00:00You're recognized.
00:01Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
00:02And Mr. Secretary, thank you for being here today, and thank you for all that you're doing for transportation in Kansas and around the country.
00:10It's a tremendous undertaking, and you're doing a great job.
00:13I represent 60 primarily rural counties throughout Central and Western Kansas.
00:18And every day in the Big First District of Kansas, my constituents witness the importance of having reliable transportation infrastructure.
00:24It's imperative that our highways and roads are drivable, that commercial and cargo aviation are able to efficiently operate,
00:32that our railroads are able to deliver goods and grain out of the elevator and into markets.
00:37And I appreciate hearing from you today on ways that we can address real transportation infrastructure problems that everyday citizens in Kansas and around the country are facing.
00:45I know that the administration, under your and President Trump's leadership, will lead the way in fixing problems of the past,
00:50and look forward to working with you on making the transportation system great again.
00:54A couple of quick questions.
00:56We've seen how past modernization efforts like NextGen struggled with delays and cost overruns.
01:03I understand you're taking a different approach at this time, particularly when it comes to procurement and delivery.
01:08Can you walk us through what's changed and what Congress should be considering when it comes to accountability and future funding to support that approach
01:15while also ensuring continued access for business aviation and smooth integration for new entrants?
01:20Yeah, I think that's critical.
01:21So just a couple quick points.
01:23Number one, we're actually using our unique authority for procurement.
01:29That's not been used in the past.
01:31We are getting CEO engagement with us.
01:33I think America cares about the bill.
01:35The president cares.
01:36I care.
01:37CEOs want to be part of.
01:38This is the greatest infrastructure project in decades, and it has a lot of attention.
01:42So CEOs are partnering with us.
01:44I think on the accountability front, you've given us a lot of faith in us, and maybe that faith isn't warranted.
01:53I think continual conversations, whether it's testimony or private meetings, letting you honestly know, are we on time and on budget?
02:01Are we delayed?
02:02Why are we delayed?
02:02Are we beating?
02:03I mean, that kind of cooperation between the DOT, the FAA, and this body is critically important.
02:10I agree.
02:10And candor is welcomed.
02:12100%.
02:12Very much.
02:14Second and last question.
02:15You know, Kansas is home to the air capital of the world, where aviation and aerospace manufacturing generates more than $20.5 billion in total economic activity and rely on the FAA to have a strong presence abroad.
02:27Secretary Jeffrey, how are you protecting the U.S. aviation export market?
02:32Well, I think just free markets, free trade.
02:36America's great.
02:37This is one industry.
02:39I think we net export $78 billion, $80 billion to the benefit of the U.S.
02:46Right.
02:47And again, with continued innovation, which we're going to have some announcements coming on, not just on the Boeing side, but on the civil aviation side.
02:55Some great strides are going to be made to make sure we continue to lead the world.
02:59Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
03:00I yield back my two seconds.
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