If you had some----

The American people would be shocked to learn that the USDA does not have the fundamental authority to protect public health.

I do not think we can do that.

You cannot do that. So you are proposing to do that.

I am just saying that the law that we passed, signed by the President, allows funding for CSP at the $3.773 billion level.

The principle that we are operating under is an open-ended mandatory program.

Correct me if I am wrong, Jim, but I think the time line was to try to get the final rule sometime towards the end of the summer.

I think my remarks are probably more applicable to OMB.

I am just saying that the law that we passed, signed by the President, allows funding for CSP at the $3.773 billion level.

I am working to get the cap removed, as you know.

I want to know when can we expect that we are going to have the final rules promulgated?

All I am asking, and I am going to get into the rules here in a little bit... will it be based upon the full $3.773 billion?

I will keep mine real short.

If farmers do the work, the conservation work, to earn up to the $3.773 billion, then they should not be denied access to that money.

I hope we do not do that.

The negative statements about COL from the Administration cause me great concern with regard to the credibility and the agenda of USDA.

I understand what you are saying about the budget came up before the Omnibus. I understand that.

The principle that we are operating under is an open-ended mandatory program. Is that right or not?