Hearing of the Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee - Improving the Performance of Our Transportation Networks: Stakeholder Perspectives

Hearing

Good morning. I am pleased to convene the 114th Congress' first hearing of the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation & Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety & Security which we have titled, "Improving the Performance of our Transportation Networks: Stakeholder Perspectives."

It is an honor to serve as chairman of this subcommittee and I want to thank Chairman Thune and my colleagues for entrusting me with the responsibility to do so. Transportation safety and infrastructure development are issues I care deeply about and I am grateful for the opportunity to further engage on these matters.

I look forward to working with all the members of this committee in the 114th Congress on issues that I see as bipartisan and core to the role of the federal government.

I would also like to acknowledge the hard work and achievements of Senators Blumenthal and Blunt, who served as chair and ranking member of this subcommittee last Congress. They have laid a solid foundation and worked tirelessly together on this subcommittee with a degree of substance and attention to detail that is rarely seen. It is my hope to carry on the standard that these two senators have set and I look forward to working with our new ranking member.

The goal of today's hearing is to explore ways in which to expand and improve the nation's transportation networks. This subcommittee's broad jurisdiction stretches from transportation safety regulations to incentivizing and regulating infrastructure development. With such expansive authority comes great responsibility to govern appropriately.

For too long, Washington-centric policies have impeded progress and frustrated citizens across the country. Repeatedly, I have heard from Americans who are dismayed by the federal government's tendency to tell communities, both large and small alike, what they will receive without ever asking what is needed. Nebraskans, and all Americans, deserve to have their voices heard when Congress considers how transportation policies will impact their states and local communities.

In the Nebraska Unicameral, I served as the Chairman of the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee. My father also served as the head of the Nebraska Department of Roads. Transportation policy is in my blood and I have seen how hard work and a good attitude can lead to favorable results. Unfortunately, I have also witnessed the waste and harm that can result when proper oversight is not exercised.

Congress should develop policies that address the unique challenges and opportunities that have arisen across the nation. These goals cannot be satisfied by a one-size-fits-all approach. Rather, input and consultation from a variety of stakeholders will be required to develop dynamic strategies to respond to diverse circumstances. To that end, it is important that we include stakeholders from across the country in our decision making process -- their varied and extensive expertise will be invaluable to this subcommittee.

The panel before us today represents just a few of the many stakeholders from private industries. What these individuals lack in shared backgrounds they make up for in common interests -- namely fostering sensible policies that ensure the highest safety standards while also promoting economic growth.

We have asked our witnesses to share their high-level views on transportation: what's working, what's not working, how we can improve, and how we can better prioritize our resources. It is also a chance for members of this committee to raise the issues they care about and I hope they will do so throughout this Congress.

I am optimistic that collaboration and consultation between the federal government and private enterprise will result in more effective and efficient policies. I would now like to invite my colleague on the other side of the aisle to deliver some opening remarks.

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