the administration has zeroed out the CDBG funds, another source of local economic development funds

Do you believe you would have been fired if Hillary Clinton had become President?

I think that rural states like mine are particularly challenged. It needs to be available and affordable for all, and it's not.

This is extremely important. It's extremely dangerous, what we're dealing with, and it's needed, is what you're saying.

Bob Mueller is one of the finest people and public servants this country's ever produced.

The seriousness of the Russian aggressions in our past elections and knowing that it'll be ongoing.

Because I think far too often in this country we focus on our urban centers and our rural communities across this country are shortchanged on access and other opportunities whether it's health care, growth, water, sewer.

Instead, a program that successfully does that very thing is being eliminated in the President's budget.

I was disappointed to see that in his latest budget proposal, President Trump has eliminated this program completely.

Housing is not a political issue--it should not be in the wealthiest nation on earth. It is actually a moral one.

This budget is going to eliminate the investments and hands-on efforts that help families succeed. This is not a foundation for greatness. Frankly, this budget is a travesty.

It has historically been popular with Governors because it incorporates flexibility for them to determine how best to use the money for their state's unique needs.

Funds have since been directed towards urgent flood relief to rebuild our communities.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is one of the longest running programs at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

There has to be one element of this government that the public can look at and say: this is not politically motivated.

There is a proposal to cut $27 million from this side.

I am interested in more efficient considerations so that we can make decisions more quickly that are of national interest.

We still have many unmet needs. And so I would like to elicit from you an affirmative that we can keep working with HUD to try to figure out what further damages we might have through the State and with your agency.