if we are going to see communities recover, we need to make sure that there is a possibility of recovery in a way that is maybe more humane than what we have had before.

We think that is a real growth model.

I often say this, and I think it is true, with the exception of my partner on this subcommittee, we wake up every morning thinking about rural America.

I think one of the great challenges here in terms of disaster relief is that the balance between wanting it to be self-contained and have no subsidization from Federal taxpayer dollars, and then recognizing that the taxpayer input and…

I will tell you, in visiting, people feel like these programs are disjointed, that all of a sudden, they will hear something from SBA that they had not.

I think it is, not to belabor the point too much, but we are going to continue to ask these questions about consolidation and coordination, better coordination of these programs, especially in rural communities, where we have not done as…

I do not think there is any doubt that USDA Rural Development is one of our country's greatest success stories.

We need to do a better job selling the Cooperstowns and the Walhallas, and there are some great recreational opportunities.

But we certainly appreciate the work that both of you do, and I am grateful, as is my State, for all of the assistance FEMA has given us as we experience, whether it is a tornado or whether it is devastating flooding in my State.

We were pretty insistent that a provision needed to be placed that would prohibit SBA from collateralizing someone's home because then literally their whole life is at risk.

We are now working on an amendment that would correct and include those who were left behind in that effort.

85 percent of our country's persistent poverty counties are in rural America. Poverty is not just an urban issue.

My great concern is that we will end up, even in states like North Dakota, being a place where people will only find opportunity in cities over 50,000, 60,000 people.

With SBA funding for small business, how would--given that this law is in effect, how would you then implement this provision without a regulation?

I have a special particular concern about its impact, the disproportionate impact it would have on smaller video providers, rural video providers.

I am unconvinced that the FCC's proposed privacy rules on ISPs will do anything more than add additional rules.

Does it seem like it makes sense to use a consent decree or to bully... companies into some sort of agreement apart from a transparent process?

I would rather see... work with our State and work with our Health Department... on a global solution.