One of the confusing things to me about the President's budget is a proposed reduction in funding of technical assistance at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

I do not think I ever served on a committee in the Senate that we have not been together on.

More guidance to come, more actual guidance.

That is what I want to hear.

Rural Development is largely tasked with maintaining and improving that quality of life.

We want to make certain that the money the taxpayers provide you is well-spent.

I am pleased that the agency took many of the suggestions and comments from the agricultural community into account by re-proposing portions of the FSMA rules because they were unworkable for farmers.

I appreciate your comments in regard to the nature of Congress working in a bipartisan effort.

The other 85 percent could have an additional provider already providing the service.

We do have some concerns about the public policy benefit of an action like a partial prepaid loan.

I cannot understand the public policy of that. It does not benefit the utility. It does not impact the end-user.

There are lots of rules and regulations involving the quality of water, rightfully so. We want clean water.

We think that is part of it. That is part of what we try to do as well.

We will continue to press Rural Development for more clarity, because we believe they have the authority to do what needs to be done.

Thank you very much.

My understanding about something called guidance being issued by the FDA today on this topic, is that inaccurate?

I also recognize that successful implementation does not come without a cost.

A utility company cannot renegotiate their loan with RUS based upon changing circumstances of a new clean power plan.