Just last week, I am proud to announce that New Hampshire received $66 million in broadband funding under the American Rescue Plan.

We have talked for many years, and I have been a proud Member of Mr. Clyburn's Rural Broadband Task Force.

A quick and streamlined process would be helpful.

Our forests also remain vulnerable to invasive pests like the emerald ash borer, as well as to the effects, as I have mentioned, of climate change.

The good news is that forests are the most powerful clean air technology on Earth, reducing the net amount of CO2 in the atmosphere as the trees grow.

Sustainable forestry and conservation are in our blood in the Granite State of New Hampshire.

We have had multiple, and I personally have had multiple conversations with producers from the northeastern part of the United States just discussing the unique marketing challenges that they face.

the connections this program allows seniors to make with fresh, local food, as well as other community resources, are invaluable.

That safety net is more critical than ever as we recover our supply chains from the height of the pandemic and navigate the food and fuel shortages stemming from Russia's unconscionable invasion of Ukraine.

I have introduced legislation to make permanent the telephonic signature flexibility, which allows states to process SNAP applications without expensive technology.

children cannot learn when they are hungry. And I strongly believe that universal free school meals are a sensible investment in our young people and in the future of this country and our economy.

I believe that the SNAP program's administrative flexibilities granted since 2020 have made an incredible difference in mitigating hunger throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Not only does this flexibility cut a lot of unnecessary red tape, it still holds applicants to the same standards.

Administrator Long, do you believe the flexibilities extended to SNAP during the pandemic have been valuable?

This flexibility allows states to process SNAP applications without expensive telephonic signature technology.

Never was the safety net more necessary than during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SNAP has a proven track record of helping to mitigate hunger in New Hampshire and save thousands of families from slipping into the depths of poverty.

As our nation transitions toward a clean-energy future, there is no question that rural America has a critical role to play in leading this charge.