As long as Senator Lankford and I are Chairman and Ranking Member of this Committee, we are going to do oversight.

We are going to come back to you and say, 'Where are we at with this process?'

The Empowering Federal Employment for Veterans Act would connect veterans with Federal jobs that match their skills, as well as promote career development.

I stand ready and willing to question any cuts that come at the expense of talent, morale, and the mission of our Federal workforce.

I fail to see how we are going to get to 21 percent and still do what I know needs to be done.

I worry about my farmers and ranchers and how they are going to get the critical support and critical information they need from our Farm Service Agency (FSA) field offices.

Across-the-board cuts and a shrinking of the overall Federal workforce are not the answer to making the Federal Government more efficient or effective.

It just is going to delay and frustrate farmers who want to tile, who want to do the kind of work that they need to get permission from NRCS for.

Senator Hoeven and I have led a lot of efforts on distracted driving and got a bill passed just recently with Senator Thune's help.

I will be brief, but I beg your indulgence.

We have taken that feedback into consideration and have worked with North Dakota Game and Fish to produce language that would also allow them to be conveyed the land that they currently lease.

Okay, so they have that covered?

Okay, is there anything else that you want to elaborate on as far as the history or anything else regarding the homeowners and the lots that are on Patterson Lake in their development?

I have been there. I have seen the homes, they are very nice homes.

Thank you for your testimony on S. 440. I appreciate your feedback on the bill and will continue to work with you on your suggestions.

Talk for a minute about the Dickinson Parks and Recreation Department and their continued commitment to public access and recreation.

Which details their support.

I think we also have to factor in any dollar amount we come up with, it should be inflation-adjusted so it can remain relevant for--continue to help small business.