the Merrimack School Board voted unanimously to oppose any route for the Kinder Morgan pipeline that comes within a thousand feet of a district school building.

I do not think this is a role for the federal government.

What a mess. I would say to these other states, decrease your sales tax. Be competitive. Be like New Hampshire.

So, as we look at this so-called Marketplace Fairness, it is really a money grab from Washington to allow other states to require states like mine, who have made a choice to be competitive by not having a sales tax, to require our…

The House proposal actually phases out the small business exemption after three years, so, yes, you can be small for three years, but then become a tax collector for the country.

There is bipartisan agreement that we need comprehensive tax reform that simplifies the code and that creates a more level playing field for small businesses to compete with big business.

It is important to explore every opportunity for supporting our nation's job creators. That is our small businesses, where two-thirds of the jobs that are created come from small businesses.

Our tax code is in desperate need of reform. It is too long, too complex, and it creates a burden on middle-class families and small businesses across this country.

I would encourage you as well with veterans. I know our Veterans Administration in White River Junction, Vermont, on the border with New Hampshire, has a program for veterans in farming because of the connection to working with their…

It is time to open up the books and take a look at what the Fed is doing.

I don't want to lose $2 million sitting around in some office over here that was unobligated because somebody lost track of it.

Part of what we need to do as Members of Congress is we're bean counters.

I have the impression that we're in sort of an Alice in Wonderland world a little bit.

VA's procurement organization and business practices need serious reform now.

I am just not optimistic right now, given the leadership that the VA has at the very top.

The administration strongly supports the creation of incentives to support carbon sequestration in forests and wood products.

Private forests also protect wildlife habitats, improve air quality, and reduce carbon in the atmosphere.

Thank you very much, Chairman Roberts and Ranking Member Stabenow and members of the committee, for the opportunity to testify this morning on legislation critical to improving forest conservation in the U.S.