The news that corrupt Moldovan oligarch and former head of Moldova's Democratic Party (PDM) Vladimir Plahotniuc has been banned from entering the United States is certainly a welcome development.
The news that corrupt Moldovan oligarch and former head of the Moldova's Democratic Party (PDM) Vladimir Plahotniuc has been banned from entering the United States is certainly a welcome development.
This past Sunday brought the news to the front pages of our leading newspapers of the passing of Don Imus, shock jock. Comparatively speaking, it was happy news. At least it was happy news compared with the news that otherwise adorns the front pages of The Washington Post and The New York Times, and then is repeated and repeated in the newspapers' interior pages.
Every day, members of Congress seem to be increasingly consumed with the Washington Beltway's latest gossip or manufactured controversy.
I'm proud to represent Maryland, which is often called America in Miniature because of our geographic and demographic diversity.
Investing in American infrastructure is one of President Trump's top priorities, and his commitment is clear: to "build gleaming new roads, bridges, highways, railways, and waterways all across our land." What's more, he has promised that "we will do it with American heart, and American hands, and American grit." It goes without saying that this should command broad, bipartisan support.
One year ago last month, the U.S. Coast Guard published its Maritime Commerce Strategic Outlook, which describes its long-term vision for enabling maritime commerce and securing the maritime environment. In his introduction to this comprehensive plan, Admiral Karl L. Schultz, Commandant, observes: "Our waterways, a wealth of natural resources and marine transportation networks, remain critical to our prosperity, our security, and our identity as a Nation."
By land, water and air, transportation infrastructure binds together the United States of America. Every day, Americans take over a billion trips — usually on the nation's 4 million miles of roads. Rivers, streams and other obstacles are traversed via America's 616,096 highway bridges.
Investing in infrastructure has been a priority for Democrats, Republicans and Independents. We all agree we need to get it done sooner rather than later when the need will be more urgent and the remedies more expensive.
It is exciting and encouraging that in the coming months, Congress may take up the important priority of infrastructure. As part of this debate, there are many complex and evolving challenges related to our national aviation network and our transportation system as a whole — Ubers of the sky, drones and, of course, broader issues related to ports, highways, rail and many others. In the midst of all of these important priorities, we encourage leaders to keep in mind the needs of rural America and the thousands of businesses, farms, industries and communities throughout our country that depend on general aviation and airports of all sizes.
Among the many things firefighters learn in the field is that plastic burns hot and fast. It is a combustible material and releases toxic smoke and gases when burned.
As America looks to powering our future, there is no question our nation will need to build more electricity generation and transmission. To meet this demand, we will need more critical minerals and open new land access for the minerals and transmission capacity. This reality presents us with many challenges — but even more opportunities to thrive in the future.
The idea of "unplugging" for a country getaway has a certain appeal. It is an escape, an opportunity to feel a little smug about selecting a destination that informs guests they shouldn't expect WiFi — free, or otherwise.
When many Americans hear "infrastructure," they think of roads and bridges. In Central Washington, we think of water.
The United States emerged from World War II as the undisputed global economic powerhouse in large part because national, state and local leaders were committed to building roads, ports, waterworks and other infrastructure that was the envy of the world.
America is currently in the midst of historic economic growth. The strength of the U.S. economy is undeniable as GDP, job creation and unemployment figures continue to exceed all expectations.
No matter where you live in America, people agree that our roads and bridges are long overdue for an upgrade.
America has a unique opportunity to build an economy of the future that is cleaner and stronger than ever before. Advances in technology and decreasing costs for natural gas, renewables and energy storage — along with energy efficiency gains and the carbon-free energy provided by existing nuclear power plants — are making it possible to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions across our economy, while keeping electricity affordable, reliable and secure.
Our nation's infrastructure is crumbling. The good news? We are rebuilding.
When I came to Congress in January of 2017, I made the construction of a new lock in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, a top priority. Like many things in Washington, this goal didn't come without its significant challenges and obstacles — politicians dating back to the 1980s have been promising to address this infrastructure need. Bureaucratic red tape coupled with political inaction had stalled this critical infrastructure and national security need for decades.
