking about is the selling of the asset. I assume the buyer of the would need to in a tools in order to pay off the Purchase Price . Sec. Chao this actually is a big issue, whether we selloff public assets. And actually, there is a discussion going on with concerns about selling Public Infrastructure to foreign erests and whether that is the sentiment of that is not desirable. So were thinking about leasing and buying back. One of many ideas that are being surfaced as to how we finance this. Good luck to you. I get back. Representative clark . Were delighted by your appointment and we want to think chairman rogers for that. And thank you, madam secretary, 4 00 p. M. With us today. I want to thank you for your commitment to the green line extension. A lot of hard work has gone into the project and it wouldnt have been possible without the assistance of your department. So we thank you for that. I have lots of substantive questions but i was struck by your comments earlier in response to Ranking Member price , especially today, the day after such horrifying events and attacks on our colleagues. So i want to be sure that i understand what youre saying. There was a letter of counsel to the president on may 1, 2017. Is that the opinion that you are citing from doj . Im not trying to anger anybody. Especially after what happened but this is established precedent and i dont seem to be given credit for that. It is. Ive been in the government before. Precedent or not, there is a line in the that says it is established precedent but it creates that individual members of congress, including ranking minority members, do not have the authority to conduct in the absence of a specific delegation by a full House Committee or subcommittee. Is that your understanding of the law . Sec. Chao that has always been the case. So that is a yes . Sec. Chao im committed to working no, i just want to know if that is your understanding. Individual members do not have sec. Chao that has been the precedent. So that is your understanding ofthe law in the department transportation. That is your understanding in policy . Sec. Chao it is throughout. The executive branch, it has always been that way. For every administration. Cracks i will move on to positive train control. A big issue. Back in states like massachusetts and across the country as the fast action authorized millions of dollars on the mass transit account to create the Grant Program but states like mine are trying to meet the deadline implementation but have struggled to find the financing to complete the installation. My understanding is that the application for the Grant Program has not been fully implemented . As a result, complete two different applications . And im not sure have that anht can you give us update on how that implementation is going and whether there has been progress in streamlining the application process . I can speculate that led me do my Due Diligence and care to specific information. That would be helpful. It is a redundant application process that is causing problems. Academies,e maritime they are essential to vibrant and theyhant marine are key to our national security. These academies rely on chaining ships rely on training ships. Suny Maritime College is 56 years old at the lifetime is expected to end in 2019. Pts kennedy is 51 years old. And the useful service life is estimated to end in 2025. Antiaa directed to your team to complete the design of replacement vessels. And hoping to can tell me. Has the design been completed . Can you give me an update on the progress of the replacement of the ships . Sec. Chao they are two great Maritime Academies and universities. Outstandingduate young men and women every year. I am familiar with this. The two ships are the oldest. They need to be replaced at some point. Unfortunately, it is an issue of cost. 300 million. A direct billion in outlay so we are looking at this issue. Speakdid recently just with the mess maritime president and it is an issue that has to somehow be addressed. Perhaps one way is to find a renovated vessel but there are waivers required because they would not be u. S. Built but that could possibly be 150 million per ship. So we look at different ways of how to address this problem. Thank you. Thank you madam secretary. Last month, the department of transportation approved millions of dollars in federal grants during the last days of the to thes administration caltrans electrification project. It will eventually be used by the bullet train from los angeles to san francisco. Match whicha state officials have indicated will a. E through proposition one with the use of funds, it is being challenged in court. If the fund does not become available, would becomes of the grant . It is unlikely to secure private funding, to have any confidence they will match the funds Going Forward . Sec. Chao that is a concern needs to consider carefully themselves. The timing of this particular was sensitive. It is signed off on january 17. Three days before the end of the previous administration. However, there is a process by which that goes to the congress for 30 days. Disputes and rebuttals and challenges can occur but it theyy didnt happen and inserted hundred 70 million into this and it did make the cut for full Funding Agreement. And to the department did sign it. So for those involved in the project, we do have the funding for 2017 but future years, they need to be thinking ahead. Themd a plan on Holding Accountable for spending the federal dollars to make sure they are accounted for and properly spent . Pace ale authority has lot of scrutiny. Until there is an audit with background. I go with my second question. Approval, all members send a letter to you citing the project cost increase, reductions in the scope and failure to secure private funding. Was to stop funding until an audit was completed. You think it was too difficult of a request . I am aware of that letter. We try to work with both sides of the aisle. But when the omnibus bill came through with the consent both houses of congress, there was no choice. With 170 million we had to proceed. There were statements from about you are planning to spend more . If it is dictated by congressmen have to send it. There is a natural process of monitoring that goes on for every single one of these projects. And they will be in place and they will be monitoring the project to see the money is not wasted and that there actually. Pplied california has received 3. 