Highlights from the House Floor

"The men and women of the Coast Guard are some of the most under-recognized and under-appreciated patriots that we have in our country.

"This bill is very, very much past due, and I am very pleased that we are going to be able to move forward."

- September 28, 2010

U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) during debate on the Coast Guard Authorization Act.

"I remain very disappointed that a few issues in the reauthorization package are holding up final agreement on a comprehensive FAA reauthorization bill."

- September 23, 2010

U.S. Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI) during House consideration of the 15th extension over the past three years of the taxes, programs, and funding of the FAA.

"... we don't need to tell the American people with propaganda signs that we're spending their tax dollars wisely. More specifically, we don't need to put up road signs all over the country when we're doing paving projects.... We've found signs that cost over $10,000 apiece simply to say this is your tax dollars at work."

- July 14, 2010

U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL) during debate on a resolution he sponsored to eliminate millions of dollars in wasteful stimulus spending on road signs telling the American people that their stimulus tax dollars are being spent.

"A number of controversial issues have stalled progress on a final agreement. I am disappointed myself that several issues unrelated to the important safety and modernization provisions in the reauthorization package are holding up final agreement on this legislation."

- June 29, 2010

U.S. Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI) during debate on the 14th short-term extension of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Congress' failure to reach agreement on a long-term bill

"Now let me make this very clear: the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund is not going to be a piggy bank for BP or for other responsible parties. This money must, should, and will be repaid. "

- June 10, 2010

U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-FL), during debate on oil spill legislation

"Move forward. People are crying out for jobs in this country, and one of the best employers that we have in this Nation is the aviation industry.... When you expand aviation, you enter global markets with such ease today, but we are leaving that behind. So I am, indeed, deeply saddened that we are not at a point where we are passing this.

"Now, I ask Members to support this extension, the 13th extension. This is a very embarrassing moment for the Congress, and I'm sad that our work is not done."

- April 28, 2010

U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-FL), during debate on the growing need to pass a long-term authorization of Federal Aviation Administration programs. The House instead approved another short-term extension of programs.

"I think it is incredible that we are on the 12th extension with the passage of this [bill]..."

- March 17, 2010

U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-FL), during debate on another short-term extension of the Federal Aviation Administration programs. The last long-term FAA authorization was approved by Congress in 2003 -- a bill written by Rep. Mica when he was Chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation

"That means that we can't get people working beyond the end of the year. That means that we can't make commitments for improving our Nation's infrastructure..."