I encourage you to increase the Federal commitment to the embattled veterans of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

We are forever indebted to the brave men and women who serve in uniform and we owe them our continued support as veterans.

I would like to thank you, Chairman Takano and Ranking Member Roe, and the Members of this Committee, for the opportunity to speak on the issues affecting approximately 8,800 veterans in my district of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

All American veterans deserve a commitment from their country and government that proper health care will be provided regardless of geographic location.

The current Federal hiring preference statutes must be updated to reflect the way we utilize our reserve component forces.

The prices have gone up, I believe, like, over 300 percent in the last 10 years.

Up to 30 percent of my district could lose access to healthcare unless Congress takes action.

U.S. citizens have been neglected and allowed to fall behind.

Up to 30 percent of the population of my district could lose access to healthcare unless Congress takes action to eliminate the fiscal cliff that we know we are facing due to Medicaid.

I have sponsored legislation, joined by my colleagues from the territories, and others, to correct inequities we face under all of the federal health programs.

I want to respond first to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. McCarthy), the minority leader, when he talked about us doing work. He asked us if work was being done here in Congress and said that we weren't responding to the…

I am proud that the 2018 Farm Bill provided NOP with new authorities to address the most pressing concerns of the organic industry.

The organic sector offers an opportunity for our farmers and ranchers to invest in their operations, seek a premium on their products, and meet a growing consumer demand.

Such incidents only highlighted the need for expanded authorities for enforcement, increased resources, more staffing, and stronger data collection.

It is our job here in Washington, both here and at the USDA, to ensure we are safeguarding the integrity of the National Organic Program.

As the Subcommittee with jurisdiction over organics, we have a responsibility to oversee this rapidly evolving segment without stifling the innovation that makes it so unique.

Every day, every week, and definitely every month, they are trying to juggle which bill they are going to pay, and which bill they are not going to pay. Are they going to be able to keep the lights on? Are they going to be able to pay the…

I thank the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Horsford) for yielding and thank him for the work he is doing on this issue and so many issues that affect American families. Sometimes here in Congress we can be distracted by issues that come up on…