55 billion in federal funding. A finance report for the Railroad Administration admits that the highspeed Rail Authority is unlike to make spending deadlines established by the grant and would be forced to forfeit upwards of 220 million back to the government. Im concerned the authority uses the money as a slush fund, spending on frivolous projects. Does the department of transportation required detailed reports on how the california highspeed Rail Authority is spending those dollars . Do feel there is proper oversight over where those funds are being sent are being spent . Sec. Chao it is a very professional organization and there are processes in place to monitor how funds are spent. This is a matter before the congress. Comes mandated by what from congress. The money was mandated and they deemed it fit to go out. I yield back. Thank you. , there wasp on that a difference of opinion, as you mentioned on the caltrain issue. Our office, we personally heard from Business Leaders and northern california. Who were concerned you talked earlier in your answer about feed capital and making sure the having government is capital for investment. This is a line that is already operating. It has hundreds of millions of clean investment hundreds of millions of dollars in planned investment. I think it will reassure the line and push more commuters through that transit mode. Which should be our responsibility to help. So i appreciate the consideration that your agency put forward and making the award. I want to shift briefly to tiger grants. In mike unity we were awarded an 8 million tiger grant. Connectger program to Transit Centers and terminates at a university. In between the two is job centers and a local Veterans Affairs center. Residents with affordable transit routes. I heard her comments and read testimony previously but given the benefits of this program in my district and other districts around the country, what is the dot used to rely on to decide on the phasing out of this program being beneficial to the National Protector system . Kind of data was used . Chao the purpose was there was a philosophical disagreement on whether segregated money like that should be specifically used in certainrk way to fund topics. But it is the will of the congress. To have every flexibility woulde what you think you like. It is a new administration. Are you saying tiger Grant Funding was earmarked . Earmarklike. New to the committee. I defer to the Ranking Member to describe the program. There clearly are prohibitions against that. So i take issue with that characterization. But i will say that creating that help our communities is exactly our role here in congress. Us, to my knowledge inserted any language specifically to a project. It is competitively bid. Administration is responsible sec. Chao we prefer it be done in the money that is available rather than set aside for some specific purpose. We are willing to work with you. This is a very popular program. Members of Congress Like it and congress. Spond to the to disagree but you are creating something you will roll out in the fall that would siphon aside hundreds of millions of hundreds of billions of dollars in projects would be up to the administration to suggest . Sec. Chao we have yet to unveil our proposal. As a distribution of the funds will occur one way or the other, it is under advisement and discussion. Palace is back to your, before about feed capital because as your transportation document mentioned, so much investment is occurring at the local level. Local members in my community have taxed themselves to build projects. I was on the community that allocated those funds. Thedo you differentiate seed capital for some projects yet in tiger, you dont view it as feed capital when it is helpful to the creation of jobs and the movement of goods and bodies . The tiger grants are very popular but they were created as an aside. A separate aside pool of funds. I think it makes much more sense if they were put together in a large pool where they are available to the state to be used as they see fit. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you mr. Chairman. Good afternoon, madam secretary. I heard from a number of constituents in my district who worry about the scope of the planning organizations. That they grow too big and impede on surrounding communities. It is important to me that we do of ntinue down a path can you share with her there might be some push to range the authority . Sec. Chao freight the committee recently met with field experts and emerging Technology Including Autonomous Vehicles. They have the potential to make theyoadway safer and hope one day provide could use. The Ohio Department of transportation initiated a fiberoptic cable. Further atomic cables. I believe the buckeye has given is uniquely positioned to deploy the technology spurred what role do you see these proving ground plane and how can your department terry out the work using the safe deployment of Autonomous Vehicles . Administration, a few days prior to departure had seald a Good Housekeeping to about 10 proving grounds. We are in the process of looking at all that, but i hear from major automotive manufacturers and other entrepreneurial entities that deal with entitlements vehicles are going to australia. Theyre going to other countries where there are much less regulations that govern how they test, where they test. I dont think the issue is which the gets the proving grounds, the issue is how to get the weted states more open trade these newwelcoming of technologies