in closing, these are exciting times at fra. long-serving staff has told me that never before have they seen the level of administration for rail programs as they see today from the president, vice president and the secretary. i look forward to working with the members of congress and in particular, working with the members of this committee to help this nation reap the numerous benefits offered by high-speed rail and i look forward to questions. >> thank you, mr. sabo. it's a very encouraging report. very enlightning, i must say. i'm sure this side of the table is new to you in your years after service in the other body, the staff, they have steeped you in the issues of transit and transportation programs and general, and you're more accustomed to being on the other side of the table and preparing questions to grill witnesses with. now it's your turn to be grilled. congratulations and welcome and glad to have you here. >> thank you, mr. chairman. i'm now realizing why they elevate this. i'm not accustomed to looking up this. >>

the president's high-speed rail initiative is going to transform fra as an agency in many ways. historically, we have been a safety agency, but also gave amtrak an annual grant. now we have a new mission, a new set of partners, and increased responsibility. it is a testament to the dedication of our small staff. in order to meet our growing responsibility, i asked with your support that the budget begin to address the fra resourced needs. i will also suggested the oversight of expenditure of dollars to be used by the secretary and project oversight to be more consistent with the 1% take down that is hysterically offered for oversight, not the 0.25% offered in the recovery act. long serving staff have told me that, never before, have they seen the level of administration support for rail programs as they have seen today from the president, vice president, and the secretary. i look for to working with the members of congress, and in particular to working with members of this committee to help this nation reached the numerous benefits offered by high-speed rail. i look forward to y

part of what we're looking at $48 billion side which will happen which the fra provided and the administratorwould want to comment on this there is a requirement that now there is an application made by the state of illinois or by iowa to receive the funds and they need to be competed for with a concept which is happening with the a million dollars and if they are really ready to go or not. we do understand the need and the interest and we are working with them. >> my understanding is both states will do a dual application do you know, much about this or can you help me out? >> you could tell me about if you give me 23 point* $2 million. >> that would certainly be inappropriate for me to comment on the merits of any particular application at the time. the guidance is out and there will be a pre-application period that will allow us to review and give assistance and guidance to the various dot to make sure they are under the appropriate track with the guidance that is most beneficial. of the biggest thing we have urged is there be a high level of regional cooperation to make sure the iowa dot

soo from now on, there may be very rare occasions, but we will not have opening statements except fra the chairman and the ranking member and then we will go directly to the witness. and that will be the order. i now call on senator cantwell. >> mr. chairman, will that be the janikowski rule? i thank the chairman and i agree. i'm hear to ask questions in person and i think it is an important hearing so thank you for your statement. mr. genakowski, the diversity of media, i don't know if any of my colleagues have asked about that so far but i've supported technical changes required to expand the number of low-powered fm stations. and these are important because they develop local content and they are important to the very community interests. i certainly opposed media consolidation, particularly that with the cross ownership and i don't think it's the way we're going to save newspapers. i think there is an important role for police education and government. the peg channels. and their service. and peg channels provide an outlet for people and communities to create and distribute their

what will an amtrak -- fra's do in helping our climate control. will create jobs for our citizens, a jet building out orders for american factories. the mistress the