Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies

"I thank the Chairman for yielding, and I congratulate him on drafting the FY12 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriation Bill. Mr. Latham, Mr. Olver and staff on both sides have worked tirelessly to bring this important legislation before the subcommittee today.

"As I heard across my Appalachian district during our recent work period, the American people are crying out for jobs. Not a single new net job was created in the month of August, and unemployment still hovers over 9%. In Kentucky, the message is clear – the overspending, overtaxing, and over-regulating has to stop if we're to grow our economy and put our people back to work.

"The bill before us today is yet another example our commitment to return our government to some semblance of fiscal sanity by restoring responsibility, restraint and thoughtfulness to the budgeting process.