rather than half American Companies was the first one to stop on the move so we like to be up front in these technologies. Plex thank you very much. Thank you for writing that up again. Good afternoon. Portion of a large pennsylvania and in recent years, we have seen a growth in create and operations this trend is expected to continue and grow even work. Part of this is changing customer temptations about the speed of delivery in this kind of gross represents an Economic Opportunity. Systemtransportation assumes a growing role, how do maintainingte roads, bridges, specifically in areas seeing increased freight activity. Correct freight is very important. The infrastructure proposal will include consideration of freight. Issuesre Passenger Rail that are desirable to facilitate the Rapid Movement of freight so we are very much aware of those. Too muchant to say about the specifics, but freight is a big concern. Can i ask you about the infrastructure package and how we might pay for that. I understand the nature of that thing which i think is important, but it will probably be a public opponent proponent as well create has a taken taken opinion on how find that im able to and are you open to User Feedback question mark in the beginning part of our discourse, there was discussion about having a portion of tax reform. Fundingved in infrastructure. Those discussions seem to have had. It may come back again, but i said secretary mission has will not be part of the funding, but again, that may change. The user fees and gasoline taxes is obviously a very quarrelsome issue. What i can say is nothing is off the table. Final question, the weinistration i believe have the opportunity to integrate new technologies that will benefit americans. Are Hydrogen Fuel cells. States know, a number of have made commitments to adopt zero emissions for the automotive industry. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are Just One Technology option that lawmakers are pursuing. How is your the former with the industry to remove any possible injuries barrier injuries . Newe are looking at all technology for its principle is we want to encourage innovation entrepreneurship. Office so wento dont have a conclusion on that. We are looking at it. Theres a lot of interest. We will limit it to three minutes. I think there has been some great successes. Sbther it is issues like 80 or whethervelopment programs, i think those are issues that are looking like could successes and i want to get some feedback. I want to talk about the next. En Advisory Committee do you think that this body is an effective body to help guide our air traffic investments for the future . Met individual members and it is about 35 members. Deal ofer a great technical assistance. There are people that are staked aspects of the industry and i think it is ays good to do a advisory variety of opinions. I have a list here. It is always helpful to get as whereverrepresentation possible. Also, are there ways we can improve that . Enough, butay this we want to work with the committee. We want to work with the congress. We are very open. Have you been able to see the which is the automatic actually one of the successes of the effort. Faa and the men and women at the faa who are doing a tremendous job against difficult circumstances. They have been able to maintain the system and work through air Traffic Control despite challenging circumstances. Is system is as good as it in spite of the current government. The current government. We want to do better. Were going to disagree on this. The project about , we are talking about radar. Within 12 seconds, an airplane onemile. We need to be in a gps system. Technology. We are still not quite up to toed and that we need improve on. Those are conversations i look forward to having with you. Conversation. I want to quickly receive closure. Back isng you took us your answer departs from what i have heard from other cabinet secretaries about this matter. You it is notsure a question of your goodwill paid the position that anyone has to inquiries oversight charged with funding and overseeing your department. Let me ask you about Capital Investment. Your budget request of dense federal support. Specifically, it would cut off funding for new projects and spare only projects with agreements already in place. You that ink particular. That pipeline. I plunging for advancing projects like phoenix, pittsburgh. What about small starts . When do you expect to assign the agreements for the sponsors . More is actually complicated. The current guideline from the administration is that there is going to be there is not funding, then i cannot sign the full Funding Agreement and if i cant sign the full agreement, there is no funding. Rental, i wont be able to sign it. There are some that dont have the full funding. If you are a list, you will get funding. If youre not on the list, you wont. Can you tell us about the ourline Going Forward since time is limited . The administration does not support new starts. On what basis did you event phoenix and pittsburgh and our city . As they were already defined. Are moving into project development and engineering. That is a process that is ongoing. Is that process going to stop . I dont think so. These cities will have to what they want to do. If they dont have the funding, what would they do . So that is a question. I cant answer it for them. That is something they are going ave to youre going to move them from but theres no resources. Quest it is pretty clear. , you cane on the list be sure of some certainty. It is pretty clear. My time has expired. There are projects. Need to have some understanding. Lets discuss this offline. Thank you, chairman. We have a challenging task of animals being transported. Eldunately, the impending enforcement they rules do not adequately accommodate this subject of the trucking industry. Authorities have expressed the need for providing sufficient training and enforcement. What longterm solution do you recommend to ensure