Remarks as prepared for delivery: I appreciate the opportunity for Members to come together and advance thoughtful solutions at this markup. Among the bills, I am excited we will consider bipartisan legislation that my friend Ron Kind and I have been working on for months: H.R. 5608, the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act. CWD has been a big problem for the deer populations in Pen... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Good afternoon. On countless occasions, I’ve mentioned the importance of this Committee getting back to holding hearings to explore issues facing production agriculture and conducting oversight of the numerous programs administered by the Department of Agriculture—especially as we gear up for the next Farm Bill. So in that regard, I am thankful, Mr. Chairman, that... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Welcome, Chief Moore, and thank you for being here today. Like so many others who live in the West or near forests, this is an extremely important and personal issue to me and those that I represent. I want to begin by recognizing our firefighters on the ground who risk their lives every day to confront these disasters head-on. To our firefighters, I say thank you... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding today's hearing to review carbon markets. In July, I requested this hearing, along with legislative hearings on several proposed climate bills within our jurisdiction. Unfortunately, it seems many Members and stakeholders feel rushed to move legislation on carbon markets without Congress thoroughly vetting the issue. Honestly, I... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: I would be remiss, Mr. Chairman, if I did not express my continued disappointment in the reconciliation process, which continues to tarnish this Committee’s reputation of bipartisanship and decorum. I am also frustrated, and frankly surprised, we are here today to mark up a bill and a resolution that have nothing to do with the missing $28 billion you referenced l... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: It is with solemn regret I find myself before another partisan, unvetted, secretive process like the one conducted by this Committee in February. Mr. Chairman, I took you at your word when you committed to strengthen this Committee’s reputation and return to our storied history of bipartisanship. I believed we had changed course when, through your leadership, we w... Read more »
Good morning and thank you to our witnesses for making the time to be with us today. I am eager to learn more about your contributions to this sector of our agriculture industry. As I’ve said before, I hope our committee will move to holding hearings that explore the issues facing production agriculture, provide opportunities for oversight of the 2018 Farm Bill, and receive updates from officials ... Read more »
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and I will start with two notes of gratitude. The first is to you. When Congress focuses in a bipartisan way on issues, good things happen. This panel, these witnesses, this is going to be a good thing. Thank you. And then I also just want to note my gratitude to other members of this Subcommittee. I mean, when I think about the number of conversations—earnest co... Read more »
Remark as prepared delivery: Chairman Scott, thank you for your leadership on this issue and for working with me in a bipartisan fashion to ensure that the authorizing committee has a say when it comes to disaster assistance for our producers. This extension of the Wildfire Hurricane Indemnity Program disaster program for 2020 and 2021 losses is crucial. With fires raging out West, drought grippin... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Good morning, everyone. Chair Spanberger, thank you for convening today’s hearing. From furniture to baseball bats, and paper to lumber, our forests provide countless products and essential feedstocks for many American industries. Collectively, forest-related businesses support over one million direct jobs and 2.9 million indirect jobs nationwide, generating appro... Read more »
