Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to say I am pleased we are having this hearing today, but frankly, I am very disappointed in the way this has come together. As I have said on numerous occasions, we need to focus on preparing for the next Farm Bill. While I acknowledge there has been modest progress on that front, we are inexplicably veering off course today.... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to each panel of witnesses before us. While I was not here during the development and passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, I know my colleagues worked hard to make certain Title III worked for producers, consumers, and those in need around the world, all while preserving a longstanding alliance of domestic supporters of these progr... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to echo you in welcoming our witnesses to today’s hearing. I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts and perspectives. I am always excited to talk about energy. Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District is steeped in a diverse history of energy production. We are home to the nation's first ever commercial oil well, the Commonwe... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman Behnam, welcome. It is a pleasure to have you before our Committee today to discuss the current state of the CFTC and your plans for the coming year. I want to begin by congratulating you on your unanimous confirmation, which was a significant vote of confidence in you and for the Commission’s work. You have important responsibili... Read more »
Remarks as prepared delivery: Good morning, and thank you Chair Plaskett for calling this hearing today. Today’s hearing marks an important step, as this is our first hearing to review the horticulture title of the 2018 Farm Bill. As we prepare for the next farm bill, it is important to hear from both USDA and stakeholders to learn what’s working, and what is not. The horticulture title is broad –... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Chairman Scott, and thank you to our panelists for testifying. Recently, The New York Times wrote a series of stories and produced several videos denigrating rural Americans for providing the country with the safest, most abundant, and most affordable food supply in the history of the world. Let’s set the record straight. U.S. agriculture accounts for l... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you, Under Secretary Torres Small for being here today. I would like to begin by remembering Jim Hagedorn. Jim was passionate about his work on the Ag Committee and serving the people of southern Minnesota. Our districts are very similar, so I was fortunate to work with him on issues critical to our constituents, like promoting e... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Before I begin, I’d like to take a brief moment to echo Chairman Scott and send my thoughts and prayers to the family and staff of our late friend and colleague, Rep. Jim Hagedorn. Jim was a tireless advocate on behalf of our nation's farmers, ranchers, producers, and foresters and his love for this Committee and rural America will not soon be forgotten. I conside... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. And thank you to our witness today. I welcome Inspector Fong to the Subcommittee and look forward to the discussion. First and foremost, while I appreciate the work of OIG on this review, I remain uncertain as to why we would not bring the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (OASCR, pronounced OS-CAR), even if it involve... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Chairwoman Bustos, and thank you to Undersecretary Bonnie for being with us today, and congratulations on your confirmation to head up the Farm Production and Conservation – or FPAC (eff-pack) – mission area. Just over the course of the past 5 years, FPAC has been called upon to deliver multiple rounds of disaster assistance, implement the 2018 Farm Bil... Read more »
