Oberstar reacts to reelection as 8th District's representative

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

WASHINGTON--Today, Congressman James L. Oberstar held a press conference in his Duluth office to discuss his priorities in the 110th Congress, which will see the return of Democrats as the majority party in the House of Representatives. Oberstar, who is the longest-serving Representative in Minnesota’s history, was elected to his 17th term by a wide margin last night.
As the Ranking Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, he is expected to assume that committee’s chairmanship when the 110th Congress convenes in January 2007. Traditionally one of the most bipartisan committees, Oberstar has already spoken to the current Transportation Committee Chairman, Don Young (R-AK), who pledged to work with Oberstar and other Democrats on the committee.
"Democrats have won the majority, and the challenge now is to govern. I am looking forward to continuing the partnership we have built developed over the years in the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. It is not about Democratic roads or Republican bridges. If we work together, we can build American roads and American bridges," said Oberstar. "With malice toward none, charity for all; we have to do this together."
Regarding the committee’s priorities in the next session of Congress, Oberstar cited the need for increasing security for all modes of transportation – particularly port security, accelerating dredging in the harbors of the Great Lakes, reauthorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency, renewing the revolving loan fund for waste system and sewage treatment plants, moving forward on the Federal Aviation Administration’s neglected modernization program, and ensuring that airports in smaller communities have the resources they need to compete. Oberstar also said he expects the Transportation Committee to increase its oversight responsibilities, which has been nearly non-existent over the last few Congresses.
"Although Democrats have retaken the majority in Congress, it does not mean we will get everything done we want to, but we will be able to set the agenda and move issues forward that are important to the American people," said Oberstar. "We need to restore the public's trust and confidence in the government once again and reinstate transparency in government."
Oberstar also addressed the issues that led to the high number of victories for Democrats in House seats across the nation.
"The war in Iraq was the tidal wave that swept the Republicans out and brought the Democrats in. People want an end to our engagement in Iraq," said Oberstar. "They see the way the war and occupation has been badly managed."
Regarding the announcement that Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld resigned today, Oberstar said that the Bush Administration "got the voters’ message."