Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this hearing today to discuss the wide range of programs the USDA manages and how to ensure the tribal communities can better access these programs.

When it comes to hope, there is not much of it.

The truth is, the real problem here is poverty.

today Senator Warren and I have joined together to introduce the Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act. This important piece of legislation is critical to addressing key issues that exist in the regulatory framework for retirement plans…

About the time the project is completed, I'm guessing technology will be well ahead of where you end.

That is why I think transparency, local engagement throughout the process is of utmost importance.

The decisions that are made by BLM have wide ranging implications for our farmers or ranchers and others' use of land and our sportsmen as well.

I think in places like Montana technology really removes geography as a constraint.

The goal here, I understand, is to provide coverage in 99 percent of the country.

It's still unclear to me what accountability measures FirstNet has in place to ensure that these partnerships happen with these rural teleco providers.

We heard today that FirstNet plans to use fees generated from densely populated areas to help fund the build-out in more rural areas.

With all due respect, we have many members in this Committee, the full Committee, from Vermont, from Massachusetts, from states that do not have lands that are classified as BLM.

Do you believe that consolidation in the banking industry, in particular as it applies to--well, across the board, does not matter--is not a good thing? And do you think that the regulatory issues have contributed to the consolidation?

I think simplification is important.

So my question is: Do you see any problem with the process right now of regulation on our small banks? And if so, what are we doing about it?

I am continually concerned about community banks and the level regulation to match the risk that they pose to the economy and to their depositors and borrowers.

I do share my colleague from Arizona's commitment to elevate Cyber Command to a combatant command in conference. The House NDAA includes a provision to elevate Cyber Command, and I stand with eight bipartisan Members of the Senate…

I wish to enter into a colloquy with my colleague from Arizona. The National Defense Authorization Act which the Senate passed this week is the most critical piece of legislation for our national security that we debate each year, and I…