That has proven to be absolutely wrong. And I call it the 'hug a Nazi, make a liberal' theory.

I think that President--and we should applaud that.

Let's just note that President Abe in Japan has been doing his best to end the type of relationship that you have just described.

I think it is also a good thing as Prime Minister Abe and the Japanese Government looks at stepping up some of its own defensive capabilities, understanding some of the threats.

I think it is very important for us to reassure our allies in the region that we will uphold our commitments.

We are ready to stand with our allies in the region in a collaborative way.

Our livestock producers, all of you represented here, from beef to poultry, to the other commodities, represent 42 percent of our domestic and global markets.

We understand the important role you play every day in putting dinner on America's dinner table.

Did all of your associations support the TPP agreement that we had been working on?

opening statement

They want better nutrition, higher protein, and we do that well.

I will work, in a bipartisan way, every day I can with the Chairman of this Subcommittee and with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to produce a farm bill in this Congress, because that is the goal line.

We represent the taxpayers, and the taxpayers expect us, and we should, use their money as an investment return as far as conservation practices go.

We are going to need your efforts, your organizations' efforts, and all the folks you represent out there as we try to put this farm bill together.

I was proud to be one of the 28 Democrats in the House who voted for Trade Promotion Authority.

the Margin Protection Program just hasn't worked, in my view, and it is one of the things we have to look at.

We know the problems with Canada, as they have become very predatory. It is not a level playing field, in my view.

It is appropriate that you and the Ranking Member paid tribute to Kika de la Garza, who was a real force not only in American agriculture.