both motor safety as well as Animal Welfare . Im sad to hear that. Of course we want to protect our pets, our livestock. I will look into them. I dont have the answer to that. In your opinion, will they discern this the times that they are not on the road . Time spent waiting and loading . In the feature come up they be willing to work with the livestock insect industry . Im not familiar with the subject, but i look over to working with you and your constituents. Thank you. I was very proud of how the committee and of the timeline today. Secretary, i would like to return to the Maritime Academies. We talked about there were the role in national security, but there have been recent reports of sexual misconduct. That the merchant marine hostile culture for the female midshipmen in sexualeports of unwanted advances pressman assault have caused the committee to suspend its program. Two questions for you. Hows your Department Cohn to handle these allegations and how is your budget and propose expenditures going to ensure city of female midshipmen in most of these incidents occur . Am very concerned about these issues so we are investigating this in the dollar amount that you mentioned has been increased to almost 1 million, but we are very concerned about this issue and obviously we need to do something about it because it is connected to the recognition issue. We had the Inspector General in several weeks ago and we were talking about this issue. Are you working closely with them . Best. I say yes because he has a lead. We will give recommendations and see what they are concerned about. Have suggestions, was in love to work with you at all. Thank you. Matter secretary, as a member of the committee, one of our responsibilities is to make sure funds are invested wisely. One of the ways that some agencies have sought to utilize technology is right using analysis and technology. Sina has done this and utilized this technology. Do you think your be beneficial for the department of transportation to employ realtime view of where we are with transportation and projects that dot is funding . Were they are in the process, what is getting complete . Would you be more open to looking at how we use technology in the department in order to advance the parties to make sure similar ton public what was on with the stimulus that individuals contract what projects are being awarded in where they are with the pipeline . Is there more we can do . I dont know. I understand your concern. Beforeo you discussed your absolutely. In one of the ways congress andasked you to prioritize inre is funding Transportation Planning and development. I just wanted to know your thoughts on how we do a better job of managing those projects and having a more realtime analysis. Realtime analysis is the key. I think we had a good monitoring system. After all, we are grantmakers. I would like to hear more about that. That is a very interesting thought. Think it is totally fine from the grant side. From a transparency expect is there more we can do . If you have ideas, we are very open to discussing them with you. Thank you. , in trying to go through there was a bill for 96 that the president signed that talks about the merger. I dont see dress in their the fact that going into neighborhoods and dictating communities how they should grow forward. Broadsoft about that. Lets talk about that. Thank you and your staff for your participation here this afternoon. The Committee Staff will be in contact with your budget office. I dont know if we will have a number of questions be submitted for it out imagine that all of us would do that. To could please work obviously make informed decisions for the fiscal year 2018 bill. Entity inwellknown your repetition reputation andbeen one of talent responsiveness. You have been exceedingly responsive to our request. You have been accessible. So just know that does not remain unnoticed and we appreciate your continued us andness to work with we look forward to a close working relationship. I think all of us are thrilled that it is you because not only of your history but because you have demonstrated that he remain as accessible and responsive as anybody so thank you for service. We look forward to continuing to work with you. Thank you, mr. Children. I also think for discussion here this morning. We all have questions that we want to explore. I joined the chairman in gratitude for parents and a desire to honestly work on these transportation issues. You are leading a department that is at the forefront of our countrys economic wellbeing. Request for new and battled better job and it has a history of relatively bipartisan cooperation and support both in the congress and in the various stakeholders that you work with. That will be very important Going Forward and divisive times to invest inway our countrys Transportation Future so thank you so much. Thank you so much for the opportunity and i want to reinforce the i have been in this department before. It has always been bipartisan. I look forward to working with all members of the committee. Thank you, madam secretary. Thank you. [indiscernible conversation] [laughter] thank you. Conversation] you can go in. Cspan3, today on former Homeland Security jeh johnson testifies at a House Intelligence Committee meeting on russia in the 2016 election. Later, a hearing with the fbi acting director andrew mccabe. Live coverage beginning at 3 00 eastern. Announcer cspan, where history unfolds daily. In 19s of new nine, cspan was created as a book service i americas Cable Television companies and is brought to you today by your cable or satellite provider. Is speaking at a meeting of the National Association of manufacturers, Vice President mike and set the Trump Administration would repeal the Affordable Care act and an act text reforms. His remarks are half an hour. [applause] v. P. Pence hello. Hello. Thank you. To i. Thank you. To i very much. Thank you very much. Thank you for that kind introduction. Thank you for mentioning our new