I just want to thank you, Mr. McGovern, for your long-held advocacy in this ever-critical space of food security.

the enormity of her job, to represent that many constituents, only elevates my respect for her intensity to continue to be engaged here at the table.

I will tell you a quick story. I was in a place called T-Bone Cafe, which is in Columbus, Nebraska.

The damage is very high and real.

The ag losses are going to mount. It is unclear as to what they were, as people just pull themselves together.

Yes. The Chairman rightly points out that this is not yet a settled issue. It is still under debate.

Thank you for your long leadership on the Agriculture Committee. You have been a stalwart there.

I thank you for your emphasis on the bipartisan dynamic of the committee, and look forward to hearing from our Members.

Agriculture is one of the areas that can, when there is the will, transcend any perceived divides.

I think it is an important question. It is the heart of the matter.

The food security space is an absolutely critical part of America's public policy and one that is often overlooked.

I support the conservation compliance requirements, but I want to make sure that farmers have time to comply with the new requirements

Is our food safe?

On the one hand, you are our police force out there, making sure that billions are spent legally and effectively.

All right, thank you. Let me go two other quick questions.

Obviously it is a variable but, so, yes, help us understand is it robust enough? That is my concern.

I think the heart of the question is, are the controls, the system robust enough to have caught something like this?

While certainly the vast, vast majority of farmers and ranchers and participants in Nutrition Assistance Programs are honest people, someone out there will always try to game the system.