Im fred kemp, ceo of the Atlantic Council. Madam, high representative, a sellout crowd. Theyre bursting out the doors and this unscores both recognition that we face historic moment in history, for europe, the transatlantic relationship, long before the november elects and that people are elections and that people are eager to hear what report you can give us from your trip thus far and also answer their questions and then my questions as moderator on a broader issues in the transatlantic relationship which we the Atlantic Council believe is the cornerstone for all u. S. Engage in the world. The Atlantic Council like to think of ourselves as the home for europe and washington, dc. Thus im honored today to welcome the high representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and the Vice President of the European Commission federica mogherini. Thank you for come toing to your home away from europe. We had a fascinating discussion last month the World Economic forum and i think it wa
I also want to comment the u. S. Department of transportation for acting quickly to release funds, emergency funds and provide assistance. Were here to examine the implementation of the fast act with our state and local partners. The fast act is a first long term surface transportation reauthorization bill in a decade and important for the 21st century. As a fiveyear bill provides very much needed certainty and funneledi funding to our partners. Fact that fast act is a forward looking law that puts an emphasis on projects of national significance, the movement streamlining project delivery and Innovative Solutions to transportation challenges. As they carry out the projects, the witnesses have a firsthand view of how federal transportation policies are being implemented by the u. S. Department of transportation. We look forward to building a 21st century infrastructure with our state and local partners. I now recognize you for your opening statement. Thank you very much, mr. Chairman.
I also want to comment the u. S. Department of transportation for acting quickly to release funds, emergency funds and provide assistance. Were here to examine the implementation of the fast act with our state and local partners. The fast act is a first long term surface transportation reauthorization bill in a decade and important for the 21st century. As a fiveyear bill provides very much needed certainty and funneledi funding to our partners. Fact that fast act is a forward looking law that puts an emphasis on projects of national significance, the movement streamlining project delivery and Innovative Solutions to transportation challenges. As they carry out the projects, the witnesses have a firsthand view of how federal transportation policies are being implemented by the u. S. Department of transportation. We look forward to building a 21st century infrastructure with our state and local partners. I now recognize you for your opening statement. Thank you very much, mr. Chairman.
Oklahoma department of transportation and the president of the dallas area Rapid Transit system. The hearing is about two hours. We will call the subcommittee to order. I like to say good morning and welcome all of our witnesses here today to the hearing. By now weve seen the reports in the resulting collapse of section i85 northeast of atlanta. This is a critically important piece of our system which carries over 400,000 cars a day. With that volume of traffic, its amazing there wasnt any loss of life in this incident. I commend the state and local officials for responding so quickly to the crisis. I want to commend the u. S. Department of transportation for acting quickly to release funds, emergency funds and provide assistance. Were here to examine the implementation of the fast act of state and local partners. Its the first long term surface transportation reauthorization bill in a decade and its Important Foundation for building a 21st century infrastructure. As a fiveyear bill pr
Its a bill that provides very certainty and funding so our nonfederal artners can make smart long investments. Implemented by the u. S. Department of transportation. We look forward to building a infrastructure with our state and local partners and their oing to welcome today. I am grateful for this subcommittee hearing. I think it indicates that our subcommittee wants to get behind all of the interest that weve heard on infrastructure and see what we can really do. We know that a large infrastructure package idea, the idea of a large infrastructure package, which is on the minds of many in the administration and on our minds is not going to magically appear. We did a lot of and ill say, deservedly so, a lot of selfcongratulation when we passed the First Service transportation bill in 10 years, and i must say im very grateful, mr. Chairman, that it was a good bipartisan effort and i know you share with me the disappointment in order to get any increase whatsoever after 10 years, we had