I think that's incredibly important.

we recognize full well the nature of agriculture could be difficult tomorrow. There does need to be a strong safety net.

Every $1 billion of agriculture sales creates 8,000 to 9,000 jobs.

We are very supportive, obviously, and hope to have quick ratification, of the Korean Free Trade Agreement.

We will invest in research to spur innovation, promote exports, support renewable energy and conservation, and enhance critical infrastructure in rural communities.

Will these reductions be easy? No. If I had my druthers, I'd like to live in a world where we had unlimited resources and we didn't have to deal with these issues.

I'd like to think it's the latter, Mr. Chairman. But in all seriousness, we at USDA recognize the responsibility because of the people that we work with and represent and work for--the folks in rural America.

Scientific research is essential for achieving [our] goals. To promote American innovation, new discoveries, and new industries, we continue to target and focus additional research dollars in key areas, like biofuel feedstocks, livestock…

opening statement

Well, I want to thank you all for being here, again, for another enlightening session.

The American people will not allow the hard-earned protections and benefits in this law to be taken away.

The cuts at the level in H.R. 1 will severely punish people who most rely on Social Security and SSI.

Are you confident enough that under the legislation you have the authority to make any changes in the program to make it financially solvent in the long term?

While I'm very supportive of technology and putting more things online... it just doesn't reach, I think, a big segment of the population out there that are elderly.

If you can get some of that for the record it would be good.

Social Security is the most successful Government program in the world.

The delivery of services should be strengthened, not weakened, during economic crisis.

I just wanted to bring that to the subcommittee's and the full committee's attention to ensure that no such language would enter into the Senate bill.