A diverse rural economy is the strongest hedge we have against economic downturn and natural disaster.

Thank you not just for being a friend of agriculture but being a friend of rural America.

We need to take a look at how teachers are being supported by their school boards and administrators.

Any legislation that this committee endorses should provide a measure of flexibility.

Evaluations must be done frequently, with discretion, and with the input and corroboration of teachers.

The President's goal of doubling the number of exports within this five-year period is attainable.

I think we should double our number of STEM schools.

My hope for today is that we can explore some of the bigger picture ideas for moving our economy forward.

30 percent of U.S. Nobel Laureates were born in other countries.

We need to be a country that makes stuff, that invents things, that exports to the world.

We have also seen promising signs of growth recently in critical industries like housing.

One of the beautiful things about America is how diverse we are in many dimensions.

I personally think that there were some very good things coming out of the Simpson-Bowles Commission.

I think most people would agree that is an area where it would be reasonable to make some regulations.

Senator Thune and I head up the Senate Co-Op Caucus.

I have supported the Heller decision and was on the amicus brief for the McDonald decision.

water comes down to, as you so eloquently said, a basic human right.

I think being more responsible and making sure and ensuring that those dollars actually go to native students is an issue that we have to address.